It is hard to find time to write!

We have been so crazy busy in Yellowstone. Today is the first morning we decided to "sleep in" (6:30) and take our time moving. The plan is to actually make breakfast. I will be honest with you... The thought of me losing weight on this trip is long gone! Breakfast usually consists of McDonalds- we had no idea there would be one right at the entrance to the park. We have been really good making sandwiches along the way- but if we stop somewhere outside the park for lunch that usually is our lunch/dinner. Yesterday we went into Cody, Wy for the best burger ever! Cody is a cute old town which was established by Colonel William F Cody, otherwise known as Buffalo Bill. We strolled down the street and took pictures of his famous hotel "Hotel in the Rockies" , established in 1902, named after his daughter Irma. When traveling to and from Cody we saw the most beautiful countryside. I know I keep saying everything is beautiful...breathtaking... Etc... But this ride has been my most favorite scenic route yet. A lot of pictures were taken on the good camera because the cell phone would not do them justice. It was exactly what I pictured the west to look like. Tall jagged cliffs, red stone, rolling green pastures, and rivers winding through. Just what you would see from an old Clint Eastwood movies... Although his "Spagetti Westerns" were filmed in Spain. 

We have seen a lot of wildlife along our journeys. A momma elk luring her baby across a rapidly rolling  river. Baby tried, but after getting carried away a few times finally gave up and headed towards land. We saw a momma bison last night with a limp leg with her baby. Momma was limping along, but baby was having a ball running and leaping circles around her. It was a joy to watch, but then you wonder what their fate will be with mom not being 100%. The bison are all over the park! They will stop traffic to meander across the street whenever they like. We are not driving like true flatlanders up here- fast on the straightaways- because seeing what a deer can do to your front grill has led us to drive cautiously. 

Old Faithful did not appear to be so faithful for us. The lodge lobby sign said she would go off at 9:30, then that got changed to 10:23 and she finally went off at 10:45. She usually goes off, give or take 10 minutes, from the time they post. I will be honest it was kind of a let down because we had already seen another geyser go off. As expected Old Faithful has been the most touristy and crowded part of the park so far, but the lodge was definitely worth seeing. 

Today we are off to see the paint pots and waterfalls. We are here until Monday and then we will head to Grand Tetons. So many have said they loved the Grand Tetons so I'm excited to see what they have in store for us... Hopefully some moose! 

 

The lack of oxygen might be getting to me- because I find myself relaxed and saying things like... "What a beautiful world we live in!"

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing this trip has been so far! Of course my spirits are up because we stayed in a hotel the last 2 nights. As I write this I am savoring the last minutes in the most comfortable hotel bed I've ever slept in! Seriously- crazy comfy! 

Just a few things of interest along the way-

1) South Dakota has the prettiest girls! 

2) In South Dakota the working age is 14! 

3) Everyone up here is super friendly! 

4) It stays light up here way too long! Although I've been told it stays way too dark during the winter months. 

6) With the speed limit of 80- you get places a lot quicker. Although they don't seem to be in a hurry to do anything else. Very laid back. 

7) No one is fat up here! All fit healthy people! 

8) How we complain about Yankee drivers they complain about Californians. 

9) Roadways are super clean. 

10) Patiotism runs wide! 

We met a 98 year old WWII vet who had amazing stories to share. We had a Close Encounter at Devils Tower. We stood where Custer took his last stand. We are now in Bozeman, Montana surrounded by mountains and amazed with the snow on the peaks! We drove through Montana State University and of course had to run into the Student bookstore to get a sweatshirt. We visited an old friend from Jacksonville (and his dog)  who has been living in this beautiful state for 18 years. He shared with us all the beauty Bozeman has to offer. We fully understand why he loves it up here so much. 

Today a new adventure begins. We head to our new campsite, our home for the next 5 days. Along the way we will be getting an oil change (we had it changed before we left. It's due again!) and doing laundry- then the exploring will begin! So excited to see what Yellowstone has in store for us! However I'm not excited about the possible snow flurries we might encounter! 😁❄️

 

Side Note: On the Homefront things are going great! Woogie, Shiner, Josie, Tux and Daisy love Olivia and its apparent she loves them too! 

