I'm pretty much at a loss for words to describe today. I'll let pictures do it. First things first.

Oh, baby.

Then we saw this awesomeness. I was in awe, gaping.

This picture does nothing.

I wanted to do the hike up there. Very badly. But time, or lack thereof, made it impossible.

I scratched my knee climbing up there. Battle wound.

Pretty much, this guy is a genius.

He said that a third of the time spent on Jefferson was in refitting or relocating it so the nose wouldn't have a crack in it. Rad.

And that's basically it. We drove and drove the rest of the day. And we finished our book yesterday. We just had music. It didn't fly by. Bummer. Tomorrow is home. Yipee!

Song of the day.

We wanted to go to the National Music Museum yesterday, but it had closed. So we stopped for the night and went this morning.

Buildings like this intimidate me.

They had headphones and a hand-held player so you could hear what the different instruments sound like in every gallery of the museum. It was beautiful. And fantastic.

Absolutely gorgeous.

Looking at those pianos, my fingers itched to touch. I wanted to sit and let my fingers dance along, playing some unknown melody. I bit my lip instead.

I wanted to hug it and smell it and play it. Simultaneously.

This was awesome. The colors, the patterns, the turns.

Doo-doo-DOO! Doo-da-doo.

And this. Well. This just made my Friday the 13th.

All you need is love.

Then we were driving, and billboards taunted us every couple of miles. Clever. Using phrases like, "Prepare to be a-maiz-ed!" and "You're almost ear!". We couldn't resist. We just couldn't!

Corn. Corn corn corn.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the world's only corn palace. All those pictures are made out of CORN.

CORN.IS.EVERYWHERE.

Did I mention corn? No? Huh. Well, CORN.

Naturally, we followed them.

They led to this.

If I knew anything about photoshop, my sister's heads would be in the two empty holes.

And a store at which I bought the coolest ring ever. And earrings. Awesome.

What a charmer. His name is Zack.

Somewhere between the Corn Palace and where we've stopped for the night, I was thinking about this trip. I wondered why I was enjoying this so much. I mean, most people wouldn't be too thrilled about driving across the country with their mom. Especially at my age. So what's so special about this? I was racking my brain for a reason why this is so fulfilling. So inspiring. So meaningful. I came to a few conclusions.

Firstly, Mom and I are connected on this super-natural-mind-reading level. This has made this trip highly enjoyable. We want the same things out of it. Spontaneity. Adventure. Experience.

I want to travel. See the world. This shouldn't be news to any of you. But as I was reading this book, I realized that before I can try to experience other countries and their cultures, I need to experience my own. I grew a desire to see this country. And here I am. Seeing it. Experiencing it. This is so awesome for me because it's the beginning. This is where it all starts. And I am inspired. And bursting with excitement.

Beautiful country.

Song of the day.

P.S. I got invited to this today. Do you hear that? ... Sounds like a woot train. ... WOOT WOOT! =)

We were on the road again by 8 AM this morning. We had only been driving for about a chapter or two of this on CD, when we saw the billboard. We quickly exchanged smiles and a few words of excitement. Twenty miles later, we exited to Nostalgia Ville, USA.

Even wilder dreams came true.

Have mercy.

The second we pulled up, I knew I would like this place. Here's why.

We parked in that very spot. Check that one off my life list.

Like I was saying, many dreams came true inside that store. Like this one.

Didn't buy these. But they have an online store. I think I need them.

And this.

There's a sign with those exact words painted on it on the way to the Slinker farm.

This reminded me of you.

Don't we have coasters like this or something?

And I bought a Beatles light switch cover. I'm very excited about it. It's going on the minute I finish unpacking. (And in just in case that didn't prove it to you, i.am.awesome. and fabulous.)

After spending way too much time in Nostalgia Ville, we got back on the road and pretty much drove the rest of the day with some pit stops along the way. I'll let Mom tell you about her highlight of the day.

By the way, I'm adding more pictures from the store to my side bar. Be excited. Or else.

Song of the day.

We left Lexington at a decent hour. Began driving to Louisville while listening to our theme song (among others). Soaking in music, sunshine, and nature. Also enjoying this yummy smelling creature.

Given to us from one of our sponsors.

So, we were driving along. Enjoying the ride. Loving life. We got about halfway through Indiana and spotted a special sign. A very special sign. We exited the freeway. Then, there was another sign.

Try to imagine my excitement. Just try.

