Rained in at Walmart in the Rockies but safe in Little America

Day 7

245.6 miles traveled; 1,688.8 total trip miles…938 MILES TO GO!!!

We left Laramie, hoping the rain was finished for the day, and continued on. The closer we got to the mountains, the more excited we got. 

We kept looking for the “Continental Divide” so we could stop and take pictures of us there, but surprisingly there were no scenic spots for us to stop. There wasn’t even a warning, just signs saying “Continental Divide 7000 ft” at a few points. 

We did come across the exit for Rock Point (guess how it got it’s name) and I was able to pull over so we could take some pictures. Both of us were in awe at how beautiful all of the formations were. I loved all of the little (although I’m sure they weren’t little when you got up close) crevices or what looked like little holes or caves in the sides. Rob wanted to explore a bit, but we needed to do some more driving. 

   
    
    
    
   
As we were driving we could see the black clouds of the newest/baddest storm system coming in. We saw lighting streak the sky a couple of times, we knew it was going to be a doozy. 

  
We made it to Rocks Springs and into the Walmart before the storm actually hit. Sitting in the little vestibule area, watching the wind and rain whip around…we could barely see 5 feet outside the door. The power actually flickered a couple of times. We waiting out the worst of it there and then decided to head to the nearest truck stop for the night. Actually drove through a little of the flooding while trying to get out of the Walmart parking lot and back onto the road, but we’re on high ground now, so no worries there. 

Originally stopped at a little truck stop called “Cruel Jacks”, but after sitting for a bit and watching the clouds clear up and the sky turn beautiful again, we decided to move on. Plus, we both just got a bad feeling from the place and agreed it was NOT a place we wanted to stay the night. 

Which brings us to “Little America”. This place is a tourist trap for sure, but it’s nice and it has a much safer and cleaner area for us to stay tonight. 

   
 Driving through all of this beauty has really made us think. When someone brings up the Rocky Mountains, the image that immediately comes to mind is a beautiful mountain range with white cap tops, dark emerald green pines and other trees along the sides with green valleys and forests all around. One doesn’t think of some of the most beautiful rock formations that you would expect to see in the Grand Canyon, not in Wyoming. Just the immense size and how much history is imbedded inside of them has made us awestruck in wonder. We even felt like little kids when we actually drove THROUGH a mountain. It was so cool. But seriously, witnessing the artistry of the clouds as they drape over the mountain range as they slowly pass through, or a rainbow shining bright against a deep ocean blue sky after a severe thunderstorm, or just sitting in the evening and watching the light slowly fade in the sky and the colors change…you can’t help but be mesmerized by how great God. How much of an artist He is, how delicate His touch truly is. Cameras, brushes, pastels, pencils can all try to capture the beauty and wonder He creates…but in truth…nothing will compare to the awe and wonder I know we have seen so far on this journey. I know we are both anxious to see what else He has in store for us. 

Just some food for thought. We love and miss you all. From our hearts to yours…

It’s raining prairie dogs…

Day 6…

66.3 miles, 1,443 total traveled miles. 

Didn’t get very far today because of the weather. It started raining as we were on the road, and driving the roads here is very different from Michigan. The roads are much smoother and therefore slicker in the rain. As we were getting higher and into more of the rocky terrain, with the curves, I didn’t feel comfortable driving in the rain, so we decided to pull over to let it all pass. 
We got our first preview of the mountains though…they are so beautiful!! We can’t wait to get closer to them. Saw a sign that said our elevation was “8643 feet”!!! We can feel it in our ears and I can definitely feel it when breathing. 

But our biggest thrill today was seeing prairie dogs outside of the zoo!! Couldn’t believe how cute they were!! Rob says they’re the “gerbils of the prairie”. LOL. They move so fast and it’s so funny to watch them move around and then stop and stand up. I thought they’d be bigger, but they remind me of a cross between a chipmunk and a squirrel, only without a tail. 

  
It’s still raining. The Weather Channel App predicts rain until tomorrow morning, so I guess, this is where we stay for the night. The sky is so beautiful with the beginnings of the mountains in the distance. I wish I could do it justice with art. 

