6,500 Miles With the Crazies - A National Parks Road Trip Extravaganza

[HouCuseChickie]

I don't know how much of this will be a TR vs. a sharing of pictures. I'm tired, school is starting on Tuesday, work is about to get crazy, and our softball world was literally just turned upside down...but I think a full-blown TR might actually help with my sanity. So, I might as well get it started with the details...

WHO
Me (Sandy), David, Sam and Kendall
*While there are some pics with people, I really focused on stuff. I know someone noted that I should have more of me in my TRs, and maybe it does add to the human element of things, but I just prefer taking pics of stuff.

WHEN
July 17-Aug 1

WHERE
Our driving took us to the following states: Texas (home state, but also had a couple of attractions in TX), Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Not sure if you want to count what we could see, as we were at a point where we could see Colorado and Canada. LOL I'd love to give you a route map, but I have yet to find anything that can handle this many stops (I think I broke AAA's TripTik), and I just don't feel like doing another craft project of pasting maps together. I made this map months ago, when I first pitched the idea to my husband, but it's lacking the stop in MN and a stop in TX, among other things.

WHAT

It's a REALLY long list. Rather than list each and every single place we visited, just know that there's going to be a lot nature, pretty scenery, wildlife, some spacey stuff, and just some sheer silliness.

So, let's get started...sort of...

The Prelude...

The time leading up to this trip was pretty crazy. I'm still amazed that we pulled it all together. We were on a softball travel ball trip to FL from July 5th - 10th. So, we had 6 days to transition from the ending of one trip to the next. The dog was very confused....picked up from boarding on July 11th just to go back on the 16th. At least she likes it there and they're really good to her. I didn't even start packing until the 15th. I WISH I'd started packing my camera gear on the 15th. I don't have the most amazing gear, but I travel with my Canon 80D as well as my old Canon Rebel XS. I have seven lenses, including one of those big white Canon telephoto and a 1.4x extender for it as well. It was a little treat to myself for wildlife photography. Now, I know all of my gear made it home from FL, but when I tried to do my typical battery charging before travel, I couldn't find the charger for the 80D. I ripped apart the room, went through all of my bags, looked in every nook and cranny in the car...but nothing. It was about 10:15pm on July 16th, we were leaving before 6am the next morning and I was starting to panic.

My first thought was to find a Walmart open late that had something in stock. I searched all of the stores open late or 24 hours, but none of them had what I needed. I thought about Amazon, but I've had a number of things delayed and we wouldn't be in any one place for very long, so I just couldn't take that chance. I started calculating how long my main battery and backup battery might last if I was more prudent with usage and relied more on my phone. I didn't like that one bit. I started to think it was a lost cause, but then I had one last idea. What if I could find a store along the way that had what I needed? Even better, what if it was something I could order in advance and have ready for pickup upon our arrival.

Based on my battery life calculations, I'd want whatever backup before we made it to Glacier, and I'd want to make sure it worked for my gear before we drove through Bismarck, ND. I aimed for our first stop...Oklahoma City, OK. I found a Best Buy with something that 'should' work. So, I placed my order for a store on the south side of town with a variety of restaurants nearby for us to stop for lunch...and then I just prayed it all worked out for the best. I still can't believe I was so prepared with special passes for parks requiring them, bear spray, an air horn, and a slew of other things...but I'm scrambling last minute for a camera battery.


JULY 17th

Much to my surprise, everyone was up bright and early, and pretty much ready to go ahead of schedule. I was aiming for 6am, but I think it was closer to 5:50am when we pulled out of the driveway. As some of you know, I had to lemon my ultra-spacious SUV back in April. While my new vehicle went on two of our recent softball road tips, David also had his truck (timing issues), so this was my first time trying to cram all of our stuff into the new ride. It's not quite as roomy, but it all fit with no extra effort...and we were off on a long LONG adventure. First stop...Oklahoma City...Buc-ees.

I think the kids fell asleep shortly after we pulled out of the driveway, but by the time we were north of Dallas (we're Houston area), everyone needed a stop. I know they're popping up outside of Texas, but when you want a nice clean bathroom...you go to Buc-ees. We grabbed some snacks and then got on the road again. It wasn't long before we crossed the OK border. This was a new state for all of us. I think we were all pretty surprised how hilly that area is too. Oh well, next stop...Best Buy!

