All good things must come to an end.
Or so I’ve been told.
In this case, nearly 4,000 miles and uncounted hours with my family, in a vehicle, for nearing 10 days- I was ready for our road trip to end. And for my teens, it couldn’t end soon enough.
Sure, things had improved since our stop in Amarillo, Texas.
And we did survive the snow storm that initially freaked me out. But to my daughter, being forced to be in the company of your family around the clock with no privacy for days and days is enough to cause anyone mental anguish. Hmmm…have I ever mentioned that she’s a bit of a drama queen? Maybe my husband felt the same way because he began to fantasize about going to work. I am proud of him though. Normally he wouldn’t consider taking off 10 days of work for a road trip.
I guess it was time to get them both home before they cracked. We drove and drove and drove. Barely stopping for rest room breaks and to eat. My family had a mission at this point. To return home as quickly as possible.
But I had a few last stops in mind along I-70, America’s Main Street and tried to convince them that we couldn’t end our trip just yet.
As a result, our conversations went something like this:
Me: Do you want to see the Prairie Dog Town?
Passengers in the Vehicle: NO.
Me: Oh look! There is the Van Gogh painting- you can see it from the road!
My Kids: NO!!! Don’t stop!!! Keep Going!!!
My Husband: Tonya, pull over- it’s right there.
My Kids: Dad, why do you always have to be on mom’s side? That is so aggravating!
My Kids: Stop, but don’t expect us to get out of the car so you can take another picture of us. It’s NOT going to happen.
My Kids: This is such a waste of time. (insert eye roll) It’s going to take us forever to get home.
Me: We’re almost to Abilene. We should stop.
Passengers: NO!
Me: But….
Passengers: NOOOOO!!!!
Me: I really want you guys to see this. It will only take a minute. It’s not far off the interstate.
Passengers: NO! We don’t want to see anything else.
Me: But you’ll like it, it’s a huge cathedral- I saw it last time I was through Kansas. You guys will enjoy it.
Passengers: If you saw the church last time, how come we have to see it now? We don’t even want to stop.
Insert more grumbling all the way to the cathedral.
Passengers: Don’t you love how Mom’s minute is like twenty minutes? We’re never going to get home.
My husband originally planned to drive straight through the night but thankfully he reconsidered and thought better of his idea.
The kids were threlled to get out, stretch and explore a new hotel room. And I was happy too until someone thought it would be fun to trap his sister in the closet. Let me just clarify- that is not my daughter’s happy face. That is the “How could you let this happen, mom?” look.
Luckily a full blown eruption was avoided and we all managed to fall into bed and fast asleep.
We got an early start the next morning as we were the first ones for breakfast, a feat I don’t ever remember accomplishing before. We were back on the road before the sun rose overhead.
To my teenagers chagrin, my husband stopped at a couple roadside attractions against their wishes.
He would not stop at the giant cross in Effingham since it looked just like the cross in Texas, which pleased my children immensely.
But how could we pass by the World’s Largest Wind Chime and not stop?
We arrived home that evening to a very happy dog who wouldn’t let us out of his sight which has lead me to consider taking him on our next road trip.
Need to catch up?
Road Trip to California Day 1: Viewing the St. Louis Arch
Road Trip to California Day 2: To Texas and Beyond
Road Trip to California Day 3: A Day Full of Surprises
Road Trip to California Day 4 & 5: We Made It!
Road Trip to California Day 6: The Never-Ending Day
Road Trip to California Day 7: It’s All Downhill from Here
Day Eight Expenses:
Gas/Toll Charges/Parking Fees: $115.18
Food: $83.99
Lodging: $115.06
Entertainment/Souvenirs: $3.69 (Redbox Movies)
Total: $317.92
Day Nine Expenses:
Gas/Toll Charges/Parking Fees: $70.03
Food: $40.04
Lodging: $0
Entertainment/Souvenirs: $0
Total: $110.04
Miles traveled this leg of trip: 1508
Total miles traveled for our trip: 5341
© 2014 – 2016, Tonya Prater. All rights reserved.
Stephanie Person says
Whoa the worlds largest chime.. how cool!! Cheers to you for making the 4,000 mile trip!
Elaina- A Time Out for Mommy says
What a cool trip! I think towards the end of ANY vacation people get a bit restless and homesick!
Tonya says
Yes! You are absolutely right. And home always feels so far away on that last leg of a road trip.
Angela S says
I’m so glad you survived your trip and had a bit of fun along the way.
Gem says
I would’ve wanted to stop at the World’s Largest Wind Chime too! =)
Tonya says
It was definitely worth stopping to check out. There’s a small cafe right beside it that sells souvenirs, etc. I really wanted to eat lunch there too but my family wouldn’t budge on that one.
eileen at FamiliesGo! says
my daughter can be on vacation too long and starts wanting to get home to her toys and friends — and she’s only 6 — I imagine this only intensifies as kids get older and find their parents increasingly less interesting. 🙂
Kiera @EasyTravelMom says
I remember a trip to London that went like this – except I was one of the teenagers and my parents were ready to kill us. I recall it took us nearly 2 hours to get out of the contraption of London in the car, driving on the opposite side of the road! I have to say, I LOVE that wind chime. I totally would have wanted to stop too!
Tonya says
I’ll write more about the Giant Wind Chime later, but they are building the World’s Largest Rocking Chair right across from it– upstaging the one we saw on our trip.
