Forty-seven Construction sights

Matt and I have just gotten back from a two week road trip.  It has been planned for a few months now and the main reason we drove was so that Dad could change his mind at the last minute and join us. - He didn't.  But we ended up packing a bunch of boxes to bring to the kids - so it was good that we planned to drive.

First stop Mt. Rushmore - it was raining and felt great to be in cooler weather.  I didn't pack a sweat shirt - so I got my one and only souvenir - a pink Mr. Rushmore sweatshirt.

As you can see - it was raining - so they look like they are crying.  Figured it had been 46 years since the last time I was there - ouch!!!  We stayed there and the next morning woke up and went on to Crazy Horse

Went on a tour that took you right up to the mountain - for 135$ you could go up to the top by the face but I haven't won the sweepstakes yet.  This is going to be something in 75 years.

We continued south to some highway and drove through some park that had a bunch of Bison.  Walking and grazing all over the place.  It is funny to watch a bunch of people (myself included) get out of their safe car and get too close to these animals, just for a picture.

It was cool.  So now we are out of South Dakota  and in Nebraska.  I thought that South Dakota was very beautiful - Nebraska was not. 

Nebraska is flat and has very strange cows.  Yes you read me correctly - very strange cows.  I'm used to seeing cows out in the field.  Lived across from a dairy farm for 9 months.  Cows eat grass and fascinate little children. (that is a story for another day) But they spread out.  Twenty cows will spread out and fill up a couple acres.  Not in Nebraska - they will have twenty acres, full of lush green grass just waiting for the eating and there will be 25 cows standing shoulder to shoulder or shoulder to rump - just squeezed together in the corner - for what I could see - no reason at all.  Very strange cows!!!

Oh , Nebraska also has a few dead ducks.  On the freeway a family of ducks tried to cross the road and well - a few didn't make it.  I will say my eyes were closed and our car did not go thump thump - so we didn't kill any.

Iowa was next and still flat land and really how much corn do we need anyway?  They too have weird cows. They also grow wind mills in their corn

Into my home state of Illinois ( s is silent)  More corn and the worst roads we have seen.  I am also shocked to see casinos in Illinois.  Things have changed since I lived there - 42 years ago.

Indiana has big beautiful trees along the highway.  Covering the billboards.  You either can't read the billboards because half of it is covered (and some important road signs too)  or they are in a pocket clearing and only have enough time to realize that a billboard was there.  Then there is one - out in the open - no obstruction and you have know idea what it means.  Guess you have to live there.

Ohio- almost to Grant's house.  But these people don't stop at stop signs.  They shouldn't be called a California stop but an Ohio almost slow down stop. But then here is one of the main reasons for this trip.

I finally get to meet Malcolm.  Big Mac for almost short. A total cutie!!!!!

Now we are going to pause here for a bit an discuss Maps vs. GPS. So, Grant and well, most of my kids laughed at Matt and I when they found out that we used an Atlas.  A big book of maps of the different states, to find our way.  I was informed that my iphone had GPS and that I didn't need the Atlas.  Well, I say you better know how to read a map because the battery doesn't go out on an Atlas and we are never in a dead zone.  But Matt and I agree that the GPS was nice in the city.  Much easier to punch in an address and be guided to the place then call and ask for directions.  So I say - use both.

So now we're at Grants in Cincinnati.  First time to see the house and I like it very much.  We were greeted by Hallie and Ez, Hallie giving us a picture she drew.  It is now up on my wall in the office.  Dinner is next, Cincinnati chili spaghetti, and then ice cream.  In the morning we are off to Chattanooga.

We arrive at "the cabin".  I'll call it that because I don't know what else to call this great house Cristy found for us to stay at.  It was perfect for the 5 families.  Grant pulled in with Matt and I right behind them and then Darren and Laura just a few seconds later.  Damon and Nikki and the kids with all the food for the two days came shortly after.  Cristy and Nathaniel got there last and they had the shortest drive.  All the cousins were glad to see each other again and all settled into a nice crazy renewal of love and family.

 Carter and Ez are the first into the hot tub.  Don't know why with it being 98 degrees out.

 Everyone say cheese!!!

After staying up way too late talking and playing games, we head off to some cave.  Rudy cave?  It's hot out.  Eastern hot - 102 degrees with humidity and a heat index of 115.  But we are brave and wait in line to go into the mountain.

You share shade if you find it.  Now I took a bunch of pictures in the cave and well these are the ones I am sharing.

 The next two are of the waterfall, end of the tour and well, what we went to see.

