I’m not really one to subscribe to things like “push presents” or babymoons. That sort of thing feels very cutesy and self indulgent. I certainly don’t think that having a baby means ending my life and slaving away for the next 18 years (I mean, seriously, you can put the child to work at 4 or so, and they’re basically independent by 8). That seems like a horrible attitude. Both because it’s a perfect way to start your child’s life with resentment and jealousy and because it’s free license to give up.

I know that I don’t have my child yet and I don’t know how hard things will/can be. But things are always hard, and it always takes effort to live the life you want. Why should being a parent change that? My husband and I are determined to keep doing the things we enjoy doing now like traveling and eating out at restaurants and taking full advantage of the city we live in. In fact, it’s important to us to pass that appreciation on to our kid(s).

Nevertheless, I’m realistic (when I have to be). And I know that it’s not going to be the two of us anymore in just a little while. Even before the baby comes (hopefully), my mother will be coming to stay with us. Things have been hectic, to say the least, over the last few months, and we wanted a bit of a break before we go into full baby mode. We’ve been terribly lax this year at doing our bimonthly weekend away, and this seemed like our last chance for a while to do it. At the very least, it seems fair to expect it to be a while before we feel comfortable leaving the little one for an entire weekend.

So we headed to the Indiana Dunes. Something quiet and not too far away (in case, anyone was in a hurry). It was lovely. The little inn we were staying at was cute and cozy, and the dunes themselves provided just the right amount of seclusion and activity.

    

We hiked Trail 9 at the Indiana Dunes State Park, which turned out to be perfect. Great views and a hike that was plenty of exercise for me but not so much that I crashed somewhere and had to be rescued.

   

It was really cool to see the usual midwestern trees…in sand! Next to a lake. The gorgeous fall colors and weather didn’t hurt either. It’s definitely worth checking out, if for no other reason, that the mind-blowing-ness of natural juxtaposition.