Road Trip to Washington D.C.

Salt Lake // Kansas City // St. Louis // Louisville // W. Liberty // Charleston // Washington, D.C.

This birth of this trip began months and months ago when we sort of looked at each other thinking should we move to DC for this program? And apparently there were no objections because here we are.

We left quickly last Sunday evening after packing our car because we were too anxious to sleep that night. This was mostly a terrible idea because no one should ever have to sleep in a car at a truck stop, but also mostly an amazing idea because we got to Kansas City in time to eat their delicious famous barbecue. 

Wyoming and Nebraska // These states weren't as terrible as people make it seem? It is all wide-open space and fields as far as you can see, and everything was green from the constant thunderstorms. It was actually really beautiful. As soon as you cross into Nebraska from Wyoming, half of the agricultural fields are covered in dense wild sunflowers. I was dying.

Nowhere, Nebraska // For Subway and to laugh at some people.

Kansas City, Missouri // If I had to choose a favorite stop, it would be Kansas City. We did not get to see the city during the day, but it was gorgeous at night. It was founded as a port city along the Missouri River in the 1800s and is a major railroad/barge hub. All of the buildings are old and brick, mildly refurbished to fit the new businesses that inhabit them. If you want to get downtown, you have to take a massive and powerful bridge that may or may not have fulfilled all of my dreams of experiencing the Midwest. We had dinner at Jack Stack, which I am still thinking about, and walked around the World War One Memorial in the heart of the city.

St Louis, Missouri // This stop was one million percent worth it because of the food. The arch is much taller than you would expect, and the exhibit about western expansion underground gave us some really good laughs. So cheesy. Also, the humidity there was nearly unbearable, so don't judge our frizz.

Louisville, Kentucky // This is the city that my dad grew up in, so it was a must-see. We took a tour around the Louisville Slugger Museum to see how the baseball bats are made and to a hit a few balls afterward - aka to let Kyle hit a few balls afterward. Side note: If you want to fully experience a city, you should go to their Walmart and wait around for an oil change. This is probably the best and worst advice you've ever heard, but so so worth it. Do it.

We stopped at Churchill Downs where the Kentucky Derby race is held. WOW. It was beautiful expensive, so we didn't go inside. We almost convinced the guy at the front to let us in, though. We canoodled our way quite well into his sweet little hands, but his supervisor gave him a dirty look. Oh well. We got a great picture to always remember how we didn't actually go here.

Lexington, Kentucky // The Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington will make up for the ridiculousness of Churchill Downs. And it's only $5 to get in (which we canoodled our way out of, we're so good). The park has several tracks for thoroughbred races, dog races, dressage competitions, etc. and is covered in stunning green fields. We went to each of the barns to pretend like we were horse whisperers.
West Liberty, Kentucky // This is my Uncle's front yard in the backwoods of Kentucky. He decided to purchase this land and move with his wife after they retired in California. This land reminded me of the Pacific Northwest - everything grows on top of everything and then is covered in moss. Most everything we ate was out of their garden and their neighbors' gardens. It was delicious.

They also have the sweetest dogs in the world.


Charleston, West Virginia // Our last stop was for a few hours in Charleston to visit some of Kyle's distant relatives. We went to a flower and produce market to talk to one of his relatives who runs a flower shop in downtown Charleston. Their accents are amazing and the stop was worth it for that reason.

Washington, D.C. // We finally made it and everything has far surpassed our expectations so far. We are so excited to be here and are already dreading going back home in a few months.

Now, our favorite eats along the way, just in case:

Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue // Kansas City
The pork ribs, amen.

Bailey's Range // St. Louis
Chile Verde Burger; Gyro Burger; Salted Caramel Shake.

Hillbilly Tea // Louisville
Chicken Salad; Corn Pone.

The Fresh Seafood Co. & Market // Charleston
They do a fried fish sandwich (whatever "big fish" is in season) on a croissant that is amazing.