The sun was shining brightly. Soft winds were blowing the sweet smells of bluebonnets across the deck. All was right with the world…..right! As I was sitting there in the sun, absorbing the warmth my thoughts were drifting all around. Nothing seemed interesting enough to exert myself for. Yet there was a restless sprit inside….needing some outlet.
AAs I sat and thought I remembered the number of times my sons and I had talked about the road trips we had taken when they were younger. Now they were grown with children of their own. My daughter-in-law always remarked (read…complained) that she never got to go to the places we discussed. The grandkids were growing up fast and other than an annual trip to the coast, had never taken a real, honest-to-goodness, vacation.
The more I thought about it the more I became convinced that this was the answer…..I would take my daughter-in-law and three grandchildren on a vacation….(did I ever mention that being over 60 can mess up your mind.). We would go to Yellowstone National Park and then over to Mount Rushmore. The grandkids were the same ages their father’s were when I first took them to the same parks and they never forgot that trip.
When I mentioned my idea to the family, the kids were jumping with joy and Christy could hardly contain herself. We decided that right after school was out in June would be the best time for the trip….if we could get reservations.
I remembered a small town on the outskirts of Yellowstone Park that had cabins for rent that would not break our budget. As with so many places these days they had their own web site on the Internet. When I contacted them we were lucky enough to reserve a cabin large enough for the five of us. It included a kitchen, living room, two baths and all the needed bedding and utensils. All we would need would be our food and clothes.
With the main problem solved we sat down to plan out the route. As we were starting out from Fort Worth we decided to take Hwy 287 to Amarillo and then go up to Dumas, Dalhart, Clayton and intersect Interstate 25 at Raton, New Mexico. We would spend the first night in Colorado Springs. CO.
Wait a minute…another great idea just hit me…Since we’re all ready there why don’t we go up to the top of Pike’s Peak. ( See…I told you, old age). A quick check on the Internet and we confirmed that they were scheduling trips on the cog railroad the morning we were planning to be there.
Since both of the boys liked anything to do with dinosaurs we decided that we would be too close to Dinosaur National Monument to not make it a stop on our trip. After that we would go past Flaming Gorge Dam on our way to Rock Springs, WY. and then on up to Jackson Hole, WY, Grand Teton National Park and then on into Yellowstone National Park.
After four days of touring the Park we would travel over to Cody WY, then to Sheridan where we would join with Interstate 90 over to Rapid City, SD. We would spend at least two nights and see Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Chief Crazy Horse Memorial.
Leaving the Black Hills area we would travel South to intersect Interstate 80 then East to Hwy 81. Then we would travel south until we reached Interstate 31 and proceed down to Fort Worth, TX where we started. Now, I never claimed I was smart or had good sense. This can be verified by planning a 3800 mile road trip with a assistant driver who has little experience driving in the mountains, two boys with ADD and a granddaughter who thinks she’s an animal trainer in progress. Ezri has never met an animal she didn’t want to adopt and take home. This should be interesting.
Day One
We set out on our trip on an early Saturday morning in June. Did I mention that Ezri could sometimes get carsick? Poor thing, she proceeded to throw up in Childress and continued throwing up and changing clothes about every 200 miles (this made for an interesting morning). We decided that the fairest way to handle the DVD choices was to pick number 1-3 at the start of the trip and rotate. Each of the children had brought a selection of movies that they wanted to see, so we had quite a collection. Surprisingly, the only duplicate was Harry Potter. We also decided to rotate seats every 200 miles (we had a seven passenger mini-van so the one sitting on the bench seat could really spread out).
When we got to Dumas, TX we got gas and stopped at Texoma Park, a free city park located on the west side of town. I’ve stayed there numerous times on trips out west. The city of Dumas provides free electrical and water hookups for RVs and trailers on a first come basis. During the summer they normal fill up no later than 6pm. There is a bathroom available, a dump station and a large playground for the children. There is also a covered pavilion that is used for group parties. Sometimes a local band will come out and perform for the visitors.
After a quick lunch and timeout for the kids to play we were on our way again. Our first stop was at a roadside marker for Capulin Volcano National Monument. As usual Ezri had thrown up and needed to change clothes…again. The ground all around here and on towards Raton was covered in volcanic rock from this and several other volcanic vents in this part of New Mexico. We saw several herds of prong horned antelopes. They mix very freely with the cattle and can be seen from the roadway.
