Grand Canyon Vacation - Day 1 (Kansas, Colorado Springs)

Grand Canyon! Something we were starting to wonder if we would ever get to see in person!

We had plans to drive to the Southwest region of the US during the summer of 2020, but once Covid hit, a large portion of the southwest area shut down to tourists. At that time, we decided to postpone that trip until things were open again. We were thrilled to see that everything was open again (with mask mandates) in early 2022. We started planning the trip in the Spring and we were ready to hit the road in July 2022.

Packing - so much stuff! I am so thankful for packing cubes! I was able to fit all of this stuff into one suitcase!

We hit the road around 3:00 am on Saturday, July 9th. Our plan was to drive to Colorado Springs for our first night.

By the time that the sun was shining, a few of the kids were down for the count.

Our first stop along the drive was in Lecompton, Kansas, at Constitution Hall, where the Kansas Territorial Government convened in 1857.

The roots of the Civil War can be traced back to this building. An illegitimate, pro-slavery, Government met in the upper room and passed laws that allowed for slavery in the Kansas Territory . . . and Bloody Kansas became a term.

Within a couple of years, this illegitimate Government was replaced by an anti-slavery legislatures in the same upper room. Not long after, the Capital was moved to Lawrence then to Topeka. 

It was nice to get out and stretch our legs/run around a bit in the playground. 

We headed into Topeka for a few stops - the Capital Building, Brown vs. Board of Education Building and a few photo ops in the downtown area.

Kansas was to be a complete drive through State on our way to Colorado Springs. We had a couple of quick stops planned, but nothing extensive. Brown v Board of Education, I (Matt) knew had taken place in Topeka, however, never planned to stop or see it on this trip for time purposes. When we made our turn toward the Capitol Building, Becki mentioned seeing a sign for Brown. I was surprised to be so close and knew we had to at least drive by the building. 

In 1954, the US Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation of children in schools was unconstitutional. This court ruling, Brown vs Board of Education of Topeka, was a critical piece in the civil rights movement. While driving around Topeka we came across the signs for the historic site and knew that we needed to at least drive by to see the location (we knew that we wouldn't have time to visit the museum). 

We wish that there was no decision that needed to be made in the first place. We wish that humans would see each other as fellow humans. We wish that Jim Crow Laws never existed and that voting rights would've been a given for every citizen from the beginning. We wish the prayer Martin Luther King Jr. would make a decade later, "that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," was a reality - that the Civil Rights Movement never needed to take place; because we all treated each other equally to begin with.

Sadly, that's not how history played out. Given the fact it wasn't played out like that; we are so thankful for the Courts ruling in Brown. 

Unfortunately, there had been a race in front of the building and they were wrapping up things while we were in the neighborhood. As we drove by the building (in front of the tents full of volunteers for the race), Maddie dropped down to the floor of the van - she was mortified by us driving along the race route (which had finished, as far as we could tell)! HaHa!

After Topeka, we hopped back on I-70 to Abilene. We stopped for a quick tour of the Dwight D Eisenhower Home (which was having major renovations done) & Library. While there, we made a picnic lunch before hitting the road for more driving.

Oh Maddie! Spilled water...

We drove across Kansas (I-70) for a few hours, making a quick stop in Goodland to see the World's Largest Easel (holding a painting of Van Gogh's Sunflowers). Kaitee was completely surprised and loved this stop!

We continued on towards Colorado Springs (just over 3 hours). We were all pretty beat and done with being in the van (never a good sign as you start a long road trip!). 

As we approached Colorado Springs, we were blessed with the start of a beautiful sunset! The sun beams shining through the clouds were spectacular! That was just what we needed to see as we were closing out our day of driving (it helped that we could finally see some mountains too!). We pulled over so we could get out and take some pictures.

Once we were in Colorado Springs, we headed to Garden of the Gods to drive around the park and possibly do a quick hike. Unfortunately, time was not on our side as the sun was setting. We ended up having to take a detour around the park (the main road into the park, as well as the main entrance were under construction), which added another 20 minutes to our drive. 

Our time in the park was well worth the stress of the detour! We had visited the park in 2015 but wanted to explore it some more. We drove for a bit then found a parking spot and set out on foot to enjoy some of the beautiful rock formations.

See the deer? He hides pretty well!

We left the park as darkness blanketed the area. A wonderful way to end our day! 

We were beyond ready for dinner and bed. We ordered pizza as we left the park, picked it up on the way to the hotel and checked in to our hotel at 9:30. After being awake since 2:30 am, on the road for almost 20 hours and driving over 1,000 miles, we were ready to hit the sack! 

Favorites for Day 1:

Matt - Topeka (Capital Building, Brown vs Board of Ed which was a complete surprise)

Becki - Walking around Garden of the Gods

Kaitee - Van Gogh Easel in Goodland

Alex - Garden of the Gods

Will - Garden of the Gods

Maddie - Garden of the Gods