Dateline: Steamboat Springs…
Three days….two teenagers….1900 miles…and I lived to tell the tale.
Hello, Colorado!
Actually, it was a fabulous road trip across the country. We managed to hit 13 states, took pictures of every state welcome sign, saw more crops and cattle than we’ve ever seen in our lives (favorite crop:sunflowers) saw caribou, antelope and heard bull mooses calling each other while taking the picture above as we entered Colorado….and killed more kamikaze butterflies than one would think existed. Seriously, driving across Nebraska (and driving…..and driving….and driving….) they kept flying into our windshield. It was tragic. And really….odd. Where did they come from? What is it about Nebraska that breeds so many? And why, why, did they think they’d make it across Interstate 80 alive?
Arch
We did make a weekend pit stop at my sister’s home in St Louis, a great half-way venue, and I took my son and his girlfriend down to the Arch, where we saw the documentary on how it was built (seriously intense feat of engineering - great film) then traipsed around their fabulous zoo for a bit. My favorites? Penguins, of course! Yay, penguins!
Yay! Penguins!
Today, we’re in lovely Steamboat Springs, with temps in the 70s, no humidity, and the best breakfast in the world waiting for us at Winona’s (look it up, I’m not kidding) before starting the Big Move In.
I’ll check in again as the Great Cross Country Trek continues throughout the week. The gf and I have aready decided we’re taking a different route home, just so we can see more states. Because we can.
And check out my blog this past Friday for a hot tip on how you can still win a book this week. 
Three days and 1900 miles?! Wow, are you folks still speaking to each other?
It reminds me of a trip back in my youth when my family moved from Georgia to California. There were 4 of us and a dog. It took us 4 1/2 days. It wasn’t fun.
Are we going to find a penguin in an up coming book of yours?
My family wouldn’t have made it 1900 miles with out at least one good argument. LOL That is a great idea to take a different route back.
I did the Kentucky to Washington State drive a couple years ago in a little over 3 days. Would have been a little shorter if my sister and I didn’t decide to drive up thru Glacier National Park.
I could never, ever do that. The 1900 miles might not be too bad. But TWO teenagers? I’m going to have that part in about 6 months and I don’t know how I’m going to live through it. lol.
We went to the local zoo and that’s what my son wanted to see also - penguins. But they were hiding in the greenery and we couldn’t get a pic.
Did you go up in the arch? My grandma lived in St. Louis and I’ve been to the arch a couple of times & rode up to the top once. It’s amazing! The ride up is a little different but I liked it. Not so my acrophobic and claustrophobic sister-in-law. She was clutching my arm the whole way. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to use that arm again.
Have a safe and fun time.
It was me, my son, and his girlfriend, and we had a great time. I know, hard to believe, but true! They are both funny, pretty mellow, and we laughed, sang songs, played silly games, took crazy pictures. Seriously, best road trip ever. She and I have already stocked up on Kleenex for the drive home.
The STL zoo is great. The penguin “house” is wonderful when it is in the 90’s here..the penguins are kept at a happily 60-70 degrees! There are always tons of photo opp’s!
Glad you enjoyed your visit to my home city!
Maybe next time it will be for a book signing and I could get to meet you!
I love the pics - especially the penguin. My nephew teaches at the Pittsburgh zoo and we got to pet one. Can’t wait to see more.
Please let me know where we can send your “I surived 1900 miles with two teens” award! You surely deserve it! lol
My granddaughter loves penguins too, except she calls them “pinkones”. BG!
We took our grandkids to St Louis last year. The zoo and the Arch were two of the tihings we did.
Hi Donna! I wished I was with you!! I don’t like to fly but I do love to go on trips but its been forever! One year we went through 4 states for a weekend trip (but two states we just slipped through but still it was so neat I could say I went through 4 states in two days, LOL. I’m sure others who have gone through much more but I don’t travel much so it felt so neat!
I love the country so just reading about your adventures sounds like a blast. Looking forward to more pics and stories of your travels!
Sounds like you are having a great trip. Such beautiful scenery. Love the penguin! Love the STL Arch too! I have never visited it but I did see it from the air as the plane I was on was coming in for a landing in the STL airport. On that clear day, it was a spectacular sight next to the mighty Mississippi.
Great photos. Sounds like your trip is going well.
All those miles traveled is amazing. Your son has it tough but someone has to do it. I wish him best of luck with his new classes but it sounds like a great adventure.
Whoa! That is some serious driving! We did only 400 miles today, and that was PLENTY! And our kids are much younger–we popped in the Toy Story DVDs and all was quiet for a while
I do love your photos–I’ve never been to the Arch and those are some cute penguins!! Drive on! 