WanderWest with the Puryears

WanderWest Day 19   Lawrence, KS → Indianapolis, IN:     From Plains to the Gateway  Arch Today was another marathon day behind the wheel as we pushed further east, trading the golden plains of Kansas for city skylines and stormy skies. Our drive through Kansas City included a peek at Arrowhead Stadium from the highway—instantly dubbed the “puke field” by the girls (sorry, Chiefs fans 😆). The rivalry runs deep, but I’ve got to say… I still love Taylor Swift and all the happiness Travis is bringing to her life. Go Chiefs! ❤️💛 Our big stop of the day? The Gateway Arch in St. Louis —an unforgettable pit stop! Known as the “Gateway to the West,” this 630-foot stainless steel monument was completed in 1965 and honors Thomas Jefferson and the pioneers who helped expand the United States westward. It's the tallest monument in the U.S., and standing beneath it (and then inside it!) truly gives you a sense of its magnitude. We braved the tram to the top—it felt just like...

  WanderWest Day 18: Golden, CO → Lawrence, KS Red Rocks, Road Games & Rolling East We kicked off Day 18 with a quick detour to one of the most iconic concert venues in the country— Red Rocks Amphitheater . This spot has been on my bucket list for years, and even though we weren’t there for a concert, just standing in that space was electric. We entered from the top and looked down at the sweeping rows of seats carved between massive red rock formations, all pointing toward the stage nestled below. It’s hard to describe how awe-inspiring the place feels—like music is somehow already in the air, even when it’s silent. We weren’t alone. The amphitheatre was buzzing early with locals working out—yes, working out —running full sprints up those legendary steps like it was just another Tuesday. Maddie, naturally, couldn’t resist and sprinted a few herself. Even Liv and Maddie, who aren’t easily impressed these days, stopped to soak in the energy of the place. Being there in pers...

WanderWest  Day 17: Moab, UT → Golden, CO- Zoos, Brews, and Bittersweet Goodbyes  Today we officially kicked off the journey back east —and wow, we’re feeling all the feels.  We miss our pups. We miss a good home-cooked meal, and our own beds. But we’re also not quite ready to close the chapter on this adventure. It’s been everything we hoped for and more—epic highs, a few honest lows, and unforgettable moments that have brought the four of us even closer together. The laughs, the inside jokes, the ridiculous quotes that will live on forever—we wouldn’t trade it for anything. We made the 5.5-hour drive to Golden, Colorado (just outside Denver) and hit the Denver Zoo for the afternoon. And let us tell you—this zoo is no joke!  It’s huge , thoughtfully designed, and full of “Whoa, look at that!” moments around every bend. We were especially blown away by the Elephant Passage , a sprawling multi-animal habitat where we spotted everything from howler monkeys swinging...

  WanderWest Day 16: The Fiery Furnace Today was hands down the best day of the trip—the mic drop day. The “this is why we’re doing this” day. One of those rare, soul-filling experiences you know will stick with you forever. We had a self-guided permit to hike the legendary Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park, and holy wow… it did not disappoint. It was everything we hoped for and more. No marked trails, no crowds—just us, the rocks, and the thrill of the unknown. We scrambled up sandstone walls, wedged our way through narrow slot canyons, and dropped into bowls of smooth red rock that looked like they belonged on another planet. We felt like Mother Nature built a playground for adventure junkies and forgot to leave a map. Trail finding was half the fun. One minute we were confidently navigating, the next we were spinning in circles like, “Wait... where was that white arrow?” But every misstep led to more awe—secret corners, epic views, and silence so deep it echoed. The be...

  WanderWest Day 15 – Arches Preview + Permit Pickup!   After nearly two full weeks of constant go-go-go, today was a real pause … and we soaked it up! Everyone slept in, but Maddie took the crown — we had to wake her up at 10:15, and honestly, none of us were in a rush. Our cozy Airbnb, just 9 miles outside of Arches National Park in Moab, UT, made for the perfect desert home base. Today was all about getting our bearings and scoping out the magic of Arches before our big hike tomorrow. We kicked things off at Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trail , where we hiked about a mile into the canyon to get up close to the stunning rock formations. It did not disappoint!  Next stop: Balanced Rock . We were absolutely awestruck—and maybe a little anxious. It looked like one good gust of wind could send that thing tumbling!  Don’t miss the pics.     Can you find us in the arch!?  Extreme Close up! Then we made our way to the Windows Section , hiking through...

WanderWest Day 14: Smoke, Sweat, and Cliff Dwellings Reality check: road fatigue has officially settled in. After 14 days, 4,800 miles, and 14 states, we’re all feeling it — shorter fuses, wearier mornings, and the constant grind of packing and unpacking the car. Living out of a duffel bag has lost its charm. BUT… we’re not done yet! 7 days of excitement left to go!  This morning we left the Grand Canyon just in time — the North Rim was filling with smoke from the White Sage fire as we drove out. Eerie, but kind of stunning (check out our photo — the haze drifting into the canyon looked surreal). Today we headed into Colorado for a reservation at Mesa Verde's Balcony House tour , with a quick detour to the famous Four Corners Monument . Olivia took one look around and said, “This is such a tourist trap.” Honestly? She's not wrong. $8 a person to stand in a line and awkwardly pose on a plaque while strangers stare? Definitely a “been there, done that” kinda stop. ...