Our Mini Vacation

Well, atleast that is what the boys kept calling our day trip after their dad referred to our trip to Logan for Nadya's gymnastics meet "Our Mini Vacation."  Not really what I would call a mini vacation, but okay.


We stopped at Aggies for some ice cream before Nadya's gymnastics meet because it came highly recommended from a friend of mine.  The kids enjoyed it.  The ice cream was great and pretty cheap and we were glad that we stopped before the meet as we attempted to go back after the meet but were scared away when we saw the line extending out the door about twenty feet.  I like ice cream, but not that much!





So Nadya and I went to her meet and Doug and the boys went off and did boy things.  So, what exactly do boys do in Logan??????  Well, they explore and they look for letterboxes.  (Which they apparently can't find with out mom! Ha!)

They also made an impromptu planned trip to Idaho to purchase lottery tickets because you can't buy them in Utah.  The boys thought they were pretty cool because they went to a new state.  Nadya was feeling  left out until Alex told her that all it included was a sign that said "Welcome to Idaho" and then dad bought some paper.

After Nadya's meet we decided to go look for one last letterbox.  Alex was particularly excited about this one because it was in a cave.  He read all the clues on the way to Logan and was anxiously awaiting this particular letterbox. 

It required a small climb which normally would be no problem, but I was wearing flip flops.  I know, I know.  But, I had no idea that letterboxing in Logan would require a small hike and I made do.

 It really was much steeper than it looks.

Once we were inside the cave we continued to follow the clues.  There were two small crevices that looked like eyes and the letterbox was suppose to be in the left eye.  Doug had to coax Nadya into reaching inside which she did, but it was empty.  Doug checked the right eye too, but no such luck. And we saw a much different reaction out of Alex this time.  Nothing.  Nada.  No problems.  No tears.  Last time he cried and cried and cried.  I guess he is getting use to the idea that you find some and some you don't.  Plus, we were in a cave!  And the boys love all the exploring we get to do!

 

We left the cave and headed to the bluebird diner for an early dinner.   The restaurant was established in 1914 and still has that antique charm to it.  The kids were excited to sit at the soda fountain counter for a picture.  (And I had fun editing the pic to give it that "old fashion" feel)

 I am reminded daily just how big Alex is.  He read the menu, selected clam chowder and lemonade to drink and ordered all by himself.  Crazy.  When did that happen???  I have no clue.  But, I am secretly loving it.

The food was great and the prices were excellent.  Although, I must admit that Doug had the most unusual chicken dish I have ever seen in my life.    Doug had researched this restaurant prior to our trip and the reviews were all great and most recommended the bluebird chicken.  But when Doug realized it was battered and deep fried he opted for  the grilled chicken with a strawberry glaze thinking, of course, that  was the healthier option.  Boy, was he wrong.  It wasn't grilled chicken with a strawberry glaze it was chunks of grilled chicken swimming (or perhaps even drowning) in a strawberry sauce!  I don't normally take pictures of food, but I couldn't resist!

Doesn't that sauce look like it belongs on top of a cake or ice cream????  Doug is such a sport.  He ate it.  Well, he ate all the chicken anyway. 

There is something about Logan that makes you feel like you've stepped back a few decades.
Not sure why, but I liked it.
And, will my kids really be riding bikes like these??  Are these back in style too?????

We had intentions of spending more time in Logan and exploring, but our van had other plans.  It started making a horrible grinding noise and so we decided that perhaps we should start our 95 minute trek home sooner rather than later.  Carter enjoyed playing with Nadya's new socks that she picked up at her meet.  Isn't he cute?  It was such a nice day.  Doug and I both commented on how we need to do these short little trips more often.  The kids loved it!  I came home and was just exhausted though!  So, in that aspect, it felt like a mini vacation hangover!

I took the van into the shop yesterday and had it repaired.   Thankfully it was nothing too major and just needed a new wheel bearing.