We're Baaaack!

It has been a few weeks since I have posted. We have completed our move back home to Indiana. All 30,000 pounds of our possessions (aka crap) have made the 600 mile trek and we are all in one place. The kids have one week of their new school(s) under their belts and now they are having their Spring Break. Speaking of Spring Break, when did the trend of going to Florida or Mexico or the Caribbean over Spring Break start? I know college kids have historically gone to Florida, but just regular people? When I was a kid I was lucky to just go visit my grandparents who lived three hours south of us during the break. As a family, we never took trips during Spring Break, and we really could have because my parents were teachers and actually had the week off. One time when I was junior in high school, we went to Florida, but that is the only time we ever did any far away trip in the Spring. The new neighborhood that we have just moved to appears to be a "Richy, richy, place" to me. I think one of our neighbors went to Hawaii, and a bunch seem to have gone away too. We just don't have that kind of money, or time, for that matter. How do people do it? I totally understand why people around here want to go to warmer climes, I would sure do it if I had the energy and the funds. Anyway, we are using our Spring Break to get bedrooms situated, curtains hung, and just catch up on some sleep that was lost during all the moving time. We are sure glad to be back!

Plane, Train, or Automobile-Summer Vacation Trips

I am trying to plan my family's summer activities and I keep hearing that gasoline prices may climb as high as $5.00 per gallon during the summer months. With that in mind, my husband and I decided that instead of driving to Florida in June, we will (all six of us) be flying to Orlando. It seemed cheaper, not to mention faster, so that trip is settled. The other summer activity was for me to go back to Indiana to visit friends and family during the month of July. I would be going there with the four girls, but my husband would stay behind because he has to work, of course. Driving the 600+ miles with four girls seems a little daunting to me, so I decided to check into other modes of transportation options. I don't think flying will work for us again, because the cost is too much to fly into either Fort Wayne International or South Bend. My next option is to take the train. There is an Amtrak station not far from where we live and a station in Elkhart, where my parents live. For all five of us to travel, I think the total cost for regular coach seats is around $413.00 roundtrip. I have only travelled by train a couple of times and then it was only from Elkhart or Fort Wayne to Chicago. I also don't know how the girls would do on the train--it makes me a little nervous. So, for now, I'm just watching the gas prices (rise) and as they do here in Virginia, "biding my time."

Smithsonian Institution--Great Day Trip

Since we now live an hour away from Washington, D.C., we have been making rather regular trips into the Capitol city to spend a few hours or so. Today, we met a friend at the Air and Space Museum. I am not a real airplane afficiando, nor am I able to comprehend the vastness of space or anything to do with space travel, but the museum is well worth the trip. The best part about it is that it is free. There was something for everyone there. My youngest is 6 and the oldest in our group was 74. There was quite a bit of walking that was tough for the oldest person, but I think we hit all the exhibits. It is cool to look at how far air travel has come. From the Wright brothers to military jets, to commercial airlines; so much in only a few decades. While admission to the Air and Space Museum is free, you do have the option of attending a couple of shows in the planetarium. We chose to see a show there, which was interesting for the 20 minutes that it lasted. I'm not sure if it was worth the $8.50 admission though. There is also a very easy in, easy out food court that features Boston Market and McDonalds foods. There are also a few gift shops too, if you like that sort of thing. What I love about all the Smithsonian museums is that since admission is free, everyone can have access to these great American Treasures. If you are planning to be in Washington, D.C. for Spring Break or later this year, make an effort to go to any of the museums. You will definitiely get you money's worth and then some!