I remember this thread! I was going to post but had to think of a cool road trip to talk about. Then I forgot.
Mom I felt like I was riding along with you as I read about your trip this morning. I smiled, I cried, and it brought back my own memories.
For my family we've often gone to Missouri to visit family every chance we could. It's 900 miles, 14 hours travel if you only stop to fuel use the potty and jump back in the vehicle. We're older now so those stops require some stretching.
I remember leaving snow covered Michigan and stopping at a rest stop where there was green grass. It felt so wonderful to feel warm air and grass that the kids and I played in the grass. They were just toddlers then. Cubby was busy checking out the vehicle and such. He really wanted to get back on the road but allowed us to have some time to play. I miss those days when my kids were so little.
Then there's the time there was an accident on 80/90 in Illinois. We had borrowed cubbys parents van and had put a little tv in it so the kids could watch videos. As we sat we noticed all the people in the cars around us were looking in our windows watching the kids Disney shows.
When we started moving one guy rolled down his window and said thanks for the entertainment, it made the wait feel shorter.
When we cross the Missouri river into St.Louis everyone is excited. We stopped once and went up into the arch. Was really cool. Lots of history there plus the view from the top is amazing. The ride up is like being in a wash machine with 8 other people though.
Kinda freaky. When the wind blows you can feel the arch swaying. That is really freaky.
We are planning a trip in April of this year. If the Lord is willing. Cubby said we are going to go in the arch again.
I get really nervous when we go. But seeing my nieces and nephews faces makes it all worth while.
Many trips down Michigan, across Indiana and through Illinois to get back home. Often the van was packed to the hilt on the way down and grandma would send packages back with us. Cubby be scratching his head trying to figure out how to fit it all.
Snacks, activities, people stinky feet cause they removed their shoes. This time I'm taking ear plugs.
I remember one time when snowflower was about 5 we got about 30 minutes into the trip and she asked if we were there yet.
That time was a long trip.