The Simmons Travels: Always an Adventure

This weekend, we travelled to see our other peeps in Ogallala, curious to see where they live and excited to spend time with them.  Our adventure began Friday morning when we met at our house, shuffled passengers and began our drive east.  Just a few miles this side of Ft. Morgan, with our car bringing up the rear, we passed  Curt and Amie off the side of the road with a flat tire.  Now, what makes this scenario so irritating is the fact that they had just gotten new tires on Monday, concerned about long distance travel with worn tires.  Naturally, the spare tire was under all of the groceries, sand toys, chairs, tent, luggage, etc., so it took awhile (and a few choice words) for them to get back on the road again.  Our next stop was at the tire store in Ft. Morgan (keep in mind that we left home at 9:30 and it is an hour to Ft. Morgan) where it seemed an eternity to trade the 5 day old ruined tire for a new one, but eventually we were back on the road.  Oh yeah, just in time to come across the most hellacious rain storm that I've driven in for years.  It lasted nearly all the way to Ogallala!  So, finally we arrived at Meredith's house, hungry and with nerves frayed.  And, the 3 1/2 hour trip had lasted six!

After a tour of their home, we were directed to a great restaurant within walking distance of their house.  It was worth the  wait.  Afterwards, we headed toward our "Lake Front Property" and stopped to see where Meredith and the kids were staying, a rather quirky place where Meredith's friend lives....a mini farm.  The kids sure enjoyed the chickens.  Would I had bet "the farm" that I'd ever see my daughter feeding, (much less holding) chickens? Yup!

Henry, the biggest dog ever

Peaches, the chicken

the boys practicing "the chicken"

Our "beachfront" property was not quite as near in proximity to the lake as we'd thought, but it was adequate. The kids changed into their suits and we drove to a small beach area.  Emma thought it was disgusting!  And, of course, it was.  But the kids had a great time getting stuck in the mud.

 

Did I mention that Curt and Spencer were meanwhile holding down the "fort" and getting festive?  Those of you who were fortunate to be a part of their cellphone thread will know what I mean.  I have to say that the two of them can definitely have their own party and have a blast.  Unfortunately, the rest of us were too tired to join them, and after making dinner (in the tiniest kitchen ever) were ready for bed.  The two of them had other plans and were "disappointed" that no one joined them and let's just say one of them over indulged and leave it at that.  We did find evidence of their party the next morning with "messages" written with a sharpie on some of our food!

After a breakfast of ham and farm fresh eggs, we were off to the real Lake McConaughy beach.  Oh yeah, and Curt and Spencer were off to Ogallala for the annual city-wide-garage sale.  The beach was beautiful, the weather perfect (we have the sunburns to prove that) and the kids had a great time in the water and sand.

 

 

 The boys arrived back with an blow up raft in their truck and of course all of the kids wanted Uncle Spencer to blow it up, despite the fact that he told them numerous times that the thing had a hole in it.  Ultimately, in the fashion of Bill Solesbee,( we all learned another "Billism" on how to blow up a raft using a discarded water bottle attached to the exhaust system of the truck), we watched in amazement as the raft was blown up. Wow!  Anyway, the kids enjoyed their time on the raft until it filled with water.

 It was a wonderful day!  (Ok, the downside was that our car got stuck in the sand and luckily Spencer was able to pull us out).  Other than being tired and sunburned, it was a great adventure.  Thanks Taylors, for giving us a good reason to go to Nebraska!  We miss you!