Cross Country Trip Day Four: Des Moines Iowa to Kansas City Missouri

The travel cup today was filled with happy smiles and not so happy smiles.  I’ll start with the happy smiles. 

Several weeks back when we began planning our specific route across the states Jaime received a note from the mom of one of her very best friends in California, Evan Pape.    It seems that Evan would be in Iowa to tour Iowa State University during the same time we would be hitting the road westward.  She was wondering if there was a way we could cross paths.  Trip plans were altered, target dates changed, and excitement grew.  We arranged to meet Evan, his mom Lori and dad John at a restaurant in which Evan claims to serve the best BBQ in the world.  (Side note: Christina, it doesn’t come close to Babe’s!)  We arrived early and waited in the parking lot as inconspicuously as one can be in a U-Haul towing a Jeep.  We see them drive in, Jaime starts fidgeting with the anticipation of surprise.  Evan still has no clue.  As they walk across the parking lot we jump out and swing around the side entrance.  They stop in the front to take a couple pictures which gives us our opportunity to slide onto the bench right at the front door.  John and Lori walk by giving us quick glances and smiles.  Evan, in true teenager form, was busy looking at his iPhone and walked right by us. I swear, Jaime could have stuck her foot out and he would have stumbled to the ground.  We get up and follow directly behind them through the doors.  Once inside, Evan turns, does a double-take, and stands there with his mouth open waiting for words to appear.  And then it was time for some huge bear hugs.  The rest of the afternoon was spent touring the campus, enjoying small talk, and basking in the glory of supreme friendship. 

The not so happy smiles were caused by the ugly weather.  We were really on the road only four hours today, but it seems we selected the worst four.  The sky opened up and simply poured on us.  Further down the Interstate we found dark clouds but at least no rain.  Alas, that was short lived as once again the rain pounded on our roof.  And so it went on, clear, then rain, then clear, then rain.  At one point we drove past cars parked under the overpass.  Hmmm, not the most encouraging sight. 

Bailey would certainly not be pleased that I almost forgot to mention her.   Because we planned on spending a good chunk of the day with the Pape’s, Jaime arranged to have Bailey attend a doogie daycare.  Oh my goodness!  Talk about one worn out pup.  She played, and played, and played until even her fur was tired.

While today was all about Jaime’s fun, tomorrow is it is my turn.  You will have to check back dear reader to see why.