Kidnap weekend 2011

So the last three years on labor day weekend we've been taking a mini vacation.  We also name these vacations, usually something really silly.  The first year was "Roadkill trip of 2009".  In 2010 we took the "U-turn trip".  So in 2011 our trip is named "Kidnap weekend 2011".  The reason it gets that name is quite interesting.  My nephew was getting married on Saturday, Sept. 3rd, and we decided we couldn't miss our annual trip either we would just cut it a day short.  We had family coming in to stay with us for the weekend.  So we just waited an "sprung" it on them.  Doug and Devin were more than willing to let us "kidnap" them for the weekend.  So here's our journey, enjoy the trip.

This is the entrance of the lake park.  Dad is now on the park board and he is looking after the Oakland Lake Park.  The old wooden sign had been damaged and was missing so he thought he would get a new sign to put up.  Sarah helped him since she works a Adams Memorials and could getting the rock and the engraving.

First stop.  This is Ronnie's office.  It is right behind the mini bin/pavilion, located in Assumption, IL.

Stop number 2 was the old state capital building in Vandalia, Illinois.

The building was closed but I could get pictures through the windows.  Wish it had been open.

They had these bristles over all the windows and beams to keep the birds from "splatting" all over the sidewalks below.

Our next stop was a surprise stop at our good friends house in Tamaroa, Illinois.  Sad to say they weren't home but their neighbors the "long horn cows" were.  I did get a nice visit with Diane though.

Drove past the 6th largest bell tower in the world in Centrailia, Illinois.

Stopped by this shop that makes aluminum statues.  It is really neat.

This is from the top of the water tower, 89 steps to be exact, in Giant City state park in Carbondale.

This family was repelling off the rocks.  This guy was doing tricks and even asked this old grandma if she wanted a turn.  I turned him down without hesitation.

This is his son that was about 8 to 10 years old.

Speaks for it's self.

Pictures of our room.  Not a normal room it was like a suite.  We stayed in Sikeston, Missouri and ate at Lamberts, home of the throwed roll. 

When we left we headed east through Charleston, Missouri, home of the worlds largest ball of human hair.  No we did not hunt it down.  Just one of those interesting bits of information.

We're in Metropolis, Illinois.  Home of SUPERMAN.

SUPER DOUG, Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.

They were having some sort of parade and of course we got right in the middle of it.

Ah ha, we're in Kentucky.  Why just because Devin had never been there.  Good enough reason for us.

We did see a little road kill though.  Though we should bring it home.

Finally made it back to the pond just in time to attend Brad and Sarah's cookout.  They had invited some friends over.  That was a really nice way to finish our weekend.