Day 5

Moab, UT to Parker, CO

378.4 miles

7 hours 5 minutes

Highest Temp: 101 (CO)

Pictures Taken: 15

Today, as well as tomorrow and Saturday, is a driving day. We are spending 3 long days of driving to get across the country to see more popular points of interest. The drive is beautiful, and the music is great. I spent most of the day driving, but still managed to be a DJ at the same time. I know what you’re thinking. She’s blowing me away with her talent. Trust me, I’m impressed too. The only downside to this drive is that I have experienced two of my driving pet peeves: Trucks passing other trucks on two-lane roads and road construction that leaves only one driving lane accessible. Luckily, only a few trucks passed each other. Unfortunately, about 50% of our drive has been interrupted by construction. It’s a real bummer to have to drive 40 mph when you’re used to driving 78mph. That being said, I’m definitely glad that most of the speed limits on our trip have been 75mph. Oregon can learn a thing or two from these states about safe driving speeds.

Below are a few pictures from our drive…

We saw some people rafting down this river. There weren’t many rapids, but it still looked fun.

We drove through about three tunnels today.

The most important part of today, and I’m sure you will all agree, is that I am wearing my hair curly for the first time in years (totally not kidding – it’s been years). I finally came to terms with the fact that I will not be able to straighten my hair every day in NC. It took me a long time to come to this realization, so you all should be very proud. As part of the process of no longer being in denial I went to the store before we left for our trip to get fancy product recommended by a friend. So far it’s working, but there is one problem. My hair isn’t curly anymore. What used to be adorable blond ringlets has now turned into plain brown waves. The woman at the store told me my curls will come back once I stop straightening my hair and train it to be curly. I have no intention of doing this because it took me years to train it to be straight. For now I’m content with the plain brown waves. Hopefully my hair doesn’t turn into a frizz ball in NC.

Oh and another important part of today is that I had my first Starbucks since we were in Hesperia, CA. I’m not complaining. I don’t need Starbucks every day. I just thought this fact gives you perspective about the types of places we’ve been staying. The Starbucks I went to today was the only one in town.

(Everything above this point was written in the car. The rest of the post is being written as I sit in bed.)

When we arrived at our family friend’s house we had margaritas and played "Extreme Croquet". In this form of croquet you are allowed to cheat, and the course goes through the woods. Below are two pictures from the adventure.

If you hit a ball in the rough, you could pick it up and move it to a better part of the course.

This course reminded me of mini golf because we had to hit the ball over a bridge. The only difference is that there wasn’t water under this bridge.

Right before it got super dark out we saw a family of deer (dad, mom, and three babies) run through the backyard. I wanted to take a picture, but I didn’t have my phone with me. When I stood up to go get my phone they started running through the backyard and left before I could get a picture. That was the closest I have ever been to deer. It was amazing!

It’s time for me to get ready for bed. We have an early start tomorrow because we need to make it to Abilene, MO before the Eisenhower museum closes at 4:45pm.