Go Pack Go! August 29, 2019

A few years ago, Cooper decided that he wanted to be a Green Bay Packers fan.  I'm not a huge NFL fan, but the Packers are my favorite.  We've been conspiring to go to a Packers game since about 2016, but haven't been able to find one that worked in terms of schedule (not a Sunday game), weather, accessibility, and price (I found some tickets last year that were like $180 each for terrible seats. We couldn't do that.).

We found some tickets to the last preseason game of the year for $35 each; the weather was good, and we only live about 5 hours from Lambeau field, so we decided to go for it.  On Thursday the 29th, I took a half day off and picked Cooper up from school.  We jumped in the car and blasted off for Green Bay to see the Packers play the Chiefs.

Cooper slept for the first couple of hours of the trip (probably a good thing, as I made him go to school the next morning), and we pretty much just talked the rest of the way.  Cooper was kind of ambivalent until he started seeing road signs telling us how close we were getting to Green Bay.  By the time we got there (stupid game day traffic!!), he was grinning from ear to ear.  He wrapped his Packers blanket around him like a cape and we walked about 1/2 mile from our parking spot to Lambeau Field.

 We were seriously just stoked to be there.

The burgers were just ok, but Cooper highly recommends the Pack 'n Cheese with bratwurst crumbles!

We had great seats!  Section 117 Row 23, Seats 5 and 6.  Right on the 40-yard line, just behind the Chiefs bench. 

We had a BALL watching the game. We loved watching the Packers play.  There was a pick six that got Cooper whooping and hollering, and we got to see a streaker get knocked down by the Chiefs' safety, Harold Jones-Quartey.  That was awesome.  (SI pictures below-- I didn't get my camera going in time).  

As much fun as we had at the game, I think my favorite moment of the trip was when we rode the escalator down to the Packers' Pro Shop.  When Cooper saw the veritable cornucopia of Packers gear spread out over the acres below him, his jaw literally dropped.  I wish I had caught it on camera.  He was in heaven.  We spent a lot of the third quarter (at his direction) shopping.  We didn't buy the $10,000 crystal-encrusted Packers helmet, but we did find a few things Cooper liked.

I think Cooper was getting nervous about the long drive back home, so once it was clear the Packers were going to win, and with only a couple minutes left on the clock, we decided to head out.

On our way through Titletown (which is awesome and needs more exploration, BTW), we found these cool zoetrope thingies and an awesome field to play on.

Seriously.  The video is showing up on the mobile version.

(Struggling with the YouTube links.  I'll update when I figure that out). 

Cooper and I talked until about 12:45 in the morning, then he snoozed until we got home about 3:15 AM.  It was SUCH an awesome trip!  So glad I got to make these great memories with my little Green Bay buddy!

Maquoketa Caves - Labor Day 2019

Monday morning we got up early and drove about 40 minutes north to Maquoketa Caves State Park. Ian and I went a few weeks ago with the YM and YW, but this was the first trip for Jenny, AJ, Cooper, and Satch. 

Just inside Upper Dance Hall Cave.  The caves have seen serious overuse for more than a century, so the biggest stalactites you can find are only about half an inch long.  It is still cool to go and explore, though! 

Under the natural bridge.  We found frogs.  

And cool bugs.

Hiking down toward Barbell Cave.  Our friends, the Glass family, met up with us and we got to explore together.

AJ, Satch, and Jenny (with Marty photobombing) in Middle Dance Hall Cave

This trail didn't really lead to anywhere, but it was very picturesque.  Satch was curious as to why we climbed the stairs just to come right back down.

Jenny and I at the exit to Lower Dance Hall Cave.  The light was beautiful.  Wish I knew how to do it justice, photographically. 

This is the biggest chamber we went through in the caves we explored.  With the morning light, a little mist, and just the first few leaves turning yellow, it was really beautiful.  Jenny mentioned how it reminded her of Hawaii-- swap the limestone out for lava rock, and I could totally see that.  It was humid, green, and gorgeous.  

Summer 2019 Trip Pictures

 AJ with a butterfly friend at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium 

AJ, Cooper, Luke, and Gracie looking for piranhas.  

 AJ found some of Jenny's old prom dresses in the closet at Grandma's house.

 

 Fishing with Granddad at Strawberry!

 Check out those claws!  It was awesome get such a close look at such a solitary critter. 

This guy was delicious.

I've never seen a badger swim before.  We got right up close to him!

The badger was not amused. 

 Dad (with great hair) and Granddad after a buggy ride up to Silver Lake Flat. 

 At the summit of Hidden Peak at Snowbird. 

Jenny and Chris got a chance to sneak down to the Jordan River temple--
it's nice to have a temple closer than two hours away! 

One of the last things AJ and Z did at Snowbird was to find this makeshift fort near the Observation Deck.