Wagons Ho!

Our main purpose for this trip was to box up the last of R's family mementos and bring them back with us to CA. I guess we could have shipped most of the stuff, but how exactly do you pack antique samurai swords? That's not exactly something that we'd trust in a checked bag either... 🤔

So, since we had to drive cross-country, I was very excited to map out a route to visit several national park units on our one-way trek, especially because the ones in the middle of the U.S. require some intentional effort for us to get there. For the most part, we will be following the Santa Fe National Historic Trail from Kansas City, MO to Santa Fe, NM, with a few detours in Kansas over the next week. 

Head 'em up! Move 'em out! 

R and I flew in to O'Hare on Saturday afternoon and picked up our covered wagon, um, rental car. We stopped for lunch at Superdawg Drive-In on our way to R's aunties' place. But after the SUV had been parked in the sun for a while, it became apparent that the previous renter had smoked in the car and that Hertz hadn't managed to get the smell completely out. The thought of driving with that stale cigarette odor for the rest of the trip was no bueno. 🤮 Thankfully, we were able to go back and swap to a different one without any issues.

Even though we were only in Chicago for a few days, we were happy to have a bit of time to spend with family and friends! Some of R's cousins got together Saturday night since another cousin-in-law was also in town. It was also nice to spend Sunday afternoon with our college friends (and a cicada) out in the western 'burbs. 

Thanks, J and A, for having us over (and getting Lou's!)

17-year cicada

I-L-L!

On Monday morning, we managed to get everything loaded in the back of the car, with plenty of room to spare! After a quick stop at Clark Street Sports for some Cubs/Bears merch, we headed down to Pullman National Historical Park on the way to my parents'. Yep, you might remember that we were just there in February, but I found out from my club that the park had gotten a new stamp in April, so of course, I had to come by again. Sadly, the ranger couldn't find the stamp, so I left empty-handed. 

(Update: another club member managed to locate the stamp a few days later and kindly offered to send me a copy!)

Yesterday we went shopping for provisions for our journey - sandwich fixings and other snacks, bug spray, a tarp to cover everything in back, and a sunshade for the car. A stop at Avanti's was also necessary to pick up a gondola so that we would have something to eat for lunch on the road today. Mom made sure we were well supplied with blueberry muffins, too! 

My folks also added some cargo to our wagonload - a quilt my mom made as a graduation present for J, some box sets of classical recordings (LPs) for M, plus an extra set of my dad's golf clubs, golf balls, and books on golf for the boys now that they both have started to play. Hoping we don't have to abandon anything when we have to cross the mountains - haha!