Daily Stats: Columbia, MO to Boulder, CO (7/5)

Miles travelled: 749 mi. (our longest stretch of driving so far!)

Major roads travelled: I-70, I-70, I-70 ... did I mention I-70?

Facts learned: Missouri ties with Tennessee as the most neighborly state in the US; it borders Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennesee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas (thanks Ibby!). Speed limit increases to 75 mph in Kansas. Boulder, located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, sits at 5,430 feet above sea level.

CD Albums played thus far (in no particular order): Pieces of You (Jewel, 1995), Come Away with Me (Norah Jones, 2002), Moulin Rouge soundtrack (2001), Lying Awake (Ellery, 2006), Life for Rent (Dido, 2002), Ozomatli (1998), Best of Simon & Garfunkel - Greatest Hits, The Beatles 1, random mix albums

Funny lines of the day:

“This trip has been made possible by cruise control.” ~ Ann (somewhere in Kansas)

“I’m tired of being a nomad.” ~ Jenny (somewhere in Kansas)

Shout outs:

-To all our friends in Missouri, thank you for your wonderful well wishes and bits of wisdom.

-Lydia, we wish you safe travels back to Minneapolis!

-Anna, good luck with your move to Denver in September! Next time we pass through, we’ll drop by!

-Rob and Kathy, thank you for inspiring us with your love, enthusiasm, and generosity. We were so sad to leave you yesterday! Until the next visit ...

Link to Photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=453862&id=737260531&l=3e2019bcb1

Fourth of July at the Unraths’ (7/4)

We were afraid it was going to rain, but it ended up being a lovely day from start to finish. Our fresh blueberry pancake breakfast was followed by an exclusive tour of the University of Missouri campus, given by campus architect Rob Unrath. Brilliant hostess and chef, Kathy Unrath, Associate Professor of Art Education at Mizzou (and my hero), crowned the day by throwing the most perfect Fourth of July dinner party.

Link to Photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=453759&id=737260531&l=d2caea4ea1

Daily Stats: Chicago, IL to Columbia, MO (7/3)

Entering Missouri ...

Miles travelled: 409 mi.

Major roads travelled: I-72, I-55, US-54

Destination facts learned: Dippin Dots were invented in Columbia, Missouri. / Brad Pitt attended the University of Missouri.

Funny lines of the day:

“Oh look at this little town here. This is kind of exciting.” ~ Jenny (on entering Pittsfield)

“I think I'm getting sunburnt on my nose.” ~ Jenny

Shout outs:

-Rob and Kathy Unrath--our family in Columbia, Missouri. Thank you for opening up your gorgeous home to us. Congrats, Kathy, on making tenure!!! Go Tigers!