While at the cave they took our picture - easiest family picture I ever took.

Back to the cabin for dinner and a almost surprise birthday party for Matt.

The next day we went into Chattanooga to a children's museum.  The kids had a blast and I had a blast watching them.  Found out I wasn't that strong, after holding Malcolm for 10 minutes I needed a nap.

 Lucas

 So .....you want to go up there...or ......

 Jack

 So I lost the feeling in my arm 5 minutes ago.  Big mac is bored with Nana

Home to the cabin and our last night together.  It was quick but it was worth the trip.  These cousins really know each other and have a good time together.  I had a list of things I was going to do and pictures I was going to take and did none of them.  Oh well.....

Next morning up and out... Matt and I say good-by and head off to St. Louis. Driving through Tennessee we saw what I consider unique road kill.  Armadillos.  They also have a unique road sign that reads "Milled Surface"  What does that mean?

We get to St. Louis fairly early and decide to see the arch.  Well, I think the whole down town area is under construction.  This is another example of GPS uselessness.  My phone would tell us to go one way and well we couldn't because the street was closed and construction arrows pointing another way.  Well, we managed  to find a parking spot and headed off on foot.  Following signs saying this way to the trolley for the arch.  Till the signs quit and well, I felt trapped on a corner with nothing but highway all around.  So I took a picture and told Matt "lets go".  And we did

Driving through Missouri we find the one and only Stucky's left in this country.  I don't know if that is true but it was the only one we saw.  Most of you are saying - So????  But growing up and on a road trip Stucky's was our Cracker Barrel. Every exit had one.

On the other side of Missouri we stop at Liberty Jail.  A church history spot.  The prophet Joseph Smith was held there for 4 months during the winter.  There is a visitors center there with a short tour and missionaries to answer all your questions.  Wonderful spirit there.

The prophet along with the other men were held in the basement with very little light and no heat.  Conditions were really bad and the food, if they got any was worse.  But during this bad time Joseph received revelation that became section 121, 122 and 123 in the Doctrine and Covenants.

 Walls of Jail was two feet thick rock with loose rock placed between inside wall of logs and outer rock wall.  Built this way so no one could escape.  It was  a very interesting tour.

Kansas was next and well, I like my mountains.  Kansas doesn't have any.  FLAT and HOT.  And billboards that are very proud to tell you that Eisenhower was born there.  More fields of windmills and a surprise of oil wells.

Colorado east of Denver looks like Kansas but when you hit Denver - it gets pretty.  By the way I did give a shout out to the Hess family as we drove through Denver.  (My daughter-in-laws family)
The mountains past Denver are beautiful.

I do wonder though - if the people of Colorado know what a speed limit is.  We were getting passed like we were standing still and I don't think 85 mph is standing still.

Now we are in Utah, we gotta come back and spend a few days in southern Utah.  Pretty country. I get a big Hello from my Mom  (read next post) and love the view.

End up in Salt lake and after a dinner at Sizzler, we have our second to  last night in a hotel.  We get up the next morning and dress for the Temple.  We are only staying a few blocks from the Temple so it is a short drive there and a big disappointment when we read the Temple Closed sign.  UGH!!!!  OK - check the temple schedule on my phone and find out my great idea of going on to Idaho Falls and going to the temple there is also a bust cause it too is closed.  My mind is racing and can't think of another temple except Provo so we go back to Provo and attend a session there.  Big Temples are different then small ones.  But it was great to be there.  :)

On to Idaho Falls.  After another Sizzler dinner we go and look at the Falls.  It is a beautiful place.

I took way too many pictures but it is a pretty place.
Then we went home.  HOME - your own bed, own bathroom, and home cooking.  It was so nice to see the kids, wish it was longer.....next time. 

We made it - through all 47 construction sights safely.

One year later - Mom says Hi !!!

Yes, sometimes we just see what we want to see and sometimes we make things into what we want to see and sometimes its just there steering you in the face.

A week ago I'm on a road trip going through southern Utah.  Totally enjoying the red sandstone hills and all the beauty.  Matt is driving and we are not in any hurry at all.  Although he is enjoying the 80mph speed limit.  We pass one "view spot" and then another - I see one coming up and say - "hey - lets pull over and look"  Matt quickly agrees and we pull over and park.  I grab my camera and head out.  I'm walking along and I just randomly stop and happen to look down.  I notice a name has been scratched into the sandstone - "Lorna"   What are the odds?

Hi Mom - yea I miss you too!!!!