Last Two Weeks in Missouri

   Since I'm terrible at keeping my blog updated, I figure I'll share plans for the next few weeks while I have the time, before we get busy. Yesterday at work we gave our two-weeks notice, we're down to our last bit of time here in Missouri. This stop on our journey was different from our first one, Missouri has went way more smoothly than North Carolina did (for me at least!)

   Although we stayed in both places for the same amount of time, I was able to work a lot longer here than I did in North Carolina. So I've had more time to bond with my coworkers, and I'm going to miss them all once we're gone. I'm thankful for all the people I've met here, all the different backgrounds and lifestyles and interests we have, yet we feel pretty close-knit. I love my job but I'm hoping to find something more fast-paced in Texas, the slow days have killed me. Branson is beautiful but I couldn't live here year-round. When the off-season hits a lot of attractions shut down for January and February, I can't imagine saving all year just to pay the bills for two months straight that I wouldn't have work. 

   Our next stop is Canyon Lake, Texas. I won't be along for the journey between here and there though, which is sad because driving is my favorite part of all of this. I'll take a plane back to Virginia for a day, then hit a truck show in North Carolina for the weekend, then be back on a plane to Texas. It'll be a short trip home but I don't want to make myself any more homesick! I was talking to my boss yesterday and made a comment about, "just wanting to go home." I've never felt like more of a child until I said that, it sounds so weak. I am excited to be home and see some of the leaves changing colors, these trees out here aren't quite the same.

   I'm counting down these next two weeks that I'm sure will be crazy busy, so I'll try to keep everyone updated as best I can, and hopefully I can a lot of y'all for the 30 or so hours that I will actually be in Virginia!

Living the Dream

   It's been over a month and a half since I've written, time has flown by so fast since we've gotten to Missouri. When I start talking to people I haven't spoken to in awhile I realize just how much has happened these past 8 weeks. I found a job as a ride operator at The Branson Coaster (should definitely check it out if you're ever in Branson!)  I love my job and I have some amazing coworkers, there's always those days that you don't want to go in, but I usually look forward to going to work everyday. I get to meet all kinds of people that are in Branson for vacation, and meet some locals, too. Branson is entering its slow season now, so my hours have been cut and I've been searching for side work or a second job.

   We made a day trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma two and a half weeks ago. Mom and I had found some cool sights we wanted to check out. From Branson it was about a three and a half hour trip to Tulsa. We went to the Center of the Universe, if you stand in the middle of the brick circle you can hear your voice echoed back to you! We also checked out the Golden Driller, the Praying Hands at Oral Roberts University, East Meets West: Father of Route 66 statues, and Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill before heading home.

  We made another day trip this past week to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It's only about an hour from Branson. It was a beautiful, quaint little town. There was lots of architecture, and the roads were a little too small for the dually, but we had a lot of fun and plan on going back another day. We visited Thorncrown Chapel, found Humpty Dumpty sitting on a wall, crossed the little Golden Gate Bridge, and saw the Christ of the Ozarks.

 

   Dustin came to visit last week, we did a lot of the "tourist" stuff here in Branson, and made a day trip to St. Louis during the solar eclipse. It was absolutely beautiful standing under the Gateway Arch when it got dark! I love traveling places twice, once to see it from my point of view, and the second time to watch someone else discover it for the first time. It always makes my day. We went to the top of the Gateway Arch, it was pretty claustrophobic and not good for those who don't like heights, but I think it's worth it even for just five minutes! There was a lot of traffic backed up on the interstate on our way home from St. Louis, so we got to take Route 66 for a good portion of the ride, it made me miss home a little bit.

 
   We were only going to stay in Missouri for two months, but we decided to make it three because we liked it here. I'm already getting restless though and I'm ready for the next destination.
   When people find out we're living in campers they usually think it's so odd, I've gotten used to my camper being my "home." Sometimes I see pictures and think, "Damn! I'm really doing this!" I'm really proud of us for doing what so many people thought we shouldn't. Most days it feels like I'm living life like normal. I still have bills, still go to work, still talk to my friends; then I go do "crazy" stuff like day trips to another state in the Midwest.