Steamboat, Colorado

We made it to Steamboat, Colorado for the weekend. Ian spent two years here going to college so we were able to spend the night at a house (real showers!) I was excited to finally see the place Ian lived for a couple years! We got into town just in time for a free concert down by one of the small ski areas. There were so many people there!! 

On Saturday Ian showed me around his College. We also went to a place called Strawberry Fields which are a bunch of natural hot springs. I wish Burlington had a place like that. There were three different pools: a wicked hot one, a medium hot one, and a cool pool. I could have stayed there all day! We spent the rest of the day riding bikes around and shopping downtown. 

I think Steamboat is my favorite place we have been so far. There was so much to do. Ian also had a great time catching up with old friends. On to Utah we go today...

Cowboys in Jackson Hole

We both were very happy with our decision to leave Yellowstone a day early.  It gave us more time to explore Jackson Hole. From the views of the Teton mountains to the cool town and ski resort...We loved it! We walked around the town for a while and then had a beer in a cowboy bar. We even got to see a cowboy show! 

Yellowstone

We spent the last two nights in Yellowstone. I have never been to the park so I was very surprised at how big it was. We were able to drive through most of the park yesterday. We saw Old Faithful, lots of hot springs, and the grand canyon of Yellowstone. I saw my first buffalo, bear, and mountain goat too! One buffalo was so close to the road I was able to get a good picture: 

I was also very surprised at how crowed the park is. There were so many people at Old Faithful that it felt like we were t Disney world. We ended up leaving Yellowstone a day early and headed to Jackson hole. Our campground was very crowded and felt like a tent city (no trees...lots of tents in a field). I am so happy that we took time to see Yellowstone thought because we saw so many amazing things! 

Skiing in Wyoming

On our way to Yellowstone we passed through big horn national forest in Wyoming. It was so pretty! The elevation was so high that we even found some snow still on the ground for Ian to test out his summer skiing! 

Minnesota and South Dakota

After driving through these two states... We have determined that we would not want to live in either of them. The scenery was a little boring. We stayed in Sioux falls south Dakota last night. It was the first night that we slept in the car and I have to say it was pretty comfy! We have a battery operated fan that helped when it was hot in the middle of the night. 

Today we got up early and drove through the rest of south Dakota to mount Rushmore. It was cool to actually see it in person... It's a lot higher up than I pictured in my head 

We are now full blown camping in Wyoming. No showers or running water in the bathroom so that should be different. I think I might attempt to wash my hair under the outdoor faucet tomorrow. We are driving 8 hours tomorrow to Yellowstone where we will park it and relax for four days! So excited! 

Chicago

We have been in Chicago for a day and a half. Last night we went out near out hotel for a deep dish pizza... So good. This morning we woke up early and drove into the city. We walked around millennium park and then rented bikes for a few hours. We were able to see a lot more that way! 

I have never been to Chicago and Ian has been once but didn't remember some stuff. We both loved it.... It wasn't too overwhelming and we liked how we could walk to water. Chicago might be our new favorite city. 

We ended our day by going to a sports bar to watch some of the hockey game. Tomorrow we are waking up early for a long day of driving (about 9 hours). We will be stopping in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the night. More camping... I am starting to feel like a camping pro. We are working our way towards Mount Rushmore and then to Yellowstone. Out of the city and into the nature... Here we go

On the road

We have made it through two loooong days of driving! The first day we drove about seven hours to Niagra falls. We set up our camp in a camp ground which was right on Lake Ontario. I have to admit that I was a little nervous about the whole camping thing. My family has probably been on a handful of camping trips... All of them had showers and pools! When Ian first set up our tent I thought maybe we should turn around... But I was pleasantly surprised. It was actually really cozy and not hot at all( I pictured myself sweating in there all night) 

After we set up camp we went to go check out the falls. I had never been so I was really excited to see what it was all about. We decided to bring our passports and walk over a bridge into the Canadian side to see them. it was totally worth it!! The view was so much better and the Canadian side is a lot nicer. 

We woke up bright and early this morning and drove about 9 hours to Chicago! We are staying just outside the city to save money...however we are staying in a hotel! We plan to spend the whole day tomorrow exploring the city and then watch the hockey game at a bar somewhere... Ian will fit right in because he is rooting against the bruins. 

So far so good... I am already loving it and can't wait to see more of the country!

We are all packed and ready to go... We even had room for Ian to bring his skis. (He is convinced he will be able to go skiing when we reach California).

Tomorrow morning we are getting up at 6 am and hitting the road. We have about 7 hours of driving tomorrow. I plan on spending some of those hours snoozin in the back on the comfy memory foam...

Packing

It is the day before we depart. In about 12 hours we will be on the road headed for Niagra Falls to camp for our first night. I do not know if it has hit me yet. I spent most of today packing the various things we will need on this long journey...

In order to fit everything in the car I was only allowed to bring one bag of clothes... which was very hard for me to do considering I usually pack more for a weekend trip. I was able to squish a lot of stuff in a little bag though. I packed mostly shorts and tank tops with a few black dresses to wear when we reach a big city. I also went to a camping store to purchase many headbands for my hair (just in case we dont shower everyday).

I think that everything is all set to go. When Ian gets here tonight we will start loading up the car with everything! Hopefully it will all fit.

Here goes nothing... there is no turning back now. I am excited to leave tomorrow without worrying about school or anything else. Just me and Ian and lots of driving! :)