Hello all:

Well, this is pretty much the last stop on a long journey! We drove from North Platte Nebraska all the way to Des Moines, which is now only 2 hours from grandma's. The kids want to go see grandma, so they are charged up and willing to do another 180 miles, the poor little slaves to the road.

The living history farm was our stop for the day other than food and stuff. This is a great setup, and anyone within a few hours drive to Des Moines should check it out. They have a layout o 4 or 5 different farms from different periods of time. They are working farms, and towns, so you can see an 1850 farm, 1900 farm...etc. You see that it is hands on, the kids got to milk a cow, and you see people in period correct costumes performing normal duties like washing dishes and sewing their clothes. Very educational, really fun too!

We got to tour the 'rich' man's house, a fabulous old mansion. He was a successful railroad operator at the time, and came out to Des Moines and started a big farm, I think they said 1500 acres. He had running water, which was rare at the time. Great fun to walk through that place.

Of course we had a Machine Shed dinner (if you don't understand don't ask!!) and back on the highway for the final three hours. Here is what the trip looks like in final tally.

8 States covered

3614 miles (with 120 miles to go until we're actually home)

$5700+ of damage to a trailer.

1 month storage for a trailer

Unknown amount of gas, but I have all the receipts.

Family trip of a lifetime, can't wait to do it again!! (with a bigger car, hopefully another trailer, and better weather...and more money...and..and ....and.)

Thanks for listening!

The Borgers