Making Our Trail: At The Beginning
We are en route.
On the road.
In the car. (Well. Not currently. That would just be dangerous.)
We’ve been in the car A LOT.
And these blog posts will just be on and off and when I can find an internet connection and when I can have a millisecond to type. (Thanks so much for your patience.)
So far we have driven very very far.
And we still aren’t there.
We saw an armadillo on the side of the road. Many red winged blackbirds. I won the alphabet game for maybe the first time in my life. We played twenty questions until I couldn’t stand the questions any longer. Listened to Stuff You Should Know because of the Heffington’s and the Hunt’s recommendations. Now we know everything there is to know about bonsai trees. Except I already forgot most of it. We finished the audio version of Into the Woods and are half way through Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. We’ve heard one Adventures in Odyssey program and listened to a podcast where an Odyssey voice actors was interviewed. Shoot, Mosely even caved and filled out a page full of math problems I snuck into her clipboard of road trip entertainment. Every item not he scavenger hunt has already been found and Mosely has all but three states filled out on her map of license plates. (This might be the trip, you guys. The trip where we see every state. Oh Hawaii and Alaska. You’re so elusive.)
I even let the kids watch a movie in the car. (Is there anything much more awful than being the only person up front while a movie is going on in the backseat and you can sort of hear the film but mostly not and there’s just so much nothing happening on the road in front of you?)
We’ve also laughed a lot. Two kids engaged in a squabble over whether or not one child should/could/would throw their gum out of the window in front of another child. We used a still-hanging-around Krispy Kreme coupon for a free dozen donuts somewhere in Indiana or Missouri (who can keep up?) which made everyone very relaxed and calm whilst trapped in a vehicle hurtling down the interstate. It was a rather wise decision I’m sure.
Also. I rediscovered my favorite childhood candy that I haven’t seen in years and thought they had stopped making.
At the start we dropped Ryder off with an extremely generous Oma so that he could hang out at the farm and not be so lonely. (That dog really likes his people. And we like him.)
We had the fine pleasure of seeing faithful friends and watching our children play together as the night closed in around us.
We brought peaches (magical magical peaches) from our house just so we could eat them in another state on a little picnic.
It was a really good decision.
We did have to sacrifice one peach for the greater good. We could not open the jar and we asked a fellow camper to help us with the task so we weren’t forced to break the glass to get at the golden goodness. After he solved our dilemma, we shared a peach half with him too. It was the least we could do.
We’ve got loads and piles and frighteningly large numbers of miles before us still.
So I’m sure there will be more squabbles and snack consumption and I’ll probably let another movie happen – because Kansas – for the love. (Who actually lives in these midwestern states? Where do they shop? Where do they work? I see NO signs of life here.)
This is totally going to be worth it – right?
(No. Really. I’m asking for affirmation, people. This will be worth it? Right?)
13 Comments
karen
you are amazing. and i’m so proud of you.
you will not regret this trip ever.
Nikkie
So proud of you.
Of course, it’s going to be worth it!
Lana
Actually if you are from the Midwest your little heart can long for those miles and miles of farm country .It has been way too long since I have been there. Midwesterners are people of few words or at least Iowans are so it will not help to stop and try to talk to anyone! 🙂
laceykeigley
Yes – the farm country really was lovely.
Sandy
Definitely. worth. it!! I have never driven the route you are on but can relate in the state of Maine I lived in for 15 years…there are many parts with more moose than people!!
laceykeigley
I didn’t know you lived in Maine!
I’d love to explore up there.
CLAUDIA BURNS
Lacey, when you drive through Kansas, look for the wind turbine farms. TAKE THE TIME to drive as close as possible to one and learn how gigantic they are. Then do the research and learn how much energy they serve to how many homes. You can make a math problem by figuring out how tall they are and how long the blades are. I found it an awesome experience. Enjoy Kansas and I send you hugs from my home state with golden wheat fields and gorgeous clear blue skies — when there isn’t a storm brewing.
laceykeigley
We took your advice.
Didn’t get super duper close but we found out the info and made it a great discussion/learning time.
It’s really very interesting.
Sara
Amazing!! I’m just a tad envious! Have a wonderful time!
Can’t wait to hear all about it.
Be safe.
Much love.
laceykeigley
Don’t be too jealous. Lots of kids with short fuses and some major circling the route in Kansas City because – roads can be confusing with a twelve year old navigator! 🙂
Theresa
Wow, Lacey! You are so brave to be forging this trail with your kids! Oh, the miles of memories in the making, though! Praying for your safety as you blaze your trail!
Btw, I lived in Kansas as a child!
Also, I find “listening” to a movie an dinterestin experience. I tend to hear little nuances that I don’t pick up on when watching! Especially if it’s a classic like Princess Bride or something like that!
laceykeigley
We should’ve brought Princess Bride!!
Theresa
Wow, Lacey! You are so brave to be forging this trail with your kids! Oh, the miles of memories in the making, though! Praying for your safety as you blaze your trail!
Btw, I lived in Kansas as a child!
Also, I find “listening” to a movie and interesting experience. Intend to hear little nuances that I don’t pick up on when watching! Especially if it’s a classic like Princess Bride or something like that!