Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Playtime!

Grandma and Gunker made sure Dexter had lots of exciting new toys to play with!

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Mary and Maria in Memphis

We visited a friend of Ben's and her daughter in Memphis. Maria (7 years old) loved Dexter - the two of them played in Mary's guitar case while Ben and Mary reminisced about the old Sevenfour Slide days.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Altoff Motel

The Altoff Motel in Quincy, IL is a throwback to the 1950's. Nestled among farms and a "Jesus Saves" 25' cross, it provided us with a comfy and clean place to sleep for a couple of days. Just don't steal a towel or your name will be posted in the office along with other "offenders" who are no longer welcome.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: Maid Rites

Ben's dad was thrilled to hear that Dexter could now eat people food and fed him his first Maid Rite (My Bologna got some too)! For those of you who don't live in Quincy, Maid Rites are a type of loose meat sandwich, kind of like a dry sloppy joe, sold at the Maid Rite restaurant on 12th Street.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: The Greats

Quincy, IL. Dexter met his greatgrandparents: Greatgrandma and Greatgrandpa Lansing, and Greatgrandma Wolf. It was a love-fest. Dexter also met his Daddy's Uncle Mike, Aunt Bonnie, cousin Heather, Aunt Joanie (Hi Joanie!), Uncle Eugene, and cousin Tabitha (who is due with her first baby anyday and was really gracious with us when we popped in - unannounced - with Dexter and My Bologna to her cat-filled house for a surprise visit).

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09: On the Road

Dexter and My Bologna in the back seat followed by shots of Dexter crossing state lines Illinois - Missouri, Missouri to Arkansas, Arkansas to Tennessee, Tennessee to Mississippi. Ben thought I was nuts for wanting these - maybe I am but I'm sharing them anyway.

Road Trip 8/8/09 - 8/14/09

We are all exhausted after our 10 hour drive home from Mississippi yesterday - Ben is at work, Dexter and My Bologna are napping, and I am reflecting on our journey criss-crossing the Mississippi River practically the length of the country in 100+ degree heat. Everyone traveled very well, easily replacing eating and sleeping schedules with lots of love and visits with family and friends. Somehow we still all managed to get enough food and rest.