Sunday, July 31st

It has been a busy few days here in IL. 
Thursday we headed over to Fair Oaks, Indiana and went to one of the most interesting dairies I have seen.  It is the Fair Oaks Dairy.  This dairy has a great tour.  You load up onto a bus and they drive you around the spread.  The care taken for these animals is impressive.  Their philosophy is that happy cows produce more product.  The highlight for me was the milking area.  The cows enter the milking area onto a a "merry-go-round", they enter as they please and exit when they are done.  All on their own.  They really seemed to enjoy the ride.  Some didn't want to get off the ride and went around for another spin, without getting milked.  They have a birthing barn at Fair oaks, the kids were able to see a calf being born for the first time.  What a beautiful site to behold.  Nature in all her glory, with a little help from a vet. 

They also make their own milk and cheese products at Fair Oaks.  We sampled and ate plenty of cheese and milk while we were there.  From the dairy we cruised up to the northern edge of IN to Hammond.  Hammond is home to a HUGE Cabelas.  I swung by the fly shop and checked out what the Midwest folks throw.  The fish tanks hold much different fish that the ones back home.  Lots of bass, catfish, gar, and muskie.  We finished the day with a big bonfire, roasting dogs and enjoying the smores that Jess had showed us how to make.  Fudge stripe cookies and marshmallows.  Delicious!!

Friday we were woken up by a big storm.  Lightning everywhere and about two inches of rain.  The low grey clouds were flying by.  Once the storm passed, Tres and Rebecca went out to the local antique shops and I headed down to the creek with the boys.  What a different landscape than we have in Idaho.  The giant hardwood trees and black soil is a place made for kids to run wild.  We hunted for fish but none were found.  That evening was a treat.  Off to the Kankakee speedway for some 1/4 mile dirt track racing.  We have a track back home but it is not dirt.  This stuff here looks like a hoot.  Full power slides around the track.  We all had a great time.

Saturday was a road day.  Up to Milwaukee, WI.  Our drive took us back thru Chicago and all of its traffic.  The first stop was the Miller Valley.  Home of the Miller Brewing Company.  We took the brewery tour and were blown away by the history of the area.  The sheer volume of adult beverages was crazy.  A 200,000 sq./ft. warehouse that is filled with beer of all kinds.  A complete turn over of product in around 24 hours.  Man, people sure like their beer.  We again sampled and hit the gift shop.  I was very proud of myself, only making a small purchase.  I could have easily walked out with one of everything.  I was in heaven.  For those of you that know me well, you know my beer of choice is "Miller High Life".  Heaven indeed. 

Back on the highway to Madison, WI.  The tour at Miller had taken a bit longer to complete than I realised so I was forced to break every speed law that the state has to make it to the National Mustard Museum before they closed.  My boy is a mustard freak and we really wanted him to visit this spot.  As the great Sammy Hagar says, "I can't drive 55".  More like 75ish!!  We made it to Madison with about a half-hour to tour and taste.  It was just enough time.  I don't think that any of us realised how many mustards there are in the world.  Lowman was in heaven.  Samples to taste and free dogs to go with it. 

Our drive back to Kankakee was a long scenic drive thru the country.  It was a long day, but that is what this trip is all about.  Getting out and experiencing what the area holds.