Traveling

On Friday, July 15, 2011, we left our comfy cozy lives in Sandy, Utah as we embarked on a long, hot, and sticky drive to the great bluegrass state. 

Our first adventure, Wyoming.

Wyoming was not so bad. Boring and uneventful, yes. But not bad. We got separated from the caravan for a bit, due to a pit stop diaper change and a loss of phone service. How did people caravan before cell phones? It seems hard. I was sure grateful to have Connie's phone! (Mine's on the fritz. I think it will die today!)

I was very excited to enter the next state. And I really wanted to like it. 

 Corn, corn, corn. And cute little towns, just like you'd expect! Everyone gathers at the local steakhouse for dinner. It was a steakhouse meal, just like you'd expect. But then there was a tomato I didn't expect. My salad had a nice juicy tomato on top. And I love me a nice juicy tomato. Turns out it was a spiced apple ring. Things got a little weird in Nebraska after that. 

We stopped in a little town called Grand Platte for the night. You know how they say, when in Nebraska, do as the Nebraskans do? Well we wanted to really experience the place, so we set up camp in the Walmart parking lot. It was full of trailers and campers! Shaun set up his air mattress on top of his car. Steve slept in Shaun's car. Grant slept in the back of the Subaru and Connie and I created a nest in the back of the truck. After a quick trip into the store for some bug spray, we settled down for sleep.

Josie wouldn't have it. She wanted to wave and say "hi" to every thing that moved. And the lights never turn off at Walmart. She thought this was an all night party. After trying everything we could think of to get her to sleep, Connie and I decided at 3:00 am to seek refuge. 

We stopped at the closest hotel, only to find out that all the hotels along 1-80 were booked within a 3 hour radius. Sick. 

We had a few choices: 1. Stay awake at Walmart all night. 2. Drive around Grand Platte and hope Josie would fall asleep in the car. 3. Drive down 1-80 until we find an open hotel.

We chose number 3. After a quick, tear filled prayer, we left our crew in the hopes of finding something better. I called a hotel in the nearest town, and to our surprise they had a room. What?! Thank you! 

The Travel Inn in Gothenburg would hold us a room (who else is stopping at 3:30 am?). We were saved.

 Josie was the happiest baby the whole time. I may have let her chew on a book for a while.
We pulled up to the Travel Inn and read a sign informing us of the free wireless internet and outdoor pool. We  thought this sounded like a pretty sweet place. I walked into a muggy office and was surprised to a find a husband and wife snoring on la-z-boy recliners. I payed her my $45 and hurried back to the car, anxious for all of us to sleep. I should have payed more attention to the "Absolutely No Refunds" sign.

The place was disgusting. Luckily we had Josie's play pen and a pile of blankets to sleep with. Otherwise Connie and I would have stood all night, holding Josie. It reeked of wet mold, due to the constant dripping bathroom full of moldy towels. Dead bugs filled every surface. I am glad we chose the non-smoking room.

 Eventually we slept, but not very well. And the pool was empty. Rude. I was hoping to go for a late night dip.
We were excited when morning came. And we were excited to go to the gas station to go to the bathroom. Nebraska, I really wanted to like you. I just can't.

Then we entered Kansas. My name almost sounds like Kansas. (Candace - Kansas). Yeah, I know. Cool.

 A rock chip on my brand new windshield. Bummer.

Apparently we suck at reading a map, because we thought we were going to fly through Kansas in an hour. So we were slightly disappointed when it took much longer. And there was a toll road. Can anyone tell me the purpose for a toll road? I think it should be called a TROLL road because Kansas is bullying poor people who have to use their roads. And you know how I feel about bullies...

St. Louis,  Missouri was our next destination, but we didn't quite make it there. We stopped a few hours earlier and stayed at a Motel 6. I have never been so pleased with such a simple hotel. And it only cost $50. We got ripped by the lame-o Travel Inn.

And then we spent a couple hours in Indiana and Illinois! I didn't know we were going to Illinois and Indiana! I told you, we suck at using a map. And by we, I mean Connie and I.
Beautiful states, both of them. Awesome rolling hills, full of abundance, just like Nebraska, but without all the crappy stuff! I could live there!

And of course, there was plenty of eating a sleeping along the way. A good road trip, indeed. 

 After a bit of traffic, due to a scorched semi truck (devastating), we arrived in the bluegrass state!

Kentucky, we are glad to be here. Thanks for letting us come. We will treat you good and hopefully you will treat us good.