This past week at work has given me more and more reason to look forward to our vacation!
Despite having worked late on Tuesday night, I jumped out of bed at 5:30 Wednesday morning. I needed to squeeze in a run, pack all my belongings, and threaten the 18 and 20 year old to be good while we’re gone.
The plan was to leave at 8:30am, knowing that it would be 9am before we actually backed out of the driveway.
To my surprise, we slammed the doors of our the in-laws’ packed van at exactly 8:30, backed out of the driveway, and never had to turn back.
Our first stop was at Oklahoma Joe’s in Kansas City. If you’ve ever driven through Kansas, you know there’s not much to see, but they’ve got great BBQ!
Waiting in line to order.
My meal: Pulled pork and beef brisket combo with a side of spicy slaw and a few nabbed french fries off my son’s plate.
I’m sure glad we enjoyed it, because it was definitely the only excitement of the day.
We did have a few thrills, however… like when my 15 year old took the wheel. I am NOT a very good passenger I’ve discovered. I sat in the back with my head down, chompin’ on some gum to ease my anxiety. My hubby is a patient teacher, however, so #3 son got a few more hours of driving to add to the 50 he needs before getting his license.
At least it was a straight road, although a might bit faster than our country roads!
12 hours after we started, we stopped for the night in Colby, KS.
Yes. Even after driving for that long, we didn’t make it through Kansas.
The silo shaped welcome center for Colby is adorable!
We settled in the cheapest motel we could find, and then treated ourselves to frozen yogurt at a nearby DIY yogurt shop.
Showin’ off his creation.
The kids love that their mom is an ice cream addict. 😉
Despite the long day, the time went fast. We had a blast making fun of Kansas. We saw some pretty cool cloud formations and went through a couple spouts of rain while the sun was shining all around the rain cloud.
Tomorrow we’ll finish our trip into Colorado. We’re excited to see the mountains, but we’ve been warned not to be disappointed at not seeing them immediately after the Colorado border.
hmmph.
They better be worth the wait.
shadowrun300 
territerri
July 27, 2012 at 2:10 am
Sounds like the trip is off to the good start. And you lived to tell this tale, so the 15 year old must be a decent driver! 🙂
I’ve been dying to one of those self serve frozen yogurts. We have a Cherry Berry nearby and my daughter tells me it’s to die for! Gotta get there soon.
Enjoy your vacation!
shadowrun300
July 27, 2012 at 2:22 am
He actually is a pretty good driver, but still very inexperienced. Especially with interstate driving. And I am a very nervous passenger, even with hubby driving, so that doesn’t help. I logged most of the driving hours myself.
That’s the first time I’ve visited a self-serve yogurt place as well. It was so good and fun that we’ll be looking for more on the way!
towardshealthylife
July 27, 2012 at 6:30 am
What a nice post! Thanks for sharing all the pics! It looks like a fun trip so far. I am not a good passenger either apparently loll and it probably won’t me who will teach our daughter to drive. Thank God we stil have about 10 years until then. Enjoy your family trip and the yumy treats;-)
shadowrun300
July 28, 2012 at 2:26 am
I had a very hard time in the passenger seat with the first two. My oldest finally told me I was making HIM nervous. Hubby kinda took over after that. He’s definitely better at it.
Rock Chef
July 27, 2012 at 8:36 am
A 15 year old behind the wheel? Legally? Wow. Over here they have to wait until 17!
That meal looks great – I want one!
Enjoy the mountains – I am sure they will be great, when you find them 🙂
Waiting for the next insallment!
shadowrun300
July 28, 2012 at 2:28 am
Yep, at 15 they get their driver’s permit. He has already taken driver’s ed through school and has logged about 20 hours of driving. He needs 50 before he can get his license at 16. Sometimes I think it’s too young, but with all the running around our kids have to do, it’s so much easier when they can drive.
We found the mountains…. majestic, for sure! More soon!
agg79
July 27, 2012 at 10:40 am
Ooooh. Road trip with the family! As I read your travel blog I keep thinking of Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Vacation. At least you made it across most of Kansas and Colorado is only an hour away. By noon, you’ll be breathing mountain air. Interesting way to let your son learn the road. I remember that experience with mine a while back and it was “intense” as well.
I haven’t seen a DIY yougurt shop around these parts. Will have to scour the landscape to see if we have one of those down here. Have a safe trip and see you on down the road!
shadowrun300
July 28, 2012 at 2:34 am
Oh yes, there were quite a few times along our trip that we’ve quoted the Vacation movie! In fact, that’s how we found out the kids with us haven’t seen it yet! Such tragedy!
Like I mentioned earlier, our son has taken driver’s ed already and has logged 20 hours so far, but we thought a straight Kansas interstate would be a great way to make it to 50 hours. He made it 2.5 hours. I feel much better in the driver’s seat.
Abby
July 27, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Wait. “Oklahoma Joe’s”? In Kansas? Is Joe snubbing Oklahoma or Kansas?
Brave on you for letting the 15-y.o take the wheel. But then I guess Kansas is probably one of the better places to do that!
Enjoy Colorado. I’ve always wanted to go there ;D
shadowrun300
July 28, 2012 at 2:36 am
I wondered the same thing about Oklahoma Joe’s….
A straight Kansas interstate would seem like a pretty safe way to log some hours. I just need to sit in the back and not watch.
I’ve heard about people visiting Colorado and never returning home. It must be a great place to live!
Janet
July 28, 2012 at 5:49 am
So excited for you and your family. I sure wish I was there as well and check my determination on one of your upcoming hikes. Have great fun!
shadowrun300
July 28, 2012 at 1:20 pm
The best part of our hikes? The scenes from the top! We honestly just stand there in awe and wonder! Beautiful!
Jules
August 1, 2012 at 12:39 am
OOoh excited to hear more!!! I would like to go to KC sometime just to eat some bbq. Mike and I might make a weekend trip out of it sometime. Hope the rest of the trip is more exciting than Kansas, though. 🙂
shadowrun300
August 1, 2012 at 1:22 am
I recommend staying in Independence, MO if you do go. It’s not too far from downtown KC. Lots of shopping, but fairly new still so not as busy. From there you can travel into the city pretty easily. Just an idea. Not sure if your hotel chain is there though. Mine is! 🙂