2600 miles later.....

 On December 29th we packed our bags to head home. But this time we were not getting on a plane we were going to drive ALL the way back with my parents to Oklahoma. This little Miss wanted to make sure she wasn't left...

 But before we could head down the highway we had to get down my parents driveway, which I might add it 28 miles or so. Pops has this Big Blue Truck that Cooper is totally in awe of so he was happy to go along for the ride. Its a big 4 door Dodge and it makes for a nice ride down the highway. But Pops had to take a second truck into town so that he would have something to drive when he flies back. Its an old beater Ford ranch truck with a snowmobile in the back in case of trouble. Well Mom, Cooper and I all got to  ride in the cushy Dodge...until we couldn't make it up the snow filled hill about half way down the rode. So Dad and Rob chained up their tires and pulled us along..

 

 It was like a Ford Commercial..."Built Ford Tough" we can even tow a Dodge 20 years our junior up a hill.

 When we finally made it to a plowed road I noticed the temperature outside......BRRR!

 It was a late night. We drive out to the Schippmanns house to leave the extra truck and see Cali and her mom Thor. Then we stopped in Ft. St. John for an interesting dinner at Tony Roma's. Lets just say the waitress did not get a tip. We drove until Cooper looked like he was getting uncomfortable

 We ended up staying the night in Grande Prairie, AB. Interesting fact it is home to a park called "Muskoseepi Park". After a yummy McDonalds breakfast we headed west to Alberta. Where we stopped to visit and stay with our my parents good friends Bruce and Diane Wierenga. They live in the cutest little town Neerlandia, Alberta and they have a great place to go visit. It is actually not even a town but it is considered a Hamlet.  Cooper enjoyed getting to play with their grown kids old Lincoln Logs and Legos. Of course I left my camera in the truck and it was way to cold for my lazy self to go out and get it. So no pictures. We woke up VERY early and headed south toe Edmonton where we had breakfast at the slowest IHOP in Canada. This was our longest day of driving. Here is what alot of of the views we saw.

Cooper thought he needed my shades.

We crossed the border in Carway, Montana. It looked like we might have been the only people to cross all morning. Once we got into "Big Sky Country" the scenery got much nicer.

We drove along a highway that was pretty deserted. It was along the outskirts of Glacier National Park. There were a tons of campsites and resorts that were all boarded up and closed for the winter. It felt like the Shining. In fact it was so deserted that I was able to take a "potty break" right behind the truck and not one car saw. In fact I think we only saw two other vehicles! We stopped in Helena, Montana for dinner and Cooper flirted his little heart out with the waitress.

 After filling our bellies we drove on to Butte to spend the night and ring in the new year. Butte is the home of the former Dumas Brothel, proclaimed America’s longest running house of prostitution, which operated legally as such from 1890 until 1982 and was the largest, grandest and most widely-known bordello among many located in Butte’s thriving Red Light District. But no worries we stayed all night in our cozy hotel room.

Cooper spent the evening going around the hotel room copying Peanut. She looked really embarrassed but he loved it. The next morning it was back to the road. Peanut might not have enjoyed Cooper when we were out of the car but she sure loved him while we were driving. For every snack Cooper got she got 2! 

 Our next stop was Jackson Hole. Birthplace of the infamous Carolina Hammett Cunningham. That is right ladies and gentleman greatest started here. The drive into Jackson is incredible. The mountains totally engulf you as you drive down the pass. Teleskiers can be seen sneaking down clearings on them and it just feels nice. Once in town we took a quick tour of the sights. Here is the hospital where it all began!

 Jackson is home to some of the National Elk Refuge and feeding grounds. There were thousands and thousands of them.

 Of course being that it was January 1st we had to find a comfy place before Fiesta Bowl began. We checked into a funky little hotel called the Painted Buffalo and headed down the street to a sports bar to enjoy the Sooner Win. We all had a great dinner together.

 

And Cooper even gave his very happy dad a Double fist bump!

 

Right after the game started Gran & Pops took Cooper back to hotel where he pulled himself right up to the screen and cheered the Sooners on!

There was a "local" OU fan who was quite a site but it was nice to have someone else sheer along with us. The next morning Rob headed over to Teton Village and spent the day Snowboarding. The weather of course was pretty bad. Always happens on the days that you stop to enjoy the sites, huh? Mom and I enjoyed the shops around town and filled her closet with some goodies. Dad and Cooper relaxed in the room and ran to a couple of Dads old faves and then they met us in the square so we could get some pic under the famous Antler arches.

 

 

 Afterwards we headed over to the ski hill to meet up with Rob. I caught him at the end of his last run.

 He was freezing. The weather created "inversion" so he was telling me it was 20 degrees warmer on the top of the mountain. But I think he had fun none the less.

 Isn't he cute.

 We all had a yummy lunch and the Mangy Moose and then headed south again to the town we lived in until I was 7. This drive is just as spectacular. In fact check out Bighorns on the side of the highway!

 And the breathtaking Rockies.

So at this point in the trip my camera ran out of batteries. So excuse the lack of quality pictures. Our next step was Pinedale, Wyoming. We lived in Pinedale until 1987 and my parents still consider it their favorite place on the planet. It is a cute town with a Big personality and wonderful people. We had dinner and stayed the night with family friends Janeanne and Kenny James and two of their grandsons. Janeanne and Kenny are Jenny's god-parents and she affectionately refers to J and her "Fairy God-mother". It was great to see them after after so many years and we were lucky that their grandsons were there to keep Cooper entertained. We headed out the next morning for our next stop Denver but not before we made a few pit stops in Pinedale. 1st one- The Cowboy Shop (apparently my parents used to barter things here so dad could get new jeans....guess they were a little short on cash) 

 And Stop 2- Breakfast at the Wrangler Cafe. Personally this was my favorite meal of the trip! Of course Cooper made himself at home here too!

After another long day of driving we made it to Denver to have a quick dinner with my cousin and mom's namesake Dixie Lynn.

Dixie just graduated from Texas A&M and is studying counseling at Denver Seminary. Of course we could not be so close and not stop and see her. We spent another late night driving (well my dad and Rob drove) and finally stopped in Colby, Kansas for a warm bed. The next day we FINALLY hit I-35 and after a very crabby Carolina...we found a Dairy Queen so I could get my Blizzard. We made it home at a decent hour and after Bar-b-que at Earl's with AJ and Jeremiah we all had a good nights sleep on Smoking Oak. So here it is...all 2600 miles and then some.

It was an incredible trip and we are so thankful Gran and Pops for allowing us to tag along. And a big thanks to Cooper for being the best little traveler ever! You would not believe how awesome he did. We didn't even have a portable DVD player he just went along and pointed out every train, every Big Truck and kept smiles on all our faces.

While I am glad to be home I look forward to our next adventure!