Life Gets Chaotic

We took a road trip!

A 3,200 mile road trip, to see what we could see. Literally, that was the point in the road trip. I wanted to take a vacation with the kids where we had no time line, no destination, no worries. Just us going where we wanted when we wanted. And it was the most fun I have ever had. I didn’t stress about us making a flight, or making it to the hotel we had reserved. We had a car packed full of snacks and a fully charged iPad to keep the tiny ones entertained.

Our trip started off at 3 am, simply because we live in a very boring part of the United States and I did not want to make stops in the middle of corn fields. Our goal, to see how far west we can make it in four days. Now, that sounds pretty easy right? For most people, heading west from Ohio does not take that long. But, for a family that prefers to fly vs sitting in a car for more than four hours. Let’s just say we made lots of stops.

Our first stop was just north of Chicago, at the Leaning Tower of Niles. I chose not to stop in Chicago this trip because I have been many times, and will definitively be making several trips back. (I’ve planned whole weekend getaways just to have a slice of pizza, don’t judge.) Driving through Wisconsin, we made a few pit stops; loaded up on cheese and beef jerky. Visited the Jolly Green Giant in Minnesota; where my Milliepede was not impressed by the man in a dress. Our next major stop was the corniest place in South Dakota, The Corn Palace.

Mmmm, an entire building that smelled like popcorn. I was in heaven. The little man really enjoyed being set loose in the gymnasium while his sister laughed at the corny faces. After leaving the Corn Palace, we made our way to the Badlands. Growing up as I did, being surrounded by green, seeing the change in landscape was awe inspiring. I never would have imagined such beauty in such a harsh environment. And I mean HARSH. We were very fortunate to pick the time for camping when a heat wave is making its way across country. With temperatures in the triple digits, no shade; I am not ashamed to admit after one night in a tent, I quickly rented a cabin with AC.

Even with the brutal temperature and the obnoxious flies, the view was worth the trip. We spent hours climbing and venturing around. I loved watching Milliepede gain more confident every time we climbed over another peak. Even the little man being attached to my chest enjoyed participating in the rock climbing.

We spent a few nights in the Badlands, being unable to go to Yellowstone due to a recent bear attack. While there we had to go see The Wall. Having seen so many signs advertising The Wall, I was beyond curious. We saw nothing but signs for The Wall for miles and miles. I’m not going to spoil the fun and give any details away, just know, you need to visit The Wall.

After a quick detour to see Mt Rushmore, we drove through Nebraska into Kansas. Where we visited The World’s Largest Collection of the Smallest Version’s of the Largest Things, as well as seeing the Largest Ball of Twine in person. My tiny people were not nearly as entertained at seeing the largest collection as I was but I was so stoked to go in the museum. The Milliepede felt the need to tell me as soon as we walked in that I was lame, but that’s what mom’s are for. Kansas was beautiful. We made a detour to the Ozark, and on to a town called Casey.

Casey, Illinois. The Small Town of Big Things. We saw the largest pencil, pitchfork, mailbox, key, golf club, see-saw, ruler, rocking chair. It was such a cute town and completely unexpected. I feel like there should be signs on the highway to lead people to stop and check it out.

I was concerned about traveling as far as I did with my tiny people, but they did wonderful. We had no fights, no threats to turn the vehicle around. Just us joking and trying to find more “Fan-farms” along the highway. I can’t wait to plan our next adventure. Traveling by car might be our new favorite form of travel.