Day 2 started with Sam and the littles making a stop to visit a family we were stationed with during our Germany years. Military life has a way of scattering people across the globe, but every now and then routes align and you get the chance to reconnect. Dax and Zoe immediately headed for the swing set to get some wiggles out while Sam enjoyed catching up and reminiscing about a chapter of life that somehow feels both recent and forever ago.
From there, another Buc-ee’s stop was made. At this point, it may be fair to say Buc-ee’s is becoming less of a gas station and more of a recurring character in this story.
The two crews reunited in Franklin, Tennessee, where Zed’s brother Dallen lives with his family. Zed is the oldest of six boys, and Dallen is #3 in the lineup. Getting to stop and see family in the middle of a PCS is always a bonus, and the kids were excited to spend time with their cousins before we all got back on the road.
Once everyone hit the road again, the Davies Herd officially began caravaning. Along the way we spotted an armadillo, passed stretches of the Natchez Trace Parkway, and watched a horse thoroughly enjoying the wind as it ran around its pasture.
The Natchez Trace brought back plenty of memories from our Mississippi assignment. We drove portions of that road countless times during those years, so it felt a little like running into an old friend along the route.
Not wanting to miss an opportunity to compare travel centers, Sam and the littles stopped at Wally’s. For those unfamiliar, Wally’s is one of the newer mega travel centers trying to compete with Buc-ee’s. It’s large, clean, well stocked, and certainly worth a stop.
The official verdict from the vehicle?
Buc-ee’s remains undefeated.
The day ended at the St. Louis Six Flags KOA, where the camper portion of the adventure officially began.
For those following along, we’re towing a Flagstaff Shamrock that somehow manages to sleep eight people despite looking much smaller from the outside. Through a combination of fold-out queen beds, convertible seating, and some clever RV engineering, it gives our family enough room to spread out while still keeping everyone together. After weeks of hotels, moving trucks, and temporary accommodations, having our own beds, kitchen, and familiar space felt surprisingly luxurious.
Tomorrow, the journey continues.
Herd Stats
Miles Driven: 1,143
States Traveled: 4
Tire Blowouts: 0
Animal Sightings: 1 armadillo, 1 entertaining horse
Running Stats
Hotel/Campgrounds Count: 13
Herd Morale: High
Sanity Level: Holding steady
The Davies Herd 
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