This morning after breakfast with the kids, I began organizing our spring "staycation." We had hoped to travel somewhere out of town, but by the time we started planning, everywhere was already fully booked. On to plan B! 

While browsing "fun things to do in Illinois" (yep, really), I came across a post for Illinois Beach, State Park. Perusing the photos online of the rocky beaches you typically find along the Lake Michigan shoreline got me thinking. "Hey, kids! Feel like going to the beach today?" I mean, why not? It's warm and sunny, and the rocky beach will most likely be far less muddy than our backyard. Let's go!

Jack and Ellie had a ball! Throwing and skipping rocks into the water, hiking up and down the hilly terrain, stacking beach stones, running through the sand... which is now all over the back of my van. I love days like today. Unplanned yet unforgettable memory-making days that warm my soul and help push us through the last few weeks of winter. 

XOXO

 

Two people sitting on coastal rocks overlooking calm blue waters on a bright day.
Orange life preserver ring mounted on wooden post with beach safety signs on sandy shoreline.
A young person stands in tall grass wearing a blue winter jacket on a cold autumn day.
A figure in a blue tie-dye jacket sits on concrete blocks against a sandy landscape.
Misty winter beach landscape with bare trees and boats in the distance.
Close-up of orange and white life preserver ring mounted on wooden post against blue sky.
Child in blue jacket squats down to examine stones scattered on beach.
Beige beach grass blowing in the wind with blurred ocean horizon in background.
Beach scene with waves lapping at rocky shore on sunny winter day.
Bare winter tree with exposed roots growing on rocky terrain in black and white.
Someone wearing a tie-dye blue jacket sits on concrete blocks at a sandy beach.
Sandy beach with gentle waves rolling onto shore on a clear winter day.
Two people in winter coats explore a rocky beach shoreline on a bright sunny day.
Ice-covered limestone cliffs along a frozen lake shoreline under cloudy skies.
A black and white portrait of someone standing in a field of dried grass and bare trees.
Children exploring rocky beach with driftwood and pebbles near water.
Someone climbing a sandy hill path wearing a blue jacket on a winter day.
Someone in a blue patterned jacket sits quietly looking down at the sand.
Two children in winter coats explore rocky beach along water's edge.
A joyful moment captured on a beach with someone wearing a blue tie-dye winter jacket.
Close-up view of shallow waves washing over a sandy limestone shoreline.
Someone runs joyfully along a rocky beach wearing a blue patterned winter jacket.
Carefully balanced cairn of smooth stones on rocky beach.
Active child in blue winter coat crouches down to explore pebbles on sandy beach.
Child wearing navy and blue windbreaker smiles while exploring rocky shoreline.
Child in light blue jacket bends down to explore pebbly beach near water.
Two children in winter jackets standing together on rocky beach.
Black and white image of stacked stones with blurred figures in background.
Rocky shoreline with scattered stones along the edge of a calm blue lake.
Child in lavender winter jacket smiles while standing on rocky beach.
Child in light colored jacket explores rocky shoreline on cloudy day.
A side profile view of someone wearing a blue patterned jacket outdoors.
A piece of driftwood lies on a rocky beach with scattered pebbles and sand.
Snow-covered rocky cliffs overlooking a frozen lake under wispy clouds.
Bare tree with exposed roots growing among rocks near a stream in winter.
Two people enjoying a walk along a coastal path lined with dried beach grass.
Stack of balanced smooth stones on rocky beach against blurred background.
Two people exploring a coastal path with dried grass and ocean views.
Black and white portrait of child in winter jacket on rocky beach.
Stone cairn in foreground with blurred figures walking on rocky beach.
Orange life ring mounted on wooden post against blurred beach background.
Two figures in winter coats standing on coastal path overlooking the ocean.
Balanced rock stack on beach with soft focus figures walking in distance.
Tall golden beach grass stalks sway against a soft blue sky background.
Blurred figure walking through tall beach grass with ocean in background.
Two figures standing on a rocky overlook surrounded by dried beach grass.