All good things must come to an end. After 8197 miles, three Canadian provinces, 14 states, and too many stops to count, we arrived back home, tired, but totally satisfied that our trip was all we had hoped it would be. We loved that we were able to connect with family and friends along the way. We loved revisiting the places we had been to on earlier trips, but seeing new places was a real treat. Most of our California time was in places we had never been, and it makes us want to do an all California trip. We'd fly next time so we could get busy exploring right away.
We had glorious weather the whole trip, and didn't see rain and cold until the last day driving home. We feel fortunate that our Jeep performed admirably, and no one got sick or injured (well, I did trip and fall one night, and found out after we got home that I bruised a bone - and that was BEFORE I had that margarita!)
Now we're thinking ... hmmmm....how about a then and now trip where we go east??
We hope you've enjoyed going on our trip with us. Let's do it again!
Happy Trails!
Jim and Karen
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Devil's Tower and South Dakota
We decided to take a little side trip and visit Devil's Tower in Wyoming. This is a "then and now" that has not changed a bit! It was impressive when we saw it with Mike in 1993 and it's still an astonishing sight, surging upward out of the prairie. Those are huge trees at the base, which give you an indication of it's size.
Also amazing are the number of people ready to accept the challenge of climbing it! (Click on the picture for a closer look!)
Driving up to Devil's Tower we saw many pronghorn antelope. When we stopped the car to look, all the ladies ran to their man for protection!
And on the way out, we stopped by the prairie dog village. They were not shy at all, and seemed disappointed when we didn't feed them (which is not good for them).
Our first destination in South Dakota was the Crazy Horse Monument. We visited here in 1981 and were anxious to see progress, and we definitely could. Then, you had to use your imagination to visualize what it would be like. Now, you can see it taking shape. It's a huge undertaking and will be fantastic when it's completed. The artist began it in 1948 and saw it as a 100 year project. (So if I live to be 102 maybe I'll see the completed project!) When we visited in 1981 it had a small museum and displays. Now it has a huge complex of Native American art, along with a cultural center, many photographs and models of the work over the years, gift shops, restaurant, and much more. We could have spent hours there.
The model depicts what the finished project will look like.
The face is complete, and work continues on the rest of it.
After Crazy Horse, we went to Mt. Rushmore. (They're neighbors.) Always impressive!
South Dakota has some amazing tourist attractions, those created by God as well as by man! On the way to drive through the Badlands, we had to stop by Wall Drug Store. If you've ever driven within a few hundred miles of it, you'll have seen the abundance of billboards. We lost count! It's a major tourist attraction, but a fun place to visit anyway.
Jim hanging out with the dance hall girl....
I've always had a thing for cowboys!
Mother Nature was at her artistic best here in the Badlands.
More wildlife!
We couldn't drive past Mitchell, SD without at least doing a Corn Palace drive-by. It was closed on Sunday, but the most impressive part is outside anyway. It was first built in 1892, and was rebuilt a couple of times after that, enlarging it significantly. It is redecorated every year with a different theme, using corn, grains and native grasses.
This was our last official sightseeing stop, although we're not home yet, so we'll see... Final thoughts to follow. Stay tuned!
Also amazing are the number of people ready to accept the challenge of climbing it! (Click on the picture for a closer look!)
Driving up to Devil's Tower we saw many pronghorn antelope. When we stopped the car to look, all the ladies ran to their man for protection!
And on the way out, we stopped by the prairie dog village. They were not shy at all, and seemed disappointed when we didn't feed them (which is not good for them).
Our first destination in South Dakota was the Crazy Horse Monument. We visited here in 1981 and were anxious to see progress, and we definitely could. Then, you had to use your imagination to visualize what it would be like. Now, you can see it taking shape. It's a huge undertaking and will be fantastic when it's completed. The artist began it in 1948 and saw it as a 100 year project. (So if I live to be 102 maybe I'll see the completed project!) When we visited in 1981 it had a small museum and displays. Now it has a huge complex of Native American art, along with a cultural center, many photographs and models of the work over the years, gift shops, restaurant, and much more. We could have spent hours there.
The model depicts what the finished project will look like.
The face is complete, and work continues on the rest of it.
After Crazy Horse, we went to Mt. Rushmore. (They're neighbors.) Always impressive!
South Dakota has some amazing tourist attractions, those created by God as well as by man! On the way to drive through the Badlands, we had to stop by Wall Drug Store. If you've ever driven within a few hundred miles of it, you'll have seen the abundance of billboards. We lost count! It's a major tourist attraction, but a fun place to visit anyway.
Jim hanging out with the dance hall girl....
I've always had a thing for cowboys!
Mother Nature was at her artistic best here in the Badlands.
More wildlife!
We couldn't drive past Mitchell, SD without at least doing a Corn Palace drive-by. It was closed on Sunday, but the most impressive part is outside anyway. It was first built in 1892, and was rebuilt a couple of times after that, enlarging it significantly. It is redecorated every year with a different theme, using corn, grains and native grasses.
