Thoughts.com Blogs - Kansas City to Iowa

After checking the weather forecast and realising it was going to be windy, Will and I were slightly concerned when we realised Lynda was spending a second day in her MC Hammer pants.    We quickly bundled her out of the hotel room and into the car before she ended up at Arrowhead Field before us.     We arrived at the stadium around 10:30am to see it was already teaming with KC fans tailgating and having BBQ`s in the trunks of their trucks. The atmosphere is great and there’s no animosity between opposing fans, they just don’t act the way we do. They’re also the most excitable people in the world and the sheer noise in the stadium was incredible.      Lynda howled at the cheerleaders parading around and to make matters worse, they had the junior cheerleaders on show also. I can’t think of a worse thing to let your daughter do at the weekend.   I wear more clothes in the shower.    Anyway, they were quite amusing and scary at the same time. The final score was 27-20 Chiefs, so at least we were supporting the winning team.

We made a break for the road around 3pm and drove towards our hotel in Iowa.    We had a few problems with the TomTom and it’s only been an issue since we sacked Susan, so when we finally arrived at our supposed destination we couldn’t find the hotel. Turns out it had relocated a year before and I had to drive, sans Mandy (and any directions) around the town of Newton until we spotted our lodging. Luckily, it’s the smallest town on earth and its streets are numbered 1-12.    The homes we drove round were beautiful and the town square was really quaint. They had one restaurant open, and this seemed to be a novelty given as its Sunday.   There was one bar, which because they still smoke here, was horrendous.   In addition, there’s a small beauty salon and a coffee shop called Uncle Nancy`s.   I reckon that tells us all we need to know.

We hit the Chinese buffet, where the entire population had gathered for the night and then returned to the hotel.   We checked out the pool, and once again, it was full of kids and old people, so we gave it a miss in favour of the new season of Desperate Housewives.    I was outvoted on the viewing choice (having never got round to watching the final episodes of the last season), so I had trouble keeping up.    Luckily, once it ended, I got to watch Tornado Alley about a group of slightly deranged people who like to chase storms and get hit by golf ball sized hailstones, while screaming out the window `It’s a big `un, Chip!` It was riveting.

Will checked out our onward journey and we reckon that 4 hours will take us to Chicago. We’re driving through Cedar Rapids and taking a slight diversion through Davenport so that Lynda and I can check out Sarah Jessica Parker`s clothing range as they have a store there.   It’s about half way, so it should give me a chance to stretch my legs, and the limit on my credit card, after a couple of hours.   The SUV is seriously struggling to contain the luggage and I’m not entirely sure that we can take much more. I’ve already chucked out an old pair of trainers and trousers I came with and we finally got Lynda to ditch some jeans. She won’t part with her favourite breeks though. STOP! Hammer Time.

I`m writing this at 6am on Monday morning and although I joke, Will and I found out yesterday our dog, Cassie, has been really sick.     She’s had to be put to sleep and we’re both absolutely gutted. Will fostered her from Dog’s Trust for my 24th birthday, and although I tell everyone I’m only 25, you’ll be able to work out how long I’ve had her.

Suz, Will and Hammer xx