I'll just keep my southern happy self down here in Texas. Sure, the summers are preparation for Hell, if you've been bad in life and expect to go there. But that what air conditioning is for.
I am just finding out there's a wild animal ranch not too far South of me in Indiana called Wilstem. They have elephants, giraffes, and kangaroos. There are various prices for admission and petting or feeding the animals. They have rental cabins too.
They are located off SR-150 between Paoli and French Lick. Paoli is abt the only location I am aware of in IN to go skiing. And, of couse I only have 2 words to describe French Lick: Larry--Bird!
I am preparing a day trip for this summer, though with heated barns they have tours all year.
There's a state park called McCormick's Creek close to here that promiseacres goes with her husband and kids. We have talked abt joining the two families up there for a cookout this summer. I'm good with that kind of stuff because as a kid I was taken to lots of family reunions and church outings with folks I hadn't met before. I always had a good time.