Crossing the Plains

We were up and on the road early for our travel day.  According to our plans, driving from the Olsons' place to our next stop, Colorado Springs, Colorado, would be our longest driving day of the trip (7 hours).  We had also noticed on our drive into Goessel that there was a bad cross wind.  

It turns out that cross wind would be our nemesis.  You see, a camper is just a great big piece of metal, and a cross wind is your worst enemy.  At times, Rob was driving diagonally just to keep the camper going straight.  It was a sustained 25 mph wind, with gusts up to 40 mph.  We stopped once, just to sit for half an hour so Rob could rest.  

Cows.

Yes, we use GPS, but it is also neat to follow along on our route with a good, old-fashioned Road Atlas!

Kanorado = Kansas + Colorado. Last exit in Kansas!

I'm not sure why people say Kansas is flat.  It isn't really.  I mean, sure, it's no rolling hills of Kentucky, but there is a gentle undulation to the land as it stretches out around you.  And the first part of Colorado was the same.  I was expecting mountains, but for a few hours, Colorado looked just like Kansas.

It is amazing how far off you can see the weather here.

Our first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains.

Our first stop in C. Springs was the rental car place.  This was hard to find, because they operated out of a car dealership.  But the difficulty was made up for with a bouncy house to entertain our poor world travelers.  

Maybe here is a good place to tell you how mean we are as parents.  You see, Anne and Ryan used 0 technology on this trip.  So when I say they rode in the car for 8 hours, they weren't watching movies or playing on an iPad.  On this trip, they had unlimited access to coloring books and crayons, dry erase boards and markers, books to read, and their imaginations.  And you know what, they did great!  

I credit most of our success to our clothespin system.  At the start of each driving day, I put up one clothespin for each hour we were driving.  Then, I take them down as we get closer to our destination. They never needed to ask when we would be there, because they had a simple visual to let them know.

With the rental car secured, we made our way to our C. Springs camp ground.  And you guys, it was AMAZING.  We actually stayed on base at the Air Force Academy, how cool is that?  Peregrine Pines Fam Camp is the nicest one we've ever seen.  It was beautiful, and quiet.  Oh, I wish we were there right now.  Oh, and no bugs.  Did you know, there are no mosquitos in Colorado?  I think it's because of the elevation?

Book early, this place fills up!

When you think camping in Colorado, isn't this what comes to mind?

These three loved Colorado.

I made dinner in the oven because of a fire ban, but we ate outside. Because NO BUGS!