Chicago

June 15, 2015 – Day 13

Commerce Township, MI – Chicago, IL

325 miles, 5 hours

Renaissance Schaumberg, Rm 1223

As always, it was tough to leave Aunt Kelly. Last night, when she was saying goodbye to the kids and we exchanged something of Edmund’s, she became emotional – but I held it together. Then this morning, she reminded me that I needed to get take some of Edmund’s shirts for Rich. As I was going through them, I had a moment. I could picture him in so many of the shirts. And I kept thinking that I didn’t want to see them on my husband. I wanted to see my brother wearing those shirts again. I took some anyway, because it’s better than never seeing the shirts again. But I felt nauseous and sad as I made my selections. It’s just un****ing believable. Still.

What else? It was beautiful weather, which was kind of cruel, until we got to Kalamazoo…and then it started raining hard. I know, I sound like a broken record, don’t I?

We got to Oak Park (Chicago) around noon, and I fed the kids a quick lunch at Wendy’s. It was raining so bad that I sat in the car and contemplated whether or not we should just go to the hotel. But I really wanted to see the Frank Lloyd Wright home, so we braved to torrential rains and went for it. Or rather, Audrey and I went for it – the boys elected to wait in the gift shop/waiting area, while Aud and I toured the house.

The house is cool, especially considering that Wright designed and built the house in 1889. The house looks pretty large from the outside, but square footage-wise, it’s rather modest. After seeing the Robbie house, Falling Water, and another Wright designed home in Buffalo, I wasn’t blown away.

We ventured west to our hotel, and the traffic was a mess. When I booked our trip, the Stanley Cup was not on my radar. It’s a good thing I didn’t elect to stay downtown, as the Blackhawks did win the Cup and it was a party!

The kids and I had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then went back to our hotel to dry-out. I was exhausted. Hunter and I had a battle over the remote control. He wanted to watch wrestling and I wanted Hockey. And in the end, because I was wiped out, I surrendered. I fell asleep before 10:00.

Rain, rain…go away.

Quote of the day:

Hunter: "I believe we are looking at the future." - After he discovered a TV in the bathroom mirror of our hotel room. It was pretty cool.

Rain en-route to Chicago.

Mother-daughter selfie, in the FLW home.

The exterior of the home.

Barrett's plate is the empty one - three minuets after it was served! Notice our full plates. Needless to say, I ordered the hungry boy another grilled cheese (and fries).

The rainy view from our hotel. "Sun, sun, Mr Golden Sun, please shone down on me!"

Detroit - Part 3

June 13 & 14, 2015 - Days 11& 12

Commerce Township, MI – St. Joseph, MI – Commerce Township, MI

378 miles round trip/ 6 hours

Holiday Inn Express St. Joseph

We woke to – wait for it – rain! It was hard to get excited about going “to the beach,” but we rallied. Although there was some momentary confusion about exactly where we were going. Kelly booked a hotel in St. Joseph and said it was where we went last year for lunch, when we were staying in Grand Rapids. I told her I thought we’d gone to Grand Haven, but she didn’t think so- she thought we’d gone St Joseph, but was picturing South Haven. Are you following me? Yeah, I was confused too. Long story short, she booked the hotel in the wrong city. The good news is that we figured it out before we got there.

We ended up going to St Joe’s (Grand Haven was booked), and I was skeptical when we got off the interstate, but fortunately it was for naught. St. Joseph is a very cute little town, with a HUGE beach. I was shocked. And the surprises didn’t end there – suddenly, the sun came out and it got really hot. 86 degrees hot! Everyone, except me, changed into their swim suits. I didn’t have one, because the rain had beaten me down and I couldn’t imagine the sun coming out. Therefore, I sweated it out on the shore while everyone waded in Lake Michigan.

After the beach, we strolled the streets and did some window shopping. It was a beautiful evening, so we decided to have dinner at a restaurant with al fresco dining. It was very relaxing. After dinner Aunt Kelly treated the kids to ice-cream and then we headed our hotel. We did our usual deal, where my kids took over the pool and made the other quests uncomfortable. Never a dull moment with my crew.

The next day we headed back home – to Commerce Township. It was a tough drive. The rain was unbelievable. Fierce. Kelly’s niece, Jesse, came over with her family and we had a great night. I love Jesse and her family. My kids love hanging out with her three little ones. We had a nice family dinner and chatted until (too) late in the night. After laundry and packing, my head hit the pillow at midnight!

Tomorrow – Chicago.

Quote of the Day:

When we got to the beach, the kids had to change into their swimsuits, because we weren’t prepared for good weather. We changed on the down-low in the beach parking lot. Cammy usually has no problem we being indiscreet – so I was surprised when he provided the following tidbit:

“Um, mom, this is going to be very awkward when everyone sees me naked on the news tomorrow!”

