3rd time's a charm

Last Christmas Santa gave the family a snazzy new 2-room tent. It has remained expertly packaged in its box since that time. When we moved to Ohio we promised we could take the kids camping as often as Rick’s schedule would allow because it’s a pretty inexpensive way to see the area and we can bring our dog along.

Two weeks ago we scheduled a trip, but the rain disrupted our plans. Last weekend we packed up the car and drove to a recommended site close to town. Instead of wilderness, we found a soccer field and some outhouses. We opted to go Olive Garden instead. On Thursday we finally made good on our promise to the kids. We drove to Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio (near Indiana) to camp, knock out some Cub Scout requirements with Jake, and enjoy a social studies field trip. It was awesome!


The weather cooperated beautifully. The campsite provided some great amenities, including clean bathrooms with showers, an indoor pool and hot tub, ponds for fishing,



and trails for walking and biking.



Besides a few seniors with motor homes, we were the only family there. We cheated and ate dinner at the on-site restaurant called “The Barn”.





It was there that the kids discovered apple butter. Yum!



And, Jake lost another tooth.

Then we went to the pool and hot tub at the Inn. Campers are allowed to use the Hotel amenities.





Later, Jake (and Rick) built a fire for cooking S’mores while Emma and I read our book. We slept fairly well in our new tent that night. The only drawback was the noise from a nearby train.





The next morning, Rick made a scrumptious pancake breakfast. Since we forgot our spatula, Rick used his hatchet to flip the flapjacks.



After the feast we broke camp and made our way to Historic Sauder Village.





We played with 19th century toys,








went to school,




canned apple butter,





picked apples,




pressed cider,




hung out in a wigwam,





Jacob got to hold a real musket,






And the kids got to "milk" a cow.








It was so fun that we closed the place down.






The kids said it was the best social studies lesson ever!