Most people spend their weekend catching up on Netflix or mowing the lawn. Me? I spent mine waist-deep (okay, fully submerged) in public safety diver training with the Lees Summit Underwater Rescue and Recovery team — and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

For the past three years, I’ve been a volunteer diver with the team, which means I get the unique privilege of spending my free time suiting up, strapping on tanks, and jumping into lakes, ponds, and sometimes downright questionable bodies of water — all in the name of helping our community. This weekend was a perfect example of why I love it.

🏊‍♂️ Day 1: Pool Training – Dry Suits and Full Face Masks

We kicked things off in a nice, controlled environment: the pool. (Because you don’t want your first attempt at a dry suit or full-face mask to be in a murky lake where you can’t see your own fins.)

The focus for the first day was getting everyone dialed in on their dry suit skills and completing full-face mask certifications for the guys who needed it. If you’ve never tried diving in a dry suit, it’s… an experience. Instead of getting wet like you would in a wetsuit, you stay completely dry — which is amazing in cold water — but it means you now have another thing to control underwater: the air inside your suit.

Watching new divers figure out how to manage their buoyancy in a dry suit is always entertaining. There’s a lot of “whoa, I’m floating upside down” moments, but by the end of the day, everyone was comfortable and ready to take what they learned into open water.

🌊 Days 2 & 3: Open Water Training at Lake Jacomo

After getting comfortable in the pool, we moved to Lake Jacomo for two full days of search and recovery training. The lake was calm, the weather was perfect, and we had Muddy River Divers leading the training — a great group with tons of experience in public safety diving.

Open water training is where things get real. The visibility in the lake was, let’s just say, “authentically murky.” (If you can see your own hand, it’s a good day.) But that’s the point — this is what real rescue and recovery dives are like.

🔦 Search Patterns & Recovery Drills

We practiced search patterns — everything from simple sweep searches to full team grid patterns — using lift bags and lines. It’s not just about finding something underwater, it’s about doing it safely and communicating with your team topside.

We also ran through recovery scenarios, which meant carefully bringing objects to the surface. Sometimes those objects are just weighted dummies, sometimes it’s equipment or evidence that needs to be handled gently for law enforcement.

💬 Teamwork in Low-Vis Conditions

One of the best parts of the weekend was watching newer divers build confidence. Public safety diving is a whole different animal compared to recreational diving — you’re working in low visibility, often in stressful conditions, with the goal of bringing closure to families or recovering important evidence. Seeing everyone click together as a team was awesome.

🫧 Why I Love Public Safety Diving

People always ask me, “Why would you want to dive in a muddy lake when you could just go to Cozumel or Key Largo?” And don’t get me wrong — I love a good tropical reef dive. But public safety diving gives me something warm water can’t: purpose.

Being able to use my skills to help our community, assist law enforcement, and potentially save lives is incredibly rewarding. It’s not glamorous — you’re usually wet, cold, and covered in mud by the end of the day — but it matters.

Plus, weekends like this one keep our skills sharp. You don’t want to be learning on the job during a real call-out. Training in controlled scenarios means when the pager goes off, we’re ready.

🛠️ Gear, Grit, and Good People

This weekend was a reminder of how much goes into public safety diving beyond just jumping in the water. There’s:

• Gear checks (because nothing ruins training faster than a blown o-ring)
• Safety briefings (everyone needs to know the plan)
• Team coordination (divers, tenders, topside communications)

It’s a lot of work, but when you’re surrounded by a dedicated team who takes it seriously, it’s actually a lot of fun too.

By the end of day three, we were all tired, sore, and probably a little sunburned — but we were also better divers, better teammates, and better prepared for the next call.

🛻 Thoughts After the Weekend

This training weekend reminded me why I joined the Lees Summit Underwater Rescue and Recovery team in the first place. It’s about service, about using my passion for diving to make a difference.

And yes, it’s also about laughing with your teammates when someone surfaces with a mask full of lake weeds or accidentally faceplants trying to climb back on the dock. Because even when the training is serious, the camaraderie keeps it fun.

🚐 Day 1: Hitting the Road – Lee’s Summit to Amarillo in Our VW Westfalia

There’s something magical about starting a road trip at sunrise, coffee in hand, with your best travel buddy by your side. On the morning of the 3rd, Kelly and I packed up our 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia camper bus (aka our trusty adventure machine) and rolled out of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, bound for Amarillo, Texas. The goal? Open roads, good food, and a little slice of van-life freedom.

☀️ The Sunny Start from Lee’s Summit

Missouri greeted us with one of those perfect road-trip mornings — bright, sunny, and already a little too hot for my taste. The Westfalia was packed to the brim: cooler, camping gear, snacks, and all the random road-trip essentials that somehow multiply overnight. I swear every time I open the bus, I find something I didn’t pack.

Kelly was in charge of co-pilot duties — music, snacks, and making sure we didn’t miss our turn toward Oklahoma. Me? I was just thrilled to be behind the wheel of the bus, hearing the classic VW hum as we headed southwest. If you know, you know — that sound is pure road-trip soul.

