Heading Home

Hitting I-80 from Williamsburg to Maumee.  As soon as we left, we thought "where can we eat."  Waze pulled up one of the recommendations right on the way "Freeze Daddy's."  Don't think that will work for the lunch we had in mind!

Some stunning clouds and some weather as we passed through - giving Reeve some good experience in driving and logging a lot more highway hours!

Morning in Williamsburg

For the morning, we got to eat breakfast with Grandpa Levi, which was a nice treat and spend a bit of the morning with Grandpa and Grandma before setting off to return to Ohio. 

 Reeve found the picture of him (in the same shirt!) from Yellowstone squinting in the sun - and made sure to replicate the event. Too bad the rest of the family and the geysers weren't also there for the moment.

Grandpa Levi & Grandma Ramona!

We made it to Williamsburg - a bit later than we had hoped - and had a bit of trouble getting in the door and connecting with Ramona - though it was definitely worth it - and wonderful for Grandma Ramona and Grandpa Levi to wait for a late afternoon meal - something we were certainly happy to have! 

What a treat to get to see Grandpa Levi!

On the Road

Driving by the windmills across the plains of Ohio and Minnesota - heading to Williamsburg.  A couple of photos of the drivers.  Reeve is certainly getting LOTS of hours in as part of his driving on this trip!

Even includes his new sunglasses he got on the trip (in Chicago just before Wheaton) - helpful for the bright blue summer skies. 

Goodbye Minnesota

In the morning, with the weekend starting, it was time to head back to Ohio - though first with the chance to stop and see Grandpa Levi and Grandma Ramona.  First, it was goodbyes thanks to the gracious hospitality of Kevin and Michele  and knowing that Daniel will be in good hands should he need to get any support or help while starting at Macalester.

On the Lake

Kevin and Michele were gracious enough to let us go out in their boat, which they have on Lake Minnetonka.  What a delightful, picture-perfect evening with the sun going down and even getting a first jump into the water for the season (partially due to weather and partially due to busy-ness, said Kevin.)  It was certainly beautiful - and nice to be out on the lake.

College Tour - St. Olaf

We had heard from the Woodwards on Daniel's last year college tours that the St. Olaf campus was one of the most picturesque you could imagine.  It did not disappoint.  It was beautiful and good to see some of the new science facilities as well as the incredible campus.  A clear focus on the arts, drama, music were added benefits as Reeve looks at what might be the best fit and considers trying out for the fall musical at ISKL, Bring it On.  Again, there were lots of snacks, a faculty panel and a much more involved presentation and tour as a result of the Minnesota Private Schools Week - which was how we needed to book the appointments - and different than other schools we've visited.  In three days, we managed to get our 5th school - all while going across five states.  Two in a day certainly seemed the maximum.

College Tour - Macalester

How fun to get to see where Daniel goes to school - and the chance to visit Macalester.  We got to see Kofi Annan's ping-pong table (the only thing he wanted named after him, so the story goes) and the strong commitment to the Arts, Humanities and International-mindedness.  May not be the best for the sciences was the initial opinion. . . and getting to have Reeve sit in on a class while the parents got the financial aid lesson was a nice twist. 

We also discovered it was Minnesota Private Schools Week - so they had some special events.  Another delicious lunch from the same company that has George Fox, Wheaton and Friendsview. (Bon Appetit).  We did realize, though, that we didn't do so well at taking many pictures - as the student and adult tours were also separated.

College Tour - Wheaton

After spending much longer than anticipated just getting to the Western suburbs of Chicago (What a huge city!!) the previous evening, we had a morning tour at Wheaton.  The generous (and delicious) lunch ticket sure was a nice bonus as we got to tour Wheaton.

They had a really impressive basketball season thanks to a superstar shooter, and it was also good to learn about their Chemistry program and some of the various programs.  It was then a very long drive to Minneapolis to get ready for the next day's tours - and the chance to stay with Michele and Kevin, Doug's cousins.

Uni Tour - U of Chicago

After leaving Notre Dame, we took advantage of the one-hour time change as we headed into Chicago and were able to get there in time for the 2 pm tour.  Another stunning campus and quite the learning experience.  The focus on the "core" with the classics, rhetoric and something for all students as 1/3 of the curriculum was something impressive. 

 Also, interesting to see (and hear) the tradition of Woodwards - one of the names as part of the history of Chicago - and the name of one of the dorms.


Certainly a storied educational institution - with the stories of the Nobel Prize winners and the contributions to history in many cases.  Quite impressive!

Of course, time will tell where Reeve might end up.

University Visits - Notre Dame

Reeve and Doug took off for a bit of college touring.  The first stop was after an early-morning departure was to South Bend, Indiana and visit Notre Dame. 

Truly an impressive chance to get a view of such an iconic campus.  Among the many, many impressive things of the tour - lots of varsity athletes, including team captains.  A focus on "good kids" and a bit of a surprise (though it shouldn't be) that so much of the student body is made up of Catholic students (80% was it?).  The alumni network, the focus kids who will help each other and support each other, the insanely positive 4-year graduation rate were among the positive experiences.

We also had a wonderful tour guide  - and realized that those with the personalities and flamboyant introductions ended up with bigger groups - so easy to switch to someone (a delightful math major) who could answer our questions and tell about this historic campus. 

 Truly, a beautiful campus - and with 8000 undergraduates (I think), quite an intimate university experience, it seems.

 The iconic (and beautiful) view of "Touchdown Jesus."

At the Baseball Diamond

Some good shots as Kaiden's baseball game took place in the Maumee field.  What a fabulous evening and good to see families out cheering the teams as they play together. 

Working at Home

Here is a shot of Doug working at the kitchen table on a fabulous summer day.  So wonderful to get the break of holiday and vacation.

Shopping

Here is a portrait of Reeve while out shopping.  Can you tell this is his favorite thing?

Fire in the Backyard

 Fun to get to go to Jason and Nicole's and have a fun event in the backyard.  What a great place for summer evenings.  Fabulous company and good times together.

 Which photo is better of this fine young man? Landscape or portrait?

 What great smiles!

College Tours - Ohio Wesleyan & Denison

Reeve, Gabi, Doug & Tracy piled in the van and Reeve got a lot of driving hours heading down first to Ohio Wesleyan for their tour before going to Denison.  We had hoped to have the chance to pass through Ohio State (being bigger, the set tours are more departmental), but the kids were out of gas and not up for it at the end of a long day. 

An Additional Birthday Festivity

As noted, with the events of the previous week now in the past (at least in time), if very much in our minds, we celebrated a bit birthday for Carrie. 

And great to get to see Jacob, as he is often busy with his summer schedule.