Adventureland

After spending the previous week in Colorado - with a high temp of 86° (no humidity) and lows of mid 40s, then traveling in the van (with a set a/c temp of 65°), we were in for an Iowa shock at Adventureland!  It promised to be hot and humid - high in the low 90s with a heat index near 100°. Not my idea of a fun way to spend a summer day - outside, waiting in line!

We arrived at the park when it opened at 10:00. We let the kids dictate the rides for the most part.  After a few "spiny" rides, Matt opted out to give his stomach time to readjust.  I continued and soon regretted it...as did Will.  We decided to stand in line for one of the water rides (raging river) since it was shaded and would refresh us.  This water ride went fine until the water fall...on the last bounce, the raft moved so that I was directly under the water!  I was SOAKED!

Since we were already wet, we went and stood in line for the Log Flume ride.  After that ride (luckily I didn't get as wet on that one!), we left the park to get lunch and drink LOTS of water and cool down in the restaurant. This reprieve really helped. We got back to the park ready to go!  We quickly found that the park was DEAD!  Everyone either left for the day or they went to the waterpark side of the park. Matt brought the camera and took pictures as the kids LOVED riding all the rides, over and over again.

Will pretending to feel sick...

Unfortunately, Will was too short by 1 inch for the Space Shot and the Storm Chaser.  We felt so bad as those were the two rides that he really wanted to ride.  His next choice was the bumper cars...they rode them 5 times!!

We all rode the Tornado one time...then the kids rode it 4 more times in a row (with no waiting in line)!!

We started our trek back to the front of the park, riding rides along the way...

Selfie by Matt

The kids went shopping to spend their money in the gift shops...we found some fun things!

We left the park at closing, very tired and sweaty messes...but we had a blast as a family!

Will loved playing with his new bow & arrow (suction cups) at the hotel.

This was the perfect way to end our vacation. We all had fun together, even during the super hot weather.  What a special gift we were given by our friend who got tickets at a great discount. We never would've been able to afford to spend a day at Adventureland for our entire family - especially at the end of a big vacation.  So thankful!

We arrived home and hit the ground running - laundry, work, bills, unpacking, etc.  All of that was worth it as this was by far one of our best vacations yet.  To be able to share this vacation with Matt's family made it all the more special!

Traveling Interstate 40

We woke up and packed the van, ready to head east on Interstate 40.  We drove back through Tucumcari (where we spent the night) to see some of the Rt 66 signs & buildings.

On the road, we gave the kids a goal for the day - have 25 semis honk at them.  They thought that was a far fetched goal, but they ended up reaching the goal with plenty of time to spare.  It became a family project as we made signs, took turns in the "honker seat" (middle seat behind passenger seat) and gave hi fives when they would honk at us.  We racked up quite a few honks when we stopped for the "welcome to" state signs.

We reached Amarillo and immediately loved the tacky, tourist things to get pictures of! 

We spent a few hours at The Big Texan (total tourist trap!) for lunch, shopping, photo taking and letterboxing. 

Lamborghini parked out front! 

The kids received cowboy hats with their meals...Will promptly pulled the sides of his hat down to look like a sun hat.  The girls followed suit.  Had all of us laughing!

Matt donned the 72 oz steak hat for the kids to take a bite of.  Notice Will's fake gun pointed at Matt. 

The Big Texan is the home of the 72 ouncer.  If you can eat all 72 oz in one hour, you get it free!  While we were eating, there were 5 people trying to do it.  Only 1 succeeded.

Back on the road, we traveled through Northern Texas on our way to Oklahoma City - our stop for the night. 

A few more "welcome to" state signs for the end of the trip...

We made it to Oklahoma City around dinner time (early evening) and ate at Whattaburger - one of Matt's favorites from when he lived in Houston.  After eating, we decided to drive downtown to see the Monument at night (Sunday night) as opposed to Monday morning with the work crowd.  We were moved by the monument in a way we didn't think possible.  It is a solemn area.  It was especially touching to visit it at night as the silence of the city engulfs you.

 

The next morning, we hit the road for Iowa - passing through Kansas and Missouri and making very few stops!

We arrived at our Des Moines hotel after an early dinner and let the kids swim for an hour before bed.  The next day was going to be the best way to end any vacation... Adventureland!!