Day 5: Conquering Fear at Cedar Point

Royce was nice to let me squeeze his hand and scream in his ear during this ride.

Happy Birthday, Royce! We took the day off from driving and went to Sandusky, OH. Home of Cedar Point Amusement Park-Home of the fastest and scariest roller coasters ever. I am NOT a fan of roller coasters. But I did it for Royce. We rode the top 3--95 degree drops and all.  Hooray for overcoming my biggest fear!

It was nice to have a break from the thrill and ride a really fun merry go round

Afterwards, we drove sleepily (yes, we were safe) and stayed in Youngstown, OH with Royce's mission friends.

Next: Kirtland, Little Italy, and more...

Day 4: Frankenmuth, MI

Detroit brought us a day with my brother's family. It was great to have them with us on our day trip to Frankenmuth, MI. There we were able to visit the home of our Christmas tree lights.  Bronner's was definitely a highlight...

World's Largest Christmas Wonderland: 

Christ knocking on the UN

Even the parking lot was festive

Silent Night Chapel

 

Frankenmuth also brought us the Bavarian Inn--home to World Famous Chicken

Next: Cedar Point on Royce's Birthday

Day 3: Stl to Detroit

8am: Say good-bye to the kiddos...

drive to Detroit via:

World's Largest Catsup Bottle: Collinsville, IL




































































World's (2nd)Largest Cross: Effingham, IL

World's Tallest (and ugliest) Lincoln Statues: Charleston, IL

World's Largest Egg: Mentone, IN

World's Largest Fireworks Warehouse: somewhere in either IN or Michigan

Apparently it is the eighth wonder of the world. We didn't think so.

 12am Eastern: Arrive in Detroit.


Don't you wish you were on this trip with us? Yes-you do.

Stage 2: Operation Kid Drop Off and World's Largest Things

Days 1 and 2: Salt Lake to St. Louis

Leave at 5am. Stop only to get gas and switch drivers. 

 World's Largest Gas Station, Little America-Wyoming

5pm MST Arrive at Mt. Rushmore

   Happy to be out of the car? or to have ice cream? or to see the world's largest presidents carved in a mountain? YES. 

7pm-9am Drive to Kansas City, MO. Stop only at the World's Largest Drug Store--looked interesting. Heather and I stayed in the car with two over tired children who cried themselves into a deep sleep all night.

 

Apparently there was a chapel.

Kansas City--Thank you to my brother for cooking us pancakes and for letting us stop by. A and R loved playing with their cousins (toys).

11am-3pm Central. Drive to STL
Speaking for myself, this was the hardest part of the trip. Adam and Rachel seemed to enjoy it though. Only because they were allowed to have stickers and markers. And full reign of them.

Shower. Sleep. Food. Grandparents to take kids--all were very good sights for sore eyes.

Next--World's Largest Ketchup Bottle, etc.