If you ever plan to motor West (or East, North, or South)...

Since the 1st week of May, the Mills family has been all over the continental United States - we put on at least 2,700 miles on the vehicles!!! I was in Chicago 2 weeks in a row, then we hit Waterloo, and Okoboji for some weekend weddings, followed by a mini-family-vacation to beautiful Elk City, Oklahoma to see some of Lindsey's relatives. But we didn't stop there. On the way back from Elk City, we extended our trip with a night in Osage Beach, Mizzou - better know as "the Heart of Ozarks," where Lindsey attended a conference for work.

Given that we have experienced sooooo much in so little time, I wanted to bring you on a little trip through our fun.

ALL ABOARD, FIRST STOP - Chicago, IL.



Everyone thinks of the Cubs when they think of Chicago, but did you know that Wrigley Field has hosted more professional football games than any other stadium in the nation? I bet you didn't (according to the lovely writers at Chitownads.com). In addition, Chicago produced the first Cracker Jacks, McDonald's, Dunken Donuts* AND more importantly, bowling tournaments (which does not surprise me in the least - there is something about Chicago matching up perfectly with fat guys with overly zealous mustaches eating pizza and drinking beer wearing ugly shirts sitting around thinking of a "sport" they can participate in).

*Sensing a trend here?

Here's to you Chicago.

NEXT STOP, WATERLOO

Those of you that have been to Waterloo surely realize that the above-picture is probably too kind of a depiction of the "picturesque" town originally known as Prairie Rapids Crossings. Now, the "The Loo" is a bustling metropolis of almost 70,000 people. Also, the tallest building in Waterloo is 10 stories high. Ok, that pretty much sums up everything* you need to know about Waterloo.

*Seriously.

Here's to you, Loo!

NEXT STOP, OKOBOJI

The "Iowa Great Lakes" are surprisingly equidistant from Minneapolis, Des Moines, and Omaha; all are about 200 miles away. Also surprising, there is absolutely no good way to get there from here. Iowans occasionally see bumper stickers, mugs, sweatshirts, etc referencing the fictitious University of Okaboji, where many people (locals and tourists alike) claim to have received an education. See also it's sister university: The School of Hard Knocks.

Here's to you Okaboji....

NEXT STOP, ELK CITY, OKLAHOMA

You will be happy to know that Elk City, Oklahoma, population 10,500 and home to 1981 Miss America Susan Powell and bull riding champion Justin McBride, is also home to the National Route 66 Museum. Unfortunately, the writers of the song Route 66 (the subject of our post today) were not as impressed as you and I, and left this special city out of their tribute to the old American highway.

If Kansas City is the City of Fountains, then Elk City should officially be titled The City of Museums. In addition to the above Route 66 museum, Elk City is home to the Old Town Museum, the National Transportation Museum, the Farm and Ranch Museum, and the Blacksmith Museum. That is 2 National Museums people! New York has nothing on Elk City.*

*Museums per capita

Additionally, you will be happy to know that Elk City's local high school's mascot is... yes... an Elk. I guess the Elk City Oil and Gas Drillers didn't have the same ring to it.

Here's to you Elk City!

NEXT STOP, OSAGE BEACH, MISSOURI

The Heart of the Ozarks is home to, amongst lots of stuff, Tan-Tara Resort. The Ozarks a much larger version of Okoboji, right down to the twisty-turning 2 lane highways and slow moving tractors I always manage to get stuck behind. As I left the Ozarks heading toward Kansas City, I made a whopping 70 miles in my first 2 hours of the drive! Nice....

Here's to you, Osage Beach!!!

LAST STOP, KANSAS CITY

I had not been back to KC since we moved. I met some old buddies for lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Mi Ranchito!!!, and drove by the old house. It was kind of sad, as a lot had changed since we left, and our first house is now somebody else's house. However, I was relieved to see that some things never change... The spot on the front lawn, where Lindsey spilled a whole bag of fertilizer 3 years ago is still bare. Now that is how you make a legacy!

Here's to you Kansas City

and

Here is to being home!