A few days ago I completed my final (I hope) trip of the summer, driving from Nashville to Provo. It was an experience, to say the least, and I'd like to share some of the insight I gained as I travelled through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and finally, Utah.
In Kentucky, you can get a chicken biscuit and biscuits and gravy at McDonald's for breakfast.
In Illinois, there are very hefty fines and 14 yr. prison sentences for hitting road constuction workers.
St. Louis, Missouri is pretty cool, but the people at the McDonald's where we ate lunch were really, really scary.
Missouri takes a really long time to drive through.
Iowa was cool, but we were only there for less than an hour.
Every small town in Nebraska has a Super 8 Motel and a WalMart. We wanted to spend the night in Lincoln, but there was no place to turn around on the freeway, so we went on to Seward, Nebraska. Seward has a Super 8 and a WalMart.
Chayenne, Wyoming is almost as scary as the McDonald's in St. Louis. Come to think of it, Evanston, Wyoming was pretty dang scary, too...at least the truck stop we stopped at.
Don't plan a road trip thinking that everything will go smoothly. Everything went well for us until we made it to the Wyoming/Utah border, where traffic came to a screeching hault for two hours. We were so close to home, but weren't moving at all.
I'm thankful for Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi Max, and Dr. Pepper, without which I couldn't have survived the drive.
I'm also thankful for the many landmarks I saw as I crossed the plains:
The Museum of American Quilters' Society
The St. Louis Archway
The Mississippi River
The Missouri River
The Platte River (that we crossed at least 19 times)
Cabela's world headquarters
...and so many other things I can't even think of.
I love Middle America.
So, here's a quick recap of this summer's trips:
Salt Lake, to Dallas, to Miami, to San Pedro Sula, Tela, Copan, Tegucigalpa, Choluteca, Danli, and Tegucigalpa (again), Honduras, to Miami, to Nashville, to Chicago, to Salt Lake.
Salt Lake, to San Diego, to Placentia, to Salt Lake.
Salt Lake, to Placentia, to San Diego, to Salt Lake.
Salt Lake, to Pheonix, to Nashville, to Kentucky, to Illinois, to Missouri, to Iowa, to Nebraska, to Wyoming, to Salt Lake, to Provo.
You figure out the milage...
I guess I'm ready for school to start again.
12 comments:
So how was the Museum of America's Quilter Society? (or whatever it was). You really HAVE traveled a lot this summer! I saw you a lot more BEFORE school ended...maybe we'll start seeing you again. Too bad you didn't take any pictures of your trip...that would have been fun. I don't really have any desire to drive to Tennessee after reading all that, although Evanston, Wyoming sounded pretty exciting. Love ya!
BTW...nice blog title. Is it supposed to be reminiscent of Tiny Toons: How I Spent My Summer Vacation??? I love that movie!
Michael,
What about your trip to Oregon?
What about how great it was seeing your mom and dad on your trips to Tennessee and San Diego?
How about the person you rode home with from Tennessee?
What about your excitement for school to start?
What about your nice room when you come to visit in Tennessee?
I love you Michael
Dad
Quick recap?! What a summer!! Glad you ended it being here in Tennessee with us. I never thought I'd be comfortable letting my child DRIVE across the country! Glad you made it in one piece. We really do need to re-watch "Tiny Toones How I Spent My Summer Vacation" again. You didn't mention your adventure of mowing the lawn...maybe you're just hoping to forget about it.
So did you guys drive through any long tunnels and hold your breath until you turned blue? I really can't believe how far you travled this summer. Thank goodness you don't have any kids or you would vow to never drive anywhere EVER again!
Next time you stop through MO, you HAVE to at least pop in and say hi. I promise to make you a lunch that is free of scary people (well, sort of).
Michael,
your so funny! (smile) sounds like your summer was filled with fun and traveling. I bet the road trip had lots of beautiful scenery. how long did it take you to drive to Tennessee?
Aimee
We forgive you for not stopping by THIS TIME. Next time? You won't be so lucky.
No, Josh doesn't work anywhere near anything scary. We've actually never been downtown since we moved here (because it IS kind of scary). And it's too bloomin' hot to venture more than ten feet from the air conditioning or the pool.
Marianne was kind enough to tell me of a spelling error I made on my blog. I wrote "Chayenne" and she ever so kindly told me it is spelled "Cheyenne." I apologize to all who were affected by this mistake.
Michael, now that you are back from your travels maybe we will be hearing from you. Wow what a trip that was and NOW BACK TO SCHOOL. I am so glad to read your blog and to find out about what is going on. Love you!
I looked everyhwere for you on campus during Education week then I read your mom's blog and realized you were with them! Sounds like a great summer- here's to school starting!
Whew! What a summer! Funny that all you can say about KY is there biscuits and gravy! JK! That is the worst drive...I feel for you! I am glad that you had lots of fun...post on your surgery!
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