Our 6S Full Life

Worlds of Fun

We try to make our big trips full of varying activities. It makes a summer of travel much more interesting when we get to see and do many different things. Although a lot of our travels are nature and history based we add in some truly fun things from time to time. On this day we visited the Oceans of Fun and Worlds of Fun parks in Kansa City, MO. We stayed at the Worlds of Fun RV park which was right by the parking lot and in the perfect spot to walk to the park. The really bonus is it was not just a parking lot, but an actual nice campsite with trees, grass, and well kept clean facilities.

Roller coasters are a different view then usual.

Our plan was to go to the water park return to the RV to change and eat lunch then go to the amusement park until dinner. Eat dinner at the RV and then return for the rest of the evening. All would be great except when traveling things don’t always go as planned. We ended up with a tire that was riding wrong, almost bald, and needed to be replaced. This made for a lot of problem solving and changing of plans for us. Luckily the Ford Dealership was 0.8 miles from the park. Stephen dropped off the RV and walked back over to join us then walked over to get it in the evening. We changed at the park and brought our things. We had lunch at our site where we left our ice chest and ended up eating dinner (at 9) after leaving the park for the night. We still had a good time after figuring it all out.

We started at Oceans of Fun which is a large water park with slides, a river, water play areas, a wave pool, and all other things you would expect at a water park. It was crowded and hard to find a seat. The lines were a bit long and we had forgotten to pack the googles. All in all not our favorite experience of the trip. We did find some moments of joy though. The kids loved the wave pool and we all swam there together. Everyone had fun on the few slides we went on and overall we enjoyed the experience for what it was.

After going back to camp and enjoying a picnic lunch we headed over to Worlds of Fun. The amusement park is right next to the water park. The girls rode every rollercoaster and ride we came to. The boys enjoyed the tamer rides. The park is huge and spread out so not great for a family of split interests. We walked through the park, so much walking, it was a lot and it was hot! There was a heat advisory warning for the day which made for sweaty rides and a constant hunt for shade. The best part was the lines were not bad and we pretty much walked on every ride. The only rides with waits were the rides with water, the log and raft rides. We got in as many rides as we could and even convinced the boys to stretch their comfort zone a bit.

One of our favorite moments was when a mother with three young children was told (after waiting in line) that she needed a chaperone on the ride for each of her children. B was standing next to them and offered for her and A to each chaperone a child. The mother was extremely grateful and everyone got to ride. Small moments like these help us see that through the teenage fighting and frustration, no they are good kids with kind hearts.

By the time the RV was done and back it was late and our snacks were gone. We made it to camp just in time to watch the fireworks again. We enjoyed a very late dinner, did some laundry, got everyone showered, and by 11 we were all sound asleep. In spite of the many plan changes and negatives we had a good time and hopefully that is what the kids will remember.

Rocky Ridge a Laura Ingalls Wilder Home

We drove to Missouri for another chance to see a part of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life. This stop was at her Farmhouse and Rock House. Both of which are at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO. This is where she spent the bulk of her life and wrote her famous Little House books. After all her travels as a child she spent her adult years in one place.

We started in the small museum full of artifacts from Laura’s life and family. Dishes, dresses, letters, books, photos, hand stitched blankets, lace, and many other items were fascinating. The item we were most excited to see was Pa’s fiddle. This fiddle is an integral part of all the Little House books, it is the calming force throughout the stories. When Pa plays his fiddle, no matter what to happening the world calms down and Laura’s family is at peace. After reading all the books it is hard not to see this item and not feel that calming force resonating from it.

Next we drove the very short distance to the Rock House. This house was built by Laura’s daughter for Laura and Almanzo to live in. It had all the modern consciences of the late 1920’s. Indoor plumbing, electricity, and a furnace. It was also beautiful with its stone work outside, large windows, and cozy farm house feel. A small house Jen would be more then happy to move into.

After our tour of the Rock Ridge we headed back over to the visitor center and the Farmhouse. The farm house was hand built by Laura and Almanzo after they moved to the land in 1894. They finished the house in 1913 with a final addition. Except for the 8 years they lived in the Rock House, they lived in the farm house the rest of their lives. The land and homes were wonderful and we could see how living here would be an incredibly peaceful life.

After our tours we bought some more books at the store. Our RV library and now many books are filled with books and buying more throughout our travels has not helped. We just cannot turn down a child asking for a book as a souvenir. 📚

After our time visiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home we drove across the street to our campsite at the Laura Ingalls Wilder RV Park. The kids had fun running around the play area with the ducks and chickens. Free range chickens make almost any RV park a five star for us.

Indiana Dunes and Lake Michigan

Our next stop was another national park. These places almost feel like home now after visiting so many. We start with some research on the NPS app and our NPS book. Then we stop at the visitor center to get a map, Jr Ranger books, and talk with a ranger about best places for our family and vehicle. Last we make a plan and head out.

We started the afternoon at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center where we watched a film and looked over the educational displays. Our first stop was Bailly Homestead and the Chellberg Farm. Neither had rangers working at them, so we read as many displays as we could and looked through windows. The kids loved the chickens at the farm. Although they felt they needed more pasture room and fresh grass. All our talk of raising healthy happy animals (including animals for food) is sinking in. Wish we could have visited the farm during a ranger led time.

We drove to the 1933 Century of Progress Homes next. These homes were at the 1933 world fair and now reside on the banks of Lake Michigan in the national park. We read about each one and wished we could have toured inside in their original form. Especially the one with an airplane hanger for a garage, because you know we all have airplanes for travel now. lol! Many of them are private residences but at least one is available for tours from time to time. We think the bright pink flamingo house would be our top pick for moving into.

