Granny's Thursdays with the Kiddos...

Mom spent the Thursdays (all three of them) of her visit looking after her grandchildren, since both Candace and I work that day of the week. They had a lovely time with her - doing cardboard crafts, reading books, playing Lego, and going to the Library a short walk away for story-time. I know Mom loved it, too! :)

 Mom built Riaan a big castle for all his Lego knights!

 The front view of the castle - complete with drawbridge!

 She also made a whole town, complete with lighthouse, ship, trees, fence, restaurant, garage, etc.

 Story-time at the Library.

Eliza toddles about in the play area.

 Riaan being silly!

 They do crafts after story-time and on the one day they built stick/leaf-men. :)

Eliza pushing her pushchair through the house. Sweet girl!

Dinosaur Fever...

My Mom wrote a story for me back in 1990 - when I was just six-years-old. It was titled Dinosaur Fever and told of my obsession with all-things dinosaurs at that young age. It's one of my special family treasures here in Indiana and it was so lovely hearing her read it to her grandson Riaan during her visit last month!

The title page inside the book. :)

Cherry Ghost Walk...

Mom and the kiddos and I walked to the Cherry Ghost on Wednesday afternoon, 18th September. It was a very hot day and we enjoyed cool drinks and iced coffee (for me) in the relaxing atmosphere before heading back home! :)

 Mom pushing Riaan home. Eliza was in the carrier with me.

 Pretty autumn display.

Riaan enjoying his ride in the pushchair. :)

East Side Park Picnic and Walk...

We had a picnic supper at the East Side Park on Tuesday, 17th September. We ate our supper, played with the kiddos on the jungle gym, and then went for a great walk around Baumert Lake - and the whole park - just after sunset. It was lovely!

 Picnic supper at the park.

 Riaan playing on the jungle gym.

 Sweet Eliza on the slide.

 Down comes Riaan!

 The pedestrian bridge on the north side of the lake.

 Walking around Lake Baumert.

The sun going down to the west.

 The fountains on the lake.

 Beautiful colours in the clouds.

The Bicycle Memorial to a local cyclist who died while out cycling several years ago.

Drive around Daviess and Martin Counties...

On Tuesday, 17th September, we went for a drive around Daviess and Martin Counties. We took recycling to the Daviess County Landfill site and then headed up the Montgomery Road, through Amish-country, towards Odon.

We came across an endangered eastern box turtle sunning itself as we drove along the country road. We moved it (always in the same direction that it was heading) safely off the road and continued on our way.

We visited a number of shops in Odon and then drove down US Highway 231 and stopped at Stoll's Lakeview, on the banks of West Boggs Lake, where Mom browsed at the gift shop. We went through Loogootee and then headed back towards Washington and lunch. It was another busy morning!

 Daviess County Landfill sign at Montgomery.

 Eastern box turtles have a hinge and can close their plastron (lower shell) to completely shut themselves safely in their shell.

 Flower display at Stoll's Lakeview.

 West Boggs Lake.

One of the oldest houses in Washington, Indiana.

Just call me Alfred...

My Mom brought Riaan a Batman costume when she visited recently. He's a huge fan of all-things Batman. I sometimes feel like Batman's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, as I drive "Batman" from place to place! :)

Our very own Batman in the back seat. :)

Sunday Cycle...

We went for a lovely cycle (despite being in the heat of the day) on Sunday, 15th September. We cycled to the banks of the White River, where Daviess County borders Knox County, before heading a round-about-way back home.

 Mom in front of the boat launch ramp.

We passed a field of sorghum as we cycled along. It's rather rare in this area, since the most common crops are corn and soya beans.

Southern Indiana Trip: Part 2...

After leaving O'Bannon Woods State Park, we drove through to Corydon, Indiana, which served as Indiana's first state capital from 1816 until 1825. Here we visited the Constitution Elm, which was once a vibrant giant elm tree that has now been preserved (photo at left) as the site where the first constitution of Indiana was drafted in June 1816. 

Mom and I also walked around the square and saw the Old Capital building in downtown Corydon. We looked at the various different military equipment and memorials on display here. From here, we grabbed a cup of coffee and then drove a little south to visit the Battle of Corydon Park, which marks the location of the only pitched battle in Indiana during the American Civil War. It was here that Morgan's Confederate raiders, on July 9th, 1863, defeated the local home guard and continued their raid into Indiana. More on that in a previous blog post here.

We then drove back through Harrison and Crawford counties, seeing signs for South Crawford Elementary School and Crawford County Recycling - and even a Crawford County ambulance - before heading back onto I-64 towards Ferdinand and Jasper. Our last name is Crawford so anything that shares our name is exciting! :)

We reached Ferdinand at bang on 18h00 and drove past the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, an impressive convent perched on the hill overlooking the town. We then went on to Jasper and enjoyed a yummy supper at Applebees, before doing some late-night shopping and then heading home to Washington, Indiana. It was a very long, but beautiful day!

 The preserved Constitution Elm.

 Walking around the square in Corydon.

 Old State Capital building.

 Kent Java Bar - where I grabbed a much-needed cup of coffee!

 Battle of Corydon Park.

 An old log cabin marks the site of the battle.

 Crawford County signs.

 South Crawford Elementary School.

 We are Outdoor Recreation.

 Crawford County ambulance.

Monastery of Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana.