Road Trip: Iowa or Bust

Last weekend Jackson & I took a road trip. 

The destination was Arcadia, IA.  Population 444 (give or take).  Where my Mom grew up and my Grandparents still live.  For me, visits to Arcadia always feel like a trip back in time.  Sure some things have changed.  There is fancy new playground equipment at the park.  The old Country Store where my cousins and I would walk (with pockets full of quarters from Papa) to buy candy is now just an empty lot.  There are new windmills in town.  But so much remains the same.  Even the toy closet at Nana's house is the same.  Only now it's full of toys for the great grandchildren since the grandchildren are all grown.

The occasion was my cousin Tyler's high school graduation in nearby Carroll, IA.  While there were lots of family members missing, Jackson got to see 3 of his 4 Great Aunts (we missed you, Carol), a handful of cousins and his great grandparents.  And, of course, some extended time with Nana Wags.

Prior to the Iowa trip, Jackson associated my mom with the telephone.  He knew that more times than not a ringing phone meant "Nana" was calling.  He would even bring me his toy phone and declare, "Nana!".  It didn't take long for him to realize Nana was, in fact, a person.  And it turns out he kind of likes her.

By the end of the weekend Jack didn't make a move without hollering for Nana this or Nana that.  Mom hated it.  *wink*

It was a wonderful visit.  Almost surreal as I spent time in a place that exudes my childhood, yet this time I was a parent watching my son do the very things I did 30 years ago.  And, of course, I loved spending time with my grandparents, aunts & uncles and cousins.  We stayed up past midnight every night catching up.

Jack was a trooper.  He slept well, went with the flow and was overall just a really great kid.  I was proud of him.  We even managed to make the 5-hour trip home without incident.

I did a terrible job taking pictures.  I guess I was so caught up in the moment I forgot to grab my camera.  Here are a few that I did manage to capture.


Thanks Lori, Nana, Papa & Mary for your hospitality.  Let's do it again soon!