I Made It!

The final stretch! Did you know that cars entering the state of CA have to be inspected for invasive species? But the cars from CA don't have to be inspected. Wouldn't the people who live in CA be just as likely to bring something wonky in?

Not many trip pictures for the day. This is Nevada. There are random small towns here and there but I don't know how anyone lives in them. They've got to be planted to keep "services" open every 60 miles. Or they're just crazy waiting for the zombie apocalypse. Probably both.

Rocks, rocks, rocks

I-70 took a bit of time. It was lovely of course. Mountainous.

Friday afternoon and Saturday morning were spent in Arches National Park. It was beautiful! There were so many colors between the sky and landforms. There were of course a number of arches as well, which were fun to see. It was pretty toasty out, but it worked out that I had an afternoon and a morning so I never hit the high heat time of day. I also somehow managed to avoid crowds (yay!!!). It was pretty empty when I was on the trails, but every time I left there were a ton of people coming up. The trails did confirm that I need to work out more!

 Delicate Arch

From Delicate Arch Trail 

Landscape Arch 

Double O Arch 

Devil's Garden Trail

Got to Salt Lake City this afternoon. It's nice, though to be honest I haven't gone around too much. Just checked out Temple Square and the city center then relaxing for a bit before hitting the road again.

SoDak Part Deux

I made it to Mount Rushmore! Yeah America! It was pretty impressive. Definitely amazing how much effort went into making this, and how much goes into maintaining it.

Unfortunately the trail down to the base was closed for insect spraying. Since I had extra time I decided to go to Custer State Park. Great decision! The drive to the park was great – crazy turns, “pigtail” bridges, a tunnel framing Mt. Rushmore. Once in the park there were buffalo herds that were wandering around by the road. The calves were really energetic, it was adorable.

I also saw some elk from afar. And there were wild donkeys… I’m sure people feed them because the encounter went like this.

Donkeys in the road, I should stop.

Oh hey new donkey friend, coming to say hi.

Hey! Stop chewing on my seat!

I was surrounded – 3 on the left and one more trying to shove his face into the window on the right. Luckily they were too short for the sunroof, but I think an effort was made. It was hilarious! I regret forgetting to take a video.

There were also prairie dogs. They did not come up to my car.

All of this was followed by a seriously dull drive through Wyoming on a road with only cows. No gas stations, signs, radio stations… just cows.

Finished the night in Castle Rock with Sara. Lilly made me breakfast in the morning in her play kitchen – bread and juice. It was very low calorie.

SoDak!

This may be unexpected but... I really like this state! It has so many of my favorite things... national parks, roadside attractions (both educational and what the huh?), baby cows.

The first stop was the Corn Palace which I didn't realize has corn on the outside AND inside. And they have basketball tournaments there. And graduations. I wouldn't be able to sit through a ceremony in the Corn Palace, I'd be too distracted by the corn. Mitchell has a bunch of cute stores too which is nice that it's not just the Palace.

Second stop was 1880 Town! This was completely unplanned and forced by the billboards. Which side note, this state LOVES some billboards. It's nice in that it gives you something to look at besides cows, but I hated Wall Drug by the time I got to Wall. Anyway, 1880 Town is a "ghost town" that has all of the buildings furnished in the 1880s style. I thought it was really well done overall. Could have used some more explanations though.

And the bonus was an entire exhibit with props from

Final stop was:

My streak of getting to national parks when the passes are closed for some reason continued (construction this time) and I only got to go on one of the trails I wanted to go on. I was both sad and happy because it was 95 degrees out. Thank the Lord it was insanely windy otherwise I would have melted.

The landscape colors were amazing. The pictures don't really do them justice because it was so bright out.

There were a ton of other places that were calling to me from the billboards, but alas there was no time. I think I need to come back.

This is happening in 5 days! Starting to stress out a bit... still a lot to do to get ready like, you know, pack.