We got up at the crrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaack of dawn to hightail it out of town. I think we left at like 5:00 a.m., which meant we got the kids up at 4:00. Rough start, ladies. But because these precious miracle babies of mine are so easy going (and because vacation adrenaline was running high), it wasn't too bad getting out the door. We did instate Quiet Hours while it was still dark out, in the hopes that they'd go back to sleep, but none did, and by 6:30, everyone was digging through their backpacks and chirping happily in the backseat.
Last year, we fit six kids and a preggo and eight people's-worth of food and luggage in the Kristy Chrysler, our Town and Country minivan. It was TOIGHT. Not fun, friends. Not fun. This year, we had so much space, we basically could have opened a taco kitchen back there and sold street food at all our rest stops. Basically.
For instance, we could have sold breakfast burritos at our 8:30 a.m. stop at this playground. Instead, we spent our time slide-stomping and doing synchronized calisthenics. Van Voorsts know how to party.
Then back into the car with some treats.
We were supposed to make some really good time and get all the way to Sioux Falls for a late lunch at the glorious Pizza Ranch there, but I HIT. A. WALL. about two and a half hours early, and instead of listening to me whine like a girl-baby for the next 150 miles, Todd made an executive decision to stop in Missouri Valley so I could get some carbohydrates. Luckily, there's a Pizza Ranch there, too, and I didn't end up eating off his arm in an impatient, ravenous rage, so win-win.
Pizza Ranch bathrooms are notoriously clean, however, I still prefer to change diapers in the van. That way, when they blow out of their diapers and need a full re-dress, the poop smell can linger with us for hours. Memory-making at its finest.
After a lively drive, we arrived at Falls Park, one of our favorite stops along the way.
Oh, did I hear you say I look like Fergie Ferg? Pshaw. You're too kind.
It took Laurelai approximately .02 to mistake an algae-covered puddle for a swath of grass, and she plummeted into the mud. She was thrilled about it, but did subtly, quietly, demurely ask for a change of wardrobe, please. (Or... something like that.)
We hung around Falls Park for an hour or two, stretching our legs and getting the wiggles out.
This photo is about 80% great.
ANNNND then back in the van. This is always the stretch that is hardest for us - there isn't much to see or do, we're hitting a lull after being up early in the morning and after having eaten lunch. This is the stretch where I try to bust out something fun or unusual. So this time we had a popcorn party with some cute paper popcorn bags I found, which was a universal hit...
… and then a fake-mustache party, which was not a universal hit.
For those of us that weren't wet blankies, it was a good time.
Our last stop of the day was at a drive-in diner in Murdo, where we got ice cream for dinner. (If you're noticing a carb-theme, you're on the money.)
This sign was a welcome sight - last year we tried to stop, but we were too late in the season and they'd closed for the year.
After dinner, Juniper finally fell asleep in the car seat. She had been awake for most of the day, which meant I'd been nursing her nonstop the whole way. This little moment of peacefulness was what we both needed.
And while we wanted to drive through the Badlands, the sun was setting and it was getting too dark for photos, so we decided to hit them on the way back.
It was a great day of travel - no fighting, no barfing (miracle of miracles!), and so many good memories. Atticus and Penelope both kept saying that Travel Day is the best day of the year, and noting that this was a particularly smooth and easy one. And we weren't even on vacation yet! Things were off to a great start.
4 comments :
it's true. i LOVE travel day. it is counter-intuitive as all get out, but even now, looking at the photos, makes me want to grab all of you and just drive somewhere. i like having everyone together, i think. and the adventure of being out and about. thanks for making these memorable with all the proactive planning and mustaches and popcorn and animals crackers. making memories is the only way to take time with you and quality time is a product of quantity time. i think that's why i LOVE travel days. lots of time together and making memories with much of it.
The trip out is always so much easier than the trip back. This year, we listened to an audio Bible reading for quiet time. The whole book of John in one day - it was great! We could do better by capturing some of your positive spirit on enjoying travel days, though! How much of the increase in smoothness would you attribute to vehicle change? We will be making that change soon, too! And if you are still on the spurt of wanting to plan another trip, come see us!
Hannah :)
Ha, the positive spirit has been the work of a lot of discipline - you know how traveling with kids can be! But I've learned that perspective is usually a choice, and I pray often that God would refine my naturally cynical/pessimistic nature. So it's taken a LOT of choosing to see the good parts and minimizing the hard parts. :)
I do think some of the smoothness this time was due to the change in vehicle - for instance, I could not believe that we didn't have a single case of car sickness either way! I think it was easier for the kids to ride comfortably in it without getting sick, and there was less fighting because there was more space to spread out, and my own mood was naturally a bit more calm not being cramped and overwhelmed by the close quarters.
I'm so excited for you that you'll be making a vehicle change soon! BEST UPGRADE EVER! And... not to be nosy, but is it because you're outgrowing your current vehicle situation, numbers-wise? ;)
YES! That would be so, so fun sometime! Remind me where you guys are at?
First one of your blogs I've read and love it! Thanks for sharing. What vehicle did you switch to? We are looking at maybe upgrading to something with more room since soon our mini van that seats 7 will be totally full.
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