The Prairie State: A Late Summer Glamping Trip In Illinois
This was the view we woke up to during our glamping getaway to Kinnikinnick, an idyllic, 30-acre family-owned organic farm in Caledonia, Illinois.
It was the second farm stay for my two girls, ages 5 and 8. They had loved it so much the first time around that they couldn’t wait to share it with my husband, my sister, and their friends.
The five of us (three adults and two kids) fit comfortably in this 454-square-foot canvas tent, which comes furnished with a dining table, dining chairs, a wood-burning stove, a water pump and sink, an ice chest, and a queen bed, bunk bed, and special cupboard bed that the kids couldn’t get enough of.
My friend and her two kids, ages 6 and 8, had more than enough room in their own tent right next to ours.
The first evening of our arrival was somewhat of an exercise in forced relaxation for all the kids (and parents!). With no WiFi and electricity, it took a couple hours or so of the kids asking “What time is it?” and “What are we doing next?” before they realized that they were no longer in suburbia, and the only item on their schedule was to do chores with Farmer Dave.
As soon as Farmer Dave honked the horn on his tractor, the kids pulled on their rubber boots and jumped on board to help feed the chickens and pigs, and collect eggs for their breakfast tomorrow morning.
The second day of glamping offered another chance for close encounters with the farm animals, including milking a goat (a lot harder than you would think!).
The kids idled away the rest of the hot summer afternoon by hanging out in the hammock and running through the sprinklers. That evening, we enjoyed a pizza night with the other farm guests and watched the sunset as we roasted s’mores. As it got dark, the kids chased the fireflies and got ready for another cozy night in the tent.
The next morning we cooked bacon, pancakes, and eggs on the wood stove, watched the kids ride on the tractor one last time, and packed up our things, not quite ready to return to the busyness of daily life.
Goodbye, Caledonia. Till next time!
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