Saturday, July 2, 2016

HarborPark: Kenosha, WI

During the summer months, there are a lot of fun events that happen at HarborPark in Kenosha, including the recent Border Wars Beer Fest and the annual Taste of Wisconsin, which we have attended several times. And even when there's not something going on, it's a lovely place for a stroll with beautiful views.

Just steps away from the park are the Kenosha Public Museum and the Civil War Museum as well as the tracks for the electric streetcar system. Anytime we are near the Kenosha lakefront, my kids love to hop on and take a ride. We also love all the free and easily accessible beachfront that you can spend time at. There's a lot to love about Kenosha and the lakefront is at the top of the list. For more info on events at HarborPark and within Kenosha, go to VisitKenosha.com



Friday, July 1, 2016

Caboose Lake: Remington, IN


On several trips over the years to Indiana Beach we'd pass Caboose Lake Campground in Remington, IN and it looked like a fun place for the kids. So, as we planned our most recent visit to Monticello to visit the amusement park, we decided to make it into a little getaway. We spent a full day at Indiana Beach and then a full day at the campground where there's a lot to do.

I had been wanting to do camping with the kids for a while. We'd stayed at a lot of campgrounds, but always in RVs or cabins, not actually "roughin' it." And we had a sizable tent that hadn't been used other than for backyard campouts and a once a year cub scout camp.

So, we set-up our tent and slept under the stars that night. I'm glad we experienced it, but I learned that I am no longer into roughin' it. I hadn't done that since I was a teenager. It was muggy. My inflatable mattress deflated in the middle of the night. Bugs were buzzing. My kids snored and kicked. The neighbors in the camper beside us were up late and then up early and really loud. Luckily, they have both rental RVs and cabins, so on our next visit, we will have to take advantage of that.

The boys enjoyed fishing with their dad, playing on the playground, making s'mores, swimming and playing on the beach and just strolling around the campground and eating ice cream. For a one-price wristband you have unlimited use of the Summer Beach Family Fun Zone during the times they are open. It includes a big inflatable water slide, bumper boats and a Water Wars water balloon game. Different fun activities are scheduled on weekends, such as horse shoe tournaments, train rides and corn hole tournaments. The kids took advantage of all of the above.

Caboose Lake provided a nice time for all of us and a chance to enjoy time as a family without electronics and screens. I'd recommend it as a place for a weekend family getaway if you're in Northern IL, Northern IN or Southwest, MI as is not too far and t'd it's a great stop to pair up with a visit to Indiana Beach. For more information, follow Caboose Lake Campground on Facebook or check out the website at cabooselake.com.






Prairie Guest House, Fishers Indiana

On a recent media trip in Indianapolis, I spent a little time in Hamilton County, staying at the Prairie Guest House Bed & Breakfast in ...