Yes, folks, you've got it right. That IS the name of the town. Just you wait. It gets better. We saw ANOTHER sign indicating wondrous adventures. Naturally, we followed it. To this.

A CASTLE?! He has a CASTLE?! Wait, wait wait. A CANDY CASTLE?!

In case you can't read that sign, it says, "Santa's Candy Castle". We bounced. We bounced and bounced and bounced. And then we went inside! And it was fantastic! Words can't describe it.

We signed our names in the book.

That's my name. Right... there! See it? My mom's is right below it.

I wrote him a letter.

I was overcome with joy. Hence the hearts.

And mailed it.

My excitement and joy=incomprehensible.

Gave him a hug.

Probably the coolest thing I've ever done. Probably.

And got a delicious treat!

Frozen hot chocolate. Yum.

This went on my life list of things to do, was accomplished, and crossed off the list. All in a matter of minutes.

We then drove on with a high from our little adventure pulsing through our veins. We sang loud, danced much, and giggled the whole way back to the freeway. After a few hours we stopped at a Walmart and met one of the coolest guys ever. Just made me laugh. And now we are dead. D.E.A.D. DEAD.

To be continued...

Today we went to Walmart. As you probably already knew. Nothing too terribly exciting today. For me at least.

Random bits from the day include:

• Kentucky is hot. Really hot. Even Kentucky's cold is hot. I took a shower and the second I stepped outside I felt like I needed another.
• I secretly wish I was still seven because then I could get away with wanting Hannah Montana bedding. But I'm not. So I can't. And I don't. Lie. Maybe I want them just a tiny little bit. But not enough to really WANT them want them. You know?
• This book is super yummy. I feast on the way she says things. Voice and words. Awesome.
• Elaine is tiny. Teeny-tiny. Really. I didn't recognize her at first. But don't you worry. She's still funny as ever.
• Suan. You rock. That game thingy? AWESOME. I'm addicted. In fact, the only reason y'all (See that? Right there? It rubs off on me. I love it.) are getting a post is because I was "hogging it" and it was "my turn". Sheesh.
• I kid you not, people, we really did have this conversation.
• Mom: Turn right, here, do you see?
• Meg: Yeah, I see the the signs.
• Both simultaneously: I saw the sign. I opened up my ey-- (giggle, giggle, chortle, laugh, laugh.)
  

Tomorrow, we ship off! Woot! We planned our route today. I know, livin' on the edge, baby. We have two major tourist spots we are stopping for. They are a bit out of our way, but we think it's worth the few extra hours. It just means longer driving days and no other stopping for tours. But don't worry, I made Mom promise that if something fantastically WT presents itself (Like, say... a fifty foot ball of yarn? Or something.), we're stopping. Free spirits, we are.

Updates tomorrow!

Song of the day. (Please listen to this. And enjoy life the way I do when I hear it and remember my childhood.)

P.S. I so almost typed "Much Love" just then.

I think the one and only good reason for waking up at the unholy hour of FOUR! A!M! is the sunrise. As we were driving to the airport, the smallest hint of yellow was peering through the lowest valley of the mountain, making me want more. I thought, If I could just jump high enough to peek over the mountain, I would see that huge ball of fire. I imagined that if I stood at the highest peak, I could look down the other side of the mountain and jump. Land on the sun. Ride it up into full daytime. Big, yellow, bouncy ball.

GandG picked us up at the airport and drove us home. Gma told me all about her station and horses and fields and ponds as we drove by them. You see, other people take care of them and she just enjoys them as she drives by. She doesn't have to own them. As long as she gets to enjoy them, they're hers. Of course.

We toured their new house, which is beautiful. Kim came over for a bit to visit. So did Carolyn. Then we toured Carolyn's new house (which is just down the street). Carolyn is so awesome. She has forever mirrors, and a Garfield blanket, and a hoo-la-hoop that goes behind her couch. I imagine she breaks it out rainy days to beat her latest record. Who knows.

These are along the sidewalk leading up to Carolyn's front door.

I love them.

They make me think, "Okay, I think I will."

For some reason when we went to bed, I couldn't sleep. Then there was lightning. No rain. No thunder. Just lightning. I asked Cha Cha if it was possible. They said that supposedly it is, although lightning is formed by water droplets rubbing together so there would have to be humidity and clouds. Makes sense to me. I mean, I feel like I'm drowning every time I step outside. Rad. I pondered for some time on how cool it was. Then the rain and thunder came to sing me to sleep.

Song of the day.