Future Firefighter?

Josh had a blast today while we played in the pool and with the hose. He loved soaking everyone including himself. Dave is sort of a poor sport and had to soak Josh.
"Motorboat, Motorboat, go so fast!" Josh loves to stick his face in the water and blow bubbles. Anything to be under the water!

Shawnee National Forest

Luckily for us, Metropolis is located pretty close to the Shawnee National Forest which gave us something else to do than ogle at Superman merchandise and collectibles in the only store in town. Shawnee was gorgeous...half the time I couldn't believe I was still in Illinois. Although you would never guess it with the accents and bad food! I guess that is just Chicago.

Don't rush me, I'm canoeing. Jason is a canoeaholic. He can't stop talking, thinking, dreaming about it. I, on the other hand, need a bit more practice

Garden of the Gods - This is Camel Rock.

Our family picture on table rock

This is Cave in Rock, IL. What a name! This is where the pirates used to wait for flatboats on their way across the Ohio River. I guess they were like the welcome wagon!

More canoeing! This time we were in a Cypress/Tupelo swamp where the trees grow right in the water. It felt like we should have been in Lord of the Rings or something. This is also where I saw a water moccasin. Jason was pretty upset that I saw it and he didn't. I still can't believe he took me to a swamp where I might meet one of the most poisonous snakes in the US.

Our State Champion Bald Cypress tree that is over 1,000 years old!

Up, Up & Away to Metropolis, IL

I know to some it may seem a little crazy that we would base our whole vacation around seeing the largest Superman statue in the US (and probably anywhere else too), but did you see the cake he made? He'll do anything for the Man of Steel. Oh, and just in case you weren't sure which one was Jason, he's the one holding the dog's leash. It can be hard to tell them apart...I know!