ROAD TRIP!
The kids and I took a quick trip to Arkansas this afternoon. Or at least it seemed like it.
I worked at the preschool until 3:00 this afternoon and then picked Taylor up from a school club meeting. We met up with Katie at home and then left around 4:00 for a three hour adventure.
Before we even walked out of the house, however, I traumatized my daughter. Again. Taylor had her upside down over his shoulder and this would be the conversation:
Me: Taylor! Put her down!
Katie: Yeah! Put me down!
Taylor: Teeheehee…
Me: I mean it! Put her down now! She’s going to scuff the door with her shoes!
Katie: What about me? All you care about is the door?
Taylor: (After putting Katie down) Mom only cares about the door! Tee hee!
Me: Giggle.
Katie: Huff!
We then jumped in the car, opened up the sun roof, plugged in Taylor’s iPod and headed for Morgantown with an ETA of 4:30. It was a beautiful drive through rolling hills and by old (and I do mean OLD) farms and historic houses. Taylor actually fell asleep in the back while Katie and I occasionally broke the companionable silence with a little chatter. It was lovely.
Just before 4:30 we arrived at our initial destination, the Morgantown Sonic. That’s right, folks! We drove 21 miles just to eat at a mediocre fast food dive for a little taste of home. And thoroughly enjoyed it. I was so excited I texted my friend, Beth, in Arkansas and sent her a picture of Katie eating cheese fries in the front seat of the car.
When all our vittles had been consumed we went to the Super Center Wal-Mart across the parking lot. Sonic and Wal-Mart in one trip? It doesn’t get more Arkansas than that! What a grand time we had perusing the aisles, trying on sunglasses, waxing nostalgic. So I texted Beth and sent her a picture of Taylor looking at posters.
Why, oh why didn’t I have my real camera with me?? The one difference between this Wal-Mart and every other Wal-Mart I’ve ever been in was the covered buggy parking at the side of the parking lot. Seriously!! But don’t you fret yourselves. I shall return with a real camera in hand because it was most definitely photo worthy.
After our grand tour of Wallyworld we drove through Dairy Queen to get the kids yummables for the trip back home. Katie ordered her usual – a Scooby Doo nose, better known as the Dairy Queen dilly bar. That’s what she called it when she was little. In fact, my parents took her to DQ when she was about 5 or 6 and she told them she wanted a Scooby Doo nose. So that’s what my dad ordered for her. The girl working the counter was one smart cookie because she figured out what Katie was talking about.
Finally, we headed for home. In one spot there was a beautiful white spire visible above a copse of trees so I took a detour to see it better. What a gorgeous old church it was. Again, curse my lack of camera! I pulled into the parking lot to turn around, but had to park so we could all dance to Every Time We Touch by Cascada. Oh. My. Gosh. It was hysterical! I’d never heard the dance tune before but somehow we all ended up doing the same “party boy” moves in perfect sync. Todd happened to call while we were all getting our groove on, but we were laughing so hard we had to hang up.
As we drove back to the main road we passed such an interesting old house. It was a two story stone house that looked normal straight on, but from the side you saw that it was only about 20 feet deep. So many things for me to get a picture of when I go back!
It was a great condensed version of a road trip and made us feel like we were back in Arkansas for just a little bit. It’s the simple things in life, you know.
sounds like an awesome road trip!how much fun you have with your kids. Gives me hope for the future!
Um…I too would drive 20-odd miles out of my way for a taste of home. Absolutely. Scooby Doo nose? Too adorable. Sounds like it was actually a decent Walfart, too. Those are hard to come by in these here parts. Sonic-Wallyworld-DQ…I’m fighting a wee bit of jealousy. But win i will, because jealousy is sin. xxxooogretchen
You kids have no clue yet (maybe I’m not giving them enough credit) what an awesome Mom you are. Definitely. Awesome. Sounds like so much fun.
I loved going on that trip with you! (Well, through your eyes, with your fabulous-as-always travel-editing skillz). It was FUN!You are such a cool mom, Jenster! Your kids are going to have the best stories to tell people about their childhoods, lol.We used to drive a very long way to get to this place called Tommy Burger in SoCal. Now our way far out of the way food joint of choice is one of the original DelTacos. Mmmm.
Sounds like you all had quite the adventure.I agree with rosie-with gas prices these days you drove that far for such a cultural experience? Amazing!When I go to WI with the DP, they have a Walmart that has the buggy parking on the side. I am SO fascinated by the buggies that I get very excited. Good thing I am not usually driving as I think I’d end up running one over . . .Glad you had a good time with the kids-
What a fun trip. Glad you had fun. I’ve never been to Sonic. Or Jack in the Box (that’s the name of it, right?) What a sheltered life I’ve lead.
