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
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by imcoopedup1 month ago And just like that, another school year starts! Both kids were nervous, mainly because no one at school has seen them in braces yet. . Mason is extra nervous because it’s his last year at our school and he knows that this is the big year for grades and applying to high schools. . Good luck to all kids, parents and teachers today!
by imcoopedup2 months ago Alaska: it was a place that I knew I wanted to see but had no idea how in awe I would be. One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Photos do no justice! . Also, @thebutchartgardens in Victoria, British Columbia, is bonkers beautiful. . Our week on @celebritycruises with @rfamilyvacations won’t be forgotten! . #alaska#alaskacruise#travel
by imcoopedup4 months ago Sending love to one of my childhood hometowns. Uvalde is where my parents met, where they married, where I was born and where I went to many years of school. . @thatsbullzerk has created a poignant tee to raise funds for the Robb Elementary Memorial Fund. 100% of proceeds will help these families as they lay their loved ones to rest and attempt to rebuild their lives. An unimaginable, heartbreaking feat. . Shirts are $24 at bullzerk.com. . #uvalde#uvaldestrong
by imcoopedup4 months ago Paying our respects to the fallen and their spouses. Thank you to all who sacrifice to protect our freedoms. #memorialday
by imcoopedup4 months ago Can’t beat an afternoon of good old fashioned Baptist bingo with @sisterhelenholy ! I even won one of the games!
by imcoopedup4 months ago When the theme is Kentucky Derby and someone has to ride the horse across the finish line. Tallest, widest jockey ever! . The cat’s enthusiasm for the moment matches that of the teenager with the most embarrassing dad ever who took this pic!
by imcoopedup5 months 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
by imcoopedup5 months ago Messing with my kids and playing with filters.
by imcoopedup5 months ago We’re so hoppy for Easter this year! First stop, Cascarones from @abcpartyhq - an Oak Cliff institution - and then dying eggs for tomorrow’s family brunch.
by imcoopedup6 months ago My children are convinced that these photos are of me with an old-time filter, but they’re really pictures of my dad, who suffered a stroke, fell into a coma and passed away last week. Fortunately my sister and I were close by and able to be with him in his final moments. . I’ve never really appreciated our strong resemblance until these recent days. It’s comforting to know that anytime I want to see him, I simply have to look into a mirror. . By the way, that IS me in the first photo…in the wagon on my first birthday.
by imcoopedup7 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 imcoopedup8 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
by imcoopedup8 months ago The weather in Texas is frightful, in Orlando it’s quite delightful. . My sister and I escaped, sans kids and husbands, to The Most Magical Place on Earth for some sibling bonding time. . We return to reality (and the cold) tomorrow…if our flights don’t get canceled.
by imcoopedup8 months ago So now I’m thinking I need purple hair.
by imcoopedup10 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”.)
