Day 5:Taking the Scenic Route/Detours

Today was the most interesting day to say the least. The morning started off early again, about 5 am in Kansas City. We immediately ran into sever storms before we ever got out of Missouri. However, knowing Wayne Cannon, we just kept driving and out ran it instead of stopping to let it pass. We had a few close calls but we made it out alive and that's all that matters.

After Missouri we took an intentional detour to see Kansas and Nebraska. This was the most beautiful part of our journey thus far. Everywhere you look you saw corn, corn, and more corn! This is when Dad made his brilliant comment "This sure is a corny state!" This was the first and be detour of many to come.

To make and extremely long story short, the Missouri river caused us to take about 4 detours which put us 2 hours behind. Instead of the first part being 3 short hours it took us 5 long hours. Every time we got back over to the interstate they had it closed off again. These detours did cause us to see many historic towns and beautiful landscapes be we also saw alot of flooding today. Many places were closed and sandbagged up, even parts of the interstate were lined with sandbags. The detour led us to one bridge that was very old. Beside us there was also a train crossing at the other old bridge. The toll booth lady helped us out with our second funny comment of the day. Keep in mind were in Nebraska crossing over to Iowa, and Dad tells the lady "We think were lost" so she naturally asked "Where are you headed?" When Dad told her Yellowstone, her face went blank and she looked as if she was trying to say "Well sir, you are VERY lost and very far away"

After we finally figured things and got back on the interstate for good, I took over driving. The part that I drove in Iowa and South Dakota seemed never ending. All those corn fields turned to green grass pastures and rolling hills but the problem was it all looked the same. That scenery got old fast and went on for hours and hours. That part of the journey was also the Lewis and Clark trial. If I was traveling at 75 mph and it took that long, I sure am glad I wasn't with them when they first discovered it.

After a very long 4 hours across South Dakota, we finally made it to the Badlands. A huge stripped rocked that forms peaks as well as plateaus and goes on for miles and miles without end. At one of the viewing areas we walked out on the steep mountains of rock and took a family photo. If we would have slipped it would have been a long, 300-500 foot fall to the valley. Luckily we all came out safe. The Badlands were gorgeous and one of those things you just have to see in order to respect it.

Lastly on our journey today we stopped at this little town called Wall Drug. I know it sounds crazy but it was pretty much a road of old western shops. There were boots, buckles, and plenty of souvenirs, however Wall Drug was especially eventful for our family. While we were looking around we lost Brittany. The other four of us all looked around and tried to find her but she was nowhere to be found. Finally I went back to where she started at the boots and belts. On my way I finally found her. After finding her we decided it was time to go. When we got to the car we realized we had left one of the doors wide open with Mom's camera and purse in clear view. God kept a close eye over it while we were gone because when we got back everything was right where we left it, that was truly a miracle. So now we've made it to Mt Rushmore KOA in South Dakota and we are staying here today and tomorrow. It will be nice to just sight see tomorrow and not have to drive 14 hours like today. But as for right now it is 11:30 South Dakota time, and 1:30 my time and everyone else is asleep. Its 50 degrees outside our cabin so there is no need for air tonight. But I must go to sleep now or its going to be another long day tomorrow.

Goodnight for now.

Funny Comments:

Dad- Kansas, this sure is a "corny" state.

Dad- Look at those fat cows! Austin- Dont talk about Suzanne like that!

Britt- Mt Rushmore: Did they carve those rocks that way?

Day 4: Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri!

5 states, 4 major rivers, 3 attractions, 2 time zones, 1 day - This is a pretty simple explanation of our day. We started this morning in Chattanooga, after a few hours of riding through the mountains we made it to Nashville. Just for anyone who didn't know, Nashville is where my parents went on their honeymoon so that was a very important stop. While trying to get to the Grand Ole Opry we came across the General Jackson river boat so we stopped and took a few pictures. Then we went through a huge maze of construction work in order to get to the Opry House. We finally made it and took a few pictures outside by the huge guitars. Then it was back to the road.

Through the rest of Tennessee and Kentucky Britt, Austin, and I slept. Even thought we didn't leave Chattanooga until seven, the few hours of sleep were nice. While we were asleep Mom and Dad said it rained awhile, but at least it rained while we were in the car.

Illinois wasn't much to talk about either, but once we got to the Missouri state line the camera stayed busy. The Gateway Arch was definitely a sight to see. Even thought we didn't stop and ride in it, I felt high just looking at it. It toward over all the building and stretched as wide as the city. You couldn't focus long on the arch because before we knew it Dad and Austin spotted Bush Field where the St Louis Cardinals play, so the camera quickly turned that direction.

After St Louis, Dad and I switched seats and I drove the width of Missouri. If you know about the man in the map, his belly sure was bigger than I thought it was. If you don't know the man in the map, the drive across the Missouri was greater than I expected and didn't have near as many exist as the other states. In the end, we finally made it to Kansas City. Were in a slightly larger cabin and we are currently under Tornado watch until 2 a.m., but we wont be staying up to watch.

