In the Geohouse the closest we got was loading up the Suburban and heading to Minnesota to visit a few institutions of higher learning. Geoana is now in her senior year of high school and while Kansas State University is still on the table, she thinks she'd be better in a small liberal arts college.
She's probably right. Despite the sometimes-downright fun atmosphere of the larger schools (such as Saturdays during football season) I think her personality would be a better fit for a small pond. And she doesn't care much for athletics anyway.
So we journeyed towards the Land of Paul Bunyan but first we waited for the child to take her ACT at K-State. (She took it during the spring but wanted to better her score. It was a good call.) After she finished that task it was hit the road! Quick late lunch at Wendy's in Topeka then get on the turnpike into Kansas City. Skirt around the north end of the metro area (and realize how much I don't miss city traffic) and reach I-35 which will take us all the way to the Twin Cities.
But not all in one pop. Given the lateness of the day we planned an overnight stop in Des Moines. Late supper at Zombie Burger followed by hitting the hay at the hotel.
From that point on it's the familiar route. North to Ames (fill up Suburban with E85--yesss!!), then pass by Clear Lake before entering the Land of 1000 Lakes. Exit at Faribault and snake through the town before taking highway 3 and reaching Northfield.
We have a leisurely lunch at Hogan Brothers, then explore the downtown area.
Later in the afternoon we head to our hotel in Burnsville. But the next day it's back to Northfield. Yes. The first college visit is to St. Olaf.
Takes a good chunk of the day but we still manage to get in a visit to....
Of course. The Mall of America.
The next day sees us darken the doorstep of two schools. Concordia and Macalester, both in St. Paul.
Now we're to Wednesday and it's back on I-35, going south this time. Ames, Iowa is the destination. Time to make a second campus visit to Iowa State (go Cyclones!!)
That takes most of Thursday. Our original plan was to drive from Ames to Kansas City then stay the night to allow Geoana a chance to meet up with her friend and attend the Halsey concert. However, since Geoana scheduled the Iowa State visit for Thursday instead of Friday and Halsey would perform on Saturday, we elected to head straight home from Ames once we finished with the ISU business.
Followed the same route described earlier in this entry. However timing was now my friend, as we were in Kansas City around the dinner hour.
You know what that means.
BBQ!!
A stop at Arthur Bryant's hit the spot.
After gorging ourselves and packing up the remnants in a to-go box, we are back home in a little less than 90 minutes.
Nice to sleep in one's own bed and get some laundry done. And on Saturday we again packed (just an overnight bag this time) and made our way to K.C.
I'll detail that portion of our "vacation" in a different entry.
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