Traveling Vicariously through the Midwest

The cross country trip we have been dreaming of taking our daughter on since she was very young has finally arrived. Unfortunately, the first leg of the 3 week trip began without me. On Saturday, Gene and Taryn flew to Kansas City and drove a rental car to Gene's Uncle Jack's in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, Taryn met her great Uncle Jack (her grandmother's brother) for the first time, as well as her dad's 3 first cousins and all of their children. These cousins are the same to Taryn as her cousins Devon and Bryce are here in Florida that she is so close to, so Gene felt it important she finally meet this part of his family. While there, they took a 4-mile walk at a park on the river Gene said was gorgeous, and then enjoyed a Father's Day bbq at Jack and Misty's with the whole fam. Taryn told me the town reminded her of quaint Wellesley Mass.  

Next, they were off again back thru KC and onto Omaha, where they again visited family Taryn had never met. This time, the other side of Gene's family - his father's brother Wink and wife Paulette, Gene's first cousin John Paul and his partner. From the ride, they mentioned many fields of corn and wheat, more corn and more wheat. Another object of interest, mostly to Gene, is the fact that the blacktop is pink. Not sure about that one. My family said John Paul's friend was a great cook, and another highlight of their night in Omaha was Taryn finding out they were staying at the same hotel as the Texas Longhorns, who were in town for the College World Series. College boys, oy!

On day 4, they headed north yet again (today). This time, the destination is Rapid City, South Dakota - where they will spend the next 3 nights. It's been a long ride, and I just hung up with them as they were driving through Badlands National Park. Taryn said it was the most beautiful place she's ever seen. Gene called it God's Country. Along the way, they made spontaneous stops at a Corn Mansion and a Prairie Dog Farm. Taryn took a roll of b/w film for her Senior photo class for next school year of the prairie dogs. The farm was attached to a family's home, and just 50 cents got them a bag of peanuts and access to feed the dogs. Their plan for dinner when they get settled in, Buffalo burgers. They want to eat local.

I promise to post more of their pics when I get them, and plan to follow along on the rest of their first week. Check back soon.