Alice Jane: North Dakota Road Trip

For the last year or so, Em and Joe and I have been planning on me coming to North Dakota to visit them. I was planning on road tripping out there with one of Joe's friends, but we learned a few weeks before the trip that he wouldn't be able to go.

SOOOO, we put together Plan B. I remembered that Gabby's family lives a couple hours away from Em and Joe, and I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner! I asked her if she wanted to make it a road trip, and she agreed!

DAY 1:

We had to work last Tuesday AND move out of our apartment Monday. It was a crazy weekend for both of us, so when we left Provo at 7:30pm on Tuesday to start the road trip, we were both exhausted but so ready for the trip! Not to mention that I was having MAJOR car problems, so the drive to Blackfoot was making both of us pretty anxious.

We pulled into my house around 10:00 and talked with my parents for maybe 10 minutes. Then, we both fell asleep.

DAY 2:

I was woken up the next morning around 3:40am to hit the road to North Dakota. Emily had flown in on Saturday because she and Joe bought a new car in Utah, so it worked out perfectly for us to follow her out there.

At 4:00, we were loaded in the cars and on the road!

Gabby and I took one of my parent's cars because it was definitely much safer than my car, and they were way more comfortable with me taking a reliable car. She and I took two hour shifts driving all the way to Fargo. Thank heavens for bathroom breaks and Spotify!

We made stops every two hours to either gas up, eat, or take a bathroom break.

People always make fun of North Dakota, but I thought it was way pretty! There were endless fields of corn and sunflowers. It was UNREAL!!

18 hours later, we made it to Fargo. HOLY HANNAHS IT WAS SUCH A LONG DRIVE. We arrived around 11:00 their time, so 10:00 Idaho/Utah time! We ate some dinner, talked a little bit, then everyone went to bed except for me and Gabby. Gabby was getting on a train to finish her few hours to her family at 2am, which ended up actually being delayed until 5am. POOR GIRL. By this time, it was my birthday! So it was kinda fun staying up until midnight and having it be my birthday!

Those are definitely the sunflower fields that go on as long as you can see.

We also got to see a gorgeous sunset!

DAY 3:

MY BIRTHDAY!

August 20 is my birthday, and I got to celebrate it in Fargo!!

Em and Joe made me an awesome breakfast, then Joe went to work! (Saint since he stayed up and helped get Gabby to the train station) We all just kinda spent the morning chilling and getting ready. Then, we went and got some cupcakes to help celebrate my birthday! The owner of the cupcake shop was there and gave me a cupcake for free. Then, we went and dropped the #BYU50 box in downtown Fargo and waited for the winners to come! This theater was so classy!!!!

For dinner, we went to a Mexican Restaurant, which also gave me a free meal. BIRTHDAYS ARE THE BEST.

DAY 3:

Honestly, I am not quite sure what we did that day. Hahahahaha!

DAY 4:

Day 4, day 4, day 4. AHHHH!!

We went to the Mall of America!! I am not a huge shopper, but for some reason, I have always dreamt of going to the Mall of America! I remember hearing about it when I was younger and always wanting to go. Em and Joe promised me that if I came out there, they would take me!

AND THEY KEPT THEIR PROMISE!!

It was awesome. We spent about four hours there, and we hit each store that we wanted to! In other words, we are master shoppers.

I only got three shirts and a dress.

But isn't this super colorful and awesome?!?

I caught this one of Hannah as she was watching the roller coasters go around. Such a genuine smile!!

Isn't this PEEPS store insane?? So many colors, and I got some free samples!!

Chipotle for lunch. I still don't understand all the rage. Costa Vida is still way better.

DAY 5:

This was Sunday! We went to church with Em and Joe! It was a little chilly outside. Haha :) Then, we came home and took a nap/made lunch!

We worked on some projects for Em and Joe, which was way fun! We also got to watch home videos together, which is always such a treat. We love those so much!

DAY 6:

Monday was our last day in Fargo. We spent it school shopping for the girls. Gabby also arrived back in Fargo on Monday, so we got to spend time with her, too! Emily also got way sick, too, and Joe took her to the hospital. She is ok, though!!

DAY 7:

We got up at 3:30am to hit the road by 4. WE DID IT! We stopped along the way at a couple places that I spotted on the way out there. We made way good time, too! My phone died halfway through the trip and wouldn't charge, so we thought it was a goner. Thankfully, it wasn't!! The Verizon store got it to work.

We stopped at a sunflower patch, Quake Lake, and Island Park. Honestly, three of the most beautiful places EVER. I wish I could take photos at Island Park for the rest of my life.

We pulled into Blackfoot at 6:30! I slept a total of about an hour in the car, too! Which was nice!

But, we did it! WE MADE IT! and we weren't sick of each other, either!!

School is starting next Monday, and now I have to get back to Provo to move into my house. :)

THANK YOU EM AND JOE FOR THE FUN TRIP!!!!!