Travel 2021

Ohio

• Rainbow Farms We bought some produce and the establishment was super friendly! Best cucumber we ever had.
• Der Dutchman in Plain City, OH Food was good and there is a little goat petting zoo across the street.

Indiana

• Indianapolis Super friendly staff. Took kids to feed the 2 horses they had and then went in the splash water pool. Rhythm Discovery Center (the world’s only percussion museum). The kids had a blast!

Illinois

• Fifty Four Farms They are super friendly, have a horse, pony, goat, cattle, 14 acres- some of it is corn, beautiful sunsets. We bought some beef products. We were telling Shaun the host about the DEF shortage at the local gas stations and he said he just got rid of his diesel truck and blessed us with 2 boxes of DEF.
• TPC Deer Run We had dinner and played golf. Very friendly staff.

 Iowa

• Des Moines Went to pool, met some really nice Christian people, friendly staff. Started road schooling today; Science. Took the kids into Des Moines to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the Giant Garden Trowel and then kind of drove around a little to see things.
• Windmill Acres Talk about hills. The roads were stone for miles and miles.  But Mike the Host was super friendly, he had corn, tomatoes, wine, cheese, crackers, cookies and cake. Bought a tray he makes.  We took the kids to the Omaha Zoo. It was hot,  and a lot of walking but they all did good so took them to get rolled ice cream.

Nebraska

• Elm Creek We went to Kearney, NE to check out the Classic Car Museum, and Cabella’s.

Kansas

• Goodland Man was there nothing but open fields the whole way. The campground is one we probably would never return to unless desperately needed, potholes were everywhere. We ventured to the Largest Easel- of a VanGough painting- drove around town, and saw a grasshopper made from tractor parts. Saw a beautiful sunset over the fields.

Colorado

• Colorado Springs  Now this is the change of scenery we have been waiting for. open fields- but mountains! Kids went to pool. We ventured out to the Garden of the Gods- it was pretty awesome. On the way we saw so many different crosses all over. By the campground there is a prayer garden that they are building which is pretty neat! We ventured out to the Manitou Cliff Dwellings– so interesting to see how they made homes out of the sides of rocks! We also went to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame– it was quite interesting, learned a few things about it. We saw a bunch of homeless people but we did have the bags ready yet. Then we ventured to the Ghost Town Museum which is like a mini old town and mining.
• Alamosa Ventured to the Great Sand Dunes National Park- Saw what looked like wild horses on the way. There were a bunch and bro got out the truck and got to touch one of them.  We rented sand sled and sand board. Man it was a hike up to the dunes, but it was fun. It did remind us for overseas a bit- but sliding down was cool. kids had a blast. We didn’t stay too long because it was so tiring. ha. ventured out to the Colorado Gators- it was so neat- so much better than other gator places we’ve gone to. They got to feed gators, hold a baby gator and then a worker was going in the outdoor fenced areas with them to show us them closer.
• Durango Man the road here are craziness! Climbing up and down the mountain and such sharp turns. Drove through a cute town (Pagosa Springs). ventured to Santa Rosa Playground and walked down by the Animas River. Went on a white water raft tour- the water was fairly calm but our “guide” put us in the rapid backwards so we shot out- man that was intense and awesome. we got soaked.  Bro and the older 2 jumped into the river- said it was freezing. This river is fed from water from the mountains and streams, so it was getting shallow since it hasn’t rained or anything.

Utah

• Monticello  Ventured out to the Hole ‘N the Rock which was pretty neat to see how someone made a restaurant and their home in the rock and it is still functional. We also drove and found the church rock and the Wilson Arch. We climbed up it and took photos. Ventured out to Canyonlands National Park. We hiked a few trails and had a lot of fun. Checked out the First Baptist Church. We went to Goosenecks State Park and the Mexican Hat rock formation.  On way we found a Bluff Fort- we stopped at to see how the first pioneers settled in Bluff. It was so interesting.
• Richfield Ventured out and bought cowboy boots for the boys.
• St. George Man do we love it here! So much civilization BUT super expensive. We checked out Thunder Junction. It’s an all abilities playground so cute and free. Has playground things, water pad, train, music sensory garden. Ventured out to Snow Canyon State Park hiked the Johnson trail and Jenny’s Canyon total of 2.5 miles. At the end of Johnson trail it was so quiet and peaceful you legit could only hear your ears ringing. Snow Canyon 27000 years ago had a volcano so there were lava rocks all over. Which was awesome to see since we just finished science unit. Then we went to Sand Hollow State Park- the water was blue and you could see the bottom far in, and it was warmer water. We found a cheesecake place and got a few mini cheesecake cupcakes, pretty darn good! picked up bibles from a Baptist church. The pastor was really nice. Then we went to the Red Canyon Desert park and Pioneer Park and climbed rocks. 

