Have you ever heard of a Liebster Award? Well I had not until I entered into the blogging world. It is seen as a right-of-passage where you are recognized by your fellow bloggers for producing a body of work that someone else has noticed.
It’s a bit of an “atta-boy” (or girl), a “let’s get acquainted” and a “help each other get the word out about our blog” award. Continue reading
Triglav National Park, Slovenia
On March 13th, we flew out of Los Angeles, with a change of planes in Beijing, which brought us to New Delhi, India. This was the starting point for our seven month around-the-world dream trip.
Picking out a favorite or meaningful picture for each of the 29 countries* we stopped in is a labor of love, a fun walk down memory lane, as well as a daunting project sorting through thousands of pictures.
I hope you enjoy seeing what I chose: Continue reading
It is autumn in the mountains
A pot of home-made split pea soup is simmering on the stove, a second load of laundry is in the dryer, the bed is made, dishes washed, and I am now caught up on my favorite soap, “The Young and the Restless”. Life is returning to my “old normal”. Continue reading
Tuesday, October 14th ~ We are back home, (almost)
Last Friday we were up and on the road early, determined to make it back to Southern California before the end of the day. We traveled through southern Utah, cut the corner off of Arizona, counted the cactus across Nevada, waved at Las Vegas, and fought the traffic as we got closer and closer to Los Angeles. Continue reading
Thursday, October 9th
Near the Wyoming/Utah border
Having crossed a big portion of Wyoming the day before, we had reached the southwest corner of the state. We stopped in at the Visitors Information Center in Green River to inquire about scenic drives going South. The lady behind the counter immediately recommended that we take 530 down to see the Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway.
We were given a booklet and map with items highlighted in yellow that we “MUST SEE”. Continue reading
Wednesday, October 8th ~ Driving through Wyoming
Welcome to Wyoming
Wyoming is the 10th largest, but the least populated of all 50 states. It is also one of only three states that have straight latitudinal and longitudinal lines instead of natural landscape to define the borders. (Just FYI, Colorado and Utah are the other two.)
Wide open range land
With the low population density, that equates to miles and miles of nothing but grasslands, weeds, a smattering of trees, a few cows grazing, and some distant rock formations. We pass by the occasional small town, find deer in the front yard, or a two-headed car and not much more. Continue reading
Tuesday, October 7th ~ Spent my birthday at Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Wind Cave
Joanne and Tim at Mt Rushmore National Park
Side note: Back in 1991, Tim and I took two months and drove around the USA before we started our business. From California, we took the Southern route across to Florida, turned up north along the Eastern coast as far as Maine, and started back across the Northern states. Dropping down into central Illinois to see family, we ran out of time before we could get to Mt. Rushmore. So FINALLY my dream to see this monument has been fulfilled. Continue reading
Monday, October 6th ~ Badlands National Park (part 2 of a long day)
In case you did not see what we did in the first part of the day, you can click here to find out.
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
National Parks are magical places to visit. I’m planning on taking a map of the states, researching the parks, making a big X on the map for each one and connecting the dots. What a fun way to plan our future travels around the USA!
Entrance to the Badlands from the East
Badlands National Park is located in southwestern South Dakota. Continue reading
Monday, October 6th ~ Continuing our drive along Interstate 90 (part 1)
At 1880 Town
What a day, what a day, what a day. Between the two of us we took almost 500 pictures. You might think this was a record, but sadly it is not…
Entrance to 1880 Town
The first stop this morning was at the 1880 Town. Located on Interstate 90, 22 miles west of Murdo, SD. It makes a great place to stretch your legs, see some wonderfully furnished rooms/buildings, movie memorabilia, and historic photography. It was like stepping back into an authentic western town.
“South Dakota’s Original 1880 TOWN has more than 30 buildings from the 1880 to 1920 era, authentically furnished with thousands of relics, historical accounts and photographs, a Casey Tibbs exhibit and Dances with Wolves movie props…” ~ 1880town.com
Sunday, October 5th ~ Driving from Iowa into South Dakota
Rolling hills in western Iowa
There are sections of small rolling hills here compared to the flat farmlands of Illinois that I have become familiar with on frequent trips to visit Tim’s family. But the slight changes in elevation, are short-lived and we pass through miles and miles of corn and soy bean fields, broken up by cattle grazing on large open ranches. Continue reading
A Note From Abroad 