  
We miss you all so much. From our heart to yours….

So long Arbor Day State…I sure loved your trees…the ones in Omaha and at the end of the state. Hello, land of the Rockies!!!

Day 5

319.7 miles driven, 1,376.6 total trip miles (over half way there!!)

  

Well, today started much like yesterday. Hot with a touch of blistering heat and a mixture of bright sun. We were still in Nebraska…what do you have against trees and shade??? Saw lots of “steaks in training” (cows) and “popcorn in training” (more corn). 

Stopped for a bit at the Buffalo Bill Fort Cody. It’s mainly a tourist trap, but it was pretty interesting. Plus it was nice to get out of the van and do something besides wonder Walmart. Rob was excited because he saw me in an angry, “don’t mess with my cubs” state. LOL. It was too hot for me to pose with the bear statue, but I did get a pic of it. 

   

    
    
    
 Finally made it to Cheyenne, WY. So beautiful. But HOT!!! The “Welcoming Center” was cool. Rob found an interpretive nature trail that went up a pine bluff. So he got to do some exploring while I cooled down inside and read about some attractions. The trail took him to the archeological dig that U of W is doing. It was closed but he was able to peek through the windows. 

Then to my newest favorite truck stop chain…Sapp Bros for the night. I WILL have one of those toilets in my own house one day. Plus, this one provided a sink and mirror in each stall of the women’s restroom. And as you walked in, there was a TV!! How cool is that?!?! 

But of course, we had the locals celebrating the 4th just. Like everyone else, so it was late before we could relax enough to sleep. Every time we thought they were done, there were more loud booms.  

Tomorrow we hope for more mountains. From our heart to yours…thank you for your prayers and support. We love and miss you all. 

Goodbye Corn State…Hello Arbor State??? Where are the trees?? Just kidding…more corn.

Day 4

338.5 miles driven, 1,056.9 total miles, started in Des Moines, Iowa, ended in Odessa, Nebraska 

Well, finished Iowa…so tired of seeing corn everywhere. I was so excited when I saw the sign into Nebraska saying it was the “Arbor State”…yet after entering and passing through Omaha, I realized it was all a joke…more CORN!!! Even the rest areas didn’t provide much shade. 

Of course…the temperature has been fabulous up until Nebraska…then the sun came out with a vengeance. So… No shade + High heat + Cramped van = crabby Paco and Mama Bear. 

What’s the best way to cool things off??? A trip to the local Walmart of course!! Gotta get a dose of the local flavor. 

Although…this has provided the best area for people watching. Definitely interesting. Hazeltucky has nothing on these people. 

But seriously, driving through all of the hills and seeing nothing but farmland is beautiful. Surprisingly, no billboards for any Adult Superstores. Not many billboards to see actually. Things are kind of few and far between out here. The radio stations have been pretty good and their signals are strong too. Many of them are country, but they have a good mix. 

Okay…this may be TMI…but the if you EVER find yourself driving down (up) I-80 in Nebraska and you need to use the restroom. You MUST stop at Sapp Bros on Exit 263 in Odessa. They have the most AMAZING bathrooms!! The toilet seats are HEATED!!! Plus they have a bidet!!! So you can have your bum washed AND dried (yes, you read that correctly), while sitting on a heated seat, that also has massage settings. Who knew this gem was hidden here amongst the corn?? But then again…I’m seeing a pretty full lot of semi trucks…so they know where the secret is at. Wow!!! They weren’t lying on their sign when they said they had “Amazing Bathrooms”. Apparently, this is only for the ladies though. Sorry guys. 
  
But the van is running amazingly. No problems with any fluids, brakes, tires, or anything. (Knock on wood). Now onto finishing Nebraska and into Wyoming. We’re excited to see the mountains. We miss you all so much. Thank you for all of the prayers of support. Pictures of the mountains to come!!

From our heart to yours…Happy July 4th!!!

There’s corn! There’s more corn!! There’s an Adult Superstore??

