Our Kaotic Life

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Route 66 Daily Journal: April 28, 2026

We arrived in Springfield, MO, and did a whole ~0.5 mile of Route 66 before ending our day at the Best Western Rail Haven, where we stayed in the Elvis Room.

When we arrived a major storm had just come through (luckily we mostly avoided driving through it) and the power was out at the hotel (and apparently half of Springfield). We had to check in the old fashioned way filling out a piece of paper. Dad joked about it being just like Elvis back in 1956.

After about an hour, the power returned. It was also starting to get dark outside and while it was still raining some, we walked over to get photos of the neon sign.

We also checked out the nearby Queen’s Gate 66, which wasn’t quite finished - it’s being dedicated in a few days.

See full list of Our Route 66 Adventures here.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Ranger Dan: 116.1 Stones River National Battlefield

Date of Visit: April 28, 2026

Stones River National Battlefield has been on my to do list for many Nashville trips, but we never got around to going. This year as I try to collect as many 250 stamps as I can, we managed to make time for a visit.

We got to the park when the parking lot area opened at 7:30am. We spent the time until the Visitor Center opened walking the little over 2 mile trail that roughly follows the road tour route.

Blue Grosbeak

The trail was a good way to learn about the battle and also good for birdwatching (saw some new lifers - Great Crested Flycatcher, Common Yellowthroat, and Blue Grosbeak).

Dad enjoyed the various flowers.

I did a sketch at Slaughter's Run.

Once the Visitor Center opened, I got my National Park passport stamps and I went through the museum while Dad watched the 10 minute video about the battlefield.

Hazen Brigade Monument

Before continuing on to Missouri, we visited the cemetery, Hazen Brigade Monument (oldest original Civil War monument), and Fortress Rosencrans.

Cedars Trail

Michigan Marker

Slaughter's Run

Cotton Field Trail

Medal of Honor

Civil War Drum Replica

Union Uniform

Confederate Uniform

Cemetery

Redoubt Brannan - Fortress Rosencrans

See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.

Our Koffee Trail: Nashville Coffees

Date: April 28, 2026

Location: Nashville Coffees (Nasvhille, TN)

Rating: 👍 (Like)

As we hit the road this morning, we went back to the same coffee shop we visited last time we stayed at the KOA Nashville. Dad and I both got drinks from their Spring Seasonal menu.

Dad got a Honey Lavender Latte.

I got a Blackberry Cream Latte.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Check out some of our other Nashville area posts:

Ranger Dan: 35.2 Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Date of Visit: April 27, 2026

On the way to Missouri via Nashville, we stopped at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the 250 stamp. As I was on a mission to try to get the Tennessee Apple Stack Goo Goo Clusters (found the Gatlinburg store, but they did not have) in Nashville (and get to the KOA for the live music by the pool), we just made a quick stop at the visitor center for the stamp and PB&J sandwiches in the parking lot.

While Dad was making the sandwiches, I also managed to do a quick drawing for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park page in the National Park poster coloring book I have.

Previous Visits to this National Park unit:

35.1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park

See full list of Ranger Dan's National Parks Visited here.

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Our Koffee Trail: Grand Strand Coffee - Spring Seasonals

Date of Visit: April 26, 2026

Location: Grand Strand Coffee, Myrtle Beach, SC

Rating: ❤️ (Love)

This Sunday we decided to go to one of our favorites, Grand Strand Coffee.

Dad had the Key Lime Flat White, which he had tried earlier in this spring and really enjoyed.

Mik and I both tried the seasonal Honey Cheerio Latte. I liked it, but their regular Sweet & Spicy Latte is still my favorite. We got Mom the Morning Dew, which is a Cold Brew w/ rosemary, orange, and cardamon.

See full list of Our Koffee Trail stops here and Our Koffee Trail Google Maps list here.

Check out some of our other Myrtle Beach area posts:

Sunday, April 19, 2026

Our Koffee Trail: Beach Hippie Coffee

Date of Visit: April 19, 2026

Location: Beach Hippie Coffee, Myrtle Beach, SC

Rating: 👍 (Like)

For this week's Sunday coffee outing, we went to Beach Hippie Coffee. Dad and Mik had been before, but it was Mom and my first time.

Mik had the Hop Into the Waves Latte (white mocha, cookie butter, toasted marshmallow, cinnamon). Mom had the Flop Flop Fancy Latte (vanilla bean date, pistachio, caramel.

Dad got the Seaside Date Latte (vanilla bean date, cinnamon, sea salt) and I got the Watercolor Sunrise (blueberry and white mocha).

Check out some of our other Myrtle Beach area posts:

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Mini Golf Adventures: Tribal Island Tiki Adventure Golf - Volcano Valley

Date of Visit: April 15, 2026

Location: Tribal Island Tiki Adventure Golf, Little River, SC

Course: Volcano Valley

Before it gets to be summer and too hot for mini golf, we decided to pick a course out of the jar of courses we haven't played in the Myrtle Beach area. We ended up with probably the farthest away course, but glad we stuck with it because Tribal Island Tiki Adventure Golf turned out to be a fun island themed course complete with island music.

We choose the Volcano Valley course because it goes up and through the volcano. Initially, I thought we would also play the other course, but it was getting to be too warm when we finished Volcano Valley, so this location went back in the jar for us to try Tiki Bay another time.