The snow-covered mountains could be seen in the distance and we started a gradual climb towards them. At the top of Raton Pass on the border of New Mexico and Colorado we stopped to take pictures of the kids and their first view of real mountains. Onwards we progressed towards Colorado Springs where we had reservations at a Best Western Motel for the night. After a short swim for the kids and Christy (biggest kid of all) we went out to eat dinner (Ezri threw up in the diner) and then to bed to get some needed rest.
Day Two
After a complimentary breakfast we headed out for Pikes Peak. I missed the turnoff for the cog railroad so we decided to drive up to the top. It is a 38 mile round trip and part of the road is unpaved and under construction. We started up at 9am on a Sunday morning and it couldn’t have been better weather. It was cool and windy on top with hardly any clouds in the sky, but the view was outstanding. After taking some pictures we took a restroom break and started down. Christy and the kids weren’t use to such high altitudes and developed headaches, which went away by the time we were half way, back down. We saw mule deer and yellow-belly marmots on the way. At a halfway point there is a picnic ground where we had to make a stop for Ezri to change clothes (again). Make a note that when you travel with a child who gets car sick, have plenty of zip lock bags, paper towels, handy wipes and a roll of trash bags….saves a lot of clean ups of the car. Ezri soon learned to have a fresh bag handy at all times. It was kind of funny to watch her through the rear view mirror watching a DVD and holding the bag up by her mouth just in case. I did feel sorry for her. Neither I nor either of my kids ever had that problem.
After we descended we headed west on Hwy 24 to Buena Vista and then north thru Leadville to Interstate 70. The mountaintops were covered with late spring snows and I don’t think I’ve ever seen them so beautiful. We headed north-northwest thru Colorado to Steamboat Springs where we stopped for a late lunch and let the kids play and stretch for a while. We crossed over Rabbit Ears Pass on the way. It certainly is in much better condition than when my parents drove over it when I was a youngster. Still, it is a steep twisting drive down into Steamboat Springs. After lunch Christy took over and drove the rest of the way to Vernal, Utah where we had reservations at another Best Western Motel. While I watched the kids swim, Christy did laundry (Ezri was running out of clothes). The motel was full so they upgraded us from a double queen with a roll-a-way to an extra large room with 3 queen beds and small kitchen at no extra charge.
Day Three
After getting up early and repacking the van we had breakfast and drove out to the Visitor’s Center and Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument. After a short drive along the Green River we reached the parking area for the shuttle and took a short ride up to the building. In the quarry they are no longer removing the fossils but have left them in place so that visitors could observe how they were found and the relationship between the various types of dinosaurs. There are several exhibits and reconstructed models of the fossils found in the quarry originally. There is also a workroom where bones and fossils from other parts of the monument acreage are cleaned and preserved for study.
After a while we drove back to Vernal, got gas and headed north towards Rock Springs, WY. We drove over the Flaming Gorge Dam and climbed up thru the canyons and eventually traveled across the top of a plateau until we descended to meet up with Interstate 80 at Rock Springs. After a short pit stop we exited North on Hwy 191 and traveled up through the Wyoming towards Jackson where we planned to spend the night. In the distance we could see snow covered mountains on both sides and in the front were the highest peaks in the state. Wild horses were running free in the grazing land along the highway along with antelope and cattle. Very open land. Along the way you could see the ruts worn into the ground from the wagons of the settlers traveling west to settle. This was the path after crossing South Pass, the lowest part of the Rocky Mountains. When you look at how far they had all ready come and the distance to go, you wonder why they didn’t stop. Many did stop and settle along the Green River and the Big Sandy River.
About 60 miles south of Jackson we got back into the canyons and the road was one twisted curve after another but the scenery was breathtaking. The mountains were tall, rough, snow covered and the river was running full and wild from the torrent of spring rain and early summer melt.
We arrived in Jackson around 4pm and drove around a little, looking at the scenery and various buildings before we checked into the Super 8 Motel where we had reservations for the night. After unloading and resting up for a while, we drove downtown to the square. At each entrance to the square there is an arch made of elk horns that have been recovered in the past, which makes a great picture opportunity. At 6pm the tourist assembled in the street and watched a dramatic western shoot-out that is performed each night during the summer. The kids in the audience were invited up to help restrain the outlaws when they tried to escape. Austin really got into the part and hung on to the leg of one of the outlaws for dear life. The guy even commented on how hard it was to get away from him. Andy and Ezri were up there too, holding on. Afterwards, we took the kids pictures with the outlaws they captured.
