Road Trip Out West: Colorado

Driving across the country I am constantly amazed by the changing landscape and the beauty in all we see. Idaho surprised me with its rolling fields, volcanic rock, and distant mountains. Colorado is all about mountains, plateaus, mesas, and the valleys between them. When we arrived near Grand Junction, Jef found a park that we could explore: Colorado National Monument. It was at the end … Continue reading Road Trip Out West: Colorado

Road Trip Out West: Craters of the Moon, Preston, and Bonneville Salt Flats

The drive to Craters of the Moon is definitely like being on the moon. It is difficult to take a picture of the landscape because it is so vast. The lava rocks are piled up against rolling fields and mountains. They are black either growing bushes and grass or still stark piles. When you arrive at the visitors’ center, that is the true entrance to … Continue reading Road Trip Out West: Craters of the Moon, Preston, and Bonneville Salt Flats

Road Trip Out West: Idaho Waterfalls and Ice Cave

We arrived in Idaho Falls, had some diner food, a trip to Reed’s Dairy (homemade Huckleberry ice cream-yum!), and to the hotel, which had the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in (it was a Sleep Inn). The next morning we stopped at two gardens, one in the heart of the city and another in the middle of campus at BYU Idaho. I would … Continue reading Road Trip Out West: Idaho Waterfalls and Ice Cave

Road Trip Out West: Yellowstone and Beartooth Highway

Yesterday we thought that the park would be super busy considering it was the day after the holiday, so we decided to take the road east across Yellowstone through Lamar Valley and out into Wyoming and onto Beartooth Highway. We encountered very little traffic and we started around 9:30am. We stopped briefly to view this gorgeous waterfall. On our way to view the petrified tree, … Continue reading Road Trip Out West: Yellowstone and Beartooth Highway

Road Trip Out West: Yellowstone National Park-Day 1

Driving through Yellowstone on the Fourth of July may have not been our smartest move, but we started out early and was able to see quite a bit of the park. We are staying in Gardiner, MT and therefore are right next to the North Entrance. After checking out a couple of elk hanging out by the inn, we stopped at Mammoth Springs. It was … Continue reading Road Trip Out West: Yellowstone National Park-Day 1

Road Trip Out West: Kalispell, Glacier National Park, MT

We arrived in northwestern Montana during a cold snap. The highs each day have not reached 60 degrees. Since we are coming from Florida, this was a welcome change. I was excited to be able to wear pants and sweatshirts for a few days. Our first full day in town we decided to drive out to Glacier National Park. The weather forecast said it would … Continue reading Road Trip Out West: Kalispell, Glacier National Park, MT

Road Trip Out West: Rapid City, SD (and surrounding area)

On our way to Rapid City, we drove through Badlands National Park. Before you get to the park, you go by a place that advertises feeding the prairie dogs. Although we did not buy any peanuts to give them, we saw plenty of prairie dogs and were able to get very close to them for pictures. They are absolutely adorable. Our drive through the Badlands … Continue reading Road Trip Out West: Rapid City, SD (and surrounding area)