After driving a bit more we were at our camp. We spent the night at Dunewood Campground. It was pretty and would have been great except the large amount of mosquitos. We rode scooters and ate outside but quickly made our way inside for card games till bed.

Our plan for the second day was to hike the 3 Dune Challenge at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Then spend some time on the beach before getting our badges at the Paul H. Douglas Center.

We started early at 9am on the 3 Dune Challenge Hike. This hike walks to the top of the three highest dunes in the park. Although the route is only 1.5 miles hiking in sand and up dunes is not an easy feat. The kids made it through with only a small amount of whining. Mostly the little one who told us half way up the first dune she was not doing this. Then she stoped. We all kept going, by the time we had gotten to the top and rested a bit she was there to continue on with us. It was a good hike we all used leg muscles we had not used in a while. We also found “skating” down a dune is lots of fun. Flying butter from the dinner skillet burnt Jen’s shoulder the night before and she could not carry her backpack and waters. Luckily we have a great 15 year old who volunteered and a bit reluctant 13 year old who helped. They make us crazy but moments like this show us they are good kids.

This was the only set of stairs on the hike

We stayed at the state park and enjoyed the beach at Devil’s Slide. Lake Michigan was colder then Erie but warmer then Ontario. Everyone had fun splashing, swimming, skipping rocks, and playing in the sand. All three lakes were so different we are sad the other two are not in our plans this trip. Looks like we need to start planning another trip to get them all in.

By lunch time we had dried off and headed to the Paul H. Douglas Center. We were a bit disappointed as the center had some great educational experience set up, but no one to facilitate them. Then we found the volunteer and rangers sitting up front not doing much. We did enjoy the turtles, snake, toad, and fish in one room. Overall though it was not a place I would put on the visit again list. We got our badges and left for our next destination.

Lake Erie

We spent our afternoon and evening at a wonderful state park on Lake Erie in Michigan. William C. Sterling State Park is located right in the lake with campsites directly across from a great beach area. Our site was right by the path to the beach and the kids immediately rushed out to the sand and water as soon as we stopped.

We paddled around, swam, and built in the sand until the sun started to set (around 9pm). Then we hung out around the fire pit with milk and cookies. One by one the kids made their way to bed until the adults were able to enjoy quite time. Between the fire, waves, and stars it was hard for us to go to bed.

The next morning we spent a little more time by the water before heading out. Definitely a top camp spot for us. Can’t get much better then beach front rving.

A found the nuclear power plants fascinating.

Cuyahoga Valley

Even though we are on our way home we still have quite a few stops including more national parks. Our trip through Ohio brought us to Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We stayed at the Streetsboro KOA near Cleveland. We really enjoyed our stay here. Our site was right by the pond, they had two play grounds including a jump pad, as well as a pool everyone enjoyed. They also had a nice bathhouse and large showers. The sky was a bit smoky from the west coast fires. Luckily this only lasted a day and blew out quickly.

We spent our first day in Cuyahoga hiking 4 different areas. Each one was very unique, which made it all much more interesting and easy to push through the 7 miles we ended up hiking. Our first stop after getting some advice from a park ranger was Brandywine Falls Gorge Loop. This was an easy route, some of it on boardwalks some over dirt, roots, and rocks. We found the Brandywine Falls pretty cool with its slate ledges which look like steps leading down to the creek below. We got views from both the lower and upper boardwalks before continuing around the rest of the loop. The kids loved the slat rocks along the creek since they were perfectly flat and amazing skipping rocks.

Our second stop was the Station Road Bridge and Lock 36. The iron bridge was built in 1882 and had just undergone new paint and timber’s. We crossed the bridge enjoying the views of the river as we walked the Towpath trail to the remains of Lock 36. Running next to the Cuyahoga in river was a canal used to move goods from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Once the train was built through the area the canal became obsolete. The Towpath, where the mules pulled the ships through the canal, are now beautiful walking paths.

We made our way back to the visitor center for the kids to get their badges before continuing to the Ledges Trail. We were not sure what to expect since it is not simple to find information on the trails here, or at least there are not a lot of pictures on the park sites. We started the hike through some nice forested area and soon discovered the ledges. Large cliffs we walked over and then down below. The layers made them fascinating to look at. Each one was different and it seemed as we walked each area was layered uniquely. The woods, springs, and ledges made for a gorgeous hike that kept us interested the entire way.

Our last stop of the day was Beaver Marsh. Plans to build a parking lot in the area were abandoned when a family of beavers continued to make a dam in the area and flood it. As they were trying to renew the once trashed area it was decided to leave it to the beavers. The result was a marsh which then attracted many other birds, mammals, and reptiles. What once was destroyed by humans is now flourishing with animals. We enjoyed seeing the great blue herons, ducks, turtles, and fish. Unfortunately it was not a good time of the day to see the otters or beavers. We returned to camp to enjoy our evening.

Planes, cars, RV’s, busses, subways, and boats have filled our summer after Cuyahoga trains are now a part of the list. We were up early to catch a train through the park on our second day at Cuyahoga. It is the only national park with a train we could not pass up the opportunity to add another form of transportation to our summer trip. We all enjoyed the round trip from Rockside Station to Akron and back. On the way we saw small towns, farms, neighborhoods, marshes, and lots of forests. It was a 3hour round trip and we were done by lunch ready to bid farewell to Cuyahoga and continue on our way west.