We flew in the 340 and made it to Ohio, no problems, picking up Kaylee and taking her to the Mohican Lodge, where we're spending the weekend. It's a huge old wooden lodge in a state park, over-priced for the quality of the rooms, but the ambiance and amenities are nice. We went out to eat Friday night at a fancy place nearby that cost an arm and a leg, but that isn't helped when your 14-year-old likes fillet mignon too, which is nobody's fault but yours for giving her expensive tastes. ;). She also ended the night on some creme brulet, which was incredible. They made it there and it's the best I've ever had, topped with fresh blackberries and raspberries. The spinach artichoke dip was made with cream cheese. Steve had a lobster tail with his steak. This was a legit meal, and I was SO full after eating it that at midnight I was still so full, when everyone else was passed out in bed, I walked clear to the other end of the lodge, to the bottom basement corner room, and walked on the treadmill for an hour. Seriously. I wasn't hungry again until after noon today. I think it was pretty well worth it though.
This morning, with the blackout curtains closed, we all slept past 10 am, which is unusual for me or Steve any more. Apparently we needed it. We missed breakfast, but hit the Lodge's restaurant for lunch, and it definitely met expectations. We were seated next to giant windows overlooking the lake and hills, trees, and beautiful blue skies of today. When we left lunch we took a small hike around the grounds, down to a gazebo looking out over the lake, on a path that took us back to the front of the lodge. Pretty, scenic, peaceful, and it wasn't even hot yet.
When we first got up, I took all of Kaylee's dirty camp clothes down to the washers/dryers in the basement by the exercise room. Our room smelled like dirty feet and moldy swimsuits. Bleh. I had so many quarters in my wallet I was able to buy two laundry detergent things at $1.25 each plus two loads of wash at $1.00 each plus one dryer load at $1.00 and had quarters left over. I do that so I always have food options when I am on flying trips. You only have to go hungry two or three times before you get smarter and start carrying appropriate change. ;).
We also went to the gift shop in the lodge, where Kaylee had to have a white owl, I got a bracelet she sort of talked me into, and we got some homemade fudge that none of us needs but sure is good.
From there we went exploring in the area. We hit a fire tower, but when Kaylee and I tried to climb it (Steve declined), it had a note that only six people could go up it at a time, and there was already a line. That's no fun. So we went on to a covered bridge, then an overlook area of a gorge. Beautiful area. Wherever we went, it got really busy right after we arrived. It was like we had a crowd following us. This held true for the rest of the day--whatever is going on over here this weekend, they're busy!
We stopped at a country store, and it was run by Amish workers, and we knew we were in the right spot for food. I got donut hole balls and we got homemade hard ice cream, and it was amazing. We sat inside and enjoyed. We went to an old mill and walked around, and then just drove around for a bit. The last stop was a McDonalds in town for a bathroom, which had a huge line to get in, with people insisting on leaving the door open while people went in. No. I shut it and said there was no need for that when I went in. Kaylee was disturbed that I was eyeballing the empty men's restroom. It sure wouldn't be the first or last men's room I've been in.
We also stopped at a small Family Dollar store for paper and a pencil, because Kaylee had a Letter of Persuasion to write to the camp director. See, she's been in TILT (Teens in Leadership Training) for seven weeks over three years, starting when she was 12, and they didn't usually let 12-year-olds in. She wants to be Junior Staff next year, with more responsibility and leadership requirements. She thought you could be 15 and have had two years experience, but just found out that no, you have to be 16. That's two summers from now, and she hates that thought, she's ready to move up now. She'd be 15 1/2, so close but so far. She asked about it, a few counselors just told her no, so she's writing a letter and talking directly to the camp director to plead her case. Steve offered to call and talk to him and "make it happen", and Kaylee refused, said she needed to get it on her own merits through her own efforts, or not at all, it's a leadership position so she needs to not have her dad do it for her. I agree with her. :). A problem she will have is that another girl is trying the same thing, and it may be easier to say no when there are two girls trying to stretch the rules. But Kaylee's letter is great, and if that doesn't do it, nothing would have. She's also asking a week before the other girl so maybe that will help. We shall see.
For dinner tonight we had reservations at another nice place nearby. Another huge meal, but this time I did go a little easier, with grilled thin salmon fillet and grilled seasoned squash. And a crab cake. And a few other things. But they were quite good, and lighter over-all. When we got back, it was so pretty outside that I went for a walk outside, walking down by the lake, taking a couple of small trails, and I was good until I had to climb uphill the whole way on one, and then I got sweaty and tired. ;). A little rest at the gazebo watching the sun go down made up for it. Steve joined me for awhile, then when the bugs came out, we went in for the evening.
It was a nice family day...
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