fall roadtrip

Every year we have a four day weekend in the middle of October.  This year, excited about the Every Kid in a Park program, I decided I should take the kids up to the national park in our own state - Voyageurs National Park.  We'd never been there!

It is about five hours north of us along the Canadian boarder.  We drove most of the way and stayed in a cheap motel in a tiny town.  The kids learned the difference between a motel and a hotel.  We explored the area - a bog walk at a nature center and the dock behind the motel.

 Then we settled in with hot pockets, snacks, and Survivor.

The next morning, we drove into International Falls and got as close to the boarder as we could without passports.

 A couple of deer greeted us as we entered the park.

 We checked out the visitor center and had a picnic.

 Then it was time for some hiking.

After a hike, the kids were sworn in as Jr. Rangers.  This was the only moose we saw in the park.

 We also stopped at a second of three visitor's centers even though it was closed for the season.

 And did some more exploring.

 This picture scares me.

It was such a beautiful fall day - it was hard to leave.  But we had a long drive ahead of us, and one more special treat on the way home: PIZZA!