Quick Trip to Arkansas

It was a crazy, long day in a vehicle.  My oldest daughter was moving home, but we had to meet half way and get her.  We made the decision to make the trip of nearly 500 miles one way... and then back... in one day.  My husband was along to help drive and give lots of company.  We left Megan at home with her big sister Tasha.  However, Laura was allowed to go with.  She has rarely been out of our area, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to give her a quick but interesting field trip.

We picked up Kim, my oldest, in Arkansas.  Oh, it was wonderful.  After the chill up north, the warmth of the south was very welcomed.

But first we had the trip south.  One of the first sights to greet us was the giant cross, called the Cross Foundation in Effingham, IL.  Set up to encourage and serve as a beacon of hope for the estimated 50,000 travelers that travel by it on Interstates 57 and 70, the cross is breathtaking.  It was only a couple of hours into the trip when we first passed by it, and it was a wonderful reminder that we travel with God by our side.

The Cross Foundation

The views of some of the hills were breathtaking.

The rock formations were new to Laura, since we pretty much live in corn field country.

 Then we crossed the mighty Mississippi River.  I tried to get a good shot of the river, but we were moving too fast.  We did get a shot of the bridge.  Laura was excited that she got to see the Mississippi River since we have read about it in books and studied about it in homeschooling.

We passed through Missouri next, and just enjoyed the drive.

 We made it to Arkansas and stopped at the Welcome Center.  Inside were some artifacts and displays of things that are native to Arkansas.  Laura and I took some time to browse the display cases and look around.

We turned around, after eating at a Huddle House (which we don't have up north), and drove right back home.  We got in about 1:30 in the morning very exhausted.  Laura slept most of the way home, but she did enjoy herself on the trip.  It was the longest trip she has ever taken, even if it was a bit rushed.