I was pretty nervous about this whole charger thing. The store didn't even open until 10am, so I knew not to expect a text until sometime after that point...not to mention I put noon as my estimated pickup time. Yet there I am, getting all nervous about no text hours before the store even opened. No need to worry though...I got my text at 10:15am that my package was ready for pickup. We had no problems getting to the store and before she could even find it in the system, I spotted it on the shelf behind her. The only thing left to do was make sure it works. The plan was to stop in Wichita for the night, so if it didn't work, I'd have to return it to a Wichita Best Buy that evening. OK...well, on with the day.

After an overpriced and disappointing lunch, we headed to our first real stop - The Oklahoma City National Memorial.

I really wasn't sure how I would handle this. I knew the kids only know this from history books, but I remember being in college when this happened and everyone being glued to the tv. After walking through the portal pictured below, there was sort of a heaviness in the air.

We all stood there in silence and awe for a moment...just sort of soaking it all in.

I know it's a sad and somber start to what is to be a fun trip, but I don't know when we're next going to be in Oklahoma City and it's something I wanted to see.

David and the kids never really left that spot, but I guess I was drawn to the side with the chairs...where the building once stood.

A ranger was telling people it was OK to go up on the grass and see the chairs, but it just didn't feel right. I could feel my eyes welling up with tears as soon as I noticed the smaller chairs for young children killed in the building's daycare. Nope, just couldn't do it. So, I stayed on the walkway and took pictures from there.

I noticed that David and the kids had started up a conversation with an NPS ranger, so I headed that way.

We had a really interesting discussion once I came over and joined them.

Maybe it's because it was the start of the trip, but Kendall had a million and one questions for him. Just like a child, her main question was WHY? He went over all of the things that made McVeigh angry among a wide array of other issues. He gave examples which made Sam an illegal firearms dealer, Kendall an underground tobacco seller, I was a bootlegger with my finest homemade spirits, and David managed us all. I don't know if a lot of people talk to him, but he had so much information and made a very sad spot a lot more interesting and entertaining. Here are a number of pics I took before we moved on...

 

[HouCuseChickie]

We headed back to the car and drove to our next stop...

I figured we were already in OK City and it was free, so why not?

Ultimately, the museum pics aren't the most interesting thing to share, but Kendall came out of it with a souvenir that she loves.

...and they kind of cooperated for a pic with the statue.

We then hopped in the car and headed to Wichita, KS...another new state for all of us. We also realized that I booked us a spot on the outskirts of Wichita.

Oh well, we were settled into the room, the girls were letting off some steam with the volleyball, and I was super stoked to find that the new camera battery charger works!

COMING UP- We spend the evening exploring Wichita and get ready to move on/north.

 

[Lilofan]

Following

 

[Songbird76]

Wow, I'm kind of surprised that you have never been to Oklahoma before, but I guess I grew up with a bunch of people who had never even really been outside of Wyoming before. My family drove everywhere because we couldn't afford to fly, and we went to Illinois every couple of years to visit mom's family, so we saw a lot of states along the way, and we lived right next to the Black Hills, so we went to South Dakota several times a year, visited the Battle of the Little Bighorn park a few times in Montana. We traveled quite a bit, so it always catches me off guard when people say they've never been to a state that's nextdoor to theirs, but I guess if you usually fly, you wouldn't. And if you're driving, it depends on which direction you're driving. I don't remember now if I've been to OK. I know I've been to Kansas and Missouri, but I can't remember if I've been to OK. I don't think I have.

 

[LSV]

Thanks for the heads up in your last trip report about this, I'm along for the ride!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Awesome! I'm so glad you started this. I enjoy your trips to the National Parks and your family is so nice and interesting.

 

[meggo819]

Thanks for the heads up in your last trip report about this, I'm along for the ride!

Same!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Wow, I'm kind of surprised that you have never been to Oklahoma before, but I guess I grew up with a bunch of people who had never even really been outside of Wyoming before. My family drove everywhere because we couldn't afford to fly, and we went to Illinois every couple of years to visit mom's family, so we saw a lot of states along the way, and we lived right next to the Black Hills, so we went to South Dakota several times a year, visited the Battle of the Little Bighorn park a few times in Montana. We traveled quite a bit, so it always catches me off guard when people say they've never been to a state that's nextdoor to theirs, but I guess if you usually fly, you wouldn't. And if you're driving, it depends on which direction you're driving. I don't remember now if I've been to OK. I know I've been to Kansas and Missouri, but I can't remember if I've been to OK. I don't think I have.