Detroit - Part Two

June 11 & 12, 2015 – Days 9 & 10

Commerce Township, MI

Aunt Kelly’s

Rain

Thursday

Kelly took today off, so we had her all to ourselves (well not exactly, as she was constantly getting email notifications). The day was dreary and gray, of course. We decided to drive down to Dearborn and visit the Henry Ford Museum. The kids and I were there two summers ago, but didn’t tour the indoor museum. That time, the sun was shining bight and we explored Greenfield Village, which is the outdoor collection of historical artifacts.

Mr. Ford was a history buff and he curated quite a collection!  We’ve been to the Ford’s Theater, Robert Todd Lincoln’s home in Vermont, Mary Todd Lincoln’s home outside of Lexington, and The Lincoln Presidential Library, museum, home and gravesite in Springfield. I thought we’d seen and done all things Lincoln (except his birth place, which is currently closed for renovations) - but nope. There was one artifact that we hadn’t seen. The Henry Ford Museum has the chair that Lincoln was sitting in when he was shot! The actual chair (blood stains and all). How cool is that?

We also saw the cot that George Washington slept on while commanding the army during the Revolutionary War (uncomfortable) and the actual bus that Rosa Parks rode in Montgomery when she refused to give up her seat. And there were some really cool cars to check out as well.

When we got home I made dinner for the kids and then Kelly and I headed out to a Matter of Taste – one of my all-time favorite restaurants. We had a nice dinner overlooking Lake Union. It would have been really lovely had the sun been out…just sayin’!

The Lincoln Chair

Friday:

The next day it was back to work for Kelly. It was storming in the morning, so guess what? I stayed in bed – until 9:30! I spent most of the day catching up on work and making meals for the kids. The rain did however subside enough in the afternoon for them to head outside to play with the neighborhood kids. For dinner I got Subway for the children and take-out from A Matter of Taste for Kelly and me.

Audrey has been binging on Dance Moms. Have you ever watched it? It is absolutely the worst! Terrible. But it did produce this gem of a quote.

Mom, while staring at the dancer on the screen, “They look ridiculous!”

Cammy, “Me?”

Mom, “No baby.”    

Cammy, “Well, I am sitting in my underwear, eating cereal like a pig, from a bowl shaped like an Easter egg! I’d say I look ridiculous.”

Audrey is not happy that Cammy’s garnering all the quotes of the days, but I can’t help it. He’s been too funny lately.   

Detroit

June 8- 10, 2015 Days 6-8

Lambertville, MI – Detroit, MI

81 miles/1.5 hours

Aunt Kelly’s House

I’m starting to get nervous about the weather. This morning we woke to grey skies and I finally looked at a weather report – rain, rain, rain – for the next week. The Cochran cousins had school this morning, so as soon as they left, we packed up and headed north to Aunt Kelly’s.

I must admit, I experienced bittersweet emotions as I drove into Ed and Kelly’s neighborhood. I don’t know when I’ll stop feeling as if I’ll find my brother waiting for us when I pull up. The silence that enveloped me when I entered the house is all the reality check I needed. So quiet, and yet, I still felt like I was coming home. This house will always, in my heart, be my brother’s. I think the kids feel a connection, as well. Barrett had the biggest smile on his face as he entered.

Kelly was working, so we made ourselves at home. Barrett set up camp in Edmund’s old office, Audrey took control of the remote, and Hunter and Cammy headed to the basement. I made myself a cup of coffee and settled in at the kitchen table for a day of writing, reading, emails, and bill paying.

Kelly came home late, but was greeted with lots of love. She looks fabulous. She’s grown her hair out and it’s beautiful. Kelly and I poured some wine and caught up while the kids ran around trying to get our attention.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

We all slept in (except Kelly) this morning. When we did get up, Hunter went for a run and I walked (my foot is still bothering me). Audrey made us breakfast (scrambled eggs), and I convinced the stinky ones that perhaps it was time to bathe. 

Audrey had left her big Care Bear at the Cochrans and Jan generously offered to drive it up, since she had to pick up her mom at the Detroit Airport. We made plans to rondevuex for dinner, and Audrey and I headed to the Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi, to do some shopping. I love the Twelve Oaks Mall – I think it’s my favorite mall ever. After shopping, we had dinner with Jan, Jackson, and Elizabeth at J. Alexander’s. Kelly was going to join us, but got stuck at work. 

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Today the weather report is calling for wicked thunderstorms. I was planning on another dreary day, but the weather Gods had mercy on us and it turned out to be a gorgeous. I was getting excited about going to the Tigers game, but also nervous, because the daughter of Kelly’s best friend was babysitting Bear and Camden. How did I put this delicately? Barrett’s been “off” with his bathroom habits since we’ve been on the road. He likes his private time and well, he’s had none of that. All I could imagine was him unburdening himself while under the care of pretty nineteen year old, and then needing, shall we say…help in the bathroom. I took one for the team and sent Kelly on to the game with Hunter and Audrey. I curled up on the coach with a new book and Sweet Home Alabama on the TV.

