Right now I’m sitting in a hotel in Reno, NV. Today is the first day we haven’t logged some serious miles since last Wednesday when we set out for our summer adventure to the western part of the U.S. We’ve already had some amazing experiences on this trip. My husband, Casey, suggested I write about our trip and share it here. I’ve always thought of this blog as a place for recipes and sharing food ideas. We were talking in the car somewhere between Colorado and Nevada that the flour on my apron can be anything that makes me happy. Carrie gave me a whole different perspective on what it means to have “flour on your apron.” Therefore, this Floured Apron site can be a place to share joy, even if food isn’t involved. I may be sleep deprived and a little bored from staring out the car window for days but I think she’s onto something and I’m going to go out on a limb here and make this post about our adventure and not about food! I’ll mostly focus my posts on food but sprinkling in some of our life could be fun too! 🙂
This is the second consecutive year we’ve made the drive from Ohio to California. Yes, it’s long. Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s exhausting. It’s also fun and cool to see many things we otherwise wouldn’t from the air. When we get to where we’re going, we kind of forget how much it sucked to be in the car for hours on end. It’s ok when we’re in areas that are well populated and offer some healthy food options or we’re still able to enjoy our homemade snacks. When we get out in the middle of nowhere, things get tough and we get crabby!
I’m married to a pilot which means we should be able to fly for a discount and get where we want to go. So, why don’t we? Two words: Daisy Mae (our beagle). I know we could kennel her or find a dog sitter but she really does enjoy the trips we take. Also, we like to have a car to get around and not spend the money on flights, rental cars and other things.
Last year’s drive left me with a sense of accomplishment. We planned to drive to Lake Tahoe to spend a couple weeks. Casey, my husband, couldn’t be with us on the trip out, so it was Carrie, Daisy and me. We drove from Ohio on Route 80 through IN, IL, NE, IA, WY and UT. We met up with Casey and finished the drive to Reno and made our way to Lake Tahoe. Long days of driving, audio books, car games, DQ Blizzards, rest stops, coffee, truck stops and hotels made for a tired mama. Did I mention I had to unload and reload suitcases, dog stuff, snack stuff and whatever else couldn’t be left in the car about 80 million times? After several hours of driving. However, when we saw that beautiful blue lake, the frustration and exhaustion turned to excitement and energy!
This year, we planned a similar vacation because we’re combining it with a summer camp experience for Carrie. We all hit the road last Wednesday with a plan to visit Denver, CO then go to Tahoe. Route 80 was the lucky highway! Last year, Carrie and I found a silly go-kart place in Nebraska. She really wanted to go back, which made me happy that some of the little fun things we did mattered and stuck with her.
After miles of corn fields, it was time for go-karts and bumper boats.
That was a nice break from the car and definitely gave us all some laughs! From there we pressed on to Colorado. The next day, we made a quick stop at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The campus is huge and impressive. This is the Cadet Chapel.
The next morning, we met up with my brother who just happened to be driving through the area. He’s a truck driver and was returning from California. Bonus! Look at that cute hat Carrie picked up at the USAFA! 🙂
While we were in the Colorado Springs area, we went to Garden of the Gods Park, a registered National Natural Landmark. It was incredible! We did a short hike and climbed on rocks. There were prickly pears blooming and the landscape was stunning. Don’t get me started on that blue sky and all the colors in these photos.
The next day we left for Salt Lake City. That portion of the drive was eight hours and we decided to stop at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Best. Decision. Ever. We took my brother’s advice on a shorter route (191N) and that portion of the drive delivered magnificent scenery.
Arches was designated as a national monument in 1929 by President Herbert Hoover. It was designated as a national park 42 years later. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, in addition to hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive fins and giant balanced rocks.
It was extremely hot and dogs aren’t permitted on the trails so Casey and I tag teamed with Carrie to get as close as we could to those amazing works of art. Seriously, some of the most breathtaking landscapes that Mother Nature has to offer.
The drive through the park was about 14 miles. Going in and up was great but the drive down gave us a more incredible show. I’d highly recommend driving to the end and take it all in on the way back down! We stopped in the visitor center to grab t-shirts and post cards not realizing they would be closing in 5 minutes. It was a quick selection and sprint to the car for a wallet. We were all moved by this National Park excursion and the enormity of it all. Thank you, Moab and Arches for showing us your beauty! If you haven’t been, add this one to your list!
We made it to the hotel in SLC for a night of sleep then we pressed on for the final eight hour stretch to Reno, NV for a couple days. By this point, we’re still smiling but feeling the fatigue and sense of not being settled. Lots of time in the car, in and out of hotels and gas stations isn’t for the weak! We got this and we all know what’s waiting for us! That’ll be the next post.
Have you taken a big road trip? I’d love to hear about it along with any travel tips! I have a long way to go with my packing skills (sorry, Casey!) and hotel finesse. I don’t like hotels but I’m grateful for them when we all need a break. I absolutely love Colorado and I’m thrilled we were able to see more of it. The mountains and trees are gorgeous. I’m excited to get into our rental at Tahoe because it’s one of my happy places!
The journey over the past week has filled my soul and put some new flour on my apron! Enjoy wherever this 4th of July takes you and, if you get a chance to see the wonders of this country in person, I hope you do it. America is BIG and BEAUTIFUL!
From the heart,
Shannon
flouredapron.com 