Road Trip: The final leg

With 23 hours of drive time left to Chicago, Laurie (a fellow speed demon) & I decided to get to the city in 3 days rather than 4. But not to worry, we saw plenty along the way: Mount Rushmore, Sturgis bike week, the famous Wall Drug, charming barns, never-ending corn fields, rolling hills, the Mississippi river, and more. 7 states in 3 days. Is that a record?

Day 5: From Jackson Hole, Wyoming to Nebraska to Kadoka, South Dakota, we saw history, lots of leather and Hell's Half Acre (who knew that was a real place?!).





Laurie's one request was to see Mt. Rushmore. Though not as big as I expected, it was nonetheless impressive and worth the visit.




Before leaving for my road trip, a friend insisted we stop in Wall, South Dakota to experience the famous Wall Drug. We were surprised to discover billboards advertising free ice water, 5 cent coffee and anything one could need at Wall Drug, already in Wyoming. Kitschy and chok full of western wear, tschotkes and well, junk, at least we can say we've been there!


Day 6: After an overnight in Kadoka we continued east through South Dakota (which, by the way, was quite beautiful with fields of giant sunflowers), continued into Iowa (filled with, as expected, rows and rows of corn), detoured into Minnesota (also lots of corn fields) and then through Wisconsin (old barns, rolling green hills, absolutely charming) where we stayed the night in Madison.






The M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I River (Anyone else have that spelling cadence in their head when about to spell the river/state?)

Day 7: Just 2 hours from Chicago, we left Madison and crossed over into my new home state of Illinois.

Our early arrival meant Laurie could see my (empty) apartment and we could indulge in a Chicago classic, Numero Uno Pizza. Like true locals, we took the EL.

Thank you, Laurie, for the company, the lead foot and the fun!

You can see a few more photos HERE.

It all started on a Thursday at Oh-Dark-Thirty

(Alternately titled, "FINALLY!! A post with pictures!!")

Three friends, a very early departure, 4 days, 6 states, over 1500 miles, cotton candy Blizzards, seatbelt debacles, ABBA, breath-taking scenery, near-death experiences with a bison, more cotton candy Blizzards, and more ABBA. It was great.

Day 1: A drive north through 4 states (CA, NV, UT, ID) and almost 1000 miles, we stopped for a walk around Salt Lake City and stopped for the night in Pocatello, ID.
We started each day with a self-portrait in the car.

The Salt Lake City temple

Day 2: Leaving Pocatello we headed for West Yellowstone, MT with a stop to see the falls in Idaho Falls. This second day was the day of the infamous seatbelt debacle, requiring a race to the nearest Honda dealership in Bozeman, MT. A walk around the charming town was required.

The Falls in Idaho Falls, ID

Lauren was a good sport, willing to drive 90+ minutes restrained in a locked seatbelt so I didn't have to cut it.

A tasty lunch at Garage in Bozeman, MT



Our cameras were ever present

Seen in Bozeman


Day 3: Yellowstone. Gorgeous. Breath-taking. Far more beautiful than one expects or can imagine. Our day wasn't complete until we got caught in a bison/buffalo traffic jam, resulting in an unexpected near-death experience with a buffalo.


Soon after driving into Yellowstone we came across this multi-hued hot spring, steam rising, depths unable to be seen.


A certain someone may have dared another certain someone to dip their foot in it, resulting in the knowledge that these steamy pools are steamy for a reason--they are near boiling hot! Fortunately we escaped without a trip to the nearest burn unit.

Our first bison sighting! One never forgets one's first bison sighting.


The falls at which Lauren was the unsuspecting recipient of bug kiss on the neck

L & M were always willing subjects, whether they liked it or not.


Our first bison herd sighting, which led to the traffic jam and near-death experience as I mugged for Lauren's camera with a bison crossing the street behind me. Apparantly my little friend wanted to get better acquainted. They really do just cross the road, regardless of the number of curious cars and people staring.




Our day ended watching an eruption of Old Faithful




Day 4: A drive back through Yellowstone took us past the Grand Tetons and into Jackson Hole, WY where I said goodbye to my dear friends and hello to my Aunt Laurie, who would drive the rest of the way with me.

The Grand Tetons

We took turns looking like fools as we made antlers in front of the antler arch in the Jackson Hole town square

A close-up of M & L for your entertainment

Lots of cowboys and bikers on their way to Sturgis, SD for the annual Bike Week festival

Time to say goodbye

Thank you dear friends, for keeping me laughing all along the way!

For more photos from the first half of the trip, go HERE.