After walking around for a bit, we got some dinner and went back to the motel. This time I had to do some laundry. No swimming pool here so the kids just watched some television and crashed early.
Day Four
We were up and packed early. After a continental breakfast in the motel we headed out. On the north side of town there is large area fenced in where elk are fed during the winter. The road climbed up over the edge of the mountain and we got our first look at the Tetons. Christy was really amazed at how they just “jumped up" out of the lakes at the base with no foothills. This is extremely unusual in mountain development and is part of what makes them such an attraction. Instead of being formed by the earth folding and uplifting, they were thrust up all of a sudden by earthquakes, which in turn dropped the valley floor where the lakes are located today. At the turnoff for Jenny Lake we entered Grand Teton National Park. We made our first stop at the Chapel of the Transfiguration. This wooden church was built in the early 1900’s and is open everyday for prayer and for the great view. There is a large picture window inside that looks out at the mountains and makes an unforgettable picture.
As we drove along there were views at almost every turn and several viewing areas for picture taking. This is a great example of a windshield park….views everywhere you drive. As we drove along Lake Jackson we came upon a scene right out of a postcard. The morning was bright and clear, the sky was blue and empty of clouds and not a breeze was blowing. There was a perfect reflection of the mountains in the lake. You would have thought that there was a mirror lying there.
After taking pictures, we drove on down to Coulter Bay to the marina. In 1963 Aunt Dorcas came up to visit our family when we lived in Ogden, Utah. While she was there mother took her up to Yellowstone and they came through the Grand Tetons. For a couple of days they stayed at Coulter Bay on Lake Jackson. Every morning Aunt Dorcas would set up her paints and canvas and she painted the picture that mother has hanging in her living room. When I got married she painted me a smaller version of the same picture but with autumn colors. They are both treasurers as she didn’t give pictures to just anyone but mother was always special to Aunt Dorcas.
After a break we headed on north and finally arrived in Yellowstone National Park. As we drove along everyone was glued to the windows looking at the scenery and on the lookout for animals. Christy swore that she was a moose in the river but everyone else missed it. After that we called it “Christy’s imaginary animal". You can still see where the forest was heavily burned in 1988. Mother nature has reseeded a large part of the damaged area and already the trees are reestablished. It will be at least another 20 years before it looks similar to pre fire conditions but the animals have benefited from the increased grazing areas.
When we arrived at West Thumb we stopped to see the hot springs that stretch along the water’s edge. This was the kid’s introduction to the thermal features in the park. We walked the boardwalk to view the pools and take pictures. The kids enjoyed the scenery but didn’t care too much for the sulfur smell that emits from the thermal waters.
We proceeded on to Fishing Bridge, which was always a family favorite camping spot. I remember camping there every vacation for years. They closed the old loop campground beside the lake some time after 1984. That was the year I took Mike and Tim to Yellowstone. Now there is a new campground at Bridge Bay, a couple of miles down the road but it’s not the same as in the old days. As we approached the bridge we saw our first buffalo.
We visited the general store and for Father’s Day the kids bought Mike and Tim fishing lures that we have only found up here in the park. Back in 1984, when we visited here, the boys used my daddy’s old lures and Tim caught a cutthroat trout in the lake on his second cast. Several fishermen who had been fishing there all day without luck had to come over and see what the kid was using. We also picked up some T-shirts and stuffed animals for the kids as souvenirs of their trip.
Fishing Bridge use to be the place to fish from. It is made from logs with a drop down walkway on both sides. I remember both sides being lined, shoulder-to-shoulder with both old and young tossing their lines into the river outlet from Lake Yellowstone. Now fishing is prohibited from this area as it is recognized as a spawning area for the cutthroat trout. We walked out on the bridge to look at the view. Sometimes there are moose browsing along the edge of the lake in this area. We did see a young black bear along the edge of the lake. The rangers say he is about 2 years old and has been hanging around here daily this season.
Heading north on the loop road we entered Hayden valley where we saw over a hundred buffalo. Some were right by the road and made for easy viewing. May and June are calving season and we saw numerous young ones. Here in the valley the Yellowstone River widens out and provides large areas for the nesting waterfowl. We also saw deer in the woods and elk browsing in the early tender grass along the roadside. Both the deer and elk bulls were in velvet.
