Seven States So Far

Our mad dash across the country to from Washington to Ohio is almost over! We are averaging 10 hours a day on the road and I am getting a bit cranky. We drove 12 hours starting Wed at 10:30pm and arrived in Billings, MT on Thursday afternoon. It was really cold with snow flurries pounding us whenever we got out of the car. The boys finally got their snow and where lobbing snow balls the moment the got out of the truck. Montana was beautiful, snow, wide open rolling hills. We bribed the kids great behavior by promising hours and hours at an indoor water slide park. They had a super time, I felt like a shriveled raison. We all dropped in our beds and that was that.

The following morning, it became clear that we are not going to be the early morning launch types. Let's just say we were still there for the continental breakfast. We visited Little Big Horn, the boys did the Jr. Ranger Program and received a badge. We left Montana and zinged into South Dakota. Mt Rushmore was a lot different than what I remembered. The four guys were the same, but that was it. A lot changes in 27 years. The boys did the Jr Ranger Program here as well. Two Jr. Ranger Programs in one day is a true test of indurance. When you find yourself thinking, big whup that it took 14 years to complete the face of the mountain, it is a case of too much good stuff to appreciate. We drove through the Badlands and caught the sunset off the hills. It was amazing! Just like seeing a firework show. We all oohhhed and aahhed for miles and miles.

We are listening to books on tape and severly limiting movies while on the road. Mark and I both agreed that seeing our boys eyes glued to the screen was not what we wanted. The books on tape are working like a charm. Carry on, Mr. Bowdich read by Jim Weiss was a huge hit and we would recommend it to others.

Late, late arrival to our South Dakota hotel, a late start in the morning and a long drive through the rest of South Dakota and Iowa. Illinois was dark as we crossed the state line. Looking forward to the day!