Nevada

• Las Vegas We went downtown for a few hours, checked out the Coca Cola store and got an International Tray to try 16 different flavors, then we went to M&M world. Lots of walking! Went to the Bellagio hotel and saw the water fountain, chocolate fountain and then the hotel all decorated inside for fall (so pretty), walked thru the Cosmopolitan-gorgeous inside with diamond looking drapes, girls were in love. Walked down the Mirage Volcano even though it was daytime and wasn’t erupting, and over to the Venetian, I wanted to do a gondola ride but it was pricey as is everything else in Vegas. Handed out total of 20 bags throughout the day. After down town we drove around hunting for homeless although not hard but it was hard in busy road to just stop. So at some places Bro would jump out the truck and go over and he’d meet me where I could pull over. Bro went to church today Grace Baptist. He didn’t ask for anything but the pastor handed him $100 from his pocket and gave a box with some Bibles. Then we went to Silverton to see the mermaid. Then to seven magic mountains. Then to pinball hall of fame which was neat. Went to the Hoover Dam and Lake Meade area. Super neat and super windy. Then we checked out a playground where usually mountain sheep are…but we only saw one from a distance. 

Arizona

•  Williams went on to route 66, went to Bearizona which is like a hidden valley. Did go to the Rt 66 museum, grocery store and then while there was a car show so walked about that for a bit. Went up to the Grand Canyon- an hour drive then took 40 min to get in the gate. It was nice but didn’t give us the WOW factor, I think because we seen so much like it in Utah while driving around. We ventured the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Walked about mile and half at most, it was really neat compared to the other volcano area we went in in St George.
• Tuscon  Went to the Saguaro National Park- crazy to see how different every cactus is and to see the insides of some- we never knew they had almost like a trunk inside of them-then we found out they are called “ribs”. So crazy!  We went to the Gene C Reid Park. Its really nice there- similar to Delaware Park- huge playground, zoo behind, water with waterfall and fountain. Went to Phoenix  to the Friendship Japanese Garden. It was nice and small- but they are very adamant about their rocks and grass, not really kid friendly. Checked out the Pioneer Village and Telephone Museum before heading back to Tucson.

New Mexico

• Las Cruses Ventured to El Paso, TX today. Man I think I like Texas and we weren’t even in a good area. It was so neat to literally see Mexico across the street. We went to the La Casa de Azucar (a house called sugar house- a man made by hand chiseling and painting, took him 25 years to do- we even got to meet him!) Went to Chamizal National Monument, then to find a few murals which ended up not really happening. We ventured to the Unidad playground, worlds largest chili pepper, and the roadrunner made from recycled materials. Then we stopped at Nothing Bundt Cakes- oh my goodness so many good kinds so I got 10 different mini ones.  Went to White Sands National Park, so nice. Then up to Alamogordo to the worlds largest Pistachio and Pistachio land, took a tour of the farm and learned so much about Pistachios. So glad we went. 

Texas

• Monahans It is basically an open lot with full hookups. Its more for oil drillers it looks like- that’s all around the area anyway. But its quiet.
• Abilene Went to the Storybook Capital of America. Pretty neat walking around downtown finding different story book characters. The kids fav were the Dr Seuss ones. Went on a family trail ride at Shockey Stables. It was so much fun! The lady kept saying how natural everyone was and couldn’t believe our youngest wasn’t 5 yet! She got to ride alone and guide alone! After the trail they let us ride more in the arena and she let our youngest trot alone, she had the time of her life!
• Arlington Went to the Fort Worth Stockyard. Pretty neat town, bought me a new pair of boots of course. Saw a cattle drive- small of about 15 long horns. The kids were able to each sit on one for a photo. Went to the Dallas Aquarium,  not a normal aquarium but it was cool. Saw a manatee! Which was our highlight.  Then drove around downtown to find the 30ft eyeball.
• Gordonville We dont plan to do anything while we are here but chillax and catch up on school. We walked around the park and went to the gym. Ended up doing about 2+ miles of walking and running and some family workout in the gym. It was nice.

