Notes from the Treehouse: Weekend Trip to Erie

We had contemplated a couple of different options for our weekend getaway while my Mom was here, but Erie won for several different reasons, not least because it was under 2 hrs to drive and there's a beach there!

Cabins were no longer available by the time we booked, so we booked two nights in a hotel. Not ideal with small children, but we figured the indoor pool would make up for some of that, at least for Vivian. And it sure did. She pretty much alternated between swimming in the lake and the pool at the hotel.

The hotel was nothing to write home about (especially considering the rate), but it was manageable. Our rooms were at least on the same floor. Vivian and my Mom shared one room, Will, Annelee and I the other.

We took off Friday morning after breakfast and arrived around lunch time; picked up some food from KFC and headed to Presque Isle. We picked a picnic table overlooking the bay for lunch and then moved on to visit our first beach. Beach #9 (they are all numbered).

It was wonderful. Really like being at the sea side. The girls played in the sand and in the water, the adults took turns joining them or going for small little walks along the beach. Vivian loved playing "waves knock you over". We do need to take her to a real beach with real waves some day.

That evening, we had dinner in the hotel (nothing to write home about) and then Vivian, Annelee and I went swimming in the hotel pool.

The evening plan of putting the girls down in our room and playing cards in my Mom's room (with the baby monitor of course) was quickly abandoned after Annelee jumped ship, and walked past an awake Vivian (who did nothing to stop her) and straight out of the hotel room and made it half way down the corridor before I caught up with her. So, everyone went to their respective rooms and had an early night. :)

After breakfast the next morning, we decided to try and explore the boardwalk area, but were sorely disappointed. Not only did we not find a boardwalk, or easy access for a walk along the Marina, but it was hot and humid. No fun at all.

So, we had lunch and then headed back to the hotel for a nap (Annelee), rest (my Mom and I) and a trip to the Waldemeer Amusement Park (Vivian and Will). In the afternoon, we headed to beach #10 which had been recommended to me by some friends on facebook. It was nice, too, but we all liked #9 better, I think.

After take-out pizza in the hotel room, it was once again time for Vivian and I to go to the pool.

The next morning, we packed up and checked out after breakfast, headed to beach #6, spent a couple of hours getting wet and sandy one more time, and then headed home.

All in all a fun trip, if not a perfect one. Next time, a cabin would make all the difference, and better planning of the non-beach activities.

The photos are from an assortment of cameras and were taken by all three adults.