🍳 Breakfast Stop in Oklahoma – Van-Life Cooking

By the time we hit Oklahoma, it was time for breakfast — and what better way to break up a drive than cooking on the side of the road? We pulled into a little rest stop, popped the top on the Westy, and turned the parking lot into our personal diner.

Kelly whipped up eggs and corned beef hash on the camper stove like an absolute pro. There’s something about eating breakfast out of a skillet while trucks rumble by that just feels adventurous. Bonus: the breeze blowing through the pop-top made the bus smell more like a campsite and less like a rolling fridge full of snacks.

Pro tip: if you ever want to feel like a celebrity, start cooking at a rest stop. People look, people smile, and a few will even stop and ask about the bus. “Is that a ‘60s bus?!” nope 78.

📱 Booking HipCamp – The Easy Way to Find a Campsite

Before we left, we’d booked a campsite through HipCamp — if you haven’t used it, it’s like Airbnb for campers. You can find everything from bare-bones tent spots to fancy glamping setups. We went with a little free-range campsite near Amarillo because, well, we wanted the real deal — just us, the bus, and the wide-open sky.

Knowing we had a spot waiting for us took away the “where are we going to sleep?” stress. That’s one of the best parts of van life — you can be flexible, but also plan just enough so you’re not stranded looking for a place to park at midnight.

⛽ Overnight at Love’s – The Truck Stop Life

We didn’t make it all the way to Amarillo before the sun went down, so we pulled into a Love’s a couple hours out to catch some sleep. If you’ve never stayed at a truck stop overnight, let me paint you a picture: bright lights, big trucks, and a soundtrack of engines idling all night long.

Yeah, it was a little noisy and the lights shining through the curtains weren’t exactly mood lighting — but there’s something comforting about knowing you’re surrounded by other travelers. Plus, you can run inside, grab a cold drink, and hit a clean bathroom before crawling back into bed.

We popped the Westy top, let the breeze roll through, and actually slept pretty well considering the constant glow of fluorescent lights. And honestly, waking up surrounded by semis is a unique kind of adventure — it’s like being part of a secret road-warrior club for the night.

🛻 Thoughts on Day 1 – The Joy of the Journey

Day one of the trip was a reminder of why we love traveling this way. There’s freedom in choosing when to stop, what to eat, and how far to go before calling it a night. Sure, it’s not as glamorous as a five-star hotel, but that’s the point — it’s simple, it’s real, and it’s the kind of adventure that makes the best memories.

Tomorrow we’d finally roll into Amarillo, but for now, we were happy just to be out on the open road, sipping cold gas-station drinks, and falling asleep in a bus that’s been hauling travelers around longer than either of us has been alive.

🚐 Day 2: Amarillo Adventures – Cadillac Ranch, Steakhouse, and Rodeo Shopping

There’s something about waking up at a truck stop, stretching out your legs, and knowing a new day’s adventure is waiting. We left Love’s early, coffee in hand, and pointed the 1978 VW Westfalia straight toward Amarillo. The sun was already coming up, painting the Texas sky in that pink-orange glow that practically yells “road trip!”

🌄 Early Start, Smooth Ride into Amarillo

One of my favorite parts of road tripping in the VW bus is those early-morning drives. The roads are quiet, the air is cool, and the bus just hums along like it’s happy to be awake too. We rolled into Amarillo mid-morning and made a beeline for the campsite we’d booked on HipCamp.

This little spot turned out to be a gem — close enough to get into town in minutes but far enough away that you still got that peaceful, country vibe. No screaming traffic, just a quiet breeze and plenty of space to pop the Westy top and settle in.

🏕️ The Perfect Campsite Base

Our HipCamp spot was just what we needed after a long day on the road: flat ground, easy to park, and plenty of space to spread out our gear. We did a quick once-over of the site — because if you camp in a bus, you know you’re basically checking for mud pits, potholes, or anything that might leave you stuck — and it passed the test.

With the bus parked and the pop-top up, it felt like home base was officially set. Time to hit Amarillo and play tourist for the day!

🎨 Cadillac Ranch – The Graffiti Playground

Our first stop had to be Cadillac Ranch, because what’s a trip to Amarillo without it? If you’ve never been, it’s basically an art installation in the middle of a field with ten Cadillacs buried nose-first in the dirt. Visitors come armed with spray paint and leave their mark on the cars.

Kelly and I grabbed a couple of cans and added our own splash of color to the rainbow of layers already there. It’s part art, part chaos, and completely worth the stop. Pro tip: wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little paint on — and take photos, because your masterpiece will probably be covered by someone else in 30 minutes.

🥩 The Famous Steakhouse Experience

After Cadillac Ranch, we were starving — and when you’re in Amarillo, there’s only one right answer: The Big Texan Steak Ranch. Yes, the one with the 72-ounce steak challenge. No, we didn’t attempt it (I like being able to walk after dinner), but we did enjoy some classic Texas-sized portions.

The whole place is basically part steakhouse, part Wild West theme park, with servers in cowboy hats and a stage where brave (or crazy) souls try to down the monster steak. We cheered on a poor guy attempting the challenge — he made it about halfway before tapping out, but we admired the effort.

