Washington to Washington - backwards

Finished up the major Yellowstone sites: Yellowstone Falls (photo), Mammoth Hot Springs (photo), Mud Volcano, etc. Also saw enough bison to fill Rhode Island, including the herd strolling down the road first thing in the morning (photo). Didn’t see a single bear or moose – is that possible in Jellystone?? Spotted some elk and several flocks of geese. Dodged thunderstorms and showers much of the afternoon, but the only real disadvantage was having to put the top up and down – oh whine! Heading home tomorrow.

Washington to Washington - backwards

Drove through both the Grand Tetons and part of Yellowstone today. Stopped at the incredibly sited Jackson Lake Lodge, with an astounding view from its second story lounge (photo). Hung out there for about an hour, while Carol had a meeting and Mark got to see a moose grazing. Also got some great shots of mountains and lake reflections (photo). Highlight of the day in Yellowstone was watching two geysers: Old Faithful and Beehive. The latter goes off infrequently and we managed to get soaked from the spray (photo). Watched Old Faithful from the second story deck of the Old Faithful Inn – great view with more comfortable seats than the benches on the ground. Saw lots of buffalo, elk, and a chipmunk. Staying at Worldmark – scored a room for two nights on a last minute cancelation, so we’ll go back to Yellowstone tomorrow. Planning to be home on Tuesday.

Washington to Washington - backwards

Okay, we didn’t go to Yellowstone. We drove to Jackson Hole, instead. We’ll drive through Grand Tetons and Yellowstone tomorrow. Went over two mountain passes above 9,600 feet and got some nice mountain shots, including Loaf Mt. (photo). Also stopped for a picnic lunch in Thermopolis, home of what they claim to be the world’s largest hot spring (photo of the travertine). Strolled through Jackson Hole in the evening and ate dinner at Bubba’s Bar-b-que.

Washington to Washington - backwards

This was monument day. Visited Mt. Rushmore (photo), Crazy Horse (photo), and Devil’s Tower. Everything is green in Wyoming and South Dakota , making it very picturesque. Drove throught the Needles accidently on our way to Crazy Horse and stopped by Summit Lake. Not much more to say about the day’s journey – no interesting billboards, business names or roadside attractions. Tomorrow – Yellowstone.

Washington to Washington - backwards

Drove 12 hours today, most with the top down – yippee. Much more interesting day. Some unusual sightings: a Gnome park in Dawson, MN – yes, there were gnome sculptures and they even had their own chapel. In Clark SD, we ran across a bunch of identical pink cars in a field with cattle (photo). And, practically across the street was a wheel sculpture (photo). No explanation for either, so inquiring minds want to know. Dropped by another state capitol, Pierre, SD. Ended the day touring the Badlands National Park, just outside Rapid City (photo), where we saw Pronghorn Antelope and prairie dogs among the strange formations. Tomorrow – Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse.

Washington to Washington - backwards

Rain, rain, rain. Just the second day with the top up. Drove across Wisconsin on Highway 8 – boring – mostly because of the weather. There were probably more interesting routes, but clearly, we weren’t on one of them. Stopped in just one place to take pictures, St, Croix Falls, WI. As with the Dalles, OR, there are no falls, but there is an interesting overlook at the dam with a view that reminds you of an infinity pool (photo). The other picture is the sunset last night at Manistique, MI. We’re off to South Dakota tomorrow.

Washington to Washington - backwards

Charged up Lake Michigan to wine country and toured 3 wineries, one was in an old school house (photo). Again, all the wine was “acceptable”, but the best was from 2 Lads, our last stop. The winery had a sweeping view of Lake Michigan and we bought a bottle of all three of the wines we tasted. Crossed the Mackinaw Bridge, a suspension bridge that takes you to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and was, for a short time, the longest suspension span in the US (photo). Also, saw Boyne Mt, which is owned by the same folks who own Crystal Mt – must be some of the shortest ski runs on the planet. Business name of the day: “Birdbath and Beyond.” Ended the day at Manistique, MI, about half way across the peninsula and had a good dinner at a local tavern. Forgot to mention yesterday that we drove through Thomas Edison’s birthplace, Milan, OH.

Drove to Lake Erie and gazed upon the Sandusky Bay– no photo – boring. Had lunch in Blissfield, MI at a strange drive-in with a menu that couldn’t be read from outside, where you had to be – odd and annoying. Stopped at a winery and drank some acceptable wine – whoo hoo! Bought a bottle of sparkling. Settled in Grand Haven, MI where we took a short walk on the beach and stuck our toes in frigid Lake Michigan (photo). Then we took a walk on their boardwalk to a light house, where folks were dodging the waves crashing on the pier (photo). Drank our sparkling in the room with cheese and bread, so forgive any typos – this is after the Champagne.

