So we’ve been driving all over the American West for the last week, having a blast. And not posting updates on our blog. So we’ve decided to make a fresh start today, and have one post a day. Each of us will take a turn in the posting rotation, so every fourth day each of us will make a post. But of course that does not do justice to all the cool stuff we’ve done for the last week or so. So my job today is to make something of a mega-post that will include at least a little bit from each of our adventures in the Black Hills, Yellowstone, and a few days on either side of that.

First job: update the map.

http://www.travellerspoint.com/member_map.cfm?user=Family.lovrich&tripid=761550&stopid=4926808

The map now shows all our stops through the little ice cream place in Black Diamond, Alberta where we are using their free wireless internet connection to get all our bits in a row. Black Diamond is just about the coolest name for a town ever, by the way. The above link will continue to show the most up-to-date map I have made, so if you are viewing the map after today it will probably (hopefully) have points on it beyond Black Diamond. Starting when we left MN, I have back-counted dates so you can see where we were, and when. If you can think of anything cooler or more useful for me to do with the map, please make a comment and I’ll try to set it up.

(This is the sign on the cool old projector in the Mayo HS planetarium in Rochester. Apropos of nothing.)

So after we left Rochester – which visit I know I have not done justice – we had what I hope will be our single largest mileage day of the trip. We went from Rochester out I-90 and across South Dakota. For those of you from South Dakota, or having strong positive emotions tied to it, I apologize. South Dakota is dull. Driving through it in one day is a blessing. Of course there are exceptions: we went through the Badlands, and of course the Black Hills are among my favorite places anywhere. But by and large: blech. 

Sorry Arlene.

Here’s a few photos of the Badlands. We only spent a few hours there, but the girls had never seen it before so it made a big impression. The way the prairie just explodes upward is so amazing – just an appetizer for what comes further west, but wondrous nonetheless.

We traveled the Badlands, Black Hills, and Yellowstone with our good friends Matt and Anna Mitchell and their infant daughter Annika. Here’s a picture of Matt goofing off:

Oh, and here is some of the other Badlands wildlife you can see from the safety of your vehicle:

Next up was the Black Hills. I know the girls have already posted some of their Black Hills experiences, but my take may be a little different. It was O’s first time climbing outdoors, and I was reminded of strongly of Pais’s first BH climb as well. It is so rewarding to see them struggle and overcome a climb. You can just feel the frustration and self-doubt and fear – and both of them dug deep and found a way to get up the climb. I may be a complete dork, but I admit I cried when they topped out and raised their arms in triumph. Climbing is what I call a sledgehammer metaphor for life. The lessons learned about yourself – and about what kind of people your climbing partners/kids are – as you confront uncertainty and fear are perfectly applicable to life’s own struggles. I was so impressed that both girls found a way to fight through their fear and refused to give up. They are my heroes.

We left the Hills and headed further west, to Yellowstone. I remembered my colleague from UNC Arlene Davis had said something about a particular spot in Cody, Wyoming that needed to be checked out, so we entered the park from the east side. Cody was a trip, as promised. There was a fully costumed Wild Bill shooting demonstration right outside the main hotel and restaurant. So of course we had to go:

Arlene’s suggestions were great. The Hotel Erma is a step back in time and a perfect way to get into the right frame of mind for the rest of the West.

 

Yellowstone rules. If you’ve never been there, go.  The combination of mountain, lake, volcano and forest is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Here’s a few photos from an overlook of Lake Yellowstone. Everybody had to wear the Hat (it used to belong to Pais the Elder, and thus is too large for any real human).

 

We spent a few days at Red Cliff Campground just past Yellowstone. It’s just a bit south of Bozeman, Montana. When we left there, we parted ways with matt & Anna (and Annika). Sad to see them go.

 

Since then we’ve been on our own for the first time in a while. The drive up to Glacier was pretty straightforward, and included the prettiest lake I have seen in my life: Flathead Lake in Montana. Gorgeous beyond reason. Here is a photo that does not begin to do it justice:

So here’s the bottom line of my post: Phase 2 of our trip has come to an end. We have left the comfort of friends and family, and the familiarity of the Midwest. We have had a million adventures and made a million memories. But the next phase, through unknown territory and with only ourselves for company, promises to be the Real Adventure. Good thing I’m traveling with the A-team.