Photos not original
We had the best weekend travelling through Wyoming and South Dakota. Because it was just the two of us, we could enjoy the scenery and drive through the beautiful countryside. We must have picked the best week to go, everything was so green and beautiful! I was bracing myself for just a long first day of travel, but honestly, I enjoyed the landscape so much, I didn't crack a book! Sometimes, you just need to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us.
Day 1 - Home to Casper Wyoming (6.5 hours)
We didn't get away until the afternoon so we had a late start. We stopped for dinner at a well rated google restaraunt in Rock Springs. Let's just say we wouldn't have rated it well :) Just as the sun was setting Aaran decided we needed to take a detour to go past Martin's Cove - a place that hold's special family memories. The minute we got off the main highway (even though it was nearly dark) Aaran "rejoiced" for lack of a better word. He LOVES taking the backroads! Funny thing was -- the highway through Wyoming already felt like a back road to me! We caught a glimpse of Martin's Cove
We stayed in a very unique hotel in Casper called "Casper C'mon Inn". Clever! It was nice enough. Very unique inside:
If you timed it right, you could get food from the front desk and feed the koi. 4 hot tubs in the center flanking waterfalls and a big pool in the back. I got up early and did some water aerobics! When I got back to the room, I opened the curtains, expecting to see businesses and a bit of town. What I didn't realize, because we drove in late, was that we were on the very outskirts and outside our window was pure wilderness. It was beautiful! I found a picture of the hotel during construction that gives a glimpse of what we saw:
What would we do differently? We left around 3, next time we would leave early enough for an actual visit to Martin's Cove Visitor's Center
Day 2: Casper to Black Hills (3.5 hours)
Talk about beautiful! We went from one minute, the rolling grassy plains of Wyoming to the gorgeous Black Hills! The forests looked so healthy (I'm used to dead trees admidst the growing). We first made a drive through Custer State park - taking the Wildlife Loop Road -- and having to wait a good 30 minutes for the buffalo to cross the road, unfortunately, we were well behind traffic and they were around the bend so we just got to look at the car in front of us, but we did get to see the herd as we passed by. We had a reservation to stay that night in Rapid City, but honestly, I think if we were to do it again, we would stay in one of the little towns, cabins, RV's, etc near the park. There were so many around.
We didn't really find anywhere to stop to eat so we hit a little grocery for chicken strips, chocolate milk and a bag salad mix (the kind that comes with toppings and dressings). Great idea, but the chicken strips were so dried out they were tough! Finally, we made out way to Mount Rushmore around 5:00, where we learned all about this amazing sculpture! We took in a visitor's center movie, hiked around on the paths, visited the different buildings and hiked up to the sculpture. Workers had to climb 700-900 (can't recall) steps up to the top each day. So I too hiked around and climbed that number of steps (clearly needing the movement after sitting in the car driving). We spent a couple of hours learning and walking around and then were there for the night program which was great! We felt out timing was perfect for Mt Rushmore - enough time to visit and still take in the evening program.
Afterwards we headed to Rapid City. Where we stayed at the Country Inn & Suites. Nothing too special about that, however I did discover that they had waterslides
What would we do different? Bring a picnic blanket for impromptu stops -- we liked the idea of our grocery store dinner, just got unlucky with the chicken! Stay in the Black Hills!
Day 3: Rapid City |Black Hills | Spearfish Canyon
Today we started out seeing a few sights in Rapid City. First was Chapel in the Hills. "Nestled at the foot of the Black Hills, on the western edge of Rapid City, SD, the Chapel in the Hills is a quiet retreat open to all visitors. As a special ministry of the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the chapel reaches out to vacationers and local residents alike, who look for a place to experience God's peace in their busy lives. The chapel itself is an exact reproduction of the famous Borgund Stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway. Our chapel was built in 1969 as the home for the Lutheran Vespers radio ministry (see "History"). Today, visitors from all around the world find the chapel to be a place of beauty and inspiration."
We headed back to the Black Hills and drove (?) Highway and on to Needles Highway which leaves barely enough room for one car to drive through! Driving the park is a must!!
We also hiked Cathedral Spires - a great little hike - not too strenuous, about 3 miles round trip. We saw a family of mountain goats up on the hillside - very cool!
Then we wound our way through up to Hill City and several little communities. Stopped for ice cream in Hill City (if you are going to splurge for a cone -- make it a double the second scoop costs just a bit more!)
Ate at a wide spot in the road called "Cheyenne Crossing". A really fun place. I enjoyed my meal more than Aaran -- I recommend the Navajo Taco -- half size portion is plenty!!
Then we drove through Beautiful Spearfish Canyon - stopping and hiking to several waterfalls. Spearfish Falls, Roughlock Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. Some were just a short walk to the falls. Light was fading but we saw them all!
Then headed on our way to Gillette, Wy. One minute we were in the beautiful mountains and then next, flat grassy lands again! We made an impromptu detour to see Devil's Tower, which we honestly couldn't see because it was too dark, but the drive their was so pretty! Rolling farmlands.
Once dark, we ALMOST HIT A DEER! Tender Mercy....we did not.
What would we do differently? Start earlier to get it all in!
Day 4: Gillette to Jackson and then Etna, Wyoming
We stayed at the Fairfield Inn in Gillette -- More waterslides!
Then made our way to Jackson (taking the long way again!) (8 hours) through Bighorn National Forest. I'm so glad we did -- it was stunning!
We played around in Jackson Hole had dinner and headed on to Etna where we stayed in a fun little cabin. This was more because hotels in Jackson were so expensive. But this was fun and clean!
The Wolf Den Lodge
What would we do differently? Maybe nothing!
Day 5: Etna to Home (through Montpilier and Preston and Logan) -- because we like to take the long way home!
We enjoyed church with the locals and made our way home!
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