Baby's First Road Trip!!
- Vicky
- Apr 19, 2023
- 3 min read
Michael and I were quite nervous but also excited for Lizzy’s first road trip. This trip was just a weekend trip down to the Dallas/Fort Worth area to see her cousins. The plan was to fly but with the price of plane tickets we decided to brave the 8-hour drive.
With little sleep and stressed-addled brains we packed her bags the day before we were to leave. We packed more diapers than we thought we would need. As well as an abundance of clothes for our little girl. We figured she'd mainly stay in sleepers unless we were doing things with the family. We had a large assortment of bottles. Michael made a washing kit that could be used when we stopped at rest areas. I also made sure I packed my pump along with various parts to make sure I had enough.
So, Friday, with our clothes packed, Lizzy’s suitcase packet, the diaper bag ready, and a cooler full of milk for Lizzy we were ready to head out. I told Michael that the plan was to stay someplace between Wichita, Kansas and Norman, Oklahoma. With me driving and Michael in back to entertain Lizzy we made our way through Kansas. It wasn’t terrible until we got to Lawrence where it started raining. By the time we got to Topeka the rain increased, and then by the time we got to the Flint Hills the rain was now freezing onto my vehicle. I pointed out to Michael that I have yet to drive this section of road in good weather. It is always dark and stormy.
Lizzy slept through most of the drive. We stopped at various service areas along the toll road for bathroom and food breaks for her. She was fine and excited until it got later in the evening where she was done with being in her car seat. By this point we had already passed Wichita and were in Oklahoma, so I told Michael to stop at Guthrie to see if there were any rooms at the hotel. Sadly, there was not. Lizzy cried most of the way to the hotel in Norman that we decided to stop and at.
Arriving at around 11pm, we stayed at a Hilton. As Michael did the process of checking us in, I went to the fireplace in the lobby where Lizzy was entranced by the dancing flames. After some fiasco with the room keys not working, we finally got into our room. Lizzy was just so happy to be out of her car seat and looking around at the room with such curiosity that made Michael remark, “Oh no. She’s a vacation-vert like her mother.” We played with her on the bed in attempt to wear her out. Luckily as soon as we got ready to sleep, she quickly fell to sleep as well.
In the morning, we had breakfast in the Hilton lobby, where Lizzy got all the attention from other guests. We headed out to continue driving down to Texas. The plan today was to stop at the Fort Worth Stockyards. The stockyards are a historic district that has original brick walkways, wooden corrals, and twice a day cattle drive. Our main objective was to see the 4pm cattle drive that features about 15 to 17 head of Texas Longhorn. It was an experience I was super excited about seeing.
After a few hours, we arrived. Lizzy was tired of being cooped up in the car and car seat so when she saw that we stopped and were getting her carrier ready she was excited. We ate at Riscky’s Trailboss Burgers The food was good, and the atmosphere was very western. Lizzy had fun looking around and people watching. After lunch we walked around the various shops. Our favorite was The Spice and Tea Exchange, they offer free smells of a wide variety of spices. They had a whole section of just garlic and paprika. We ended up walking away with two spice bottles and one bag of tea.
After exploring all the various shops, it was time for the cattle drive! We lined up on the curb waiting to see the Texas Longhorn and drovers (cowboys). Lizzy was very much in awe at the men on horses. It took her awhile to realize that there were also cattle to look at. Michael and I were also so much in awe at how close we were to these huge longhorns. After watching them all pass it was time to head to see her cousins.
While we didn’t do too much tourist things in Fort Worth it was fun seeing how excited our daughter got with experiencing something new! Turns out Michael was right; she is going to be a vacation-vert just like her momma.
Comments