http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/skid---skim/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from skid skim en-us Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:43:16 +0000 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:43:16 +0000 Having being diagnosed with breast cancer last October just 8 weeks after returning from our RTW trip we have at last found time between hospital stays and appointments to have a few days away.For those of you who don't already know In February I was told the cancer had now spread to the lung and spine and my prognosis is a life expectancy of an average of two years. My quest now is to m http://www.travelblog.org/Europe/France/Ile-de-France/Paris/blog-421558.html After spending a few days in cosmopolitain Toronto we headed off towards Niagara Falls.Over the internet we'd booked to stay at the Niagara Falls Motel. Just a mile from the falls.Accomodation is really expensive in this area and this was cheaper than most. We weren't suprised to find that it was a grotty little place.However after 12 months of travelling and having stayed in lots of p http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Ontario/Niagara-Falls/blog-309458.html After staying the night in a place called Newcastle we headed off to Fort Laramie. This military post was founded in 1849 when the army purchased the old Fort John for 4000 and began to build a military outpost along the Oregon Trail.Having seen the fort on numerous westerns I was suprised to find that it was and always was an open fort.The popular view of a western fort generated by Holl http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/blog-309457.html Whilst heading into the Black Hills of Dakota we decided to visit Mount Rushmore The Crazy Horse Memorial Bedrock and Four Mile Town. Black Hills National ForestThe Black Hills area has a rich diverse cultural heritage. Archaeological evidence suggests the earliest known use of the area occurred about 10000 years ago. Later Native Americans such as the Arapaho Cheyenne Kiowa and Lakota http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Black-Hills-National-Forest/blog-303908.html Today we headed to the Badlands.But first we called into the world famous Wall Drug.It had to be done After reading so much about the place and seeing the numerous sign posts for it along the way.We weren't disappointed. Skim got to indulge in a bit of retail therapy for a change.And I got to sit with a couple of long drinks before taking some fun photos....Ted Hustead was a Nebraska native w http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/South-Dakota/Badlands/blog-303907.html Buffalo Bills DamWe came across the dam in the early evening.Alas it was too late for the tour of the visitors centre.After a quick look around we headed onwards to pastures new in the hopes of finding somewhere to stay for the night.Unfortunately we couldn't find anywhere and had to pull into the side of the road.Our trusty sleeping bags came in handy yet againNext morning we headed off to http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Bighorn-National-Forest/blog-303906.html Having grown up watching the cartoon Yogi Bear in Jellystone.We'd wanted to visit Yellowstone the place that Jellystone was based on. The bears were the main attraction for us with fingers crossed you paid a visit.Watch out Yogi here we comeThere was so much to see in this park wildlife fantasic views and an abundance of geothermal features.We'd already seen a lot of thermal activity http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Yellowstone-National-Park/blog-302549.html We crossed the border into Idaho and headed straight to the visitors centre for some info.We met a couple outside who were heading the same way and they had vacationed in the area before.They gave us the heads up on all the different things we could do and the Grand Tetons was one of them.So thank you Eleanor DickOnce we'd found a hotel in Idaho Falls to settle into for a few days we were r http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Wyoming/Grand-Teton-National-Park/blog-301683.html In Reno we loaded up the car with water and snacks for our journey across the desert.Over 500 miles to travel and we didn't know what to expect along the way.....All we knew was that we wanted to see Bonneville Speedway along the way.But first we were making our way to Elko where we hoped to stay the night.After 300 miles of desert country western music that's all the radio would pick up http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Utah/Wendover/Bonneville-Speedway/blog-300787.html Having spent the night in a place called Tracy we made the journey to Yosemite national Park.You may ask yourself Aren't they fed up with national parks yetIn a nut shell NO.Everyone we've been to has had something different going for it.And Yosemite is no exception.The views were absolutely amazing.A definate must see. That 80 yearly park pass has really paid for it's self and some. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Yosemite-National-Park/blog-298942.html Now we are heading west to see the Golden Gate Bridge.We'd decided to stay outside of the city.Thereby giving us the freedom to do other things besides wandering the streets of San Fancisco.We stayed in the Silicon Valley nothing to do with plastic surgery. just outside San Jose.At The Microtel in Morgan Hill and it suited our needs very well.From there it was just over an hours drive to t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/San-Francisco/blog-297603.html Our next stop the Sequoia National Park.This one is on our list of to do's. We just have to see General ShermanFor those that don't know this a giant Sequoia tree the biggest tree on the whole planetSo with camera in hand we went in search of this giant of the forest.....But first we had to travel though the park.The views as ever were great but they were marred by smoke polution f http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Sequoia-National-Park/blog-297597.html Having left Vegas our next stop is to be Death Valley.We didn't realise Area 51 was along the way.This is supposed to be one of the most secretive places in the worldBut there it is on a notice board Last service before Area 51.Doesn't sound very top secret to usThere are also signs saying Deadly force is authorized if violators who attempt to breach the secured area fail to heed http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Death-Valley-National-Park/blog-296786.html Well here we are in Las VegasFor the next 4 days we are going to have some fun and maybe relax a little.Got to tell you it's hot hot hot 115 degrees.We are staying a handy few minutes walk from the main strip. Means we don't have to use the car so the drinks will be flowingCouldn't wait to see it all....So during the heat of the day Are we mad we walked to our nearest casino H http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Nevada/Las-Vegas/blog-292956.html We stayed in the cowboy town of Williams on route 66.This is a place where you can really have a good time.Just don't forget to pack your cowboy hat and join in with the fun.... Having left the gunfighters behind we are making our way towards the Hoover Dam.The temperature is now 103 and the heat is just so intense.It's impossible for us to walk great distances without suffering heat exhau http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Arizona/Hoover-Dam/blog-296100.html Here we go again another of the must do's while we are in the states.We are hoping that having visited many National Parks that it hadn't spoiled us for the big one.Our next stop is the Grand Canyon...Must say we weren't disappointed.It was everything we expected and some.First we did the North Rim.....The views were stupendous.Skim had a few problems with vertigo but she soldiered on.How http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Arizona/Grand-Canyon-National-Park/blog-294530.html Having spent the night in a place called Hurricanewe were ready for Zion National Park.We'd driven through it the night before but had decided to rest up first before our visit.Our first stop however was a place called Virgin.There was a neat little fort there that we just had to visit.Having taken photos it was on to Zion.Once there.....We had to park up at the visitors centre and take a http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Utah/Zion-National-Park/blog-294993.html The heat is really starting to get to us as it's now in the high 90s.It seems the further we go the hotter it getsJust glad we have aircon in the car and loads of water in the bootBryce Canyon is our next national park. Thank goodness we purchased the annual park pass it has now paid for it's self and some..This is the place for spectacular scenic views.We just loved the hoodoos.Told you http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Utah/Bryce-Canyon/blog-294990.html You may ask Have we tired of Canyons yetIn a nut shell NoEveryone we have visited so far has had something different going for it.......Now we are starting to hear about outlaws and how they had their hideouts in the canyons.Well we can believe that.Who else in their right mind would want to be there with temperatures reaching the 100sNot us that's for certainReally enjoyed Capital Re http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Utah/Capitol-Reef/blog-294511.html Must tell you all about our last couple of days traveling.Staying in a place called Bluff. It has an amazing fort with Joseph Bartons cabin built in 1880. Took some neat photos.From there we went to the Four Points Monument this is the only place in the USA where four States meet.Namely New Mexico Colorado Utah and Arizona.We were able to stand in four States at the same time How c http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Arizona/Monument-Valley/blog-292955.html