Illinois and Missouri

Today we travelled down Illinois and into Missouri through route 66. We stopped and had a picnic at the Gateway Arch and it was definitely a highlight of the day. We had a couple of fun stops and made it back to the hotel early so we could get some rest.

1. What did you photograph today? How different are the before/after pictures and how does it make you feel?

I had 6 before/after pictures today. They were all extremely different from before. One of them made me sad because a really cute diner was converted into a car dealership, so that was disappointing. You can see the pictures below.

2. What did you do to make the trip more than your standard road trip? How have you made it stimulating and productive so far?

We made sure to enjoy ourselves by stopping whenever we felt like and played a lot of enjoyable games in the car.

3. What was the general morale for the day (positive or negative)? Are there any notable trends? Any suggestions to improve morale and create a more positive atmosphere?

The morale was slightly more tired but with lots of bursts of energy. We would take a little bit and relax and have time to ourselves but then all of a sudden get really competitive or energetic or excitable. I think it would be best to make sure everyone has the time they need to themselves.

4. What logistical issues were faced today? How were they handled?

We had a few issues with our roofbag making annoying noises but we fixed it and were able to continue on.

5. Were there any personal issues that came up? If so, how did we take care of it?

No personal issues came up today.

6. Are there any cultural differences you noticed between where you were today and Ohio?

Illinois was the same as Ohio, but in Missouri we noticed people had accents and there were more roadside stops than what we had seen so far.

7. Has the excitement for adventure present before the trip maintained itself up to this point?

Yes, I think it has. It is only just beginning and everyone is looking forward to the desert.

8. Have you felt like you have “over-documented” the trip yet? If so, how will you adjust and if not, how will you make sure everyone is focused on living in the present rather than focusing on making physical copies of the memories?

Not yet, I feel like I documented less today and it seemed like the perfect amount.

9. Have you found a Greater Meaning to this experience?

Not yet, right now it just feels super exciting because it's our first time on a big trip with no adult supervision.