Plains Road Trip

Since the manifestation of Grandma and Grandpa's camper van, the calendar has been screaming for a road trip! The stars aligned this summer with a 10 day extravaganza across the glorious plains and prairies of our fine Midwest.- The G's of Omaha already did an excellent documentation here: 

https://jcwanderings.com/2024/08/06/2024-road-trip-with-chicago-crew/

But are you ready for more?

Matt had work on Friday and the kids had their last day of a beloved Circus camp. But Jim and Julie got a chance to see their feats of skill and daring up close and personal in a final showcase! Here is Brock and Alice on their favorite, the German Wheel. Then also the silks and the trapeeze!

Directly following the show, we made our way to the camper van to begin the magic!

  

 Let's hit the road! High five. And, on display is my constructed game table cover to dial us down to medium alert while playing Crowns on the open highway.

 

Complete with a first place trophy that Brock made ...and the winner is Grandma!

First night in St. Louis at a wonderful urban industrial Airbnb. Brock savors the swank.

The next day is dedicated to the City Museum, one of our favorite places and an annual destination.

Under the sea with my pearls.

The hot sun is always endured with the promise of a roof top Ferris Wheel and Grandma snugs.

Alice rides centipede train.

Brock in the trees, Alice with the nibble fish and showing off her epic construction.

And then the children enjoy a bit of torture fun.

Next day we are off to Branson with a stop in (at?) Uranus. We stopped, but the subversive jokes happily had just begun!

No road trip is complete without a large dino photo.

Game. Over. AND, we make time for a sword swallower at Uranus's oddity exhibit.

Worlds largest belt buckle! And cutest little girl. And two other people trying to capture this historic moment in the background.

yes, a living Rorschach! Do you see a turtle? 

 

Exit. through. the. gift. shop.

I sent this one to my work staff's weekly internal publication, The Weekly Scoop.

And no road trip is complete without disc golf! Here we are at a great find, Hanna Hills.

ahhhhhhh!!! It's a crock!!! Literally...as that animal is not real.

shooting the shiz with the charismatic owner who met us at hole 18 with beers and soda. five stars.

and guess who's birthday it is!: ALICE IS 6!!!!

 

Birthday girl wants fish, a circus, and some mini golf. And ice cream. Here she is at lunch fish opening her absolutely adorable amazing charm bracelet from the G's of Omaha and Super Grandma who helped with selecting the charms while in the gift shop on a recent cruise. It was Alice's introduction to an axolotl, which is not Alice's favorite animal. Thank you!!

For the big day, we head to one of the legendary bread throwing restaurants. Fun and delicious carbs were had by all.

Alice poses with one of her silliest gifts, a puzzle with "Butts on Things".

Alice at the circus, taking in a show when in Branson is a must. This one was great! This stunt in particular was our favorite. And unbelievably they had a Monday matinee? Maybe not for long judging by the audience turn out.

Here we are at Dick's 5 and dime. A SPLENDID shopping experience. And as you can see, something for everyone. Look at this cool shirt this alien found for his souvenir of Earth America.

Us with our finds. Alice takes home a now very dear friend, baby axolotl.

more mini golf!

this day also brought a stop at a bin store. Featured are one of the best 5$ (was it that much?) ever spent, stretchy giraffes that proved to be indispensable on the road.

 

The next day began with a trip to the beautiful Top of Rock (brought to you by Bass Pro Shop) that included a wonderful museum of Native American art and historical archive. Alice as a prehistoric sloth or beaver or something. Also at top of the rock, a scenic golf cart ride through gorgeous water falls and terrain. And a cave bar! The grandparents kindly take the littles so Matt and I have a date ride!

More fun. More driving. More giraffes.

On the way back to Omaha, we stop at the Salt Mine in Strataca KS. It was so cool. Actually, 70 degrees year round! Such a relief.

As well as a view into prehistoric geology and salt, the mine's perfect cellar temperature services the preservation of archival materials perfectly. Here we are looking at the film archives, including many known shows!

What is happening here? Not sure, it looks salty though.

I win! And speaking of salty, there is that guy to the right (left) of me.

We made a final tourist stop in Wamego to visit the Wizard of Oz Museum. So fun. And we got to meet the mayor! Or something. We rode back to Omaha in the hot air balloon.

More car menagerie Olympics.

more mini golf! This time back at dino putt in Omaha.

Brock made some cash mowing the lawn, and got into the zen of it. We are so jealous of this grass! At our house Brock has to mow gravel.

Grandma demonstrates the delicate art of tickling the ivories. And Alice stares to the beat.

Brock and Alice play a farewell send off for our final road trip back to Chicago. Thank you so much Jim and Julie for organizing, driving and fun fun fun. Can't wait for the next one!