Those Are Some BAD Lands!


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Published: May 11th 2006
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The BadlandsThe BadlandsThe Badlands

Badlands deserve one bad hat. (bad as in good)
We kissed goodbye to Minnesota with 70+ degree weather and clear blue skies. Heading due west, our destination 400 miles away. South Dakota is definitely not known for its mountains, hence I finished a 300 page book in the car while Josh sang along to his Johnny Cash CD(played over 3 or 4 times - we are TOTALLY out of music we haven't heard 10 times already). We also got over 400 miles to the tank!! Just passed the SD state line we saw our first billboard for Wall Drug (thanks Matt G. for the heads up, although not sure we would have ever missed it). This first billboard proclaimed that Wall Drug was waiting for us 356 miles ahead. Who puts billboards every mile for 350 miles?? Wall Drug!! After driving until dark we reached Kudoka right outside of the gates to the Badlands (approximately 60 miles from Wall Drug). We stayed the night at a small Best Western in a town that had nothing, and I mean nothing goin' on. In fact, the only restaurant in town open after 7p was the truck stop. That said we stayed in the most famous hotel in town - home to the actors of Armageddon, Starship Troopers and my personal favorite Thunderheart while filming in the Badlands. We got all the inside scoop on the actors from the hotel owner who to my dismay thought Val Kilmer was "too full of himself". The morning after we arrived we woke up to snow, more snow I have seen fall at one time (please remember I am from CA). Well, despite the limited visibility, we decide to head west anyway and possibly miss the Badlands in order to stay on some sort of schedule. Well...the road was slippery and not fun. So not fun that we got off the road in the city of Wall(yes, it is a city and not just a drug store), checked out Wall Drug and decided it was such a cute place we'd stay a night to see if the weather got better. Ann's local motel/florist shop/travel paradise treated us well and the town had people out and about until almost 8p! The next day was a brilliant day with cleared roads and accenting snow everywhere pretty.

The Badlands- our guide book said the area was named from travelers back in the day proclaiming the land was too
Step away from the wife, buddy.Step away from the wife, buddy.Step away from the wife, buddy.

Marisa was duped by the striking resemblence to me. Can you tell we were a little bored in Wall, SD?
bad to travel through. Josh and I could definitely see this to be the case. Deep valleys, steep peaks and lots of uninhabitable land. We did see more prairie dogs than I have ever seen in my life which was not necessarily a highlight, but definitely something that put some humor into the drive. Post Badlands, we made a beeline to the glorious Mt. Rushmore. What surprised me when we got there was how small the carvings looked. Honestly. Many years of anticipation as well as my depth perception maybe made them seem smaller than the real scope of the project. WOW! Amazing carvings and an almost impossible project it would seem. You really CAN see up the nostrils of some of the greats in history. Trivia: Did you know that Mt. Rushmore cost less than $1 Million when it was completed back in the earlier 1900s? Compare that to the estimated 9-11 memorial at $976 Million. Have cost really changed that much? Or, are we just over-achieving?

After stopping by a local winery for some yummy fruit wine tasting, we made our way to Deadwood. Now, I had not heard of Deadwood prior to this trip. And, this
Mt. RushmoreMt. RushmoreMt. Rushmore

The inspiration for bobble head dolls.
may be because I am not a fan of western movies. But....Josh was all about it and was soooo excited to get to this part of the country to see Deadwood. I think both of us post-Deadwood would say, "stay away from Deadwood". Buses of more mature individuals are bused in daily for their dose of slot gambling. The only people we met in Deadwood were people who were A). from South Dakota, B). on a bus tour/package and C). had been retired for 10+ years. In addition, we decided to be adventurous and order some Rocky Mountain Oyster (testicles). When in Rome! Ummmmm...never again. If more description is needed, ask 6 months from now when my stomach settles. I think overall, the lack of energy in the city overcame the dusty southwest country charm the city was looking to have.

After our $.50 breakfast (part of the casino benefit), we made our way into Wyoming in order to see the awe-inspiring Devil's Tower. I have never seen the movie, but apparently some famous alien movie was filmed - again, I will defer to Josh on this since it was his idea to make it a priority. After traveling
Rocky Mountain OystersRocky Mountain OystersRocky Mountain Oysters

Mmmmmmm, balls.
40 miles off the highway into the middle of nowhere, we reached an opening in the rolling hills. There we had our first view of an amazing rock formation that seemed so out of place, so strange in the gentle landscape that I understood immediately why the movies would single out this place. As we drove into the park, the scope of the rock became more apparent. It almost seemed to close to view at that point. We craned our necks during our mile walk around the rock and learned in the visitor center that there are over 200 rock climb paths to the top. We did see a couple groups climbing the structure. Once at the top the football field size landing is supposed to be amazing. I would definitely go back to Devil's Tower and may try and climb the next time. May be awhile.