P.S. I made the right decision to stay home.

Lambertville, MI - Days 4 & 5

June 6, 2015 – Day 4

Monroeville, PA – Lambertville, MI

261 miles/4 hours

Chez Cochran

Oh, Momma woke up this morning in the throes of a major allergy attack. I’ve encounter feathers somewhere in my travels and/or it’s something regional. Ugh. As a result, I was feeling sluggish, which made our drive back across Ohio tough. Especially since it was overcast and all Turnpike driving. Boring!

We arrived in Lambertville, MI (a suburb of Toledo, just over the state line) at 2:45. My cousin Jan greeted me with her latest creative libation, Hippy Juice. I drank slowly, as the children (Jan and Jeff have three) all got reacquainted. The sun was out in Michigan and the kids wanted to swim, so Jeffy and I took the kids up to the neighborhood pool. Although the sun was out, it had done little to warm the water. It was so cold! The kids didn’t last too long.

Jeff cooked out – and we ate like kings. My allergies got the best of me, so I turned in rather early, around 9:30. I couldn’t even keep my eyes open long enough to read! Barrett and Cammy were also members of the early-to-bed club.

Speaking of reading – that’s a good Segway to tell you about a great book I just finished listening to. The Royal We, by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, is a story loosely based on England’s William and Kate. I loved it. It’s clever, funny, and juicy! Highly recommend.

The kids playing volleyball.

Uncle Jeffy

Audrey with her cousins Susannah and Elizabeth.

June 7, 2015

Lazy, lazy day. Pool time, bike riding, volleyball, NASCAR, movies, eating and reading. That’s all she wrote for today, folksJ!

Quote of the day. Cammy: “I don’t know where you grew that attitude, but you need to plant another seed!” After Hunter uncharacteristically mouthed off to his mother.

Chilly swim day, but they're tough!

My little dude.

Audie & Beansie, pedaling it old school!

Pittsburgh

June 5, 2015 – Day 3

Columbus, OH – Pittsburgh, PA

257 miles/four hours

The Brown House

We got an early start this morning, because we had a date with some roller coasters! We rolled into town at noon, and after Patty (a friend from my Lauderdale days) picked her kids up from school, we were Kennywood-bound!

Kennywood is an amusement park that offers fun for all. There are super-scary rides, but also a kiddie-land. For our first ride we chose the Jack Rabbit, which is middle-of-the-road in terms size and scariness. It’s a wooden coaster and looks quite rickety, but still…we dared. Everyone rode, including Little Man, who didn’t like it last year. Well, guess what? He still doesn’t - and was very mad at me for urging him try it again. Very mad. In fact, he never quite recovered from all day. Mommy fail.

The sky opened up on us around five – it poured! We ran to the car and went to dinner at Red Robin. Once again, aside from Camden’s tongue-lashing, it was an easy day. Who are these kids?

Patty and I caught up over a glass of wine, while the big kids hung outside playing kickball until almost 10:00 p.m.! Ah, summertime up north.  After the rain was gone, it was a beautiful night.

The gang.

Mom & Cammy, just before the roller coaster left the station.

Cammy and Bear in solidarity - on the kiddie coaster!

Mallory, Aud & McKenna, after a water ride. They didn't care about getting rained on!

Columbus

June 4, 2015 – Day 2

Elizabethtown, KY – Columbus, OH

259 miles/4 hours

Columbus Airport Marriott

Our Elizabethtown visit was very short. We had breakfast and before I knew – we were on the road. Thank you Mike and Dana!

It was an easy and uneventful drive to Columbus. I was going to let the kids swim when we got to the hotel, but there was no pool. Somehow, I was not burned at the stake for this. I sent Hunter to the gym, to run, and I caught up on emails, etc.

We met Kristen (Hunter’s Godmother) and her daughter for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Kristen and I caught up – and the kids hung in there (although one of mine was definitely eavesdropping, and I fear, filing information away). Then we walked around Easton Place (much like the Avenue) and spent some time in Barnes and Noble. The ladies bid us adieu around 7:30, because Madison had finals the next day. We returned to the hotel, and went to bed early.

Are you bored yet? Sorry! The beginning of the road trip is loaded with visit to friends and family. Hunter said to me tonight that “it didn’t feel like we were on a road trip.” Adventure is coming, I promise! In the meantime, Mom at least is enjoying catching up with loved ones!

The kids with Mike & Dana

And with Madison - who is now almost 16 and about to be a Junior in high school!!!!

Hunter and Kristen