His Girl – I DO have fun with my kids, but those times are getting fewer and farther between. :o(Gretchen – “Walfart”? That’s funny! And it was very nice. Pretty new. And green! We’d never seen a green Wal-Mart before.Rosie – As long as they figure it out eventually. LOLBecky – Tommy Burger? That is sounding really familiar… And DelTaco?? YUM!!!Beans – The gas thing is angering me greatly. I love road trips, but they’re not happening much anymore because of fuel. And I kept having to tell myself yesterday, “Watch the road, watch the road,” because the scenery was fascinating!
Oh Stacy. No Jack in the Box? You should put that on your list of things you want to do someday. lol
Sounds like so much fun! Coming up here, from Tennessee, I do understand the need for a Sonic fix. I miss them. None here in New York, so when we go vist my brother in Tennessee, we go to the first Sonic we see. A #2 Cheeseburger please, with tator tots.The drive sounds so beautiful. I hope your have your camera next time!XOXOX
I had friends drive down to St. Louis all the way from Chicago, because they would see Sonic Commericals, but didn’t have any in the area. These skinny-model like girls ate Sonic for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during their stay. It was lots of fun. We used to have to do that for Wendy’s, but the recently opened one in the area, so we’re good now.
Hahahha!!! I can just picture you guys doing the same dance in the middle of, well in my mind, no where! lolSounds like you had a blast!
Oh Jen, your spirit is infectious!! You find the sublime in the ordinary and really, this is what life is all about, isn’t it?!? I laughed at the buggy spots at that Wally — yesterday when I picked up oldest from Uni for the weekend, we stopped at a food warehouse to get a few things — he goes to school in Mennonite country which is akin to Amish. Inside the warehouse we saw quite a few Mennonites shopping and Evan asked me if I’d seen the horse and buggy stand on the way in. Now this is a really SIMPLE way of life!
Jen, you make me long for the teen years. They sound so fun and enjoyable. I pray I have the same close relationship with my boys when they reach that age. I’m trying to nurture it now, but I’m not saying I’m above bullying it out of them if I have to. 😉
I felt like I was right there with you… I was snorting and giggling as I read along…Too much fun…
Went to Sonic today. Got my standard ‘Diet Vanilla Coke with Extra Ice’. I thought about you. Thought about Arkansas … and everyone there. Made me miss you all!
This is why I love road trips!
Very cool. You’re kids will remember the day forever.
I love having fun w/my kids. Sounds like a great trip!
Sounds wonderful!
I went on my first training walk for the 3 day today. Yay! Of course my hips are dying, but yay anyway. We walked just about 4.5 miles in an hour and 40 minutes, in the rain and up and down hills, complete with a refueling trip to Starbucks in the middle. Not bad. We have about 6 months to really get crackin’. xxxooogretchen
Thank you… yes.. I can travel this journey… regardless what it is… and maybe it will be another touchdown to flight…if not.. sobeit..I can do it…2 Corinthians 1:3-5…and you will be there with me…love ya friend
Eileen – Until Sonic moved into the state we would stop at the last one we knew of in Virginia on our way home from Arkansas. lolTanya – That makes me feel better about my 21 mile drive!Deb – Katie said if anyone was watching us from the church they probably immediately prayed for us. LOLSherry – There are a lot of Mennonites here as well. But they drive cars here. We saw some in the store in their plain dress and caps. It’s just a different world, isn’t it?Shauna – Bullying? Whatever works. I’ve been known to MAKE my kids have fun with me. I don’t see it as an issue.Connie – I wish my car was big enough to bring all of you with us!Penny – Our outing was definitely bittersweet. It was great fun, but it also made us all think about Arkansas. It was all we could talk about.Trish – I KNOW!!Travis – I’m sure you’re right. At least as much as they’ll remember that first summer up here when I took them on a surprise trip to the really cool gas station about 20 miles north of here. LOLSandy – I do think fun with kids is highly underrated!Casdok – It was! Thank you for visiting. I’ll be by to see you in a bit.
Sonic, mediocre? wha….??? NO! :DWhen you visited NM did your sis ever take you to Lotaburger? yummmmmmmm!! I know, they are everything we aren’t supposed to eat, but dang, every once in a while I just can’t help myself!!