I didn't grow up here, so all of my childhood states visited were in different parts of the country. While I've lived in Texas for quite some time, this is the first road trip to bring us to OK. We came really close when we went to Red River, NM in 2020 and I believe we'd drive through a little bit of OK if we drove to CO, but just never much on our radar to bring us that way. It's usually to Louisiana and east if we're driving out of the state. I'd never been anywhere west of the Mississippi until I moved to Texas. So, that's also part of it. Still, when you combine all of the places I visited as a child with everywhere I've been as an adult...I've been to quite a few states I just need to remember to ask my mom, because I still can't remember if I went to Michigan as a young child. We lived in Ohio for a few years and my dad traveled a lot with us in the neighboring states for work...so it's possible.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Awesome! I'm so glad you started this. I enjoy your trips to the National Parks and your family is so nice and interesting.

You came to mind a few times while we were on the trip. I was trying to jog my memory to recall if we were visiting any places you'd been.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

You came to mind a few times while we were on the trip. I was trying to jog my memory to recall if we were visiting any places you'd been.

I'll let you know as I read your report!

 

[Songbird76]

I didn't grow up here, so all of my childhood states visited were in different parts of the country. While I've lived in Texas for quite some time, this is the first road trip to bring us to OK. We came really close when we went to Red River, NM in 2020 and I believe we'd drive through a little bit of OK if we drove to CO, but just never much on our radar to bring us that way. It's usually to Louisiana and east if we're driving out of the state. I'd never been anywhere west of the Mississippi until I moved to Texas. So, that's also part of it. Still, when you combine all of the places I visited as a child with everywhere I've been as an adult...I've been to quite a few states I just need to remember to ask my mom, because I still can't remember if I went to Michigan as a young child. We lived in Ohio for a few years and my dad traveled a lot with us in the neighboring states for work...so it's possible.

I've been to more than half the states, though California I was less than a year old, so I don't remember that one. Most of the states where I haven't been are down south, like Texas, Alabama, etc or not in the contiguous states.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

July 17th Continued...

After resting for a bit, and realizing there wasn't much in the way of food options around us, we decided to drive into Wichita. That was part of the plan anyway since there were things I wanted to see, but I just misjudged the distance between this little town and actual Wichita when planning things. It didn't make a huge difference with our driving, it was a quiet area, and not to sound like I'm embracing cliches, BUT...there was a cornfield right across from our hotel, which just seemed so iconic Kansas to me.

I mapped us to some pizza spot that had really good ratings. We got a little turned around on the way there and wound up in a neighborhood full of large historic-looking homes. The restaurant itself was in a cluster of old, but nicely maintained buildings...possibly old homes. All of this and I take a picture of the light!

While I was perusing the menu, I found a Seinfeld-inspired item...prompting me to text one of my Seinfeld-loving friends. And if that's not a George Costanza reference....ooops?

I needed a drink.

Wrong drink! It wasn't bad, but my drink was supposed to have Blue Curacao, so this looked wrong. I wasn't expecting it to look so green, but I think it had pineapple juice, so it makes sense. Yellow and blue make green. LOL

The pizza was decent...

We debated about ice cream, since there was a cute place next door, but we were pretty full. There was also this table that kept staring at us and creeping us out, so we decided it was time to go. What we didn't realize was that our little mishap with wrong turns in getting to this place brought us right near our first stop for the night. I knew we'd have a little bit of time in Wichita, so I went looking for points of interest before travel and found that Frank Lloyd Wright's Allen House is located in Wichita and was a block and a half away from the pizza place.

It was closed for the evening, but couldn't hurt to do a quick drive-by.

Not the greatest pictures, but it was interesting when comparing it to the homes around it. They were all of these huge grand old homes. This actually looked a bit more modern than its neighbors, but it had some things the other homes didn't have. It's hard to explain, but the sun was setting and while the other homes grew dark as the sun went down, the Frank Lloyd Wright house was alive with light. It came in through all of the windows and illuminated various angles of the exterior in such a thoughtful way. As stunning as the other homes were, at the very least, the architects didn't look at the light and how it would accentuate their architectural art the way Wright had. It was just so bizarre to see these other homes fade in the lower light as Allen House worked with the light.