Washington to Washington - backwards

Another half day of driving after visiting Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water today. Fascinating and a very, very thorough tour (photo). Drove through the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania , Wheeling West Virginia, and into Ohio. Even drove through Cadiz, OH, the birthplace of Clark Gable, but, frankly, we didn’t “give a damn” and failed stop at his museum. Staying here in Strasburg, OH for no better reason than a cheap motel with a King bed. Billboard of the day posted by an exterminator: “Save the Seals, Save the Whales, and Kill the Rats.”

Washington to Washington - backwards

Just half a day of driving to arrive in the bizarrely named town/State Park of Ohiopyle, PA. Sits on a popular kayaking river of Youghioheny (photo of falls). On the way, cruised through Cumberland, but didn’t stop and climbed through some very green mountains of Western Maryland, stopping at Town Hill, where you can gaze at three states- PA, WV, MD (photo).

Washington to Washington

Spent Sunday night in a Holiday Inn (upscale for us on this trip) with a gorgeous view of the Kanawha River. Drove across the Appalachians today on a back road, following the Kanawha for quite some time and saw some impressive falls (photo). Stopped to view the New River Gorge Bridge -- really high, like many of my former college classmates? Toured Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home (photo), before trekking the 3 hours up to Gaithersburg. No more posts until Friday, when we start driving back.

Top came down today, but temperature was chilly. Spent most of the day driving along the Ohio River. Went through many very cute towns, including Rising Sun, IN that had giant chairs (photo) and a well groomed waterfront. We hit five states today – one twice -- in this order: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. We bagged another capitol in Charleston (photo). Tomorrow — Gaithersburg, Maryland, where we quit driving for four and a half days.

Washington to Washington

Top was up for the first time on the trip (so sad – so much for “top down all the way”). Rained on and off all day. Visited the fenced-off George Rogers Clark National Historic Site in Vincennes, IN. Stopped at what’s known as the eighth wonder of the world, the West Baden Hotel and Spa, a recently restored hotel (photo). Totally amazing place we had never heard of until we drove by. It had framed shoes in the women’s restroom with no explanation (photo). Spending the night in Madison, Indiana right on the shores of the Ohio River (photo). Those of you familiar with the “Miss Madison” Hydroplane should recognize the name.

Washington to Washington

Now , here in Salem, Illinois. Took a side trip to see the capitol in Jefferson City and saw the capitol and the monument to the beginning of the Lewis and Clark trail (photo), had lunch in the totally cute town of Herman, MO, drove through another cute town of Washington, MO, viewed a water tower in Tipton, MO painted like an 8 ball (photo), and stopped at a winery (finally). The wine was forgettable and that was our only winery stop. They were serving the tastes in tiny plastic shot glasses – tacky, tacky. Avoided St. Louis, but saw the arch from a distance after crossing the Mississippi.

Washington to Washington

Spent the day in Kansas City with Cathy. Sipped sodas at Clinton’s Soda Fountain in Independence (photo), the place where Harry Truman had his first job. Toured the Truman home (photo), explored a vintage train station (they played a wind-up Edison phonograph for us), dropped by the City Market and viewed part of the Steam Ship Arabia, had barbecue at Arthur Bryant’s, and ended the day with beers at Kelly’s Bar in Westport. Spent the evening with Cathy’s sons Kyle and Kourtney, along with Kyle’s significant other, Jennifer.

Washington to Washington

Behind on posts (this is Friday, the 14th). We stayed Wednesday and Thursday at the home of a friend, who had no computer. On Wednesday, drove from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Kansas City, MO - mostly through Nebraska, with a quick jog through Iowa. Spent a lot of time on the Lincoln Highway (Hwy 30) – see photo of leaning shack. Had lunch at an A&W in North Platte, Nebraska. Stopped to see the capitol building in Lincoln (photo). Arrived at the home of our former neighbor Cathy around 8:30 p.m. We managed to miss the tornados and hale!!

Spent most of the day on the interstate. Nixed Mark’s idea to drive 100 miles north over South Pass in favor of a scenic route to Laramie that turned out to be closed. Bummer. Highlights: Original JC Penney store in Kemerer (photo), State coach stop in Granger (photo), Thai food in Rawlins (who knew??), and capitol building in Cheyenne. Must get to Kansas City, MO tomorrow to spend time with our former neighbor.

Staying at a Worldmark at Bear Lake, Garden City Utah. Managed to drop by the Bruneau Dunes, Idaho today -- felt like the Sahara (photo). Also drove through the 1000 Springs area -- very impressive (photo) and dropped by Malad Gorge. Again, we passed up many wineries -- okay-- none were open when we drove through. We're done with Idaho. Next state is Wyoming.

Washington to Washington

Finished our first day of driving from Washington to Washington. Stayed in Ontario, Oregon at the totally luxurious Super 8. Highlights of the day:Drove the Lewiston-Enterprise Highway - up and down and up and down, saw the Black and White flag in Waitsburg, had Mother's Day lunch in Dayton and witnessed the historic train station and courthouse (see photo), Field Spring State Park (see photo). And, you'll all be shocked to learn we didn't stop at a single winery.