That’s exactly the kind of day I wanted to have. Up early, on the road, coffee in hand – ahh. Today, day three, we found our groove. We left Evanston, WY at 7:30 and rolled across the high plains at a formidable clip. It is hard to stay at the recommended speed limit when there is no one on the road and you can see five miles ahead and behind. The truckers in Wyoming were very courteous partners of the road (I can't say the same for Colorado's 18 wheelers).
I have to say, it gives me a chuckle when the ranchers filling their heavy 450 ton pickups at the diesel pump do a double take when I start pumping the green hose in my little Jetta wagon. Almost every time, some friendly cowpoke asks me, "You know that's diesel, right?"
Tavi and Bea were entranced with the Polly pockets entourage for hours. Every time we stop I have to dig all the dinky rubber accoutrements out of the seat cracks and resupply their stock. It makes for peaceful driving, but if I have to listen to the damn Aladdin soundtrack one more time on this trip, I might strangle someone.
The girls only lost it once in the car today. Like I said, we've all found our groove. To be fair, they were really hungry and I was on a power run for three hours straight. We were in the middle of freaking nowhere - which I am only slightly surprised to find so often in the west- so I pulled over and retrieved all the crayons, stickers and plastic apparel from various nooks and crannies, promised lunch soon and we were off to Laramie. We ate lunch and then I found an awesome park with a playground.
Laramie is teaming with little cartoon caption listings from the playspace finder tip provided by Mom Voyage. And once the girls started slowing down and asking to be carried, I knew I had at least another couple of hours of solid driving time while they napped. We made it on to Cheyenne and then to Denver. About an hour and a half past Denver, I lost my stride and my leg started cramping up and about this time I remembered how to turn on the Cruise Control. duh! At least I have it for the next 17 days.
We stopped in a crappier hotel than the past two nights standards, but I couldn't beat the price. At least they have intermittent wifi - as long as I remind the front desk to reset it every couple of hours. We are about an hour from Kansas, in Colorado this evening.
I spent a lot of time today thinking about other road trips around the country and my youth. Traveling back in time...
Ok, pop the daydream bubble, here's more pictures:
Three year olds with cameras.
We also saw some really cool deer like creatures - they have a proper name, but I can't remember it now. Anyone? (Too fast for the camera.)
Good night!
Girls! To the bath...
I am so glad you admitted to the cruise oops. I did the same thing. My leg started cramping, my mom noticed and said "WTH? You're not on cruise?"
:-)
I want a trip sooooooooo badly now.
Posted by: karrie | October 01, 2008 at 04:27 AM
Loving traveling vicariously. I hate driving but these stories make me long for a road trip!
Posted by: Jen | October 02, 2008 at 05:05 PM
I have to admit, I am really enjoying myself, aside from the brief bouts of tantrum - mine!- ehrn I get frustrated in the car.
Posted by: Unfit Mother | October 02, 2008 at 06:58 PM