… because it’s not.

We know 6:30 pm is an odd time to leave on a trip, but achieving the aforementioned level of packing zen doesn’t happen overnight! Literally – it happens the next day.

So with smiles, tears, hugs and kisses, we officially embarked on West Quest 2008!

Given the exhaustion caused by our day’s labor, we were tempted to stop 20 miles outside of Des Moines, IA – exit 97 on I-80 to be exact! There was a prominently displayed “camping next right” sign. We were about ready to pitch our new tent, but with fierce determination, we drove off into the sunset.