Road Trip Part 2

Now for the rest of my trip. After spending the night in Chicago, we went to the zoo in the morning. It wasn't the most exciting zoo I've ever been to (Denver's was much better), but it was still fun. Plus I got to wear my new outfit I got at the AGP.

This is me compared to the size of a polar bear. I totally don't want to meet one! I barely come up to it's elbows!

Once we left Chicago we drove to Iowa and stayed the night. From there we headed to South Dakota. I never knew SD was so beautiful! I would love to go back there again. The state really loves its billboards, though. We probably saw over a hundred signs for Wall Drug and the Reptile Gardens. We did stop at Wall Drug and Sean bought a jackalope.

We got a hotel 15 miles from Mt. Rushmore for the night and early the next morning we got to see the mountain.

 

It was different than what I was expecting. I was thinking it would be bigger, but it was so far away. It was completely amazing, though. I'm really glad I got to go on this trip. We went through 8 states (9 if you count our layover in Denver): Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana! I've only been to three of those states previously. It was quite the adventure!

Now it's back to normal life, but I will never forget this trip.

Road Trip

Riley, Sean, and I got back Saturday afternoon. We had a blast, but we were quite exhausted, especially Sean since he had to do all the driving. You know what the most confusing thing was? Trying to figure out what state we were in. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois do not mark their borders very clearly. We had fun trying to figure where we were and what time zone we were in.

We flew into Ohio and stayed with Sean's friend (the person we were getting the car from) the first night. I though the friend was a dude the whole time, but he turned out to be a woman. She was very nice, but it was hard to get a good sleep after flying all day and being in a strange place. Riley had never been east of the Mississippi River before, so it was even stranger for her.

We were on the road by 8am the next day and stopped in a small town in Ohio to have lunch at a park.

 The park had a really big pond full of little fish. Riley and I had a blast feeding them our lunch. We discovered that the fish loved Nutter Butters, but were afraid of Oreos. They also really liked cheese.

There was a bunch of geese and goslings, too! Sean said we couldn't take them in the car, though. Actually if was amazing that we all fit to begin with. We each had a suitcase and a backpack. At Sean's friend's house we got loaded down with food for the road, too.

After our lunch break we didn't stop again until we got to our stop in Illinois, about two hours from Chicago. We stayed with another friend of Sean's there. Sean was pretty excited to get us some free places to stay and free food. I was excited that his friend had a dog.

The next morning we left again at 8am and headed to Chicago. We had reservations for a hotel there and would have a chance to see some sights. I have lived in Illinois before and been to Chicago, but it has been a long time. It was so bizarre! I loved it, though. It was like another culture compared to Montana. Most of the people were dressed so nicely and always in a hurry. Messenger bags, iPods and headphones, little dogs, and black or khaki coats seemed to be a typical Chicagoan. We had fun picking out the tourists. I'm sure we stood out like crazy!

 We went to the American Girl Place and some stores in the Water Tower Place after we unloaded our stuff in the hotel room. Huge TV! Anyway, after that we walked a few miles to Lake Michigan.

 Riley was fascinated by the water, although the seagulls scared her a little. I think Chicago was a little overwhelming for her in general. She was born near Denver, but never spent much time in the actual city before she and her dad moved to Wyoming.

 I thought the city was gorgeous, but it did make me homesick for Montana. I wanted my clear, blue sky and cows back.

 

 At the beach we made a friend. Her name is Lyra and she has lived in Chicago all her life. We spent awhile playing and talking with her.

Lyra and I decided to become pen pals and possibly co-blog together on another blog. I hope we can find the time to do so. I really want you guys to get to know Lyra. She was a lot of fun. It was sad to have to leave the beach.

I'll post the rest of the trip another day. I'm still pretty tired. But it was an amazing experience.

Ready to Go!

Riley and I have been packing all day and now we are ready to go.

Unfortunately Sean is not even packed yet. Grownups! Riley and her dad have this obsession with strawberry licorice = road trip. Ever since Sean opened the package to divide it (he got 2 pounds!) for plane trip and car trip, they've been practically drooling and way too excited. I'm wondering what I've gotten myself into!

Riley and I each got new shirts for the trip as you can see in the picture. My hoodie is the most comfortable thing you can imagine! The inside is fleece-lined and cozy but not too hot. My new t-shirt is really comfy, too.

I can't wait to head out tomorrow and start the adventure. I don't know if I will be able to post along the way (although I am bringing my laptop). If I can't I'll go picture happy when I get home.

Road Trip!

My apologies for having disappeared off the face of the earth. You wouldn't believe how much homework and essays school decided to cram in these past few weeks. Luckily all that is done now.

I have great news! Mother said I can go on the road trip! Although who I am going with has changed. Olivia's family decided to postpone their trip. Which is fine because I didn't feel totally comfortable going with them since I don't know them to well. Instead I will be going with Riley and Sean!

The plan is this: We are going to fly to Ohio where Sean has a friend. This friend apparently has some cool car that he is selling and Sean wants. We will drive that car back to Montana with stops in Chicago and Mount Rushmore. In Chicago we will get to go to the zoo and the American Girl Place! Riley and I each got a new shirt for the trip. I'm so excited!

Now, I know you're wondering about Aaron. There is no way in the world that he could get on a plane (he does not do well in cramped, crowded places). He is going to stay home and take care of the dogs and he might get his boyfriend to stay over. I think he will be alright. He's been doing pretty good. I guess he met Mac the other day, but you will have to read her blog to hear that story (yes, shameless plugging for my cousin).

Well, I best go finish packing!