Weekend Getaway

Very last minute, we decided to treat ourselves and the kids to a weekend away. After looking around a little bit, we settled on Big Splash Adventure Water Park in French Lick, Indiana. We had heard good things about it from friends, so decided to go for it. It's close, it's relatively inexpensive, it's right up the kids alley.

The kids had no idea what we were doing. That's the beauty of childhood, things are happening around you and you are totally oblivious. I was able to get the van all packed up during the day on Friday and the house set to leave town, all right under their noses with very few questions that were apparently answered with my vague responses. Friday afternoon we left with intentions of going out to dinner. Nothing different, something we do fairly regularly, but there were many complaints as to how LLLOOONNNGG the drive was. About an hour and a half. We arrived at the resort, checked in and settled down to eat at their restaurant. Which, for those of you considering visiting this place...don't eat here. Food and service is mediocre, prices are high. Talk yourselves out of the fact that it's convenient because it's within the hotel. Just use this place for breakfast, since it's included in your package. Spend half the money and eat at the DQ in town. Anyhow...kids are still clueless. We bring our stuff up to the room and it starts to sink in that we are staying. Pretty excited! The room is adequate, the built in bunk beds are a major hit. Luckily, it was decided right away that Patrick would sleep on top, so we avoided that battle.

We spent a couple hours that evening at the water park. Very cool. Again, for those of you thinking about going, know that your children under 46 inches are limited to about half the park. Which, for us, was fine. They have a wading pool with swings and fountains and another big area that has all kids of water features including two tube slides. The other half has four tube slides for bigger kids and adults, as well as some deeper pools. Brian went down those slides several times, and I humored him and did it once. Totally dark, totally enclosed, aggressive ending. Pretty cool if you are into the thrill ride scene. Not for me. Oh yeah, also the lazy river that circles the place. Both kids enjoyed that as well. Patrick really had the most fun of all. He was the perfect age and size to really enjoy all that he could do. Lucy was a little more timid (*gasp* - not really), preferring to hang out in the smaller wading pool and miffed that she had to put on a life vest to get into the lazy river. Apparently that was seriously interfering with her ability to "bounce" off the bottom of the "river". Go figure, it keeps you afloat :)

Saturday afternoon we went over and explored around the Railroad Museum. Kind of disappointing, all that entails is walking around a bunch of parked train cars. But free. We got back to the resort after stopping for ice cream and let the kids play in the arcade while we sipped on Bud Light Limes (another perk in our book). Spent 10 bucks to win a couple of junk toys that they were totally thrilled about. Saturday night we ate at Chicago's pizza, a tiny restaurant at the bottom of the very steep drive leading up to the resort. VERY good pizza, great service. Would absolutely recommend this place and will be eating here again the next time.

All in all, a great time despite the kids fighting winter colds. They enjoyed the water park, slept very well in the room, all we could ask for. We are rejuvenated and ready for spring!!