More stories to come in the next few days. 

❤️😊 

Oh, The Camping Life is For Me!

Ha! If you believe that- I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona for you! Ok.... It's not all that bad and I am getting the hang of things! I've have truly mastered the art form of peeing in a bucket! The thing that amazes me most is that there are people who actually do this for enjoyment...and surprisingly there are a whole bunch of them! You see- they pull in late at night (ok, I'm still on Florida time- so to me it's late!) They have kids in tow...happy kids mind you...not kicking and screaming! They whip out those tents- it's like an art form and shazam! they have a campsite set up! This tribe I am studying just sit around... Talk and stare at each other. I have discovered that they are drinking out of big tumblers which I can only assume contain some form of fire water. The most baffling thing is that they just let their offspring run amuck!! Kids everywhere! Riding bikes, running, and screaming... With what appears to be laughter! The adult natives are all happy and extremely friendly and approachable. Almost as if they seek adult conversation. They all stay up late into the night and rise early in the morning....and seem just as happy! This is a crazy world... But one I'm afraid I will not become accustomed to! On another note it is extremely beautiful here! The weather has been crazy hot! At one point yesterday our car thermostat read 108! We have ventured all over and today to wrap up our stay in these neck of the woods we will be hitting Hot Springs and really suffering by doing local Whinerys. Ha, okay that was my contribution to our itinerary! Tomorrow a new adventure begins and a new campground in Montana. On a different note- our prayers go out to the victims and families in Orlando. We may be thousands of miles away from home, but to hear of such a tragedy in our own backyard is heart wrenching. 

Oh what a night!

It's 4:30am and I've been up most of the night, but I guess I should be happy... Because I survived?! Our campsite is beautiful. We got all set up for the night and decided to go into Hill City for dinner. We met several locals and were given directions to places we need to go today that are a bit off the beaten path. When we got back to our site we popped a beer and settled in at the picnic table. For at least 2 hours we had an amazing light show. It was storming over the mountain and by our Flatlander standards it was blowing by. Ha! We're we wrong! A camp ranger came by and told us we needed to seek shelter... And our tent was not what he had in mind. A severe weather alert had just been issued and we needed to head to our truck or to the lodge. Well, the truck it was! Remember we are roughing it! The lodge would have been the logical thing to do! Soon we were able to make it to the tent. Mark fell right asleep! I on the other hand listened to the rain and wind pelt the tent- for what seemed like forever! Unfortunately every time I looked at the clock it had only creeped by minutes! I finally was able to fall asleep for about an hour when I awoke with the terrible urge to pee! Stupid popping that beer earlier in the night. Well, for those of you that were disappointed that I wasn't truly "roughing it" will be happy to know, that yes, I peed in a bucket in the tent! Desperate times call for desperate measures! It was still raining and lord knows adventure boy who was snoozing away wasn't going to go willingly to the bathrooms with me. Back in bed I suddenly could feel the temperature drop. Where was that wool blanket Mark packed for me... Oh, that's right it's in the truck! Fortunately I had my rain coat and that warmed me up a bit. Hour by hour went painstakingly by! When the birds started chirping at 3am I honestly thought, oh my gosh I'm in some kind of living hell! So, that takes me to now. My air mattress had deflated tremendously over night- it's true when they say it stretches! Being cold and tired I dragged myself to the truck. I am comfy with my wool blanket watching the sun rise and an over zealous camper jogging! She must have slept in one of them fancy motor homes! Well, todays adventure will lead us to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Needles Parkway- where we've been told we can get lost in all day long. I'm only hoping that somewhere along our journey I can find time for a nap!  

 

 

Eat Steak, Wear Furs, and Keep Your Guns... The American Way!

