This morning the kids and I got in the car and headed to my Dad’s hometown. It is a small town about two hours away that is home to the world’s largest grotto. I spent a lot of time in West Bend as a kid, but have not spent much time there since my grandparents died. My aunt and uncle live and West Bend, and they spent the day showing us around.
We visited the sod house at the historical museum. It was a timely visit, as we are reading On The Banks of Plum Creek, where Laura and her family live in a dug out for the first part of the book. I’m very glad I don’t have to live in a sod house.
We went to lunch at the Wagon Wheel, a tasty place that serves so many fries with your meal I left what would be considered two baskets of fries at most places on my plate. Audrey was cold, so she snuggled with Bob and Patti.
At the Grotto I showed Audrey the pond where I learned how to ice skate. Every time we saw the pond I told her about it. She found it really annoying, so I kept doing it.
I showed them the best place to hide when playing hide and go seek in a shrine. It’s Jesus’ empty coffin. I feel just a tad sacrilegious typing that. My cousins and I used to play the best games in the grotto.
I showed them my favorite room in the grotto.
After the grotto we headed to the local soda fountain. I had a real soda fountain cherry coke. Audrey tried a root beer float. It was a good time all around.
Once we were hyped up on ice cream and soda we got back in the car and headed home. It was a nice visit, and I’m glad we were able to spend time with my aunt and uncle.
mildlygranola 
Time with extended family is always great!
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I love that grotto. I took hubby there several years ago. He was amazed at all the detail and work that went into building it. One of my favorite places in IA.
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I grew up playing there and going to mass in the un-air conditioned church. It holds so many happy memories for me.
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What a fun adventure! I need to see a sod house now.
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Yes, you do!
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What fun! It must not have been too cold. I don’t see any hats on heads.
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It wasn’t too bad. It was nice enough that Elliot forgot to wear shoes.
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lol!
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What a fun adventure you shared with us, loved the photos! We won’t tell any religious authorities about the playing in the shrine thing – ha!
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I guess I don’t know the definition of a grotto…I thought it was where fairies and elves lived but this has religious things in so I guess I’m wrong. Beautiful photos and fun to get a glimpse at your trip. That soda fountain place reminds me of old movies.
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My grandfather was raised for several years in a sod house in Nebraska. It might be what I would choose – in contemporary form! – if I lived in tornado country.
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I think the modern in ground homes would be cool, literally and figuratively.
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What a great trip! It sounds like a wonderful little town, with so much to see and do 🙂
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What a lovely trip! I’m going to forget my shoes the next time I go on vacation so I can buy new shoes.
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Please tell me that Bob will push you into Target while you sit in a cart.
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He would probably enjoy that.
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