Day 1: June 1-827 miles down, 1354 to go

Today we pushed out of Indianapolis at promptly 5:50 am, grabbed LARGE cups of Starbucks and were on the road at 6 am headed to Springfield, MO to visit Par's parents. We made several stops, but ultimately rolled into Lawton, OK at about 9 pm (10 pm Indy time; 7 pm Cali time).

Stop #1: The Worlds Largest Rocker! 

On our long trek to Springfield, we saw this glorious sign pointing to the largest rocker....IN THE WORLD! How could something so fabulous be tucked so deep in the middle of NOWHERE! Par and I had a bit of time to kill and decided, "hey, it's worth a shot. Anything that is the largest in the world has to be freaking awesome!" ...we were not disappointed. The only disappointment was not being able to purchase a "world's largest rocker" key chain. Not to fear, however. The woman working in the gift shop assured said key chains were in the process of being manufactured.


Stop #2: BBQ!!!!! Arrive in Springfield!
(457 mi – about 7 hours 55 mins)
So at the point of starvation, Par and I finally reached Springfield to see her parents. They took us to this fabulous BBQ joint with pulled pork and smoked turkey sandwiches and 2 sides. Par got the pork, I got the turkey (yum) and we both got potato salad and beans. Such a great meal!

Stop #3: The Candy Shop
Quick stop-Par's mom took us to The Candy Shop. We got free samples, paid half price for an "oops' bag of candy that was half priced because the chocolate looked funny but tasted the same. But for half price my stomach doesn't know the difference! We were pleased.

Stop #4: America's Sistine Chapel 
(Warning: this is REALLY happening)

So, Par and I have a new policy: If there are lots of signs comparing something, anything, to an European masterpiece, we must stop and acknowledge (Note: Image displayed on left is one of MANY posters on the side of the road leading to America's Sistine Chapel-how could we not stop). That is precisely what happened with the Precious Moments Chapel. There must have been 15 signs for about 2-3 hours pushing for us to stop by this place.

We pull up to this place and it is like something out of the twilight zone. There are this life size precious moment statutes everywhere. The best  

comparison I have for this place is, it's like if It's a Small World from Disneyland was fed LSD and placed in the middle of nowhere-that's what this place looked like. It was creepy.

There were tours of the chapel (pictured to the left), and yes, every single image in the chapel was a precious moment figure. Gospel music played all throughout the grounds (and this places was HUGE) and there were 2 gift shops, an additional museum, a cafeteria, and so many fountains.

Most shocking were the amount of people THERE! Lots of people! Par and I don't know where these people came from, considering NONE of them were on the road and they certainly did not live close because there were NO houses anywhere. There were tour buses and kids and people genuinely interested in this place, and maybe I just don't understand the precious moment collection appeal, but this place was just too much! It was seriously strange, and creepy, and I would highly recommend you go-because this is a MUST see.

Stop #5: Reptile World (BUST!!!) 
So not too far from the little Precious Moments extravaganza, Par notices REPTILE WORLD-didn't sound as stellar as America's Sistine Chapel, but it was intriguing nonetheless. A 20 min detour later, we show up to this shanty town excuse of a building-located next to Reptile World's Chicken Shack Drive through (don't get me started at the sanitary implications of this joint venture)-and it's within 15 min of closing. Par, the ever persistent individual, pounds on the door and peers through the window praying that someone will open the door and let us peak our heads in for a few minutes. Within minutes a seemingly nice older lady opens the door and lets us walk in. Despite the fact I thought this places looked like it was directly lifted from the latest thriller blockbuster movie, Par was excited to go so I was all in. Par looked at the woman, asked "Well, how much to walk around?" (mind you, this place is maaaaaaaybe 600 sq. feet.) The answer, "$8 plus tax."

We walked out immediately. Who the hell would pay any money to go into this place is beyond me.


Stop #6: McDonald's and Shrek

I know what you're thinking, this guy is a dead on impression of the real thing; not to worry though, it was just a costume. We picked up this little guy on a rest stop break at a McDonalds. We got free pictures and free chicken nuggets plates (though we did NOT purchase food at this restaurant, you all should know us better). It was completely unexpected, and 100% epic.

Best part was, the poor guy wasn't even there when we were ready to take a picture. He was in the back freezer trying to cool off. Par asked the picture lady to go get him so we could have our photo op. Woman says "Absolutely, woman yells  "SHREK! come outa tha freeza," poor Shrek comes to the front, and some little girl waiting for her nuggets yells out a frightening scream at the guy while Par and I jump right into our lap for our picture.

Stop #9: OKC National Memorial  

On our way to Lawton, I asked Par if she wouldn't mind stopping by OK city, considering I had yet to see it, and would unlikely have a chance to do so in the near future. We saw signs for the OKC National Memorial Museum, or the monument erected to remember the 1995 Federal Building Bombings, and took a few minute detour.

The memorial was quite well down and very tranquil. Par and I were surprised how much we enjoyed the piece. Neat fact, my Dad had a hand in the project which made it all the more cool.

Stop #8: Arrive in Lawton, OK-Sleep
(370 mi – about 5 hours 53 mins)
We met with Par's cousin, chatted for a bit, looked at their beautiful house (decked out with a pool and trampoline!) and ultimately crashed and began prepping for tomorrow!

A Few Observations:
First, Par and I are pretty unsure how this world, and traveling across country, functioned without the iphone. It has already navigated us out of a few pickles and we are glad for it! Second, there are an insane number of "Adult Video" stores in Missouri. There were at least a dozen in the few hours were were in the state. One was adequately named "Men's Gym" located right next to a gas station. Third, we find it incredibly odd that bathrooms are labeled "CLEAN RESTROOMS" or "FREE RESTROOMS"...shouldn't these be obvious? What are we missing? Forth, there are way too many toll booths in Oklahoma-two of which are $4 each. Ridiculous. Fifth, Par is officially a coffee junkie and we stopped twice to grab coffee's (at McDonald's to save money) and we were wired the whole drive. Leaving at 6 am didn't even phase us! And lastly, (and my personal favorite) is the 75 mph speed limit through the latter half of Oklahoma. Pure bliss.

Upcoming and Scheduled Attractions:
645 mi – about 10 hours 37 mins
1472 down, 709 to go

• Big Texan Steak House-Home of the free 72oz Steak-lunch
• Albuquerque-sight seeing
• River Bend Hot Springs-sleep!