I am bulleting some highlights (and low points) so I remember to recap properly at some point. I am the only one up, doing online work of course, here in our cabin on the river in Waterville, Ohio. It’s nice; a great sunrise, just me and the birds on this little island right out the window. This river is pretty gross, as it’s fed from Lake Eerie, but it is still peaceful.

• Ash was sick the week before we left and he was not much better the Friday we went to Atlanta. Came into town and sought out a great Mexican place then laid in bed all evening to rest.
• Shuttle for airport was there when we had to leave; flight got pushed up by 30 so we had to rush. Flight went well, thankfully. Got to Chicago early and got our minivan to drive to BIL’s house.
• Got there, said our hellos, and got the house tour. 1882 Victorian in Oak Park.
• They were excited to take us places so we took the train to downtown, ate at Adam’s Street brewery, went to the Bean, walked along the river (Isaac got in!), let the kids play at a fountain in Millenium park, then went home. Ate leftovers, sat outside, went to the little park across the street, then took kids home and met BIL and wife at a close-by taproom.
• Next day was less busy; went to their place (our airbnb was .2 miles) and relaxed a little. BIL took us to a couple bottle shops to buy local beers, then we went back home. The kids got lunch with their uncle, we hung out around the house. Then we grilled and sat outside. It was a relaxing day.
• Last day, we had crepes again (the theme of being at their house apparently) then made a plan to go into the north part of the city for two breweries: Dovetail then Begyle. Dove was ok; had a garbage little pretzel but some good games for the kids. Begyle was really good! Ordered Mexican there and SIL picked it up. Ate, went home (train ride was long) then we sat on their deck and celebrated their son’s first birthday.
• This next day was ours to leave and that was a mess; decided to start a load of laundry thinking I had plenty of time but it took forever to dry and wasn’t by the time we had to check out so I carted semi-wet clothes from Chicago to Milwaukee. We couldn’t check in until 4 so we went to a pizza place in the suburbs that Ash liked but no one else did, a pretty crappy little brewery outside Milwaukee called Vennture, then I let the kids get ice cream at a bougie place called Joy. But by then it was time and we got to our place. It was fine; nothing special. It did have a dryer down in a basement but at least stuff got dried! Ash and I walked to Lakefront brewery, where the food (pretzel and cheese curds) were better than the beer, then Eagle Park (very good), then ubered to 1840, which was fine.
• Left the next morning because that trip was long (over 6 hours). Lots of Chicago traffic; let the kids eat Wendy’s somewhere in-between there and Toledo area. Got to the cabin on the river and the host wasn’t responding to messages so we had to wait to check in. Finally did then left to meet one of Ash’s childhood friends and his wife for dinner. Good meal!
• Got into the jacuzzi that night then everyone fell asleep, exhausted.
• Next day we canoed the river first thing, went to a grocery store, fed kids and Ash and I found a cool bottle shop. Then we went out to Van Wert, where his dad grew up. Found garage. (Long story). Came back and had Dakota’s bithday dinner (Mexican), got Mr. Freeze and sang to her. Ash and I went to the brewery 3 mins away then we got in the jacuzzi and watched a movie until we were, again, all exhausted.
• Caught up for now! Onto Cincinnati, then Charlotte.