When we returned from this 13 day trip, Elsie let me know that we spent 49 hours in the car, not including any shorter errand trips. Rory let me know that we drove 3300 miles. But man we made memories. This was a trip where often Ivar would say, “guess what we were doing three days ago?” And we all would gasp, “that was only three days ago?!! It feels like a month has gone by!”

On this trip we drove from Minnesota to Tennessee for the Homestead Festival and then from Tennessee we swung over to Colorado for the Rocky Mountain Homeschool Convention. Then back to Minnesota. Sort of a big middle america triangle tour. We crossed many rivers. Many times.


And we ate so many picnics that the thought of a sandwich just doesn’t appeal anymore (but here’s a hot tip: adding chick filet sauce really peps up a ham and cheese for the second week!) Even Elsie commented that she was sick of apples. Ha. That’s just a whole lot of picnics.

Our first stop brought us to St. Louis where we stayed with my cousins. This evening together was so special and confirmed for us that we much prefer to stay in a home than in a hotel. My Uncle Mark and Aunt Jane came over and it was so special to be all together.

It was a fast overnight, because we had another long day of driving ahead of us to get to Tennessee.

Next stop: The Homestead Festival!