Here is a run down of my trip and some photos I took along the way.
Day 4 - 5 - October 21-22, 2013 - Springfield, Mo
Slept in! Recovered for most of the day from my 3 days of travel in the morning and then we went to Missouri State University campus (it was Southwest Missouri State when I was there). It was really a bit surreal to be on campus. It must have been the time of day but campus wasn't really that busy. So that was interesting to see. Peaceful even.
If you look closely you can see the band practicing. C was so excited as she did Band in high school.
It's Homecoming. At least it looked like that as the windows in the PSU were painted by different sororities and fraternities.
This is J and C (in order). Thanks for such a cool time you two!
The main walkthrough on campus that includes the library.
Scholar's House. This is where I lived my Freshman and Sophomore years.
I just love the old buildings and architecture.
Day 6 - 8: October 23 - 25, 2013 Osage Beach, Mo
Drove to my Grandma's house in Osage Beach. We hung out, worked on her (super hard) puzzle and talked for most of the first and second days. On Thursday we went out to eat at Outback with my Uncle B as it was his birthday. On Friday they took me to my cousin C's high school football game. Here are some shots from the game. It was sooo cold but at least it wasn't raining. Apparently the game the previously week it was cold and rainy! They were miserable.
Day 9-11: October 26-28, 2013 Mattoon, IL
I unloaded all my things at my grandmother's and took her with me to visit my Uncle G in Mattoon, IL. She was already supposed to be headed that direction and I was able to help out with that. This 5-6 hour drive was a bit harder than my 8-9 hour days earlier on in the trip. Partly I think because I bit nervous driving with my Grandma making sure I didn't lead foot it. And partly because I couldn't play my crazy upbeat music as loud as I do when I drive or that I couldn't listen to my current book on tape because I didn't want to explain the whole story to Grandma. Not that I didn't enjoy being with my Grandma - it was just that I felt the time actually more because I didn't have my normal distractions. Not sure if that's a good way to describe it because I do pay attention to driving and don't want to make it seem like I didn't.
The time with my Uncle's family was mostly just hanging out time. I played with two of my youngest cousins La and Lo (my normal initials don't work when they have the same), played sorry with the two of them, my grandmother and my Uncle, and went to church on Sunday. It was a constant whir of energy when the house was full!
On Monday my grandma and I spent almost the whole day working on my family tree. I had been wanting to get it all down for myself for awhile and I spent nearly 6-8 hours just typing in information into a family tree. I was glad to get it down but I wish I had gotten up earlier so I wasn't doing it into the evening and could have hung out a bit more.
All in all I had a very nice time. I was mad at myself that I didn't get any pics with my Uncle, Grandma or any of the family... will have to make sure to do that next time. I did get a few pics of their gorgeous view before I left.
I left Mattoon, IL at 8:30. I was excited because it was actually the earliest I've ever gotten going the whole time. This was great because it actually got me to Osage Beach to load up my car again earlier than I thought. And then with my Uncle B helping load my car we got it all loaded in 15 minutes and not the hour I expected. This helped to get me into into Lee's Summit before it got dark. That ended up being a good thing with the weather. I drove across Missouri in the sleet and rain and ended with driving for the last hour in almost fog. I took a few quick pics to show what I basically saw all day.
And so I arrived yesterday to hang out with my brother R and his wife C. It was a simple and nice night. And so what I needed after the long trip.
I slept in today and then unloaded my car and dragged half of it up to my room. I'm partially unpacked but have a long way to go. I ended up canceling plans on my two closest friends because I couldn't stand the thought of getting into my car (I even didn't go grocery shopping like I through I would). That and the fact that it was gloomy and rained all day I just didn't want to drive in it again. But my friend Al brought me a surprise since I wasn't meeting with him and my other friend Am. It was this gorgeous platter of fruit. Which was a nice supportive thing considering I am trying to eat healthy and while a cake or other desert would have been fun this was actually much better for me. It was also sweet to bring it by considering I canceled on them.
I'm excited to see them tomorrow for Halloween and "Trick or Treating" with Am's daughter N. I just hope this weather just lets up!
But as it is my Journey here is complete. I'm onto the next big journey - finding a job! It's gonna get real now. I'll be posting about that in the coming weeks.