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma City Ventured out to the OKC memorial for the bombing site. Learned a lot. Probably one of the best aside from Montgomery. Ventured out to the National Cowboy & Western History Museum. Then on to Rt 66 to check out Pops 66- has hundreds of different kinds of pops. And then over to the Round Barn that was really interesting to see.
• Tulsa  Took Bro to a Jamaican/Caribbean/African shop and stocked up on some Jamaican goods. Ventured to Transformation Church to say we were there even though they aren’t open during COVID. Stopped at the Praying Hands and then went to The Gathering Place.  Really awesome free gathering place that has so many different playgrounds, gardens, trails, etc. We would go there everyday seriously! We went to the Golden Driller Statue and Tulsa’s Center of the Universe- it was weird when standing in the middle it was like your echo was in a microphone but no one else could hear it. When we got back to the campground, we couldn’t get in the gate. The residents have a gate card but we guests don’t. So we are supposed to call the call button or 999, but when Bro did it went to voicemail. So I called the officer number which transferred to a call center thing. The lady was telling me that they dont do late check ins, I’m like we’ve been here since Saturday. there were about 6 cars behind us, then finally a guy came to us and let us use his gate card. Well someone stole our sons bike at campground. We will definitely not come back here! First tiny unlevel sites, then bike stolen and then cant even get in the gate once the office closes. Thats insanity.

Arkansas

• Little Rock We took our extra Thanksgiving meal and made 2 big platters for the homeless and then drove around and found 2. We drove an hour to see the Hot Springs National Park- definitely different from other national parks- but it was cool.  2 Hot springs were really hot, one was hot tub temp and the other was freezing. Walked the bridge today and went by the Clinton library that had different themed globes. Also at like 7pm went to Hurts donuts… they were OK but not the best.

Tennessee

• Memphis Talk about holy bumpy roads, trash and tires everywhere.  Campground is quiet but no sewer, no service, only 2 washers one broke and other rusty. Ventured to Stax music studio. Came back and the camper was covered in bugs. And we legit had about 10 lady bugs in camper. Ventured to the Slave Haven museum, national Civil right museum(very educational!), the bass Pro shop pyramid (holy cow big). 

Mississippi

• Horn Lake Really nice campground, didn’t do much venturing in this location.
• Jackson  Pretty decent campground. Didn’t venture out here. 

Louisiana

• Baton Rouge We headed to a Louisiana Parade which the kids had a blast at. It was definitely long and fun. Then we headed to a live Nativity. Man did it get cold and I was not prepared for it for the kids sake or my own. But I am glad we went, it was such a nice experience since I’ve been wanting to take the kids for years. We went to church- very similar setting like Life Church- but it is a video sermon because there are multiple campuses. But it was nice experience. Visited New Orleans today- man its…well… interesting. But we went to the WWII museum which was neat and cool learning especially since we briefly talked about Pearl Harbor on Dec 7th. We went to the French Colonial area- walked around a lot and got Beignets from Cafe Du Monde….so good!

Alabama

• Mobile We took the kids to the festival of lights- it was neat- pricey but worth it. Similar to home- BUT the lights were all synchronized to the radio station they had the music playing thru. The kids loved it because they got to sit in the bed of the truck.

Florida

• Perdido Key Ventured to gun store, Walmart, natural oil store and a small farmers market. While at the gun store a lady and a little boy came in asking if an employee could change her flat tire. This guy says no sorry,  there was legit about 10 men working there, like seriously no one could help this woman?! So bro offered to do it.
• Navarre Nice campground! First Christmas in fifth wheel. We made a new traditional memory. God was good to us all this year. The least amount of gifts we all ever received but it was so special. Been saying it for years less is more so I need more less.
• Chattahoochee Really nice campground, we didn’t venture out here. Happy New Year Bye Bye 2021 Hello 2022.