Got everyone up on Sunday with the intent to leave around 8:00. Yup, 8:00. Bags were mostly packed so all we had to do was load the vehicle. My idea was to have our 4 main bags on top and the rest of the stuff in the back. You know how things expand to fill the space allotted? It works the same way when packing. Things got a little more complicated when only 3 bags fit on top and I had to find room for another bag in the back. Sure, just “find” more room for another bag. No problem.
Clare probably had the toughest time getting ready, because she just got back from our church mission trip Saturday afternoon after a week in Chicago. To her credit, she used the smallest bag and was ready to go ahead of everyone else. True to form, Hannah had the largest bag and I didn’t dare open it for fear of what I would find.
At precisely 8:46 (right on time) we took off. Not much to say about putting miles in the rearview mirror. The highlight of driving day #1 was a tractor parade in Minnesota. Along the highway there were no fewer than 50 tractors all headed toward us, one after another. The first 10 or so were interesting, but then they just kept coming. Even for this lifelong Wisconsin family, this sight was peculiar.
At the end of the day, we made it to Mitchell, SD. We’ll plan to see the world’s only Corn Palace in the morning before we continue our journey west.