Earlier this summer, we set out on a two-week maiden voyage in our (now beloved) Winnebago, Bernadette, with our sights set on checking Mount Rushmore off our travel bucket lists.
At first we were like “What did we do?” Now we’re wondering, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?!” It was so much fun exploring different parts of America than we’ve seen before.
Here are some snaps from our travels.
By George, this was unexpectedly my favorite shot of Mount Rushmore. If you drive just past it, there’s a little turn-off on the road where few stop to see America’s #1.At Custer State Park in South Dakota, the views along the Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway scenic drives are as stunning as these adorable, one-lane mini-tunnels carved through the granite.We let the kids pick what we’d do one day. They chose the Alpine-style rollercoaster at Rush Mountain Adventure Park, which we rode at least ten times. Basically, it pull you up to the top of the mountain, and then gravity brings you down. My extra poundage meant that I was the speediest. 🙂Bennie & Pippa are having a great time hanging with us.Silliness while binging Glee. The kids are obsessed with this show, and I’m there for it.
Also, did you know that the largest sand dune in North America is in Colorado of all places? Tucked in the bosom of two mountains, the wind sheds its desert sands to make it over the range…for everyone to surf, sled and climb. It’s insane.
Back in South Dakota, Sylvan Lake is a very different, equally other-worldly scene. If you’ve watched ”National Treasure 2” (I love all of those movies), you’ve seen this lake.The one above, taken by Todd, is one of my faves. Bernadette’s windshield is so big that you can see everything…and in a state like Wyoming (my favorite on this trip), you can see for what seems like 100 miles.If this isn’t the perfect ad for Winnebago, I don’t know what is!Watching family-favorite “The Devil Wears Prada” at a campsite in rural Oklahoma, as typical families do.Claire is obsessed with draining the tanks. She’s Todd’s right-hand woman when it comes to ridding our rig of…poop.We stopped at Billy The Kid’s grave in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. My advice: if you ever want to see it yourself, just look at this picture. This is about as exciting as it gets. It’s hot, dusty and down a long rough road. Consider our sacrifice your gain.Many evenings on this journey, we’ve been blessed with rainbows. This one, taken at the adorable, pint-sized Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne, Wyoming, was a fave.Gone fishing – Claire especially enjoyed slowing down and casting a line. (Lake Anita State Park, Iowa)No drive through South Dakota is complete without a stop at Wall Drug. If you’re wondering where it is, you’ll know when you’re getting closer by the incessant roadside ads for it. (It’s like a Buccee’s, but with 100 rooms and shops under one roof.)Our enormous circularly route, as planned using RV Trip Wizard, included stops in Lubbock (TX), Santa Fe (NM), La Veta (CO), Cheyenne (WY), Louis & Clark Lake (SD), Lake Anita (IA), Kansas City (MO) & Broken Arrow (OK).
I'm a (gay) husband, a dad, adoption advocate, Texan, founder of two businesses (PR firm Cooper Smith Agency & online mag He Said Magazine), wannabe comedian/Martha Stewart and just generally a mess who drinks and cusses too much. Read More
Cooper
@imcoopedup on Instagram
by imcoopedup1 week ago Hola from our first full day in heavenly Cancun! Sun, Sips, Sushi and Slithery Creatures were on deck for the start of our May Break Mexico get-away. . #travel#cancun#familytravel#gaytravel
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by imcoopedup3 months ago I got my Ash Wednesday mark in the carpool line this morning. Unfortunately my brain wasn’t fully booted up before I realized that I still needed to take a shower and get ready for an important work meeting so it only lasted about 30 minutes. Such an Ash-hole move!
by imcoopedup3 months ago About four years ago, my sister Monica and I started a new “Siblings’ Trip” tradition, where every year or two we’d leave our spouses and children at home to enjoy some dedicated time together. The pandemic put those plans on hold for a bit, but we just returned from a week at Walt Disney World – The Happiest Place On Earth…and it, indeed was a “magical” time! Lots of laughing, squealing, eating, drinking and shopping! I made us special t-shirts, using my @cricut for most of the days of our stay. The black and gold 50th Anniversary t-shirts were particularly
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by imcoopedup6 months ago Our annual reindeer erection signals that the holidays are officially in full effect at the Koch household! (For scale, I’m 6’4”.)
by imcoopedup6 months ago You can’t celebrate the holiday season in Dallas without a visit to The Dallas Arboretum’s “12 Days of Christmas” exhibit. . Likewise, nothing says “family fun” and “Merry Christmas” quite like a group photo in front of a milking cow’s oddly-realistic anus.
by imcoopedup6 months ago The kids and I went to see Santa today at @galleriadallas today! How cute is this set up?! . We were invited to sneak a peek at the @snowdaypop immersive holiday photo experience with dozens of fun Christmas-themed photo opps. #snowday2021
by imcoopedup6 months ago There’s a direct correlation between how much fun you had and how much everything hurts the next morning. Based on the my tight knees, hoarse throat and achy head, I’m calling the return of @blacktiedinner a success! . It was wonderful seeing so many faces that we’ve been away from since The Before Times while supporting the organizations that care for LGBTQ+ Dallas!
by imcoopedup6 months ago We celebrate adoption everyday, but especially on #worldadoptionday ! I can’t imagine my life without these not-so-little-anymore people. . As a National Board Member for @helpusadopt , I’m proud to help others build families through adoption with grants that help cover the significant one-time expenses associated with the adoption process. If you’re looking for an organization to support this holiday season, I hope you’ll consider HelpUsAdopt.org.
by imcoopedup7 months ago Y’all…how did my babies become these big people?! I don’t see it daily, but occasionally I’m smacked in the face with their growth.
by imcoopedup7 months ago This morning was so much fun! I was invited to help celebrate both the 35th anniversary of yummy @unclejuliosmexican and the smashing return of their fabulously fun Chocolate Piñata. To mark the occasion, Uncle Julio's donated $5,000 to @thebirthdaypartyproject -- a heartwarming organization that throws birthdays for children experiencing homelessness. (I welled up a few times, not gonna lie!) . PLUS! DFW diners can help bring joy to children experiencing homelessness through the magic of a birthday celebration by ordering their very own Chocolate Piñata. Now through this Sunday, $1 from the sale of every Chocolate Piñata sold at Uncle