We moved on to the campus of Wichita State. I love their mascot, but the kids were interested in seeing it because we also enjoyed watching them during the Women's Softball College World Series this year.

After this, we headed into downtown Wichita. It's a neat-looking city. Some very cool old buildings, some neat statues along the way, and maybe it was my imagination...but I swear it seemed like people were out cruising like you see in shows and movies depicting things in the 50s.

I really thought I took more pics of downtown, but I guess not. Oh well. When we got back to the room, I enjoyed the treat I bought at Buc-ees earlier that day...

We also got a good laugh at Kendall, who wanted to wear her new souvenir to bed...

...and then got ready for the next day.


Coming up...we touch 6 states in one day, visit Pipestone National Monument, and end the day in Fargo.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I've been to more than half the states, though California I was less than a year old, so I don't remember that one. Most of the states where I haven't been are down south, like Texas, Alabama, etc or not in the contiguous states.

I do have a goal of getting to all 50 states. I know Washington and Oregon would be an easy sell to the family as would Massachusetts, but both would be flying trips and I'd probably have to do some serious convincing to get in the rest of the New England states for a Mass trip. Not sure how I'd justify Michigan unless one of the kids wants to see a school there or I tie in something like the Detroit Auto Show. David's not fully on board, but I really want to go to Alaska for my 50th birthday. That leaves Hawaii...which he's already been to but would like to see again. I am thinking about it as a possible grad trip for Kendall, after talking to her over the course of this trip...I think she'd probably prefer $ for school and a Jeep.

 

[Songbird76]

I do have a goal of getting to all 50 states. I know Washington and Oregon would be an easy sell to the family as would Massachusetts, but both would be flying trips and I'd probably have to do some serious convincing to get in the rest of the New England states for a Mass trip. Not sure how I'd justify Michigan unless one of the kids wants to see a school there or I tie in something like the Detroit Auto Show. David's not fully on board, but I really want to go to Alaska for my 50th birthday. That leaves Hawaii...which he's already been to but would like to see again. I am thinking about it as a possible grad trip for Kendall, after talking to her over the course of this trip...I think she'd probably prefer $ for school and a Jeep.

I want to spend my 50th at Disney, but I know my husband isn't on board for that one. That would also be the same year as our 25th anniversary, and our daughter's 21st birthday. My husband isn't a Disney fan. I thought about a grad trip, but my kids will graduate the same year, unless my son decides to stream into the highest level of high school after he completes the level he's doing now, but I kind of doubt he'll do that. I really don't see him going to a regular high school. So they will both graduate in 3 years and my husband asked if my daughter and I would please go by ourselves next time because it's not worth the money for A since he mostly wants to stay in the room, and DH doesn't really like Disney. So a grad trip would mean we all went, and he doesn't want to do that, but I don't know how he'll feel about me going for my 50th birthday without him.

I'd love to be able to say I've visited all 50 states, but some really don't appeal to me at all.

 

[Sans Souci]

I just saw this now. Following along

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I want to spend my 50th at Disney, but I know my husband isn't on board for that one. That would also be the same year as our 25th anniversary, and our daughter's 21st birthday. My husband isn't a Disney fan. I thought about a grad trip, but my kids will graduate the same year, unless my son decides to stream into the highest level of high school after he completes the level he's doing now, but I kind of doubt he'll do that. I really don't see him going to a regular high school. So they will both graduate in 3 years and my husband asked if my daughter and I would please go by ourselves next time because it's not worth the money for A since he mostly wants to stay in the room, and DH doesn't really like Disney. So a grad trip would mean we all went, and he doesn't want to do that, but I don't know how he'll feel about me going for my 50th birthday without him.

I'd love to be able to say I've visited all 50 states, but some really don't appeal to me at all.

That's kind of cool that they will graduate in the same year. If it is your 50th birthday trip, I vote you go where you want! HAHA! Sounds like you and E would have a great time at WDW without the boys.

 

[Songbird76]

That's kind of cool that they will graduate in the same year. If it is your 50th birthday trip, I vote you go where you want! HAHA! Sounds like you and E would have a great time at WDW without the boys.

