And so it begins.....

This morning at 5:15 am we rolled out of our driveway with 3 kids, 2 parents, 1 hitch cargo carrier and a car full of stuff.  All the kids were great about getting up.  Chay even had the brain power to pack himself 2 IBC cream sodas.  He's awesome like that.  Our odometer read 149910.

I can't begin to describe how much time it has taken to think about all the little things we will do and see, figuring out places to stay and collecting all the stuff we think we will need to make our trip comfortable and fun.  Even now there are a few things Taylor and I are still planning.   AHHH - I forgot tea!  I guess anything we forgot can just be purchased, as long as we don't forget a computer or a kid;)  

Taylor is driving first and has already had his first roadkill.  It was unavoidable but he killed 2 raccoons.  I have no idea why in the world 2 racoons would be hanging out in the road together (I guess they still are - gross!!).  Brenden has been at scout camp for the past week and we are picking him up at a friend's house in Lynchburg.  We are so grateful that we didn't have to drive all the way there, especially since we have a 16 hour drive day planned.  If all goes well, we should get to Cedar Rapids, IA just past Iowa City.  YIKES!!!!  Maybe we should have made a sign on our car that says California or bust.  Do you think it's too late????