Four inches of snow fell overnight, so we stayed snuggled in our warm little beds until nearly 7 AM. Delighted with the fresh snowfall Kiahra snapped this photo from our room window. Shortly we were loaded and ready to roll. We grabbed a quick donut…and a snow globe…and a keychain…and something else that eludes me. Beware of travel centers.
As we were ready to leave, we noticed some fine feathered friends huddled together in the crisp morning air.
At 9 AM we were on a snowpacked and icy interstate moving slowly with rest of the Sunday morning traffic…the truckers. Eventually as the miles slipped by the roads became slushy. The snow showers remained light and scattered. The GPS didn’t want to go the way we wanted to, so I kept changing the programming in an attempt to outsmart it. Was this my feeble attempt to justify our route by seeking approval from the GPS…really??
Delighted, my eyes drank in the endless sage brush and distinctive buttes from my window as we rolled on down the road. It meant I was getting closer to home. Admittedly, the familiar landscape has never looked so good; however, Wyoming is a big state, and patiently we tried to endure.
For a change the wildlife outnumbered the people. Kade called, “Look, cantaloupe!” The Yukon rollicked in delight as California was miles away. The antelope didn’t mind, as they just kept grazing peacefully. Of course then the jack-a-lope became a conversation because unsuspecting folks from other parts of the country and world are simply not savvy with this critter, creating fun for us. Kiahra was snapping photos as “proof” for later use.
Luckily when we stopped in Casper, we remembered that during our cross country move this summer, Kade had requested a stop at Taco John’s. Pennsylvania doesn’t have the chain, and he figured California wouldn’t either…so thus his request for his last supper that ultimately went unfulfilled. Recollections of this resulted in a unanimous decision for our lunch destination. Potato oles and nacho cheese, and Kade smiled the rest of the trip!
As we neared the South Dakota border, we paused for a quick pit stop in Newcastle. Within an hour, my cousin was baling out to join his mother, and we were minutes from home.
When we pulled into the familiar driveway, I heard someone comment that our arrival had been noticed from the soft glowing windows. Soon cousins were running out the door to embrace the weary travelers. The noise and laughter echoed across the vast, cool prairie.
Home.
1,481 miles. 26 hours on the road.
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