Oh E and I would have a great time no matter where we go. I would just feel bad because with A, he LIKES Disney, and he does want to go, it's just that he gets overstimulated really easily and needs frequent breaks. He LOVES test track, likes Figment...he will go on Test Track over and over and over, which that's one I won't do. And I don't mind taking him over there so he can ride, but I don't want to spend all day there waiting outside while he rides, but he isn't comforable being on his own. So in order for him to have fun, I don't get to. And when he's done with test track, he's done with Epcot and wants to go, and since he can't go by himself, someone has to take him back to the resort, or he has to wait for us and he tells us the whole time that he's bored and wants to go and asks how much longer we'll be. We can't really all have fun at the same time. It's not his fault, and he tried REALLY hard last time and did really well, but it's not fun for him to go with us, and it's not fun for us to go with him, so we have to try to balance it. I can justify a mother daughter trip, but not for my birthday because I know he'd feel really left out. Same with a grad trip. And he'll only be 16 when he graduates. He's 13 now and going into the equivalent of his freshman year of high school. I can't see him being a whole lot more independent in the next 3 years....at least not to the point where he'd be able to go back and forth from parks to resort by himself. He'd get overwhelmed trying to find the right bus, or wouldn't know how to get to the room from the bus stop at the resort.

We've been pretty good in the past about taking turns and explaining to him that EVERYONE gets to have fun. So yes, we'll take him to test track, and we'll even take him several times, but we go get a return time with the DAS pass, and then we go do things WE want to do and he has to come with us, and then we'll go back for our TT time, and then he can get another return time, and we'll go ride Figment and Nemo, etc, and then he can wait for us while we ride soarin'. Then he rides TT again, and then one of us has to take him back to the resort, or we have to just call it a day. We do well with it, which is part of the reason why we go for 2 weeks...we'd never get anything done if we didn't because we'd spend too much time going back and forth. And he did a couple of days where he stayed in the resort and we went to the parks. We left him with his phone so he could send a whatsapp or facebook message, he had wifi at the resort and we had it in the parks, and we left him with snacks for the day and picked him up for dinner. It worked, but it is a lot of going back and forth and we lose a lot of park time that way. That's not really how I want to spend my birthday, especially if my husband doesn't go with us, so then we can't take turns with who takes him where. But I also can't really leave him home and say he can't celebrate my birthday with me.

 

[unmitigated disaster]

Bucc-ees! We went there for the first time in May. It is one impressive store.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I want to spend my 50th at Disney, but I know my husband isn't on board for that one. That would also be the same year as our 25th anniversary, and our daughter's 21st birthday. My husband isn't a Disney fan. I thought about a grad trip, but my kids will graduate the same year, unless my son decides to stream into the highest level of high school after he completes the level he's doing now, but I kind of doubt he'll do that. I really don't see him going to a regular high school. So they will both graduate in 3 years and my husband asked if my daughter and I would please go by ourselves next time because it's not worth the money for A since he mostly wants to stay in the room, and DH doesn't really like Disney. So a grad trip would mean we all went, and he doesn't want to do that, but I don't know how he'll feel about me going for my 50th birthday without him.

I'd love to be able to say I've visited all 50 states, but some really don't appeal to me at all.

My milestone birthdays always coincide with milestone wedding anniversaries, so I often feel some obligation to make the milestone years about both of us. So, if he really isn't up for Alaska, I might have to think of something else...and do it soon. I don't know if it's a curse or a blessing, but he's learned that early booking is vital for popular destinations...and is urging me to get next summer fully planned now since we're less than a year out. So, if I want to do something really big in 2023, I'm probably going to need to figure that out soon too. After this trip, we're also debating about leaving the kids with my parents for some upcoming travel, so it would really have to be about what the adults want. That's interesting that both of your kids could graduate at the same time, but I can see where it could feel off if you plan something that doesn't involve your husband.

While I know there are things in every single state that are unique and interesting, some definitely have more appeal than others. So, it becomes a matter of finding creative ways to hit those states. With Arkansas, while we eventually went back to see Hot Springs, we drove to the AR border back when we were visiting Branson, MO just to add it to our states list. We did something similar with Nebraska in 2019.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I just saw this now. Following along

Sorry...we had some major issues happen on Friday and I just randomly started this as something therapeutic to help ease my mind.