Temporary Relocation Voyage/Shenanigans

If you haven't heard, our family unit has been ripped apart for the last 3 weeks due to a rotation for school which I chose to complete in the greater Idaho Falls metro area. I'm currently an unpaid slave at Walgreen's learning a great deal about retail pharmacy. You may be aware that Idaho and Georgia are over 2000 miles apart, which implies travel between the 2 topographically unrelated states. Azure and I spent 4 days together as nomads, consuming stale sandwiches and warding off scurvy with citrus.

Day 1:

Savannah to St. Louis

Crossed the towering Appalachians. Chattanooga looks interesting. Kentucky was exactly as I imagined it, minus the baseball bats. Crossed fingers through entire state of Illinois in fear of being pulled over by socialist Illini. Visited "The Hill" in St. Louis, a little Italy that won my heart and my stomach. Drove by St. Louis Temple. Azure slept soundly upon placement in pack and/or play.

Day 2:

St. Louis to Omaha

Went to Community of Christ Temple in Independence, MO. Reminded me of the BYU museum of art. (there was a lot of art) The spiral ceiling "took my breath away" (cue Berlin). Museum was highlight of temple, had window from Kirtland temple, door from Liberty Jail, more interesting old things. Proceeded to LDS visitors center. Spotted Utahns, denim shorts, socks and sandals, minivans. Azure played in a miniature cabin. Meandered to Church of Christ Temple Lot. Spoke to Church of Christ Apostle for ~1/2 hour. Examined THE lot.

Next went to Liberty Jail. Azure spazzed out.

Next was Far West Temple site, then Adam-Ondi-Ahman

Completed day by driving to Omaha. Azure learns that if she yells "I pooped!" that I will stop the car and get her out of her car seat, poop or not. Azure is given 5 string cheeses, no poop, no stops.

Day 3:

Omaha to Rapid City

After stopping in Sioux Falls for a toxic Subway meatball sub, I opened the car door, which was nearly removed by a gust of cold, dry wind. A bitter welcome back to my natal half of the continent. Stopped at The Corn Palace. Did not eat corn. Did buy clearance post cards.

Yawned across the plains to The Badlands, bad indeed:

Left badness, went to world famous Wall Drug

Azure was ultimately terrified by a large mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex, although not in this video:

Experienced further "cold" in Rapid City.

Day 4:

Rapid City to Victor

In true fatherly cheap form, we drove by Mt Rushmore without wasting $10 to park the car slightly closer to the chiseled granite.

Drove through Custer State Park, reveled in buffalo and wild burros

Wyoming is very boring and very big. Was happy to see these (cloudy Tetons=almost there):

Arrived at brother Jon's residence in Victor and bathed/harassed chickens

Day 5:

Victor to Idaho Falls

Since we've been here Azure has assisted in daily tasks, ie feeding Rock-E

Mastering grandpa's heavy machinery

A very enjoyable trip thus far. I've appreciated the one-on-one time with my child, whom I normally interact with for <20%> of the day. We look forward to Deanna's arrival tomorrow and the reunion of team Jensen.