Destination: Hobart, IN

We visited many gorgeous places on our journey to Indiana.  Each time we stopped, the kids posed the same question, "How much longer to Grandma & Grandpa's house?"   The Prius was just as happy as the kids to finally reach our destination and relieved to have a pleasant resting place.

Grandma Faye & Grandpa Jack live in the house that they purchased when I was 5 years old.  My birthday is approaching....I'm between 40 and 50. ;)

Family Gatherings

We are blessed to have such a great extended family in the midwest.  My dad is one of 5 children and my mom is one of 10.  Our timing with this trip was perfect, allowing us to attend the Snap graduation party and the next day, a pool party at my cousin Kathy's home.

Both of my brothers, Scott & Mark were able to attend the Snap graduation party with thier families.  Claire and Joey were happy to see their cousin, Lily and the Snaps know how to throw a good party, pictured L to R:  Jordan, Deb, Tom, & 'lil Conner (how did we forget to put Cameron in the pic?).

The next day, we travelled to my cousin Kathy's house in St. John, Indiana.  We enjoyed the warmth of the day, had a BBQ, and reconnected with dear cousins, aunts, and uncles.  

The kids were impressed with the fact that Kathy's pool had both a slide and a diving board.

Kelly's Shangri-La

We drove and we drove and we drove and finally, we arrived at a much anticipated destination:  Kelly's home in central Indiana. 

Kelly has been a dear friend since High School.  Her creativity and inventive spirit shines through her family and their beautiful property that I like to call Kelly's Shangri-La.

Signs of Indiana

After a lengthy drive through the flat lands of Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and the bottom tip of Illinois, we were very relieved to reach Indiana!

St. Louis Souvenir

Joey B. was very happy to find a souvenir tailored to his name.  It's very appropriate since he will be visiting relatives that he hasn't seen in a long while.  A little name reminder may come in handy.  ;)

St. Louis Gateway Arch

Kansas

Yes Dorothy, we are in Kansas and there is not much to see here.  Hey, wait!  There's an oil rig and look at that pretty sunset.  I guess I was wrong, there's lots to see in Kansas.  Yawn.  Keep driving.

Driving

And now, we enter the incredibly boring part of the trip.  Kansas.  Flat.  Long.  And the potential for really nasty weather.    I am keeping my eye on the weird clouds in the sky and keeping my fingers crossed that no funnel clouds form.

We have already survived one nasty little storm just outside of Denver.  Lightening, hail, winds, and rain.  It was short lived; but, helped us realize that we have no future as storm chasers.

Moe's Original BBQ

Good food & a bowling alley to break up driving boredom.  Outside of Denver, right next door to the Gothic Theatre.

Glenwood Springs

Glenwood Springs, CO.  What a lovely town!  As an anniversary gift to each other, we stayed one night at the Glenwood Hot Springs.  This hotel has an outdoor mineral hot springs pool and they boast that it is the "world's largest."  

From their information booklet and various plaques around the hotel, I learned that the hot springs were a frequent visiting location for the Ute Native Americans. The Ute believed the springs cured illnesses and named it Yampah, meaning "Big Medicine."  

In 1881, the Ute signed a treaty with the US Government and were relocated to a reservation.  They retained hunting rights in the area and often returned, even as the white man's presence at the hot springs increased.  In 1888 a bathhouse was constructed and the white man officially took over.

Grand Canyon

Before Lake Powell we spent a day in the Grand Canyon.  As it was my first time seeing the Grand Canyon, I was taken aback at the size and scope of this natural wonder.  It was very beautiful and mesmerizing.

Happy Anniversary!

18 years ago today, I married my BFF.  We are celebrating in Glenwood Springs with a little R&R at their hot springs pool.

Arches National Park

From Lake Powell we headed to Moab, Utah and visited Arches National Park.  We were not expecting the expansive views that this park provided.  The views in this park were

simply breathtaking.

Lake Powell

We travelled to Page, AZ and relaxed for a few days at the town's man made lake, Lake Powell.  Warm water and beautiful views made for an enjoyable day at the lake.

Antelope Slot Canyon