Oklahoma, 2007
We just got back from our trip to Oklahoma. We took Zaiden to meet his Aunt Dawn, Uncle LaMont, and cousins Alexander and Sedona. It was great to see them. Alexander was so cute with Zaiden — he always wanted to give him kisses. Doh! Read on for more!
As usual, click on the photo to the right for more photos!
We left on Tuesday, July 3, about 4pm. We stopped in Burlington for gas, food, and to feed Zaiden. After an hour “layover”, we got back on the road and hit a horrible rain storm just across the CO/KS border. I was white-knuckling through it because we had heard tornado warnins in eastern CO. I just kept thinking that if a tornado was going to sweep across the highway we wouldn’t be able to see it coming. We made it through, though, and got a hotal room in WaKeeney, KS.
On Wednesday, we got back on the road about 11am, drove through KS and OK and finally arrived at Dawn and LaMont’s house around 6:30. They took off to see a firework display and the three of us went to sleep. We were wiped out from driving all day. Ugh.
Thursday, we drove to Shawnee, OK to visit Nikki’s uncle Bobby, aunt Kathy, and their kids. We had lunch with Bobby and a few of the children. It was great to see Bobby. He’s very easy going and fun to be around. He’s funny! I told Nikki he reminds me of Cheech. Later, we drove to Oklahoma City to visit the oldest cousin, Calin. He’s in medical school. Nikki has a great family. I sure married into something wonderful! (Mom: You’re right, we have a wonderful family, too! 
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were spent with Dawn, LaMont, and the kids. For the most part, we just kinda “hung out” at their house. On Sunday, though, we invited all of them over to our hotel to go swimming. We mosied over to Walmart and got Zaiden a swim suit and we all went for a dip. Zaiden did pretty well, for the most part. When he was finished, we put him in his stroller and he fell asleep while the rest of us splashed about in the pool. Well, “the rest of us” didn’t include LaMont and Sedona because she needed a nap. They joined us later on, though!
Monday morning, Nikki, Zaiden, and I hit the local Krispy Kreme before heading out of town. We made it all the way to Colby, KS, before calling it quits for the night. We came home Tuesday and got home about noon.
It was a wonderful trip. We found out that the FJ will be just fine for family outings such as this. The only thing we’re missing is a little more room for Moose!
Here is a little trip log I kept for the drive on my Treo:
| Date | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| July 3, 2007 | 5:30 PM MDT | Depart Denver, CO |
| 7:45 PM MDT | Arrive in Burlington, CO Fueled @ Conoco I got McDonald’s while Nikki fed Zaiden. She got food on our way out of town Miles: 153.8 |
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| 8:42 PM MDT | Depart Burlington, CO WOW! TERRIBLE thunderstorm — we almost turned around! |
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| 11:47 PM CDT | Checked into the Best Western in WaKeeney, KS 133.7 miles |
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| July 4, 2007 | 10:31 AM CDT | Depart WaKeeney, KS |
| 12:18 PM CDT | Arrived in Salina, KS Nikki fed Zaiden, then we got gas 120.7 miles |
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| 01:18 PM CDT | Depart Salina, KS | |
| 02:53 PM CDT | Fuel in Witchita, KS Nikki fed Zaiden 83.3 miles |
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| 03:57 PM CDT | Depart Witchita, KS | |
| 06:45 PM CDT | Arrive in Tulsa, OK 176.0 miles 667.6 Total Miles from Denver |
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Return Trip |
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| July 9, 2007 | 01:20 PM CDT | Depart Tulsa, OK |
| 02:06 PM CDT | Fuel @ rest stop in the middle of the interstate McDonald’s 49.7 miles |
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| 03:04 PM CDT | Arrive in Blackwell, OK Nikki fed Zaiden while I ate Braum’s. Yum! We grabbed Taco Bell for her on our way out of town 61.6 miles |
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| 04:09 PM CDT | Depart Blackwell, OK | |
| 07:30 PM CDT | Arrive in Hayes, KS 230.5 miles |
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| 08:52 PM CDT | Depart Hayes, KS | |
| 10:00 PM CDT | Arrive in Colby, KS We got a hotel (I thought it wasn’t a very nice place) 101.4 miles |
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| July 10, 2007 | 09:41 AM CDT | I got gas, water, and Starbucks while Nikki stayed in the room to feed Zaiden Depart Colby, KS |
| 11:45 AM MDT | Arrive @ home! woot woot! 218 miles 1653 Total Trip Miles |
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