On Thursday morning we left Missouri and began our long journey home. I would have loved to have extended our vacation and explored more on the way home, but unfortunately our finances didn't agree. We didn't get a picture with the Kansas sign, as it is smack dab in the middle of a very busy freeway. Nor did we get one going into Colorado, because we just happened to completely miss it.
I have always heard how boring Kansas is, but I actually really like driving through the Flint Hills area and would have loved to get off of the highway and check it out more. Also, we saw many signs advertizing the Wizard of Oz museum that might have been fun to visit. We found a few places in every state that we would like to visit, so maybe another road trip with these sites will be in our future!
 |
| Our first run in with traffic since leaving California was in Denver, Colorado. Of course, it still was very light in comparison to what we are used to. |
Because we left Missouri so much earlier than planned, we didn't have a hotel reserved. When we arrived in Denver (hungry & tired), we found out that every single hotel/motel was sold out due to various events being held (races, concert & convention). After driving around for an hour and checking out hotel after hotel, we finally found the most amazing/cute hotel to stay at
http://www.affordableinns.com/rentals/denver-west---wheat-ridge-0/. We took their very last available room, which was for people with pets, so it smelled a bit like dog, but I prefer that over cigarette smells. The kids immediately got ready for the pool, while I picked up Taco Bell that we ate in the picnic/BBQ area next to the pool.
 |
| Colorado was much cooler than anywhere else we had been and the kids were purple by the time they got out of the pool. While Wayne did a few more laps and talked with another guest, the kids all jumped into a hot shower. Once they were warm, it was time to put on their jammies and go to sleep. |
 |
| We drove through the beautiful Rocky Mountains and were so thankful to have missed a 2 hour delay by only 15 minutes. Turns out they close the main road down everyday for a couple of hours to work on a new tunnel being built. |
 |
| We stopped in Vail, CO for a few minutes to stretch our legs. How can you not stop in Vail!?!? Such a pretty place. I had to wake Kya up and as you can see by her expression, she was not a happy camper. |
The one crazy thing I noticed was a tiny infant (maybe one month old) laying on the ground with no one but a 2 year old watching her. I did see an elderly lady kind of watching over them, but it was clear she didn't know them. I took the girls to the restroom and when I came out the mother had returned and was strapping the baby back into her sling. Nuts I tell you!
 |
| Loved this view. The Colorado River, Rocky Mountain and Gondola's. |
 |
| Standing on a bridge with the Colorado River flowing behind them |
 |
| We would have loved to have hiked through the Wetlands! |
 |
| After getting lost in Grand Junction, Co and stopping at a horse
facility to get directions back to the highway, we stopped for lunch and
left Colorado. We both agree that if we should ever leave California, Colorado would be the perfect place to live. |
 |
| Entering Utah! |
 |
| Where we saw lots and lots of this |
Seth ended up getting pink eye and so we stopped off near St. George in search of a Walgreens to get some eye drops to at least ease the itch until we could get home and get a prescription. While there, we stopped at a hamburger joint that offered a "Family Meal". One thing I loved about Utah, was that a "family meal" means it is actually for more than 4 people (I think this served 5), the order of fries could have easily served 10 people and the booth was large enough to accommodate 8 people (4 on each side)!!!
 |
| Entering Nevada and one step closer to home! |
On the side of the road here in Nevada, I had the kids change into their pj's and got their blankets/pillows out in hopes they would sleep the rest of the way home. It worked! They were all sound asleep within 10 minutes and stayed that way until we pulled up in our drive way at 1am.
Just after we passed through Las Vegas, NV between CA State Line we drove through a huge lightening & rain storm. Turns out about 30 minutes later the road was closed for a bit due to flooding. So thankful we didn't get stuck. As always, God was so good to us on this trip!
