After hemming and hawing, we decided to make the long trek up to see the Redwoods. We didn’t go all the way up to Eureka, but did go 4 hrs up north to Humbolt National Forest. They have the 4th tallest redwood living in that forest. In fact, one out of every five redwoods live in this forest! We took the Avenue of the Giants which is the scenic drive through the forest. So glad we drove up! These trees are seriously tall! Not as big around as the sequoias, but still huge compared to an average tree. One of the redwoods had fallen across a ravine and formed a natural bridge you could walk over! We saw some magnificent sites – trees you could walk in, walk on, some that had fallen and the roots ... read more

Had to say goodbye to Audra this AM – sad but at least we will be seeing her next week when we go back through southern Utah and she will come down. Got off around 10 and, after a stop for bagels at Einstein’s (the best bagels I have ever had!) we headed off to Ophir, UT to see a ghost town in an old silver mining town – and I say “town” very loosely! Perhaps a couple dozen people live there now! The entrance to the mine was cool and it was neat to see the buildings. Unfortunately, the only tours are held on Saturdays so we were unable to hear any stories about the town.We could look through the windows of the houses and buildings to see the time period and how they lived. ... read more

Set alarm for 5:10 to get the sunrise over the lake, but was hazy this morning so went back to bed! Up at 7:30 to get over to see Old Faithful blow at 10. Very cool! We were surprised that the sulfur smell was not too noticeable. Old Faithful went off right on time! We went and ate breakfast/lunch at the visitor’s center, walked around and caught the next eruption at 11:30. Just as cool the second time! Now we are driving through the Grand Teton National Park. Kinda blowing through since still 6.5 hrs to Audra’s in Salt Lake City, but the views are amazing.We do have a dark cloud over the Tetons, but still neat. OK, didn’t really “blow” through it – too many fantastic vistas to stop and see! Also, still collecting stamps ... read more

Up and out early today. At breakfast at Wall Drug Café. What a great street and store! Very rustic and a throwback to the old west. Lots of great pictures and souvenirs. Shopped a bit long but had a lot of fun. Drove just under 2 hrs to Mount Rushmore. Everything seems bigger out here. Very vast and open and the landscape is so very interesting. Mount Rushmore was incredible. Once again, just cannot believe the scope of it! You see it in pictures, but cannot imagine how it looks in real life. Spent a little time there and then off to Crazy Horse Memorial. After speaking with a local at breakfast, we decided to add that and Devil’s Tower to the day. Will put us into Cody, WY very late, but thought while we were ... read more

Happy 19th Anniversary for Us! Couldn’t think of a better way to be celebrating. Today started out a bit rough with no restaurant for MANY miles (almost 3 hours! – there was NOTHING for long stretches and then small towns with restaurants that were closed or perhaps not so appropriate for kids) and kids getting a bit buggy after some late nights and busy days but everything pulled together after stopping at a the Friendship Restaurant. The people at the next table lured Freddy and Bella into ordering the Stuffed French Toast! WOW! That really perked them up. Amazing what a little food will do – the rest of the 8 hrs to Minneapolis, MN was a piece of cake. We were headed to the Mall of America, but stopped off at Fort Snell National Cemetery. ... read more