Spring 2013 Cavanaugh Visit - Part 1 - Swimming Pool

After work on April 11, Karen and I picked the boys up from daycare and hit the road on the way to Chicago. We were worried that we would have to delay our departure due to the first of a few powerful and altogether nasty spring snow storms, but it turned out most of the snow had subsided by the afternoon and by then, the roads were mostly clear.

This time, we decided to split the initial drive down in half. This was partly to make the long drive to Chicago more bearable for everyone and partly to get the boys some time in a hotel swimming pool. Checking online in the weeks previous, Karen found the perfect understated swimming pool in a WI Dells Holiday Inn Express. As a side note, before we checked in we got the call from our real estate agent and learned that our offer was accepted! Karen and I were in great spirits as we digested the fact that we were going to have an outstanding new house in just a matter of weeks!

So, it wasn't surprising that we were in a good mood when we arrived at the hotel. It improved as we realized that the pool situation was going to be even better than expected! Not only was no one swimming the night we arrived or the morning after (when the pics below were taken), but it turned out to have 2 pools. 1 was a well maintained normal medium depth hotel pool (with "cold" water and a water slide for older kids/adults) and the other was a wading pool designed for kids (with much warmer temps). Owen and I swam in both pools on both days, but 90% of the time he and I swam in the shallow kids pool. Karen and Logan swam only after we got up in the morning and spent nearly all of their time in the shallow pool too. There were 2 slides for kids in the shallow end, bubbler fountains to play in, and a castle with slides in the "deep" end. Owen and Logan both loved it! Karen and I had a great time working with Owen on his swimming skills and documenting Logan's first time swimming. That said, I personally would've liked some more time in the hot tub. Maybe next time.