When we arrived in Canyon junction we stopped for lunch. We took the opportunity to mail postcards home and refilled the gas tank. We continued north on the loop road and up to the top of Dunraven Pass, the highest road in the park. At the scenic turnout we stopped so the kids could play in the snow that still lined the road. In some spots it was well over six feet deep. They had a great time climbing around in their shorts. I guess this is the first real snow they’ve ever seen. We don’t get anything like this down in Texas. People were throwing snowballs and having a great time.
The Park is rebuilding the road on the north side of Dunraven Pass and in some spots there are still narrow hairpin turns. It will be great when it’s all finished. When we reached Tower Junction we turned east and drove through Lamar Valley towards the Northeast Entrance. Lamar Valley houses the headquarters of the buffalo research station in the park. The main herd here numbers several hundred. Although we didn’t see them it is also the prime habitat of the wolves and grizzly bears. This area is off the main tourist track and the animals are less disturbed here.
We exited the park at the Northeast Gate and proceeded a mile to Silver Gate, a small resort village. We had a cabin reserved here. There is only one store, a café and a couple of cabin resorts here. During the winter the only way to get in or out is to go back into the park and out the North Entrance to Gardiner, Montana. Snow covers the other roads up here until late April or even into May. Our cabin backed up to the woods and the wild life was right outside our door. After picking up a few items for dinner at the store we were ready to sit back and relax for a while. Our cabin had two sleeping areas, two bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. We only had to provide our food, everything else was included. It was cool enough at night that we had to turn on the heater. The beds were soft and covered with the warmest down comforters.
Day Five
Today was the first day of our trip that we slept in. There was a light drizzle outside and we were in no hurry to leave. While we were dressing we discovered that Ezri had lost her shoes. With no other choice, we decided that we could purchase her a new pair in Gardiner, MT.
Proceeding back through the Northeast Entrance we retraced our steps through Lamar Valley to Tower Junction where we turned west towards Mammoth Hot Springs. When we reached Mammoth we drove 5 miles north to Gardiner, MT, just outside the park gates. After procuring new shoes we returned to the park. Just outside the medical clinic, right in the center of Mammoth Hot Springs there was the most beautiful elk doe grazing on the lawn. She was so calm while going about her morning meal that we were able to get quite close to take pictures.
The morning drizzle had let up by this time and we drove on over to view the terraces. They have been built up over the centuries by the hot water depositing the travertine that it had dissolved from the limestone during its trip to the surface. It can add as much as a half an inch a day on a real active spring. An active spring will be either white or various shades of orange due to the water temperature. When the flow of water stops at a section of the springs they turn a gray color.
After walking along the board walk and driving the upper terrace road we turned south towards Norris Junction, aiming for Old Faithful in the lower geyser basin. On the way we stopped at the Fountain Paint Pots to walk the trail. Here, there is less water so some of the features resemble boiling mud pots. Early in the spring they really bubble and splash but by late summer they become thicker and retain weird shapes from the expanding gas bubbles. There are also a number of pools and some small geysers located in this area.
It started to drizzle again and we decided to drive on to Old Faithful where we hoped we wouldn’t have to wait long for an eruption. As luck would have it by the time we found a parking spot and walked up to the viewing area it was nearly time for the next eruption. Many years ago the geyser erupted approximately every 60 minutes but since the earthquakes in 1959,1983 and 1998 the average interval has increased to 92 minutes with an average height of 130 feet. Andy has decided that he wants to be a ranger and live up here full time. He found a ranger and talked to him about what kind of training and education he would need.
I wanted to show Christy the inside of Old Faithful Inn but due to renovations the inn was closed. The inn is over 100 years old and a treasured National Historic Landmark. During the fires of 1988 it was surrounded and threatened with destruction but the winds changed and the efforts of the firefighters saved it. Mother and I had stayed in the inn one year when we visited. After going out to view Old Faithful at sunset we returned but couldn’t reenter the side door because a buffalo was grazing right outside. We had to walk around to the front entrance to get back in.
After viewing Old Faithful we walked over to the general store and then to the lodge building. It had been cool and damp while waiting for the eruption so the kids wanted to get some cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. After eating we started out again, headed west towards West Thumb and Fishing Bridge, on our way to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
We drove along the south rim of the canyon to a viewing area to check out the scenery and take pictures. This is the viewing area where most of the falls can be seen and the angle that most people want to take pictures from. Thomas Moran painted his most famous picture of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone from this point. The hot water, steam, and gases from thermal vents have resulted in chemical alteration of the rhyolite compounds in the rock to oxidize, or rust, creating the palette of yellow, red, and orange colors on the canyon walls. Depending on the time of day and the weather, the view is every changing.
