A Day with the Dinosaurs

When we decided to go to Illinois for a mini vacation this summer we knew that our first stop had to be The Field Museum in Chicago.  Cameron has read the Jurassic Park books, seen all of the movies and conquered the video game.  We couldn't wait to take him to see the ultimate in dinosaur fossils - Sue the T-Rex.  We met her, watched a 3-D movie about her life as a dinosaur, learned how she was discovered and spent quite a bit of time in the Exploring the Planet Earth exhibit.  Cam knew a lot of dinosaur facts already, and filled us in on what we didn't know.  While we were there we also visited exhibits on Ancient Egypt, the Underground Adventure, China, Mammoths & Mastodons and the Vikings.  We were there four hours and took advantage of every minute of it.

After our day with the dinosaurs we stopped in DeKalb to see Carl.  He showed everyone the latest wooden bowls he was making and talked about creating something the Heinisch children would love to have when they are married.  From there we drove to Galena.  We checked into the DeSoto House Hotel, Illinois' oldest operating hotel dating back to 1855.  The nameplate on our door is Philip Sheridan, civil war general, that stayed in Galena over a hundred and fifty years ago.  

Once we settled in we walked downtown and found Galena's Brewing Company for dinner.  Everyone decided on appetizers and Meg picked out her favorite from her trips to Bittersweet - Bosco sticks.  Cameron scored big with everyone when he ordered the two pound soft pretzel to share.  Brett even said he would have endured the five hour trip just to try it.  After dinner we tried the local ice cream parlor.  Doug, Meg and Cam wanted to walk to Grant's Park from there.  I took two steps on the bridge and I wasn't sure I could do it.  It was several stories above ground and felt to me as though it was moving.  It wasn't, of course, and as long as I held on to Doug and Meg & Cam agreed to walk in the middle I was able to make it across.  It was a lovely park with statues, benches and civil war memorabilia.  I am still not sure it was worth the "death defying hike", but I am glad that we did it.