Still no World’s Largest Ball of Yarn yet, but I keep looking. 
The TA at Exit 284 on I-80 is the Mecca for all tourists and truckers. This place is HUGE!!! It even has a movie theater in it!! Now that’s a truck stop!! Don’t forget the Truck Driving Museum. 

  
The Iowa welcome center had amazing sculpture pieces in the front. Looked like a montage to (you guessed it!) corn. There was one that looked like a Pac Man shooting flames from his mouth. It was funny to see.  But seriously, the rest stops here are beautiful…even the ones we see in passing from the interstate. Not many trees though. 

   
 
Gas station sign: “Kum & Go” -What were you thinking when you decided on this name??? It’s better suited for an adult store. We both had a giggle at that one. 
  
Driving along, nothing to see but fields of corn (no scarecrows though surprisingly)…except for the occasionally Adult Superstore surrounded by, you guessed it…corn!!! And cows. Hmmmmm….food for thought. 

Unfortunately we will not be able to visit the future birthplace of James T. Kirk. After reviewing our map (Wow!! Iowa has maps!!! How’s that Peru, Illinois?), it is just too far out of the way for our journey…much to my dismay. 

We didn’t get very far today (July 2nd)…the driving and confined spaces made me (the driver) feel as though there was a slow leak in my balloon and my body called it quits early. Looking to driving a lot more on Friday (July 3rd). 

Thank you for all of the prayers. From our hearts to yours…we love and miss you. 💖💖😢

Goodbye Great Lakes State…Hello Corn??

Well, yesterday was day 2 and it was a full day of driving. Drove a total of 302 miles. Finally got out of Michigan. So much construction. Will be so glad to be done with Orange Barrel Season. But we’ve been structuring our driving times smartly so we aren’t left stuck in a lot of traffic. 

Passed into Indiana without any problems. Rob saw a sign as we came across the border advertising for a Vasectomy. It said “Get 1 Side Done…Get the other Side Done FREE!” … Ummm…how does that work??! Wouldn’t you want them done together, let alone one at a time??? 

 

Wow the roads are so much better!! Driving is much smoother. We didn’t know what to make of it at first we have been so used to Michigan roads. 

Then onto Illinois. Wow!! The Illinois Welcome center feels more like an airport terminal food court than a welcome center. But it was beautiful. The weather has been perfect so far, not too hot and hasn’t rained a lot. 

   
   
And, Peru, Illinois Walmart…how do you not have any maps?!?!?! Especially for camping season?!?!?! (Response: “Well, I guess it’s because everyone has smart phones these days.” ~ Made our brains hurt)

We got to talk with cub who is planning a memorial service for her broken smart phone. Ugh…we miss her. We miss so many people. 😢

Ended at Exit 19 I-80 (Almost to Iowa!!) Gas $2.79/g!!! It seems to be going down the further west we go. We keep praying it stays that way. Today we enter the land of corn (Iowa)! More pictures to come. 

Thank you for all of the prayers. We miss you all!!! Love you all!!

Sad goodbyes and the journey starts

It’s been an emotional roller coaster for both of us these past few days as we have said our goodbyes and love you’s to our loved ones. There were still so many we wished we could’ve hugged and said goodbye to. But the journey had to start. 

Didn’t get as far as we originally would have liked, but the driver is exhausted from all of the tears and emotions. But the journey has started. Stopping for now to allow for some sleep…then to face the day ahead. 

Thank you for all of the prayers and well wishes. We will miss you. We have left bits of our hearts in Michigan with you…but in truth this is not goodbye…but see you later. 

Music choice for the evening: Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix Vol. 1

Quote of the evening: “I am Groot”

 

Almost time…

Well…in just a few short days, Rob and I will begin our journey west.  I was actually surprised to find out that he is directly descended from one of the original travelers on the very first Oregon Trail.  We wanted a way of keeping memories from out travels, and so this was born.  We’re both scared of that first step…excited to see what is out there, yes…but scared none the less.  We will miss so many of our loved ones.  There are so many we wish we could take with us.  But it’s time for us to stand together…alone.  It’s time for us to make something of ourselves and to discover what God has in store for us.