The End of Week One!!

Well, we are finishing out our first week on the road!! We are currently in a hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It has been a journey to get here. I know you all want to know all about it, so here goes... (some items may be omitted to protect the innocent...)

Our first day out we thought that we would never get out of Pennsylvania. We drove and drove, just when we thought we might be close to leaving the state, we stopped at a rest area for a potty break and some Starbucks. Well, to our dismay, there was not a Starbucks at the rest area that we chose. We got a hotdog and a soft pretzel in the amount of $10. Already over budget... As we were leaving the restroom, we noticed a map on the wall with the distance that we have come and how far we have to go. "Holy CRAP!! are you kidding me??" we said in unison. We had not even made it half way out of the state of Pennsylvania!!

The day was HOT and sunny! So hot that we could barely breathe. That is until we pulled into our first campground in Belmont Ohio. Barkcamp state park. Just what we needed on our first night out, pouring down rain. By the time that we registered and picked our site, the rain had let up for the most part. We decided to get our tents up as quickly as we could before it started again. Just as we got our tents up the park ranger came around to check everything out. He was very helpful and talkative. Pat, the park ranger, gave us the do's and don'ts of camping, traveling, fire starting and life. He pegged me as being daring... Not sure I would go that far... but I am going to give it a try. We each earned our junior ranger badge and free fire wood. (it doesn't hurt to flirt a little to get stuff, right?) The friendly neighbor from across the way, Gary invited us over for some Yahtzee. Never having played before we were a little apprehensive. But I must say, I kicked some serious butt! My first roll I got Yahtzee... WooHoo!!

In the moring we packed up our rain soaked gear (my tent with puddles in it) and headed back out to the interstate. We had our fiber one poptarts for breakfast. The drive the second day was very uneventful. Nothing major to report. It got to be around stopping time and we headed to the campground that we had picked out for a discount. The guy sold us a spot for $20 and I had to argue with him and we ended up paying $10. We drove around to where he told us to go and there was no such place... That'll teach me to argue with someone. So we headed to another campground, by way of the liquor store... Nothing like camping with a nice bottle of wine.

Tents went up, the fire was made, the dinner was cooked, the marshmallows were toasted... (what is quickly becoming a typical night for us). In the morning we did some stretchy stretchy or what non roadtrippers call yoga. Wonderful after driving non stop and sleeping on the hard ground. What have I gotten myself into?? I am totally a Crowne Plaza girl, not a dirt and sweat girl, but alas, I am learning. Learning a simpler way of life and not everything has to be perfect all the time.

We finally made it to Saint Louis on the third day. We saw the arch, looks better from an airplane above it... Although still pretty shiny, ooooh,, shiny!! We walked along the arch landing, took pictures, and walked in town for a little while. There is an awesome garden "district" that has gardens, obviously, pools, fountains, art work, statues, music and so much more. It was really quite pretty. Pictures will follow shortly... We had lunch at a cute little cafe where we looked like hobo's. Everyone there was dressed in business attire and there we were in our camping and driving clothes. We had a fantastic sandwich, roasted red peppers, spinach, fresh mozzerella, avocado with a balsamic glaze. Fabulous! or maybe is just seemed like it because it did not come out of a can.

Back in the car and onto the Lake of the Ozarks in Osage, Mo. We stayed for two nights. Did a little grocery shopping, fire building, wine drinking, card playing, lake swimming, hiking (back and forth the the restrooms) and people watching. Very nice to have a day that was not sitting in the car.

Everyone in MO eats bacon. They even have bacon in the refried beans and enchiladas.

We blew a fuse in the car for the power outlets. Trying to charge too many things. So, I did what ever good girl does, called her mechanic, in Pa. When he did not answer, I had to figure it out on my own. And I did. I went into the truck stop and asked where the fuses were, the cashier sent me to the cooler where the drink fuze is. I guess not everyone can be as car savvy as me...

We spent our fifth night in Big Lake, Mo. Yes, still in Mo. I know you all know how much I love Mo. Some of you may even know that I have considered moving there. It is still an option. Did you ever just feel comfortable somewhere and you don't know why? Never fear, we still have a ton of the country to see!

Day six. We saw cornfield after cornfield. Wait, what was that??? oh, soybeans... For 300 miles. betcha can't guess what state we were in. The first person that guesses correctly wins a prize. I will give you a clue, we ended up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We spent the afternoon with Katie's cousin, Britnay and her boyfriend. Very interesting. A completely different way of life. One that I do not know how it could be ok. That is a completely different story for another time.

Mongolian BarBQ for dinner tonight and a night at a hotel, with a bed and internet and running water in the same room and everything! Nothing biting me, or scratching to get in my tent, or dripping on my head. Oh, so nice! Although, we pulled up to the hotel that we had originally planned on staying with the smell of curry and a shady looking parking lot. The windows in the hotel were half hanging off and I threw a temper tantrum. There was no way I was staying there. I would sleep in the car, or go put up my tent in the pouring rain before sleeping there. Oh, yes, it is raining again.

Tomorrow we are off to the corn palace and then west to the badlands. This is where our trip actually begins. We finally made it somewhere that I have not been before. I know, amazing! I know you all think that I have been everywhere. Not so. But by the end of this trip, it will be closer to true.

The thought for the week.... Discover your power within....