Oh what fun it is to decide on a last-minute road trip for Valentine’s Day. While running around the office Friday, trying to tie up loose ends before heading out of Nashville, I forgot the garbage wasn’t my purse as I slung it up over my shoulder…forgetting it was trash but wearing it like it was Louis Vuitton.
Being that it was Valentine’s Day, I must share my two Iowa loves as they celebrated all things hearts.
While my niece typically doesn’t get to indulge in sweets, Valentine’s Day was an exception and her reaction to dessert went a little something like this…
As I had received news that family wasn’t doing well in Missouri, I embarked on a solo road trip with my fingers crossed I would be able to find my way in the dark, with ancient MapQuest directions (if you were wondering if anyone in the world uses MQ anymore, old school ladies like me do) as my GPS couldn’t connect when I was driving through large metropolises with whopping populations of 907 folks.
I was cruising at high speeds of 45mph when I suddenly hit a bridge. A bridge where I was sure to die on if any other vehicle came from the opposing way. A bridge that I was fairly sure flesh-eating zombies lived under. A bridge that took more than four minutes to drive across with what was sure to be a 500 foot drop into the Mississippi River.
Arriving shortly after midnight in Joplin, MO, I was greeted by my immediate new friend Lucy.
I traveled to visit a family member who’s not feeling so hot these days (one who helped move me to Nashville years ago).
As I went to settle into my room, I almost pissed my pants seeing the photo display on the dresser, which reminded me of the game…
Which one of these is not like the other?
For those of you who don’t remember, Joplin had a mile wide tornado rip through the heart of its city in May of 2011. I was curious as to what the path of the tornado looked like presently, so I was given a tour of the remnants.
A lone tree in the tornado zone has been painted honoring the victims, the city heroes and the volunteers who came to Joplin after the devastating storm.
What struck me the most was a lone cross standing in a barren field, which is all that is left of what was once a Catholic church. During the tornado, the priest was alone, took cover in a bathtub and all that remained after the storm was the cross and the man of the cloth, who survived.
While Joplin is most certainly back up on its feet, seeing the devastation caused by nature can certainly take your breath away. Which is why we needed a Starbucks pick-me-up after the tour of town.

This man loves black coffee like I love Captain Morgan (and Teddy).
After a few days of fun visiting, it was time for me to trek the eight hours back to Nashville. And I was feeling pretty foxy about being able to drive in the daylight until I saw this….
The sun shone brightly on what seemed to be a 400 mile bridge that was about as wide as the doorway into my mini manse.
As I was holding my breath, crossing my fingers, toes and legs again hoping to not encounter any oncoming traffic I was so terrified that naturally I stopped to snap a photo.
Upon defeating the bridge for the second time in three days (with the need for more deodorant), I turned my scorn toward the snow still on the ground.
While being all dramatic on the road, I was quickly put in place by my sister who sent me a photo of their Iowa driveway last night.
Two little furry faces were awaiting my arrival home and I’ll let you guess which one is extremely tired of being a host…
While I’m not usually a hearts and flowers, mushy gushy kind of gal here I must say that to have your health, you have everything. With recent cancer diagnoses of a close college friend and a dear uncle in California to the illness invading my Joplin family, it’s never a bad reminder to be thankful for who you have and squeeze them tightly.
Teddy’s almost turning blue right now.
Cheers!
CBXB
The twins are fabulous 🙂 and you and their parents have to be very proud of them ! I feel very sorry for your family and the other people of Joplin, It is horrible after what has caused that tornado looking to that three ! Teddy maybe had a relax but I guess that he missed you in another way too ! ❤
Yes, we are so very proud of the twins! They have added so much joy to our family! The wonderful thing about Joplin is, the ability of people’s spirit to move onward and upward. It’s amazing. And Teddy couldn’t wait to get in bed and snuggle!
Yes that’s very wonderful, they are very strong than ! Yes Teddy it’s such a snuggle-bear……….hahaha 🙂 !
Awesome pics! Love the one of the bridge at night (yes, spooky!), the cats, and all of them in Joplin. The grit and will of the people there is amazing, clearly. Such a beautiful tree. Way to bring the love to the people who really needed it!
Oh the bridge at night…I’m not usually scared but for some reason it was just too creepy! Gotta spread the love when I can! 🙂
I love driving over bridges. So sad what happened to Joplin. My best wishes for your ailing family.
Thanks a bunch for the well wishes. You know, I’m never scared of bridges but something about this one sent me over the edge (thankfully not in the literal sense). 🙂
[…] https://cowboysandcrossbones.wordpress.com/2014/02/18/weekend-winks-road-trips-and-bridges-of-terror/ […]
Converting to Amish? Or just resettling Iowa?
NEITHER! Staying put in Nashville, the headquarters of #Teddy4Pres.
Haha.
Nothing like a road trip to induce contemplation of what’s important…
We used to live just south of Joplin. No kidding.
Stop it! You used to live south of Joplin? And long road trips certainly do tend to make one contemplate about the importance of everything. Not a bad reminder, if you ask me!
Yep, 50 miles south, just over the Arkansas border. We were often up in Joplin. Mid 1990’s.
I loved the place. But my husband developed a deathly allergy to the late fall pollen there. Not being able to breathe (seriously, he nearly suffocated), was not good. So we moved. I miss it! 😦
Oh my! I see why you moved. Poor guy! It is a really pretty place.
You Iowa loves are suuuuuuuper cute! xxx
I couldn’t agree with you more – and I can’t get enough of them! 🙂