Road trip!
In celebration of my dad’s 60th birthday, we headed to party in our favorite state with family and friends.
Sick and tired of all of my recent travel, Teddy was bound and determined to make my packing difficult, trying to block the removal of clothes. I almost stuffed him into my suitcase.
Birthday boy all dolled up for his trip.
Look kids, the Arch! A drive by of the landmark in St. Louis.
Quick Trip. “The Mother of all gas stations,” according to the birthday boy. And yes, that’s one classy model a top the trash can.
Passing the nine hour drive with birthday presents every half hour (along with the Luke Bryan song “Country Girl” on repeat for two hours as a sing-a-l0ng. Yes, I’m serious. And yes, I wanted to rip the speakers out of the car).
Upon visiting cold Northern states, you don’t have to fret if you forget your coat. They sell them at gas stations. Phew.
An Iowa astronaut greeted us upon our 2am arrival. My dogphew Gunner.
Unable to resist the best chip dip in the world – Anderson Erickson French Onion – even at 3am.
Beer flight for the birthday boy at Parlor City in Cedar Rapids, IA.
One of the best burgers ever – a Jucy Lucy (American cheese cooked inside a 1/2 lb beef patty. I died of sheer happiness). Accompanied by sweet potato fries and a marshmallow dip. HEAVEN.
Ooey gooey goodness.
60 presents for the 60th birthday boy. We cancelled afternoon plans to fit them all in.
Hitting the Iowa City ped mall with the best jazz hander I know, my college bestie.
Football time! Beautiful stadium, fabulous weather, lousy team.
The Iowa Hawkeye mascot, Herky. My homeboy. More preferably my boyfriend but we can’t get our schedules coordinated.
Game day food – a giant pork tenderloin the size of my head. That I had no trouble stuffing into my face.
Hanging with the Iowa Elvis. Major pompadour competition!
Skinny Pirate party time with Hussy #5!
Whapsatoolie Time. A family tradition of mixing whatever liquor is available and making a shot for the guest of honor. Birthday boy handled with ease.
Disclaimer: Whapsatoolies lead to dance parties.
Birthday party garbage like this makes for a long nine hours home to Nashville.
And one long week ahead of me…
CBXB
Cowboys and Crossbones 
Ha! You guys know how to travel!!
We try – obviously worried about having fun the whole time!
Think I found out the hard way that yes, there is such a thing as too many skinny pirates! But boy was it fun at the time!
NO SUCH THING AS TOO MANY SKINNY PIRATES! Just not enough recovery time before getting back to real life! 🙂
Wow! Wish I hadn’t missed it! Where did you get that burger?
The Parlor in Cedar Rapids. You MUST go get a Jucy Lucy!
Your stories are always such a fun read! Congrats to your dad, he must have had a ball! Lucky him to have such lovely family!
http://www.theflamboyante.com
Thanks Girl. We’re pretty lucky to have such a fun dad, too!
Phew…I’ve got a hang-over from reading that…his pants take the cake! Looks like a good time had by all…happy birthday to your Dad!
Ha – he LOVES his pants. And, I’m still hungover!
Wow, that looked like so much fun, your family know how to have a good time!
Great times – my entire family has fun pumping through our veins!
Looks like you had a great weekend! Also, that pork tenderloin looks delicious! Yum!
In recovery mode, wishing I had another tenderloin!
Many fun memories of weekend! Loved it!
Had to be one of the best weekends ever. Country Girl Shake it for Me. Boom Boom. It went by really fast.
My ears can’t take another Boom. Boom.
My cat does the same thing!
They certainly have a way of making their point!