Day 2.... Duluth family vacation

 We got up around 8am every morning, had breakfast at the hotel, and were usually out the door around 10am to soak in as much as we could.  First we headed down to the Great Lakes Aquarium.  Now, from the researching and asking questions I've done about "the best things to do in Duluth", the aquarium never made anyone's top list.  Even a large number of the reviews on www.tripadvisor.com were not very good.  Although, we just couldn't imagine being here and not going.  While one of it's downfalls is the cost (close to $60 for all of us), we had a great time!  We spent nearly 4 hours there.  If you were going as just adults, I can understand some of the negative claims since I thought there was a lot for the kids to do. Seeing them have so much fun was worth it!

 According to Daddy, this bird was hilarious.  I didn't spend too much time with it :)

 Stingray touch tank!

 Sturgeon touch tank...

 Out on one of the observation decks at the aquarium.

 Captain Luke!

 There was a cute area with a large "tree" slide, tunnel and fishing boat.  Logan loves to slide!  Swinging, no.  But sliding he loves.

 Luke could have stayed all day at the waterways exhibit.

 Logan making a water tornado and Em making rain...

 Finding Nemo and Dory!  Or at least striking resemblances.

 Emily after the macaw show.

 The river otters were so cute!  The kids had fun running back and forth with them.

My 3 otters. 

 "Mmmm, mmmm, mmmmmmm"  *if you could hear him*

 After the aquarium, we played for a while at Bayfront Park which is right at the base of the aquariums parking lot.  Nice, new playground.  Logan actually enjoyed swinging a tiny bit!  Park at the playground and you can get out of paying the $5 parking fee at the aquarium.

 Then we went over to Canal Park to see what all the fuss is about!  Ate lunch at Little Angie's Cantina, saw a ship come through and went to the Maritime Museum (free!).

 Had to get a treat at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory before heading out... for Luke, a traditional caramel apple-  and for Em, the dirt & worms variety!

 We went back to the hotel to swim for a while and then spent the evening down at Park Point beach.  I didn't realize the surf would be so rough and windy that night, but watching the waves crash in was really neat. There were a couple of ships also.... Duluth is where Logan learned the words "big boat!"  (or at least something that sounds very close to it... :)

 He didn't know what to think about those loud waves!

Day 1...Traveling and Wisconsin State Parks

 Don't let him fool you...they don't last long.  We left Wednesday, the 22nd, around Noon and got to our first destination around 5pm.  Pattison State Park.  Home of the highest waterfall in Wisconsin!  The kids were definitely ready to get out and stretch their legs.

 This is more like Logan while traveling!

 Through the tunnel, over the bridge and up the trail to the falls....

 Dave had to go to the edge to take pictures.  Since having kids, I can't seem to handle heights.  I now know that Duluth really isn't for the squeamish when it comes to heights also!  Dave joked that if we ever lived up on the hill in Duluth, I'd never go out to get the mail :)

 Before dark, we headed over to Amnicon Falls State Park.  I think we all preferred this one!  It was pretty unique.  Lots of rocks to play on.   Around 8pm, we headed over to Superior (the main bridge to Duluth was closed, so that was a bummer) and over to the hotel in Duluth.  We stayed the first 5 nights at the Country Inn and Suites up on the North side, on the hill near the shopping areas.  It was very nice.  Clean, comfortable, convenient.  1st level so we didn't have to deal with elevators.  Parking close by.  Breakfast and lobby right around the corner and a nice pool (with hot tub, kiddie pool and waterslide!) a bit further down.  The pool is on the small side, but there was never more than a couple people, if any, when we were there so it was really nice.  Only a 10-15 min. drive down the hill to Canal Park, or to most attractions.  With great views on the way down!  Of course, Dave took Em and Luke to the pool the first night while I got Logan down.  Might as well start losing sleep the first night, right?  It's vacation!