After a long day of sightseeing we bought some groceries at the Canyon Store and headed back north to our cabin. While I was cooking dinner the kids were playing outside. Andy was standing in one spot in the drizzling rain and not a foot away it was dry. A rainbow appeared over the village. The kids spotted a deer in the woods behind our cabin. We slowly tracked her through the trees and managed to take some pictures. On our way back to the cabin we spotted several piles of deer and elk droppings. After dinner we settled down and the kids played some games they had in the cabin.
Day Six
This morning when we finally got up it was drizzling again. Instead of returning to the park we decided to drive north through Cooke City and on up to Red Lodge, MT. over the Beartooth Pass on Hwy 212. This is supposed to be one of the most scenic drives in this part of the country. After we left Cooke City we ran into road construction for part of the way. Snow was still along side the road in many places. We continued to twist and climb until we reached the pass where there is a place called “Top of the World". I can see why as I felt we were up above everything. The weather was still drizzling and cold and we decided to return to Silver Gate instead of proceeding on.
On our way back to the cabins we stopped in Cooke City to check out the stores. The kids were getting bored at night without any TV to watch (modern, spoiled kids). After browsing in a couple of stores we made our purchases and headed back. After we ate I decided to stretch out and read a bit. Christy and the kids drove down to the river to check for a mother moose and calf that had been seen in the area but didn’t have any luck. Later, right when it started to get dark we looked out the window of the cabin and saw three deer, two bucks and one doe, walking along, grazing right outside. They didn’t pay any attention to us so Christy and I went out on the front porch and took some pictures. They stayed for a while until the dog that belongs to the owners of the cabins spooked them off.
Day Seven
As much as we enjoyed the visit the kids were getting cabin crazy. After loading up and checking out we headed back into the park. The day turned clear and Christy wanted to visit Old Faithful again to try and get some better pictures. At Canyon Junction we turned west, headed for Norris Junction and the lower geyser basin. After passing Madison Junction we took a scenic short drive along the Firehole River. There was a place that was used for swimming in the past but is now closed. Due to the fire in 1988 a large number of trees fell into the river and caused some dangerous rapids to form. Since the forest service leaves it up to Mother Nature,they haven’t cleaned the logs out.
We drove on to Old Faithful and again, found a parking spot fairly close to the Lodge. This time we just missed the eruption and had to wait for about an hour. While waiting we visited the gift store and looked around.
Close to the time of the eruption we wandered out to the viewing area and went further down to the west side for a better view. The wind blows from the west in this area and most of the steam floats with the wind. You get better pictures from this side. Most of the first time visitors pick the seats close to the lodge and miss the best viewing angle. When Old Faithful gets close to erupting, there are normally splashes over the cone to release the pressure. When the eruption finally starts there are two high splurges before the main eruption starts. The eruption can last anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes from start to finish. Most times, when Old Faithful goes off another geyser in the basin will be playing at the same time. Within Yellowstone’s boundaries there are over 10,000 thermal features so at any given time there will be some geyser erupting somewhere. You can’t miss them, even if you tried.
After viewing Old Faithful for the last time on this trip we headed on over to Fishing Bridge to gas up and headed out for the East Gate on our way to Cody, WY. After leaving Fishing Bridge we crossed over a shallow inlet where numerous cars were parked and people were out with their cameras. In the distance we could see a grizzly bear feeding on the hillside. We kept hoping we’d see a moose but never did (just Christy’s imaginary moose on the first day).
Once we were through Cody we changed drivers and Christy took over. By this time Ezri had brought her stomach under control and we had no more problems. However, plastic bags were always handy.
As I said at the start of the trip Christy had never driven over real tall, winding mountain roads. Well, she got her baptism over the Bighorn Mountains on the way to Interstate 90 and Sheridan, WY. The road was wide and in good paved condition for most of the way and she did real fine for a first timer. We decided to spend the night in Sheridan and had to look for a motel. There was a real nice Best Western right on the main street that had a couple of rooms available. We spent a little more than we wanted to but a breakfast buffet was included in the price. There was a Dairy Queen right next door so we didn’t have to look far for dinner. With TV’s available again we had no trouble getting the kids to settle down early.
