Trip Across the United States

My hubby has been needing/wanting a new vehicle for over a year. When we moved to Nevada, he started looking. We visited many dealerships in the area and had them looking out for the perfect SUV for him. In our area there were only 4 or 5 SUVs for him to look at and they all had around 30,000 miles on them. Let me back up to say that both of us like the idea of a newer used model so we don't have to eat the depreciation! I mentioned to hubby that he should look back in New York at the place where we had purchased three vehicles already and if he saw something, I would drive it home. He started looking on the web and the vehicles had around 10,000 miles and cost LESS than the ones out here! Jim flew to New York for his annual golf trip and purchased this beauty below!

When I announced I was going to travel across the U.S. with just my 10 year old daughter, I got a lot of people saying I shouldn't do that alone. My question to them was, why? I must have my mom's adventure gene because that is what I thought.....ADVENTURE!

So, on Wednesday, June 22, Samantha and I set out on our adventure!

Samantha and I flew from Nevada to New York using my in-laws stand-by passes with United. It was a MIRACLE that we got in on Wednesday since there was a huge storm that went through the U.S. the day before. But we saw a shooting star before our first flight and I told Samantha all she had to do was find a penny. She found a penny when we were number 22 on the stand-by list and next thing you know we are getting called to board the plane! After arriving in Buffalo, NY we traveled to Rochester to the Susan B. Anthony house and earned a Girl Scout badge.

Samantha held the tree that Susan B. Anthony had in front of her house. This tree was here when SBA was alive.

Susan B. Anthony was an amazing lady.

We learned that her name is still on the books for

unpaid fines for when she voted.

Getting ready to go inside.

Her house.

We visited her statue.

After visiting SBA house, we traveled to Ithaca, NY to visit family and friends.

Every time we come to Ithaca, Samantha and I go to Stewart Park to feed the ducks and geese.
This time my friend, Barb, came. It was so nice catching up with her and hearing about her big move coming up. By the way, Barb, I will be coming to see you in Hawaii.

On Saturday, we met my brother, Bill and his family in Cortland for lunch before traveling to Cleveland, OH.

I miss these boys now that I live so far away.

From Cleveland we got up travelled 256 miles to meet my friend Carolyn at a Subway off of Interstate 90. I haven't seen her for three and a half years. I met Carolyn in College and we have been friends ever since. I hope it is not that long before I see her again!

Sunday night we spent with my in-laws. It was so great seeing them when there were flowers out and not snow! I can't believe that I didn't get a picture of us at their place.

Monday, we got on the road by 9:30 and headed to Blue Earth, MN.

Can you guess whose feet those are?

GREEN GIANT!

At our stop we also had a little bit of ice cream.

Then it was back in the truck to drive to Sioux Falls, SD.

Tuesday, was our busy day! We got up and were out of our hotel by 9:00 am to head to Mitchell, SD and the Corn Palace! I remember going to this when I was 16 with my mom, dad and one brother.

While we were inside the Corn Palace the electricity went out for about a minute, pitch black, before the emergency lights came on.

They are still putting up the corn design.

We had lunch in Mitchell before going to Badlands National Park.

Found this interesting place before getting to Badlands and Samantha wanted to check it out.

White prairie dogs.

Samantha had a blast trying to sneak up on them to get a picture. This had to be the 30th picture before she was happy with what she got!

We made it!

I am NOT a cool mom since I wouldn't let her get closer to the edge. She wanted to try to climb down, NOT happening!

We drove to the bottom of the Badlands and I let her climb away. She got me to climb a little but the coming down was hard, I do not like heights!

Finishing up her Junior Ranger book so she can get the badge.

Has to take a pledge before she can receive the badge.

At 4:00 pm we drove to Wall, SD to Wall Drug Store.

Getting one of many souveniers. She loved this place and wants to come back.

We drove to Rapid City, SD to spend the night and see Mount Rushmore in the morning.

Wednesday, we arrived at Mount Rushmore at 9:30 am and it was already 85F out. The temperature got up to 103F.

The guy who created Mount Rushmore.

This is looking up in a hole in a cave.

Stopped and got the Junior Ranger badge.

After a day at Mount Rushmore, we drove to Billings, MT.

On Thursday, we arrived at Yellowstone National Park at 10:45 am.

After entering the park we saw this sign.

Already seeing animals.

Mammoth Hot Springs, where the water gets up to 163F.

At the top, it is hard to see, but that is a hot spring behind Samantha.

The mountains are beautiful up in Yellowstone.

Listening to a Ranger talk about how to use our senses in Yellowstone.

Receiving her Junior Ranger badge.

We didn't stay here too long since this was VERY stinky!

We found snow!

We even had a little snowball fight!

Me and my heights. I held the camera out, took a picture and got off the platform. Happy the picture turned out.

We got here just in time.

Old Faithful goes off about every 90 minutes and we got there when every one was finding seats for the next one. We got in the front row and 5 to 10 minutes later the show began!

It was amazing and not what I remembered when I was 16.

We even saw a little geyser start up.

All day we saw Bison/Buffalo. The babies were so cute! We had one wanting to cross the road and our truck was in the way. I heard they like moving vehicles out of the way instead of going around. I pushed the gas and he walked right where I was sitting. I wouldn't have wanted to explain that to my hubby or insurance if I had a big buffalo move the truck and damage it but that would be a good story!

After a long day in Yellowstone we stopped to get a picture with the sign.

Samantha is crossing her arms and ran to the spot, turned smiled and then ran back to the truck. There were hundreds of misqitoes out and we were dinner!

Friday, was a drive day only. We drove from West Yellowstone, MT to Salt Lake City, UT.

Saturday was our last day on the road. We were only 540 miles from home!

We stopped and took a picture of Metaphor, the Tree of Utah. I still don't know what it was for, maybe to keep people awake! There were signs that said stay awake, pullover if you are tired and things like that.

At a rest area we stopped at. I asked Samantha to taste the white stuff to see if it was salt. I already knew it was! I wish I had the camera ready for her expression when she tasted it. I tasted it too and I have to say it is a LOT saltier than the ocean!

This was our last sight seeing stop before reaching home.

It was so nice to get home and see my hubby after being on the road and away from him for so long. He was excited to see us and I think equally excited to have his new truck!