We had wanted to leave town around 3pm to pick up the kids and get on the road, but that didn't happen. Work got in the way for both of us, so we didn't get going with kids strapped in until shortly after 5pm. The drive out of Georgia was nice. Sunny and no rush hour traffic. The drive into Tennessee was nice, but not so nice driving out. We had a good hour of rain.
Kentucky rewarded us with a stellar sky. Owen even spoke up from the back seat to tell us the sunset was beautiful.
After six hours of driving, we called it a night and found a hotel room in Paducah, Kentucky. We were lucky to get a room. There was an archery tournament in town filling up all the hotels. In years past, we have elbowed against Kentucky Derby goers, softball championships, Nascar, you name it and had to drive another 30-50 hours. This year we got the last room available with one bed and one pull-out sofa. Todd crawled into bed with the kids the next morning and they were in heaven.
Chloe got ready quickly and quietly waited in the window while we showered and re-packed before heading out.
Both of the kids ate a waffle for breakfast, but Chloe was more fascinated with looking at the ceiling while eating.
Once into Illinois, we stopped at a fun rest stop that has a see-saw in their playground. We have stopped here
before and the kids love it.
I still had to stand on Chloe's side to help push the see-saw back down. Owen accused Chloe of playing unfairly on the see-saw and intentionally mucking up the way of the world in see-saw rules. Poor girl didn't stop getting the Evil Eye for being a light weight. I was surprised that at two pounds less than her brother it made such a difference in their teetering.
I was surprised the boy asked me to take pictures of him and that he was smiling so nice. I suppose he was able to keep his evil sister separate from posing for the camera.
Chloe never really stopped giggling the whole time she was on the teeter totter. Every time she hit the ground with a thud or bumped up hard into the air when Owen touched down just sent her into fits. I love that girl's giggle!
Once Todd started helping with the equality of teeters, I snuck off to take squirrel pics. There were dozens of squirrels running around the park and playing with each other. This one felt comfortable enough to lay down flat while I snapped away.
The kids could have done this all day!
But after 20 minutes of playing and posing, we got back on the road.
We drove through a lot of farm country in Illinois and enjoyed the clear skies.
I took quite a few pictures of the arch as we were driving over the bridge, but then handed the camera over to Todd so I could pay attention to driving (smart, huh?). Todd did a good job taking pics, especially considering he was on his phone with a work conference call at the time. :)
I love these two side-by-side bridges that cross the Mississippi River into St. Charles.
We stopped at my Aunt Gloria's and Uncle Marvin's home and hung out for about 30-45 minutes before going out to lunch together at the Pasta House. Chloe had fun sitting on the rocking bench with my Aunt Gloria.
I love the Pasta House. They have THE best salad (I love when my Uncle Mike comes to town because he makes the salad...he got the recipe from the owners of the Rich & Charlie's restaurant before they got in a snit and broke up and one started the Pasta House). They also have THE best cavatelli with a creamy white sauce. I ate enough that after my next turn of driving, I passed out and took a two hour nap while Todd drove.
The kids had fun making silly faces while I was adjusting the settings on my camera.
Then my Uncle Marvin told everyone to "Look Up!" and they did. Interesting tactic that made it into my Notes-to-Self list to try. :)
I have missed my Uncle Marvin and Aunt Gloria and really enjoyed getting to see them again.
Throughout Missouri, we saw tons of fireworks stores. There was much begging from the kids to stop and shop since fireworks are illegal in Georgia and hard to come by. Between being in a hurry to get to Minnesota and the kids not having any of their own money to spend, we just drove past places like this.
I am fascinated by old barns, storage sheds and anything else that is weathered or large.
Chloe spent much of her time in Iowa coloring.
Owen mostly listened to his music, although his headphones were pulled off for this picture.
More barns, silos and farms :)
Look at my bizarre little Bean and what she started doing with her headphones.
As we neared Northern Iowa, we headed into some nasty storm clouds. The last hour of driving was like this and with mucho amounts of lightning.
The nasty weather didn't bother Owen much. He fell asleep, probably from pure exhaustion since we were up early and he had stayed awake the whole time we drove the day before. This boy is not at all accustomed to being up past 11pm when his bedtime is normally 8. It took its toll on him.
Most of Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa were under Severe Thunderstorm warnings or Tornado Watch/Warnings. It was very unsettling driving in because the sky looked so nasty and the lightning was everywhere. We were thankful we arrived safely in Rochester at Todd's Mom's house before it started raining much.
