West Caost 2009, Day 3

Today is when the trip actually began. We checked out of the campground and headed over to the St. Louis arches. The structure is absolutely amazing from an engineering perspective and can be seen basically from everywhere. We spent the first 30 min. trying to find parking in St. Louis, a little tough parallel parking the "Bus"...After searching we ended up in the parking lot of the St. Louis Cardinals. Now as all of you know what a sports fan I am (not!), so I really felt nostalgic being so close to a Major league ball park. LOL!

We needed to walk about a 1/2 a mile to get to the arches, but my God is it an awe inspiring structure. I took over 200 photos of every angle I could conceive. Th3 630 foot arch looms over you, but it almost disappears when you look up at it.

Getting to the top is an adventure in and of itself. The small 5x5x5 Dome which holds 5 people is a 4 minute hope you are not claustrophobic journey which does take your breathe away a tad. However, once you step onto the observation deck....WOW! Well worth any anxieties you may have....

After we spent a few hours, we needed to get to the "Worlds of Fun" amusement park in Kansas City, Missouri (4 hour drive). We got here at sun-set as some of the shots will show you, and after we settled in had a great dinner (thanks to Patty pre-cooking a ton of meals) the boys jumped in the pool for a night swim.

So far we have traveled almost 1,500 miles, and the trip has been AWESOME.

I hope you all have a very Blessed day, and I will speak to you tomorrow.

I took this sitting at a stop light...Probably not smart taking pictures while driving.

The full size shot of this is awesome, you see the observation deck VERY clearly.

This structure is truly breathtaking!

Looks like a toilet, but its the tram cab to to the top..VERY small!

Justin...This one was for you!





.50 cents for each print please! LOL

Arch reflection on a glass building...

The Long road....Rt 70 in Missouri

The Campground at the Amusement Park in Kansas City Missouri

The boys "Chillaxin" in the pool

Another BLESSED Day!

West Coast 2009 Day 2

Day 2 was fairly uneventful as expected. Indiana was a LONG and somewhat boring state to drive through. The roads were not in good shape and the 80 route of Indiana is much more exciting. Illinois was a tad better, but just a tad! The 70 route is actually better for IL. It seems they are flipping, so if I would ever suggest a route....do both!

Michael and Nicholas had a rough day during the 500 mile drive...Play Station 3, and naps, while Patty and me were watching the grass grow...SLOW. Motor homes over 5 tons (we are 25 tons)can only go 55...ARGH!

The Casino Queen Campground (a parking lot in a casino) is...lets say interesting. As you can see we are about 1/2 mile across the river and can see the Arches, which is a really very amazing.

Toady we are off to the Arches and then to Kansas...Have a Very blessed day, and we will speak to you all tomorrow!

Images Day 2

This is the actual house that is on a lot of post cards in Ohio...It was pretty cool when we drove by and caught this image.

Bridge Structures show air and space

Not as Vast as ND, SD, WY, but Indiana is vast.

Interesting Sites.

For the photo nuts..You can see the windows..LOL

Another Blessed Day!

West Coast 2009 NJ - CA

Well Were off!

After much planning and support from Family, Friends, and co-workers we left for the West Coast at 12:18 Saturday June 27th...

In typical Dirla family fashion we decided to slide the trip a day and squeeze another day in an amusement park in Kansas. So we had to change and re-arrange some camp grounds. Of course we chose to do this when we needed to be following directions, so within 160 miles from the house WE GOT LOST....LOL!, small 15 minute set back, but hey its an adventure. No real great pictures as Pennsylvania seems to be the Xerox state when it comes to scenery. I am sure as with last year, the more West we get the better the scenery. I have to say the lower part of Ohio is actually very nice and offered some nice views. The Rt 80 view of Ohio is not as nice as the Rt 70 view. Speak to you all tomorrow. Have a blessed Day!

Images Day 1

Ohio View

Ohio Sunset

Nicholas Kicking back after SINGING "Spice Girls" Karaoke to the WHOLE campground!!!!!! He is such a ham.