Getting a Vacation One Way or Another – Part 3: Day-Tripping it!

Today is my last post about Getting a Vacation One Way or Another when you are in the ministry.  Today’s tip is, honestly, my favorite thing in the whole wide world: day-tripping! I’ve been guilty on more than one occasion of making my family wait while I looked through all of those ridiculous tourist brochures you find at rest stops. You just never know what kind of fun little gem you might discover there!

Well, last week was our week of day-trips. We ate nearly every meal at home. Obviously we slept at home..and we had so. much. fun.

Here is what we did:

Monday

This week was the Ohio State Fair, so of course we had to go indulge in fair food! *wink*wink* We particularly delighted in introducing our friend, Tammy, to fried oreos (yum!).

Of course, we also enjoyed fair rides, craft displays, 4-H competitions, and enjoyed all of the free shows around the fairground. What a fun day we had!

Tuesday

We went to the incredible COSI museum in downtown Columbus.

We LOVE this museum!

So much so, we could live here! Ok, maybe not. But every single time we come here, we have a new (insanely fun) experience!

Aren’t my little scientists cutie-patooties?!?

Wednesday

Wednesday’s adventure was a chocolate factory tour. Can you say DROOL?!

I drive past the Anthony-Thomas Chocolate Factory on a daily basis and it occurred to me one day that maybe, quite possibly they gave tours. So I looked for them on the internet, and I WAS RIGHT! The tour was only $1 per child and $2  per adult and that money could be applied to a purchase in the candy shop after the tour.

We got free chocolate.

And while we weren’t allowed to take pictures in the factory, I did get a picture of this:

The world’s biggest buckeye (I call them peanut butter balls, but around here that is almost sacrilegious, so you’re sworn to secrecy!!).

Thursday

After a light day trip on Wednesday, we felt rested up and ready for a LONG day at the Columbus Zoo!

It is another one of the local sites that we have taken to visiting regularly. This time we were determined to visit their newest exhibit Stingray Bay. It is a shallow pool full of stingrays that you’re able to touch.

It did not disappoint.

Neither did the Animals on Safari Show. Chloe was so excited to get this close!

Really, she was excited! I didn’t push her up there and make her stay so I could take a picture. Really.

Friday

Maybe you don’t know this about Ohio, but our state has one of the largest Amish and Mennonite populations in the US. We live particularly close to a community and have the blessing of their influence in our everyday lives.

So today we went to our new favorite Amish/Mennonite store – Yutzy’s Farm Market.

Maybe you didn’t know this - the Amish love their candy.

And their ice cream.

Don’t worry…after I took this picture I told the ladies and they all laughed hysterically about it. And then we compared ice cream faces.

This one won.

What a great and relaxing week we had! We slept in each morning and left the house when we were good and ready. We weren’t on a strict schedule, other than making sure we got to the factory tour on time, and to the Amish stores early enough (they close EARLY. At least earlier than this city girl is used to seeing. Ha!)

I have to say we’re blessed to live near one of the most family-friendly cities I’ve ever lived in. And we are enjoying every bit of it.

What kind of day trips have you enjoyed this summer? Have you found some new fun spots near you? If not, start looking! Think outside the box. I learned factory tours are fun, afterall. What other ideas can you think of? It’s NOT too late!

Now go make some memories with your family, and get the rest your family needs!