That was just one of the signs we passed on the way to the Badlands. I would have taken a picture- but to Mark's enjoyment the speed limit out here is 80mph! Things were whizzing by! We left KC, Mo this morning and took off for Sioux Falls, ND. After checking out the downtown area of Sioux Falls and visiting the countries Largest Pawn shop- we decided we had seen it all- and forged on to Rapid City, SD. While driving on 90 all you see is vast, wide open prairies... Along with billboard after billboard. The question of the day was, "How did we ever find the Indians?" We made a quick stop at 1880 Town- it is the actual movie set of the town used in Dances with Wolves. Back on the road and in no time we hit the Badlands! Crazy awesomeness!!! One minute you are in the flatlands and the next minute these rock formations form right before your eyes! We saw Praire Dogs popping out of holes along the road and the most amazing site were Rams within feet from our truck.  We did a 30 mile

loop through the Badlands. Every overlook was as amazing as the first! We came back out in Wall, SD which has the oldest pharmacy founded in the late 1800's. It is very touristy, but we found a Best Western- family owned and run since the 1950's, cozy, clean, and calling our names since we are now in Mountain Time- there is a two hour difference here. People are out and about in the pool- considering it's only 8pm...But we are still on Florida time- those of you that know me best know that I'm fast asleep by 10! So, off to bed we go! Tomorrow begins our camping adventure! Yay... She says sarcastically! 

   

Just hang out the window... It is all about making time!

We got up this morning and headed to St Louis. As we headed into the city I was told, "Here, if I lean back and slow down you should be able to get a good shot of the arch." In my mind I was seriously saying... "WTF!" Are you kidding me? We drove this far to get a glimpse at it? So, at the last minute I stood my ground and told him, "Stop! Take the next exit downtown! We will figure it out from there!" It was awesome! We actually ran into a Food Truck from Triple D and walked down to the Arch. The best part- Mark THANKED me for making him stop! Out next stop was Kansas City, Mo. Again- I forced my adventurous boy (not)  to get off the interstate and we winded up at a Hockey Themed Bar downtown with the a most amazing Mexican food! Sad there wasn't a game tonight! We are now at the Hotel Room ready to head North tomorrow! I'm excited! Bring it!   

Day 1- The Adventure Begins!

Due to the nasty rain this morning we got a late start. However, Mark made up for it in our travel time! Atlanta in 4.5 hours and Nashville in 7!!! Crazy, I know! But then again- I live with Crazy! Our intention was to stay in Nashville, but after a quick cruise down Broadway we decided to push on through and go a bit further. Nashville will be our Christmas Break adventure! We did take a brief excursion to Lookout Mountain in Chatanooga. I had memories of driving up that mountain as a kid on our way to Florida. We would stop and visit an "uncle" of my dads? Not sure if we were actually related - but I remember sitting on rocking chairs on the front porch. Unfortunately, we were unable to find the old retirement home- but we did get a beautiful view of Ruby Falls. Tonight we landed in Paducah, Ky. Stopped because we heard they had a cute downtown... Well, we blinked and drove right through it and ended up back by the interstate. So, hotel... Restaurant... Dinner... Beer... And Bed!  

The Essentials!

Today has been a packing day! I wish I could say I'm done... But since I don't dry half my clothes... It is now a waiting game! I did however get the snack container packed; Twizzlers, Gummibears, jerky, pretzels, peanut butter... All the essentials! I also made a Walmart run.  When leaving the store my cart was overflowing! A lady passed me and said, "Good luck sneaking all those purchases past your husband."  If she only looked closer... A mini Weber Grill, charcoal, lighter fluid, two air mattresses- I can assure you these things were on Mark's list- Not mine. However, I did pick out the twin sheets to go on the air mattresses. The camo theme makes me laugh! I figure laughter is going to be the most important essential to get me through this trip! 

 

Ready, Set, Oh, I'm so not there yet!

So the journey will begin in a few days... I am anxious and excited at the same time.  Hopefully this will be a way that family and friends can keep up with us along the way!  It wasn't as easy as I thought coming up with a creative name... "So, this is where I die" was already taken.  We will be traveling in the Jeep and camping in a teepee... yes, you read that correctly!  This is going to be quite an adventure for this city girl that isn't such a fan of the great outdoors.  I am expanding my horizons and embracing all that is coming my way!