The Annual Road Trip

The open road. North Carolina. Photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

The open road. North Carolina. Photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

Summers are made for road trips. My family and I embarked on our annual road trip to South Carolina in early June. The northern Illinois deep freeze had ended and the ice had finally melted off the highways. Gas prices were at an all time low. Our van hadn’t entirely succumbed to the rust spreading along its once sleek exterior. Why not load up and head out?

Funny how six states seem smaller when looking at them on a map.

Observations (by state) along the way:

  1. Illinois has two road conditions: icy or construction.
  2. Indiana is a very tall state. Driving from the top to the bottom takes ALL DAY.
  3. Kentucky bluegrass is green in June (and not native to Kentucky or even North America BTW)
  4. Tennessee is pretty.
  5. North Carolina is pretty too. And a fun drive. Hills, turns, tunnels, and falling rock.
  6. South Carolinians drive fastest in the rain. Not kidding. Sunshine=fast driving; cloudy=faster driving; raining=fastest driving ever. 90 MPH and they can dodge the drops.

Three days later we arrived at our destination.

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photo © Karin Blaski June 2015

Thank you SIRI. Sand, surf, and smorgasboard awaited. We partook. A good time was had by all.

Oh and before I forget, while we were in Myrtle Beach we did this with the kids:

Aargh Ye Matey "Tis A Pirate Ship I See

“Aargh Ye Matey ‘Tis A Pirate Ship I See.” Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show, Myrtle Beach, SC, photo © Karin Blaski June 2015

Which was “incredible fun for the whole family” and highly recommended. If you have a ten year old daughter, be sure to splurge on the Pirate Makeover (there’s a Mermaid Makeover if she’d rather not get the five o’clock shadow).

Then, on the way back home, we went here:

The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC; photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC; photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

Which was amazing enough for its own blog post for a later date.

So another successful road trip came to a close. Three cheers to the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan which continues to carry us safely from point A to point B and every point between. The only thing that raised a few eyebrows on our trip was this:

SW stands for Sweltering, Photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

SW stands for Sweltering, Photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

It was worth it though when the view looked like this:

North Carolina mountains, Photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

North Carolina mountains, Photo © Nic Blaski June 2015

What’s to Like About Rockford: The Sinnissippi Bike Path

The Sinnissippi Bike Path, Along the Rock River, Facing South

The Sinnissippi Bike Path, Along the Rock River, Facing South


The Sinnissippi Bike Path is more of a walking, jogging, running path than a biking path. Only two bikers zoomed by during the ninety minutes I was there taking pictures with my two daughters. Like most bikers, when I bike I like to take paths frequented with less foot traffic. But for those of us on our feet, the path is perfect.
"They said this was the walking path."

“They said this was the walking path.”


Nestled against the Rock River, the paved path is dotted with sculptures and park benches. The path includes entrances that meander around a lagoon with swan, through several gazebos with rose garden, and they bring you right up close to the new Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens. The grounds are mowed, litter free, and the path is well maintained. And this time of year, everything is green and blooming.
Heading south on the Sinnissippi Path, May 31, 2013.

Heading south on the Sinnissippi Path, May 31, 2013.


You never know who you’ll meet during your journey: parents getting their kids out of the house for a dose of vitamin D, every breed of leashed dog imaginable, geese exercising their goslings, and a fisherman or two. We watched this guy reel in a whopper, although since this particular fish came out of the Rock River, I probably would have put him back instead of frying him up.
Big Fish

Big Fish, yes! Big Meal? Not out of this river.


The Sinnissippi Bike Path is easy to get to, you can see it from North Second/Rt 251 and finding a place to park is a breeze. Parking is available near the YMCA and there are parking lots off of North Second Street. There is no charge to enjoy this lovely spot.
Who Knew Rockford Could Be So Pretty?

Who Knew Rockford Could Be So Pretty?


Photographs (C) Karin Blaski 5/31/2013