Day Eight
After a very restful night we enjoyed a buffet breakfast in the motel dining room and then hit the road. We continued east on Interstate 90 until we reached the exit for Hwy 14, directing us to Devil’s Tower National Monument. This is a nearly vertical monolith rising 1267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. The surrounding softer rock layers have been eroded away, leaving the granite protrusion thrust up. It resembles a tree stump from the distance. We stayed on Hwy 14 until we rejoined the interstate.
Once we arrived at Rapid City we exited to enter the Black Hills National Forest and drove on to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. I remember when I brought my boys here in 1984 my youngest was nearly 8 at the time and he couldn’t visualize heads 60 feet tall carved on the side of a mountain. We started calling him “Doubting Timothy" from then on (or at least until he saw them for himself).
The first clear view of the memorial is truly unforgettable, especially in the morning when the sun first strikes the faces. Depending upon what time of day and the weather conditions you might encounter, the mood changes hourly. At night during the summer the sculpture is illuminated after a brief ranger talk and while the audience sings the National Anthem. In addition to the views there are other facilities to visit at the memorial. There are trails to hike for different closer views of the sculpture, visit the sculpture’s studio, and check out the museum containing exhibits on the carving. There is also an avenue of flags where the flags of all 50 states, territories, commonwealths and the District of Columbia are on display along with a Gift Shop and dining facilities. You could spend the complete day here and never see everything available.
After a couple of hours we drove down to see the Crazy Horse Memorial. This has been under construction since the early 50’s and still only the head and outstretched arm are distinguishable. The planned sculpture is so large that all 4 heads on Mount Rushmore would fit in the head of Chief Crazy Horse. We entered the complex but there was a rodeo going on and it was over packed so we drove on. If the complex is ever finished it will be fantastic. There is already a full visitor’s center and an Indian museum in place. There are plans for a medical center and campus eventually. The memorial was designed and initially funded by the Indian nations as a memorial to the native peoples. It is by no accident that t is being built so large and so close to the location of some of the most vicious fighting between the Indians and the US Army and settlers.
During the day we had talked with the family back home. Mike informed me that mother had backed her car over the mailbox and was really missing us. He said that he planned to go over the next day and install a new mailbox and spend the day with her. I called mother and she confessed her driving mishap and asked again when we would be home. After the calls Christy and I decided to start for home instead of spending an additional night in the Black Hills. We drove on down to Chadron, Nebraska and found a Super 8 Motel for the night. We were able to get one large room with a roll away bed. The rate was very reasonable and made up for the previous night. There was a large indoor swimming pool, which Christy and the kids jumped right into while I made a run to Subway for dinner. The kids have all really improved their swimming ability on this trip.
Day Nine
We packed up early and after a quick continental breakfast at the motel we hit the road. We continued south until we intersected Interstate 80 and headed east until we ready Hwy 81 at Aurora. We proceeded south on Hwy 81 until we reached Interstate 35 in Salina, Kansas. We had planned on spending the night in Wichita, Kansas. However, when we reached there it was only 6pm and we were about 375 miles from home. After a round of discussion with everyone we decided to head on home. In Texas we are use to driving long distances to get anywhere so this didn’t seem that far. We still had plenty of drinks and snacks and the kids weren’t really interested in stopping some place to eat. We pulled out the blankets and pillows, put in a long movie and headed for home.
We had good road conditions coming home. In fact, the only accident we saw our entire trip was right there in Wichita, Kansas. It happened just before we passed it. A van got into a tangle with a semi truck and trailer.
We failed to see any highway patrol until we got across the border into Texas. We made real good time and arrived home at 12:30 in the morning. I dropped Christy and her kids off at their house and Austin and I drove for another mile to our house. We were tired but glad to be home. The beds never looked so good.
In all, the trip was a success. The kids got to see the different parts of the country and places that they will be studying in school. All together we went through 10 different states and saw everything from flat farmland to mountains to dinosaur fossils to thermal features to carved mountain sculptures. They really enjoyed the trip and in fact, are ready to take out again. I need a little more rest. Austin said he wanted to go to Hawaii next. I believe we’ll wait a few years for that trip.
You would think that this was an expensive trip but it really wasn’t. We drove 3817 miles and used 149 gallons of gas. The most we spend at any one time was $3.09 per gallon and that was in Yellowstone. The total cost of the trip, including gas, rooms, food and souvenirs was $2,059.15, which works out the $229.79 per day for 9 days. Considering the cost of travel these days I consider this a bargain.
