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When we were nearing Wichita, the NPR station at WSU said it was 108!  Ah, Kansas.  For any of you grandparents reading this and thinking you might try a road trip with your grandchildren, I have a few tips and am posting some 'moments in time' photos.  Happy driving!!
Road tips:  Take lots of audio books...Adan and I went through two in the first three days!  Our " Best Joke Book Ever" was a life saver.  Don't scrimp...it's probably your one and only road trip with the grand(son).  Twelve year old boys love museums, they don't necessarily love scenery.  Take a dvd player and LOTS of movies.  Take the time to stop at MOST touristy museums and exhibits...there are some sleepers...like the 'largest rock collection in the west' in Baker City Oregon.  Buy The Lonely Planet guide(we used the one for USA)...it was spot on for food and things not to miss...i.e., the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.    Be prepared to delay your schedule...i.e., Vernal, Utah, home of Dinosaur National Monument and several museums, is 'closed' on Sundays.(even the Lonely Planet and website didn't tell us).  We stayed an extra morning just to see the Field Museum that was closed on Sunday...it was worth it.  We went to plan B and played miniature golf at the KOA and saw "Ice Age:  Continental Divide" at the Vernal theatre!!  One unexpected pleasure occurred...our day trip to Fairhaven, WA found us in a toy shop.  Adan bought a Diabolo (chinese yo yo).  At every stop he was out of the car in a flash to practice!  He is very, very good now and my guess is that every middle school boy will have one when school starts. 

One last comment from G-Ma...Adan and I found that people everywhere we stopped were friendly and fun...from rest stops to restaurants people were genuinely friendly and interested in our travels.  One lady at a quik trip was watching Adan with the yo yo, and said 'wow, kiddo you blow my mind, I've never seen anything like that'.  Take a Road Trip...

Mount Rushmore

Mt Rushmore parking, $11.00, Monumental breakfast at the visitor's center, $5.50 each, mountain goat bobblehead from the gift shop, $10.99, seeing Mt. Rushmore for the first time with your grandson, priceless!!

Returning home

Our main stop is Mt Rushmore...today we are in Missoula, Mt, and will check out the Liquid Cafe, a coffee and lunch spot suggested by Lonely Planet. (have to confess we have eaten a few fast food meals...sometimes it just works!)  It was our first night in a week without Oliver and I thought I heard him crying this morning!  We plan to settle in tonight in time for the opening ceremonies.  Should be a beautiful drive through Montana.  While driving last evening, we thought we'd never get here...Adan remarked...'haven't you seen the signs..."get lost....in Montana". The 'space' here is BIG

Friday, July 27

We left Anacortes yesterday after a wonderful week with the Beets' and Lindstroms.  It rained the first three days, but that doesn't stop Washingtonians!  Of course, the food was exceptional...crab, shrimp, salmon, raspberries, and cherries prepared by chef Michael and chef Adan.  Bob's Chowder Shop is STILL the best for out to eat food.  We viewed Anacortes from Mt Erie and drove to Sauk Mt on Wednesday for a magnificent view of Mt Baker.  On Tuesday we took the ferry to Lopez Island, home of the Dye family...Nellie's brother Joe and his children and grandchildren.  Adan was re-acquainted with his cousins and we toured the grocery store Aaron owns (only grocery store on the island!!).  Joe was a great tour guide (considering the compensation he received!)  and even returned us to the ferry on time!!!  I have lots of photos of Oliver (and everyone else) I will be posting on line soon.

anacortes and Lopez island

 Aaron's new store

Aaron's 'old' store

Wednesday

We had a great leisurely day today.  In Baker City, Oregon, we visited a cool museum with the 'largest rock collection in the West'.  Perfect for an eleven year old boy!  Heading towards Yakima on I84, we spent several hours at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.  The emigrants spent 70 days traveling the distance Adan and I had just traveled this morning (and without Starbuck's coffee and hot chocolate).  Driving towards Yakima on I84 was very beautiful...vineyards everywhere you looked.   Trying to be true to our travel goals, we exited the interstate to try to find a slow food lunch.  Adan spotted a Chinese restaurant in Pendleton and it was exceptionally good.  Spent the night in Yakima at another Best Western...(next night is free on our rewards card!!)

Adan is a very good navigator...he has downloaded Google maps so when I open the phone it shows us exactly where we are. 

Tuesday July 17

We visited Boise, Idaho today...tried the Grape Escape in beautiful downtown Boise...it was all that the Lonely Planet said it would be...Adan chose the smoked salmon.  Then we rented a two person kayak and floated down the river from Barber Park...five miles.  It was beautiful weather and we only hit one tree!  Tonight we are in Ontario, Oregon and we are anxious to be in Anacortes soon. 

Tuesday, July 17

We splurged and spent the night in Burley, Idaho! at a Best Western with a hot tub and pool.  The drive fromSalt Lake City north on I 15 and I 84 was beautiful.  We encountered a very heavy downpour and had to pull over in a rest area...that's why we are in Burley, Idaho!!  Couldn't make it to Boise last night...we are headed there this morning.  Thanks to the Lonely Planet's USA guide...Adan has chosen the Grape Escape restaurant where they do customized pizza.

dinosaur national monument

Sorry,but we were in a'black hole' for cell phones when in Vernal, Utah. I thought it was my 'expertise' with my new smart phone that was causing the black out, but after calling verizon customer assistance, and yes, a real person , Steve, talked to us....found out we would have service as we started traveling to Salt Lake City.  So more about dinosaurs later.

get ready Oliver!  Cousin Adan's on his way

July 13 we begin the long and exciting trek to Anacortes, WA