Hubs’ long-life dream has been to take our family out west. He traveled across the US in nothing but a truck and a camping tent as a kid (3 times!) and couldn’t wait to introduce the vast American states to our children.

I’ll try my best to capture our findings here.

Day 1 begins on June 17th, which is my dad and my nephew’s birthdays! Hurray!

The truck is packed like a zip-lock of ground beef, full and tight!

The children couldn’t be happier that our new truck has a DVD player, which means they watched Toy Story and Alvin and the Chipmunks. Our first day of travel was fast and easy, just a quick 3 hours out to State College. We found a Days Inn, which reminded me of being a kid again. I can remember staying at them in Virginia and Florida.

I was most thankful for a hot shower. The shower stall and vanity counter were both triangularly shaped (to maximize space), but its uniqueness warranted declarations from LM2 and LM3, “HOW LUXURIOUS!” LM2 locked the bathroom door when it was his turn. He is 10 years-old, and I think this is the first time he’s every done that.

Before leaving home, we got Pocky Sticks from BJs. The kids have nearly munched through all of these already. With all the sugar in their systems, no one fell asleep until after 11 p.m., a HUGE change from our norm.

We noted the miniature Statue of Liberty on our ride, to which LM1 replied, “Oh, it’s so teal!” She seemed very impressed and was quickly informed by her brothers that it wasn’t THE REAL Statue of Liberty. Hubs was quick to correct them that it was very real, only a miniature version.

LM3 snagged a peppermint from the hotel lobby and then told me, “Mama, Mama, look what I got!” then revealed the small mint in her palm like she’d pocketed GOLD. I was delighted by this tiny luxury in her world, but even more delighted to still be called Mama. Our soon-to-be-12-year-old only ever calls me MOM, and I know my days are numbered.

Tomorrow will be the biggest drive of the trip. Likely 10.5 hours or so. Over 600 miles. Mark bought a special seat cushion for his chair by the Purple Company, and I’m hoping it serves him well.

Peace today came in the form of that long hot shower. It was the perk of the day and will settle us all into a pleasant sleep.

Share the peace!