Yellowstone - after an amazing drive through Wyoming, we decided to call Yellowstone to see if our route to the park made sense. Well...good thing we called. Apparently, the park really doesn't get going until mid-May. Entrances are closed and camping spots are seriously limited. After re-negotiating our route, we made our
Devil's TowerDevil's TowerDevil's Tower

This means something.
way through Montana and into the park through the north entrance. Due to the longer route, we got to the park just before dusk--at the perfect time to see hundreds of grazing wildlife. The one camping area was open and close to the park entrance. We hastily put up our tent and wolfed down the peanut butter and jelly sandwich before heading to bed. It was a cold night, real cold. In fact the projection for the night was 20 degrees. Ahhhh! We both awoke invigorated to get in the car, get warm, and see some animals. Our first day in Yellowstone was amazing. Bison, elk, big-horned sheep, birds of every species, we saw it all. My first time in Yellowstone proved to be an amazing introduction into the wildlife. After another cold night in the tent, we packed up and made it to Old Faithful along with other geyser trails that were colorful and warm. THe anticipation for Old Faithful amongst the crowd was palpable. And finally...she blew!

Leaving Yellowstone, we decided to hit Montana's very young and hip town of Bozeman. Lots of young people due to the college, and lots of athletic looking people due to
YellowstoneYellowstoneYellowstone

Where the buffaloe roam ..... and block the door to the gift shop.
the terrain. I'll bet that Montana has one of the most in shape populations of any other state because after we left Bozeman, we took a very scenic drive through the backcountry and found hundreds of kayakers, ski shops, hiking stops and mountain bike dealers. I think there is always something to do in Montana.

On our way to Jackson, our drive took us through farm land and amazing landscape. Really, places you only see in pictures. For those that have been to Jackson (famous for Jackson Hole), know that the Grand Tetons lay in the town's background. Whether it was a great call on our part or just luck, we hit the normally pricey Jackson in their "dead season". This meant, cheaper prices on hotels and but also limited choices on restaurants. Most places were in "deep cleaning" mode, probably more like vacation but still trying to seem busy. After walking a trail/road close to the Tetons and seeing a coyote and a moose, we made our way to a very local Thai food place where it was even warm enough to eat outside. We felt pretty proud of ourselves because it really did seem like the place
Mamoth Hot SpringsMamoth Hot SpringsMamoth Hot Springs

Watch your step.
to be. All 7 tables were filled the entire time we were there. And....we had our first Thai food the whole trip in WYOMING! Jackson is cute and seems to bring out the athletic in just about anyone that goes there, although there was definitely a little more snootyness that we did not see in Bozeman.

From Jackson, we made our way southwest into Utah. Josh's friend from high school Natasha lives with her beautiful new baby and chef husband in Salt Lake City. Driving through Park City, we got a quick glimpse of the Olympic area. Arriving to the cutest house on the street in Salt Lake, we met up with Natasha at her home and enjoyed the sunny afternoon outside with some wine. A wonderful dinner and amazing sleep later, we were off to visit the main Mormon Temple Square in downtown. Thank you so much Natasha and family for a wonderful visit!! Temple Square was interesting and since it was my first time, I think I felt a little awkward on the grounds. Josh and I took the tour which I would not recommend for those of other faiths since it is very Book of Mormon
Jackson HoleJackson HoleJackson Hole

Trying out for a career in western modeling.
focused and a lot more religious than I expected it would be. I had hoped for a building tour rather than a faith tour, but the ladies that were our guides were very nice and seemed very happy in their missions. Post- tour, we walked through the city some and enjoyed the clean, wholesome environment.

We are in our last stretch of the trip now. The next blog should be our last travel blog. We really look forward to catching up with all of you upon our return to Los Angeles.

"What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. " ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways



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The Grand TetonsThe Grand Tetons
The Grand Tetons

Nice Tetons.
The Woodside'sThe Woodside's
The Woodside's

Alex, Natasha and beautiful baby Saylor. Thanks guys!
The Mormon TempleThe Mormon Temple
The Mormon Temple

Anyone check for Warren Jeffs in there?


11th May 2006

What a wonderful trip!
Hi you two. It certainly sounds like you are having an absolutely wonderful trip - with lots of great memories to last you a lifetime! Looking forward to your final installment! Take care, Brian
12th May 2006

What?
No more blogs. I don't think you two understand. I live for these blogs. Josh, I will need you to make up blogs from here on in. Make em' good. You both rock!

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