🤠 Rodeo Gear Shopping – When in Texas…

You can’t come to Texas and not get at least a little cowboy gear. After lunch, we hit a few local shops to check out boots, hats, and all the rodeo-ready accessories. Kelly tried on about 47 cowboy hats before finding the perfect one, and I may or may not have spent too long checking out belt buckles I don’t technically need.

Even if you’re not a cowboy (yet), the shops are fun — the smell of leather, the rows of boots in every color you can imagine, and the friendly locals who’ll happily tell you which pair will last you 10 years.

🌆 Exploring Amarillo Like Locals

The rest of the day was spent cruising around Amarillo, taking in the sights, snapping photos of all the quirky roadside attractions, and just soaking in that Texas vibe. Amarillo might not be a massive city, but it’s got personality — from the murals downtown to the friendly “hey y’all!” you hear just about everywhere.

By evening, we rolled back to the campsite, popped the top again, and watched the sunset over the Texas plains. There’s nothing like ending the day sitting under the Westy’s awning, cold drink in hand, dust on your boots, and the smell of the prairie in the air.

🛻 Thoughts on Day 2 – Amarillo Done Right

Day two was all about embracing the Amarillo experience — a mix of art, food, shopping, and just wandering around. We covered a lot of ground, met some interesting characters, and left with a few more souvenirs (and a lot more photos) than we expected.

Tomorrow, the road would call again, but for now, Amarillo gave us exactly what we needed: a perfect blend of quirky attractions, cowboy culture, and that wide-open Texas sky that makes you want to stay just a little longer.

Day 3: Desert Dreams, Route 66, and Push-Starting the VW Bus

Day three of our road trip was one for the books — full of Route 66 nostalgia, gorgeous desert views, and a little mechanical “character-building” courtesy of our trusty 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia. Spoiler alert: Kelly became an expert at push-starting the bus by the end of the day.

🌵 Kelly’s Desert Quest – Heading Into New Mexico

Kelly had one request for the trip: she wanted to see some desert. So we loaded up the bus, popped the top down, and pointed our rolling adventure machine west toward New Mexico. There’s something about crossing that state line that just feels like stepping into a whole different world — fewer trees, more open sky, and that warm desert breeze that makes you want to crank the windows down and let your hair go wild.

The drive into Santa Rosa was beautiful. Long stretches of open highway, the kind that make you forget what day it is. The VW hummed along, soaking in the sun just like we were.

🍔 Lunch on Historic Route 66 – Del’s Restaurant

Once we rolled into Santa Rosa, our stomachs told us it was time to eat. We found Del’s Restaurant, a classic little spot right on historic Route 66. It felt like stepping back in time — neon signs, cozy booths, and that nostalgic diner charm you can’t fake.

We grabbed a booth, ordered some classic comfort food (I went for a burger, Kelly tried their special), and just enjoyed slowing down for a bit. The food was excellent — the kind of meal that makes you sit back and go, “Yep, this is why road trips are worth it.”

🛣️ Taking the Scenic Route Back

After lunch, I decided to avoid the boring highway drive and take a more scenic route back toward Amarillo. This is where the fun really started. We made a few random stops along the way, including a quirky roadside site with Jesse James’s tombstone — because who doesn’t want a selfie with outlaw history?

It’s moments like these that make road-tripping in a VW bus so special. You’re not on a schedule. You can pull over whenever something catches your eye, stretch your legs, snap a photo, and just enjoy being out there.

⚡ Uh-Oh… Starter Trouble in Santa Rosa

Of course, no road trip is complete without a little mechanical drama. When we tried to start the bus in Santa Rosa, the starter just gave up. Nothing. Silence. The kind of silence that makes your stomach drop.

That’s when we became part of an old-school VW tradition: the push start. If you’ve never done it, it’s simple — put the bus in second gear, get it rolling, pop the clutch, and hope it roars to life.

The first time was a little chaotic. Kelly was nervous — “Wait, we’re doing what?!” — but after we got it running and realized we could actually make this work, she turned into a pro. By the second and third push starts, she was grinning and proud of her new road-trip skill.

🏁 Back to Amarillo Just Before Dark

We nursed the bus back toward Amarillo, stopping just long enough to keep from overheating ourselves. Each push start became smoother, faster, and almost fun (if you don’t count the part where I was silently praying the starter would magically fix itself).

We rolled into Amarillo just before dark, tired but relieved. There’s nothing quite like pulling back into camp knowing you made it — no tow truck needed. We popped the top, let the evening breeze cool things down, and started getting ready to leave in the morning and begin the long trek back home.

🛻 Thoughts on Day 3 – The Best (and Worst) Kind of Road Trip Drama

Day three was proof that the best road trips are equal parts adventure, food, and mild mechanical panic. Kelly got her desert views, we got a delicious Route 66 lunch, and we even gained a new skill: push-starting a VW bus.

Sure, it was stressful in the moment, but now it’s the story we’ll probably tell the most from this trip. There’s something bonding about being out in the middle of nowhere, working together to literally push your way back to civilization.

Tomorrow would start the journey back toward Missouri, but for tonight, we were just grateful to be parked, fed, and ready for whatever Day 4 had in store.