Early Morning Hike & Climb - Vacation Day 2

We started the day with an early morning hike around Lake Lincoln.  The boys had each decided they wanted to hike to the Fire Tower and climb to the top.  

We saw several amazing spider webs on our hike.  

We made it to the trail up to the fire tower. 

Fire Tower

Devin & Tate decided they needed a break before climbing the fire tower.  Devin was a little nervous even though he has climbed this before.  He gets his fear of heights honestly from his Dad.

We made it to the top! 

Headed back down.

Look at these two??  Guess vacation brings out the best in everyone.

The lake was so calm.  Love the reflection in the water. 

Later in the afternoon, we headed to the dock to do a little fishing.  Tate was so excited to use his Rocket fishing pole for the very first time.  They didn't manage to catch anything, but they had a lot of fun.

Road Trip to Cincinnati

Our first stop on our road trip to Cincinnati was Hemlock Cliffs in the Hoosier National Forest.  It's a little off the beaten path, but well worth the stop.

The loop around is just a little over 1 mile.Great way to burn off some energy and break up the drive.  

Climbing down the rocks heading towards the cliffs and water fall.

You can see the waterfall behind the boys.  It had recently rained, so water was flowing over the edge.

Further up the path, we had to climb over logs that were recently placed due to a mudslide.  The hillside had given out in some of the recent heavy rains.  

Stopped on the bridge for a group photo.

L-R; Stacey, Grandma Wolsing, Devin, Tate, and Xavier

Such a cool rock feature. You can see all of the layers of rock stacked on top of each other. 

Finishing our hike at Hemlock Cliffs.  After our hike, we made our way towards Louisville.  

Grandma and I took the boys to the Louisville Slugger Museum.  It is a museum and factory tour.  They make all of their bats in this location.  During the tour we saw how they take timber and turn them into billets, which they turn on a lathe to make bats of all shapes and sizes.  They have a CMC machine that turns professionals bats in about 30 seconds.  

Tate is holding a Louisville Slugger bat that was actually used in a MLB game.

Louisville slugger bats used in games that you could check out.

Devin managed to throw 3 strikes!  

Tate threw balls and walked his batter.

Xavier taking his turn as the pitcher.  

Out front with the HUGE Louisville Slugger baseball bat. 

It's so big I couldn't get the whole bat in the picture. 

Posing with their new mini baseball bats. After our tour, we checked out the rest of the museum.  Then we headed to lunch.  We tried out a new restaurant called the Garage.  We had some great pizza and an amazing burger. Then after lunch we headed to the pedestrian bridge across the Ohio River.  

This used to be a train bridge before it was turned into a pedestrian bridge.  They recreated the tracks down the entire bridge.  

A picture in the middle of the bridge.  

We walked from Kentucky to Indiana and back.  Then we hopped in the Jeep and headed towards Cincinnati.  All of the boys were looking forward to getting to the hotel so they could go swimming in the indoor pool.  

We had a great day!

Camping, Hiking & Trick or Treating

Fall was out in full force with some beautiful colors.  We decided to head up to the museum and nature center.  Then we headed out on a hike around Audubon State Park. 

Such a beautiful building and fall setting.

The leader of our hike.  He was mapping us all the way.

Yep, it was already time to take a little rest!  It was definitely a well placed bench.

Cousins enjoying their time out in the woods.  

Xavier, Tate, & Devin

The cousins found the perfect climbing tree.  Also made a great photo opportunity.

The leaves and surroundings were absolutely amazing.  Fallen leaves covered the bridge and trail, and those left in the trees where a perfect golden yellow. 

Favorite Picture from the weekend!  We had to pick up the pace of our hike towards the end.  The rain was staring to move in on us.  

Trick or Treating at Audubon.

Back Row: Uncle Eric as Mario

Middle Row: Grandpa Wolsing as Swamp man

Grandma Wolsing as Creepy Doctor

Stacey as Princess Peach

Greg as Wario

Front Row: Addy as Mal (from Disney's Descendants)

Tate as Luigi

Devin as Mario

Xavier as Luigi

Family picture before Trick or Treating!

I think our Mario was having a great time out snagging some candy.

Little Luigi was loving every minute!

Greg is an amazing Dad.  Don't know to many Dad's willing to dress up for Halloween and go Trick or Treating in the pouring down rain.  Definitely the most memorable Trick or Treat experience we have ever had. 

I just love this picture! 

My Mario and Wario making the best out of a pretty crummy situation. 

(My purple pants look pretty amazing too!)

Devin , Addy, & Tate

Hiking Trails at Lincoln State Park

We were spending the weekend at Lincoln State Park.  It was one of their special Halloween Weekends.  

After breakfast I promised the kids that we would head out on a hike around the park.  We decided to hike around the lake to the Fire Tower.  Tate was excited to go on the hike!

Tate & Grandma almost to the top.  The route to the fire tower was a little steep at times, but Tate & Grandma managed just fine.  

Well we made it to the top of the hill and found the fire tower, now the next challenge climbing all those stairs to the top. There is 108 steps to be exact.

Tate, Devin, Lainey, & Carter - 2nd Cousins

A view from the top

Devin and his walking stick.

Mom and her silly boys.

Grandma & Tate 

Crossing the bridge over the levee's spillway.

Loved the clouds and the reflection!