In recap, 5 states: Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. 4 major rivers: Tennessee river, Ohio river, Mississippi river, and the Missouri river. 3 attractions: General Jackson River Boat, The Grand Ole Opry, and the St Louis Gateway Arch. 2 time zones: Eastern and Central (Austin said it was weird living 3 o'clock twice in one day). 1 day: June 26th, 2011.

Funny comments:

Austin - "Nashville, Maybe i'll get discovered here!"

Mom - "Who needs a GPS when you have SRC?"

Day 3: Fort Meade to Chattanooga

Our morning started early to say the least. Dad woke us up at 4:30 and we were dressed and on the road by 5 a.m. We took some short cut to the Florida turnpike and Dad was pretty excited cause we saved 30 minutes! We were in Gainesville when I woke up at 7:30!! A little while later we stopped at a rest stop in south Georgia. I snatched the keys and drove the rest of the way to Chattanooga with Austin as my co-pilot. We arrived at our KOA in Chattanooga at 2:30. Dad wishes we would have planned to go further but we had a fun afternoon.

After we checked in at the KOA and put our bags in our "Kozy Kabin" we got back in the car and headed west toward lookout mountain. On our way we saw this train thing that went straight up the side of the mountain, so naturally we turned around and went back to check it out. It was such a cool trip up that mountain. Sheikra's 200 foot drop doesn't have anything on this 2,000-plus foot drop. On the way up it felt like we would never reach the top and once we got to the top the train stopped at a 45 degree angle and we had to climb up the stairs to get out at the back of the train. By this time I was so ready to get off that train and on to solid ground. As soon as I climbed off the train I realized I had left my ticket on the train and I would be stranded if I didn't go back and get it. At this point the last thing I wanted to do was get back on that train that was dangling from the top of the mountain, but it was a must. After I got my ticket we went up a few stairs to get to the roof of the train station. From that height the view was amazing. After we took a few pictures and looked around we went back and got on the train and took it to the bottom. Even though it was a little nerve racking, honestly a little scary, it was worth it for the view and the experience. It was a great start to our long journey ahead.

Did I mention the cabin where all 5 of us are sleeping is no bigger than our family room? This sure will be a very bonding trip for the 5 of us. Oh... And its 7:45 and we are all in bed and Dad and Austin are almost asleep already! This sure is going to be interesting to say the least.

Funny comments of the day:

Brittany -"Wait... Indiana is a state?"

Austin -"Chat-ta-new-ga!"

Dad -"Whats and Ipod?"

Attractions visited:

Incline Railway at Lookout Mountain.

Day 2: The countdown is over!

I cannot believe we are actually leaving in a few hours! I don't think it has set in yet that in less than a week we are going to be on the other side of the country. Today mom and I went and got our hair cut so we are ready for the ton of pictures that we are going to be taking. Britt was ahead of us and got her hair cut just a few weeks ago! Dad and Austin couldn't be left out so they got haircuts too. I cut Austin's hair then mom cut dads. This was after the car was packed. I am very proud of my dad, we only have luggage in the back of the car and in a tool box looking thing on a rack on the back of the car. There aren't any items on top of the car and this is a blessing. The last thing we want is to ride up and all the people think the Beverly Hillbillies have come to town. Dad has already made me embarrass myself enough. The other day he had me call the campground and ask them if there were any rules about how our food was to be stored. The lady I talked to seem to think it was a silly question and proceeded to tell me there were not any bears. maybe I am the only one who is silly enough to think there are bears in South Dakota, but it seemed logical to me! This is just the beginning of a trip that will house many more laughs! Apparently I am the most excited because it is a quarter til midnight and I am still awake and writing. Maybe I should go to bed now considering we are driving 10 hours tomorrow! Goodbye Fort Meade, Florida- Hello America!!!

Day 1: Packing

Today was the main day for packing and running all our errands before we leave on our mission around the country. I probably spent 4 hours running around town making sure all the change got cashed in and all the maintenance on the car was taken care of. Mom spent the day cleaning the house from top to bottom. She did a pretty good job, she even cleaned off the desk in the office. Britt taught at VBS while dad and Austin were at work all day. When they got home we finished up some chores and ordered dinner. Yes, we were busy enough that we ordered Chinese for dinner. While mom, dad, grandma, Austin and I were eating dinner the lights flickered then the power went out. This is a minor set back in our plan, but at least it is only Thursday night and not Friday because if the power went out tomorrow night it would be much worse. Now tomorrow we have a few things to accomplish: we have to finish packing, pack the car and be sure everything is ready to start our journey early Saturday morning. As for now, this is all and we will have more details tomorrow and the days to follow. Until then...