Rachel says
The conversation between you and your kids is quite funny. And does that huge wind chime can be moved by the air and could actually make a sound out of it? Silly question isn’t it? I’m sorry I’m really curious, I haven’t heard of this..
Tonya says
Yes, the wind chime does chime in the wind. I tried to record some of it while I was there that I’ll share in another post. It was really a fun stop- for me anyways.
Alea says
I love the Prairie Dog Town in Kansas. We used to go every year when I was a kid. And we when go back to visit my dad I take them to Ike’s childhood home, and church, and… Some day they will thank me. 🙂
Kait says
What a great family experience! I’m glad you all survived 🙂 Teenagers included!
jeanae says
They will look back on these times, laugh, and cherish them when they are older. I really enjoyed reading about this adventure.
Megan @ That Neat Blog says
Aww, it’s over 🙁 But y’all had a great time and wow, you can budget well!
Rachel says
I cannot imagine being in the car for over 5 thousand miles. Then again my kids are 7 and 2 so I’m sure about mile 800 I would have had more than enough and jumped out of the moving vehicle.
Anne says
I was just talking to a friend who did this over the summer. She and her husband were disappointed in how unenthusiatic their kids were about the trip too. I guess that is teens for you!
Singapore Mum Blog says
That Van Gogh painting is interesting! Just like that, in the middle of the road!
Sarah @Must Have Mom says
Great pics! Love the story lol
Lisa - Between the Kids says
hahahaha! Sounds like our trip from HOuston to Orlando! (that painting is pretty awesome!)
Chelle @ oh just stop already says
I can’t help but just laugh! We did the trip from Ft. Knox to San Diego last year and it was nonstop battle over stopping. I wanted to stop to nurse, bathroom, stretch and he didn’t. He wanted to stop to let the dogs out, stretch bathroom and I didn’t. We had 2 trucks, 4 kids, 2 dogs and I thought we were NEVER going to make it to SD. lol
Melissa says
This sounds like such an amazing thing today. I want a road trip with my family but i’m afraid the kids would get so sick of each other.
Jen says
Oh my, that sounds like my sister and I from my childhood. Not only did we have to stop for everything, but we had to stand there, smile and take a nice picture. Every time. But you know what? I can’t wait to put my kids through this because all these years later, I have fond memories of those trips!
Nicole Brady says
So when your daughter got trapped in the closet, did she cherish the solitude away from the family? She should have walked out and told everyone thank you for letting her FINALLY have some privacy. No? 🙂
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
Wow, I had to giggle at your children’s readiness to be done, lol. You saw some really cool spots on your trip!
Digna (autumn blues) says
Great pics, including the closet one. Lol I live in Pa, so if I am driving all the way to Cali I am definitely hitting the Sequoia National Forest. My daughter just moved out there a few years ago and I am planning to visit her. I can so relate to this. I have older children. Even with just my hubby and me, there are times on our road trips when he doesn’t want to stop for anything, unless its gas or water. It can be so annoying.
Angela says
It had to all be worth it to see that giant wind chime! lol Glad you had a nice trip.
Shannon Schmid (@milkandcuddles) says
Love the oversize chimes and painting!
Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity says
I think by day 10 that I’d be ready to run away from home for good. Maybe when the younger kids are much older.
Shop with Me Mama says
I love how you showed all the expenses! Glad you all had fun!
Donna says
Since having our son, we’ve never driven more than 9 hours straight. I’m not real big on road trips – I hate driving with my husband (he’s wonderful but cannot help himself, and tries to tell me how to drive), and a long road trip would require us taking turns driving. 🙂
Robin Gagnon {Mom Foodie} says
It’s always the dad who wants to stop at roadside attractions isn’t it…lol
Mandi says
hahahaha! Go mom! I would love to go on a trip and just see all the weird, interesting, and fun sights along the way. There’s so many neat, hidden gems!
Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says
I’m glad to know that everyone goes through this. I often feel like I’m saying “Hey, look at that!” while the kids are screaming “Nooooo!” When we were flying from Orlando to Houston last week, the family got split up, and a total stranger with a lap baby ended up next to 2 of my kids. I hope he didn’t have to listen to too much bickering. I do like that Windchime. I wonder if my kids would want to stop and look at it?
Katie says
I could not imagine 10 days in a car with my family! I’ve done a lot of driving through the US, but never longer than 12 hours at a time.
Leigh says
Wow – what a trip and I get why every one was happy t be home. Still you’ll look back and remember only the good times as a family. Kudos to your kids for making it through 10 days.
Marcia says
OMG, I remember trips like these except back then we never had the nerve to voice our discontent. I also remember them with my nieces and nephews. Life doesn’t change much from generation to generation, does it?
Interesting painting. I wonder what the artist used to create them since they have to be impervious to the weather.
Dick Jordan says
Funny! Very funny!
budget jan says
I feel for you. We have done quite a few road trips with our kids. Usually only 2,000 km though. I don’t know what was more promlematic – babies or teenagers! By the way there is one of those huge Van Gogh painting in an Outback Queensland town – looks identical.
Billie @ Rowell Reviews says
I had no idea there was a world’s largest wind chime. That’s pretty cool!
Tesa @ 2 Wired 2 Tired says
Oh my goodness, I know exactly how you all felt. We had a long road trip back from Florida a few years ago and all half of us in the car wanted to do was to get home while others still wanted to stop at every place possible. I’m glad overall you had a great time and I love how you detail your expenses. What great memories you all will have from this trip!
Muza-chan says
Interesting…