We're back from our long adventure on the prairie. The Things and I rode Amtrak from Los Angeles Union Station to a little town just outside Chicago, where my sister Cricket lives. Very convenient and WAAAAY cheaper than flying. Added benefit: no security theater, bring all the luggage and pointy objects you want, and omit getting herded like cattle into tiny little "seatlets." The train ride was 40 hours (2 nights) and we managed just fine in the roomy coach seats. The ride, both directions, was a relaxing break from everyday concerns; we just hung out and decompressed.
Once we arrived in Forgottonia, IL, the fun began! It was All Cousins! All the time! We barely saw the kids at all unless it was raining. Not that I'm complaining; its awesome that they all get along so well. No fighting to speak of. Weird. Uncle Paco was there the whole time this year, his National Guard tour being later in the Summer. He's fabulously entertaining, and a welcome addition to what is usually a momfest (brought to you this year by Dr. Who). Our east coast cousin Pickle was there with her dog, so it was quite a crowd of kids and dogs and dogs and kids;
We visited the local wildlife sanctuary, where they had many buffalo, and this particularly rare bovine genetic mutation "pacous kissyius" on display;
The indigenous monarch "redheadium" was freakishly chatty, for a large insect.
My brother Socket and his charming bride brought their own summer home with them, to the delight of all the kids who got to hang out, and even sleep over, in it;
And there was Twister on the very few rainy days.
We Californians were delighted to have some huge midwest thunderstorms pass through during our visit; lots of light and thunder, and rain! Hard rain, soft rain, loud rain, but mostly warm rain, which we never get here on the left coast. This was the year the Things got past being afraid of the sturm und drang of storms, Yay! One particularly intense cloudburst was followed by the ritual of my childhood; using the wet-vac to contain basement seepage. That was a real eye-opener for the Things. Basements aren't all fun and games, you know!
We had fun, and we miss the cousins. Till next year!