This was our last official sightseeing stop, although we're not home yet, so we'll see... Final thoughts to follow. Stay tuned!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Yellowstone Continued
Of course one of the first things we had to do was visit Old Faithful. We gathered with the crowds and of course, right on schedule, the show began. It's quite unlike anything else. The whole geyser basin is impressive, but Old Faithful is the star of the show.
Jim enjoying the view above the river.
Gibbon Falls
In addition to mountains, rivers, and forests, there are beautiful, expansive meadows in the park.
And often, you'll find elk or buffalo there!
This guy had a harem of about 15 females with him!
We had a hitchhiker who wanted to go home with us. We told the raven, Nevermore!
We met Doug, son of our friends Bill and Katie, in Big Sky, Montana, and got a look at his beautiful work environment. Then we had to check out the Lone Peak Brew Pub. Good food, good company.
Leaving Yellowstone, we're finally heading east on our way home. But of course we couldn't pass up the sights in the Black Hills. Check in tomorrow for a look at that area.
Jim enjoying the view above the river.
Gibbon Falls
In addition to mountains, rivers, and forests, there are beautiful, expansive meadows in the park.
And often, you'll find elk or buffalo there!
This guy had a harem of about 15 females with him!
We had a hitchhiker who wanted to go home with us. We told the raven, Nevermore!
We met Doug, son of our friends Bill and Katie, in Big Sky, Montana, and got a look at his beautiful work environment. Then we had to check out the Lone Peak Brew Pub. Good food, good company.
Leaving Yellowstone, we're finally heading east on our way home. But of course we couldn't pass up the sights in the Black Hills. Check in tomorrow for a look at that area.
Grand Tetons and Yellowstone
After we left Mammoth Lakes, we drove through Nevada to Utah, heading toward Yellowstone. We spent the night near the Nevada/Utah border, and didn't realize until morning we were right beside the Bonneville Salt Flats. They're not exactly picturesque, but are so immense and well, flat, that they are very impressive. The day we stopped a woman told us someone was going to try to go 464 miles per hour -- amazing!
The Grand Tetons are gorgeous and of course, grand!
We spent the night in Jackson Hole, where they have created a whole new art form using antlers. We remembered the antler arches from our visit there in 1981.
We spent the next day and a half in Yellowstone. Even though we have been there before, we totally enjoyed our time there. It is so immense and impressive, it would take weeks to explore it all. We opted not to camp -- too chilly, too many bear sightings! There will be pictures in the next post. The computer is starting to complain about being too full!
The Grand Tetons are gorgeous and of course, grand!
We spent the night in Jackson Hole, where they have created a whole new art form using antlers. We remembered the antler arches from our visit there in 1981.
We spent the next day and a half in Yellowstone. Even though we have been there before, we totally enjoyed our time there. It is so immense and impressive, it would take weeks to explore it all. We opted not to camp -- too chilly, too many bear sightings! There will be pictures in the next post. The computer is starting to complain about being too full!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Mammoth Lakes, California
After spending every moment of daylight enjoying Yosemite, which included a visit to some of the giant sequoias and a sunset at Glacier Point, we headed to Mammoth Lakes. Our niece Laurel was ready and waiting to be our personal tour guide, and she and Jeff showed us some of the best parts of the area. We started with a gondola ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain. We had a marvelous view of the area. Laurel rode the gondola down with us, but Jeff rode down on his mountain bike. Looks like fun...if you're young and fearless!
Jeff zooming by as he starts down the mountain.
Hmmm-m-m.... must be some celebrities having lunch after a gondola ride.
While Laurel and Jeff dealt with work things, we visited the Devil's Postpile, a National Monument.
We took a couple of hikes with Bear and Sugar, Jeff and Laurel's dogs. One of the hikes was around Convict Lake. We got attached to these dogs in record time, and it just reminded us how much we miss Niki, our Siberian Husky.
Jim with Bear.
Karen and Laurel with Sugar and Bear.
We know Laurel and Jeff love their dogs, but should they really let them drive??
We got to visit the kennel where all the sled dogs are kept. It was fun and noisy, with about 35 dogs, but the best part was meeting the new puppies. It's a good thing they weren't quite ready to leave their mom, Luna, or I'd have smuggled one out in my pocket!
Thanks Laurel and Jeff! We had a great time!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Yosemite Continued
Spotty internet interrupted my post! I was just remembering how nice it was to enjoy the campfire in our isolated campground. Brilliant stars overhead, warm campfire....pretty nice!
Just beyond the trees, by our campsite, was this typical Yosemite topography.
Every day we've had some type of wildlife encounter. This guy was unconcerned about the people nearby. The coyote we spotted was not interested in sticking around for a photo!
Some well known Yosemite sites... Half Dome
Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
Magnificent views are available without even leaving the highway.
What do you think? A little Ansel Adams-ish? I can understand why he spent so much time capturing Yosemite images.
Just beyond the trees, by our campsite, was this typical Yosemite topography.
Every day we've had some type of wildlife encounter. This guy was unconcerned about the people nearby. The coyote we spotted was not interested in sticking around for a photo!
Some well known Yosemite sites... Half Dome
El Capitan
Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
Magnificent views are available without even leaving the highway.
What do you think? A little Ansel Adams-ish? I can understand why he spent so much time capturing Yosemite images.
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