Thursday, July 06, 2006
Update from Catherine
So, now that we are 14 days into our summer adventure, you might be wondering how we are doing this and how is it really working? So, I will start with some statistics. We have covered about 3000 miles. Gas prices have ranged from $2.59 (Indian reservation) to $2.99. We have camped 7 nights, stayed with family 5 nights, and 2 nights in hotels. [ Ok I did sleep in the car one night starting around midnight when a massive wind storm started to blow the tent like crazy. Noah and the kids managed to sleep through it] We have been to 2 museums (Science and Technology in Chicago and of course the SPAM museum in MN). We have only eaten at McDonald’s twice and that was because we were desperate, hungry and in a hurry to get somewhere. The kids have nailed 3 Jr. Ranger badges so far and are eagerly looking for the next badge-opportunity. Despite what you may think, we are not bored with the driving/car time. We are always busy in the car with looking out the window, reading our maps and guide books, listening to Satellite radio (Radio Disney (which is really painful for Noah and me), the Red Sox games, and World Cup soccer) and watching the occasional video on the long highway stretches. We are eating well, stopping to reload food every day or so. Noah is the master of cooking on the Coleman stove. Noah and I are managing to get a run in everyday.
So far, everyone is smiling and excited by the adventure with no fights, crabbiness or homesickness. My favorite spots thus far are the Badlands and Black Hills in South Dakota and Devils Tower, WY. The Field of Dreams stop was also truly memorable. While we were in Chicago, we realized we were going to pass right by the field, so we checked the movie out of the library and watched it. The kids had never seen the movie and I needed a refresher. The stop was a truly unexpected gem.
I am working on teaching the kids how to play poker – this is a Popper tradition that goes back to when I was a kid and my dad gave me an allowance only to win it back from me at the card table. So far, Eli is the black jack king. The kids are more interested in the poker chips and betting than in the actual cards, but we have many nights to work on this. By the time we get to Vegas, they will be ready for action.
I am writing this from a hotel in Billings, Montana where we slept last night. This was a much needed re-group from 5 nights of camping in SD. We are now off to Glacier National Park, which from the pictures looks fabulous – I am looking forward to getting there – only about 400 miles from here.
Lastly, we have had very spotty connectivity for cell phones and web access. Our newest sport is how to poach wi-fi. We have found that if you drive up next to hotels that have wi-fi you can usually poach from the car in the parking lot. Thus, our updates may come sporadically.
We love email and phone calls to distract us on the long drives, so don’t be shy.
-- CatPop
So far, everyone is smiling and excited by the adventure with no fights, crabbiness or homesickness. My favorite spots thus far are the Badlands and Black Hills in South Dakota and Devils Tower, WY. The Field of Dreams stop was also truly memorable. While we were in Chicago, we realized we were going to pass right by the field, so we checked the movie out of the library and watched it. The kids had never seen the movie and I needed a refresher. The stop was a truly unexpected gem.
I am working on teaching the kids how to play poker – this is a Popper tradition that goes back to when I was a kid and my dad gave me an allowance only to win it back from me at the card table. So far, Eli is the black jack king. The kids are more interested in the poker chips and betting than in the actual cards, but we have many nights to work on this. By the time we get to Vegas, they will be ready for action.
I am writing this from a hotel in Billings, Montana where we slept last night. This was a much needed re-group from 5 nights of camping in SD. We are now off to Glacier National Park, which from the pictures looks fabulous – I am looking forward to getting there – only about 400 miles from here.
Lastly, we have had very spotty connectivity for cell phones and web access. Our newest sport is how to poach wi-fi. We have found that if you drive up next to hotels that have wi-fi you can usually poach from the car in the parking lot. Thus, our updates may come sporadically.
We love email and phone calls to distract us on the long drives, so don’t be shy.
-- CatPop
# posted by Dino @ 10:29 AM 
