Our Trip Across the Country

On Monday, the 6th, we set off on our adventure across the country. The house was packed, cleaned and sold, we had said our goodbyes, the car had new oil, new wiper blades and a full tank of gas. I was as prepared as I could be with snacks and movies, trinkets and books to help us on our way. I had my GPS and had printed Google directions, including a list of the McDonalds from Colorado Springs to Knoxville, TN that have play places. I really had no idea how the girls were going to do, but we were going to do it.

My precious mother-in-law took a week off of work to drive the majority of the trip with us. I was so grateful for her. I drove and she kept the girls happy. We could makes it about 2 1/2 hours at a time before we all needed a break.

We spent the first night in a hotel in Salina, KS. It had a pool, which the girls loved. This was the first time Jenna really enjoyed being in a swimming pool. She has always cried when I tried to get her in the water (which hasn't been that often because of her reaction), but she loved it this time and didn't want to leave. The next morning we ate breakfast at the hotel and set off for St. Louis.
Upon arriving, in St Louis, we found that #1 the freeway that the GPS was taking us on was closed down. We had to be directed 6 times before we were able to get directions not using the freeway. We got to see a really pretty part of the city though, so that was a nice break from the highway. Then #2 I had told the friends that we were staying with the wrong night that we were coming through and they weren't able to have us stay with them. They were very kind and found us a hotel. I really felt the power of everyones prayers during this time. We were in the car two hours longer than we had planned to be and it was during dinner time, but the girls hardly made a peep.

We got to the hotel and Denise decided go out and get dinner. It took her a little longer than we expected (which is a funny story all in itself) so we didn't eat until about 8:00, but the girls were wonderful. We didn't have a table in our room so we used a luggage cart instead.
Wednesday we were tired of McDonalds so we stopped at Cracker Barrel. Our usual hour break turned into almost two, but it was worth it.
Our last stop before Knoxville was made at a rest stop in Tennessee. It was beautiful and th girls and I had fun running around and looking at the fall leaves.

Wednesday night we made it to Knoxville! I had planned our trip so that we could spend some time here with my good friend Lisa and her family before heading on to Virginia. Denise's sister Julie and her girls Erin, and Abby drove up from Chattanooga the next morning. Denise drove home with them and spent a few days with them before flying home to Colorado. It was fun to see them and I was glad that Denise was able to make the most of her time in Tennessee.