It started a little something like this, Taylor and I were sitting in our dorm a few years ago and she turned to me and asked, "Will you drive to Wyoming with me?" The obvious answer was yes! Over two years later and here we are today, the adventure of a lifetime stretched across the blacktop ahead of us.
I'll be live blogging as best as I can over the course of the next few weeks to keep you, our families and friends updated on our adventures!
Keep us in your prayers!
Day 1- Falling for Niagara, PA --> NY --> Canada --> MI
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| The bridge was once 2,053 feet long and it stands 301 feet high! |
Speaking of good views, our next stop led us north, to our friendly maple-loving neighbors! Taylor has never been to Canada and I have never been to Niagara Falls, it was truly a day of firsts. After taking in the view of the falls, we headed INTO them! What a sight!
A few minutes after saying goodnight, we started to realize that our trusty abode was taking on water. Exhausted from the day, we decided to deal with it in the morning and squeeze in as much sleep as we could before our 6 AM departure. Around 4 though, I checked my phone sleeplessly and Tony and Taylor rolled over to announce that they also had not slept. We made the decision to pack ourselves up, and just shoved our tent, full of wet sleeping bags and pillows, in the bed. So, Day 2 began with a bang!
Day 2- Heart of the Heartland, MI --> IN --> IL --> WI --> MN --> SD
Hmm today, we drove. A lot. Serious props to Taylor and Tony because I am definitely slacking in my driving contribution and my rider responsibilities. Although I did read an entire Jodi Picoult novel, so that was nice.
Really though, we took in some incredible views today and even got to enjoy some of our favorite Midwestern treat, Culver's! We're about 45 minutes from our campground now and excited for a good night of sleep after an 18 hour day on the road! Tomorrow has some pretty exciting sights but I'll keep them a surprise for now! ;)
Day 3- Mt. Rushmore and More Rushing/ Bad to the Stone/ Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place, SD --> NE --> WY
Today was another eventful day, to say the least. After arriving in the Badlands last night, and video calling everyone we knew to show them how insanely cool it was, we settled into our campground. We were overjoyed to have access to hot showers and excited to give our tent another try.
The night was thankfully dry and uneventful and we woke up at 4:30 again, this time for a good reason! Watching the sunrise over the Badlands is something that I am sure none of us will ever forget. For me, this trip has already been such a great time to reflect. As I was brushing my teeth this morning, I just kind of took a deep breath and realized that nothing else matters right now. The past year has been so stressful and overwhelming but right now, all that matters is this once in a lifetime experience with my friends. What matters is taking the time to be present in the moment and truly appreciate the amazing works of God that we’ve been given the opportunity to see.
Anywho, the Badlands. WOW. Taylor and I have decided that the Badlands are the greatest thing ever in the world and that nothing could possibly be cooler but Tony has assured us that we still have much to see.
We allotted about three and a half hours for ourselves to explore the Badlands this morning which I initially imagined being way too much but honestly, it passed so quickly. Every which way you
looked was an incredible view, each more breathtaking than the last.
As we explored, I identified some of the birds we were seeing, much to Taylor’s annoyance, as she was more interested in the big stuff. She was the first to spot something, two mule deer, but we wanted more. We were determined to see bighorn sheep. As we drove, we were on the edge of our seats, scouring the grassy canyons that were sure to be home to the sheep. Finally, we rounded a corner at the top of a peak and there they were, two of them! We couldn’t contain our excitement until we came around another corner and found more and then more, we stopped counting after thirty! Our next goal was bison and again, we quickly found that the Badlands don’t disappoint! All in all, we saw more prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and bison than we could count, definitely more than we were hoping for!
looked was an incredible view, each more breathtaking than the last.
Mt. Rushmore was definitely cool and something I recommend everyone check out if given the chance! Again, this stop was a see what there is to see and move on kind of stop, we’ve got a lot to see in a little amount of time. Onto Jackson, WY with a detour through the Oglala National Grassland in Nebraska.
This is where things got hairy. Upon arriving in Nebraska, we found ourselves very much in the middle of nowhere on a dirt back road. There was a lot of mud but being in a truck with four-wheel drive, we charged forward. After a mile or so, the road got too bad so we turned around and almost immediately started hearing an awful screeching noise.
We made it back to the paved roads and started trying to figure out the issue. Tony concluded that it was almost definitely an issue with the bearing, bad news. More bad news, the nearest town, 20 miles away, was all closed because it’s a Sunday. We decided we would try and make it into the town and then call AAA, assuming the worst and starting to wonder if our trip would end after just three days. After a little more searching, we found a body shop and the owner answered and told us that although he couldn’t do any work, he would at least help us take a look.
The drive to the shop was silent and tense as no one wanted to admit that this could be as bad as it sounded. When we got there, Taylor and I headed into town to avoid the situation and find some restrooms.
When we returned just a few minutes later, the shop owner was laughing and wishing Tony the best. After jacking the truck up and removing the tire, Tony had found a rock wedged against the brake! And off we were, back on our adventure!
This situation was such a great reminder that sometimes when God puts us between a rock and a hard place, the rocks aren’t nearly as big as our fear allows them to be.
Back on the road, and more thankful than ever, we booked it out of Nebraska and headed for our home for the night, Jackson, Wyoming. Here’s what I’ve learned about Wyoming today as we’ve driven from one side to the other.
It’s beautiful, there are very few people, and there are a heck of a lot of mule deer and pronghorn. Really though, we’ve been amazed by the sights and are so excited to explore Jackson and some of the national parks tomorrow!
Until then!
And today we drove, through Montana, through Idaho, and through Washington.
It was such a beautiful day and none of us can get over how incredible it is out here. I’m pretty sure every time we drive through a new state, Taylor announces that it is the most beautiful so far and she wants to live there.
After setting up camp and showering, thank the Lord for hot running water, we were determined to get our hands on s’mores and hotdogs for a fireside dinner. The closest, and really only, gas station around had our s’mores ingredients and hotdog buns but for some reason had no hotdogs. Reluctantly, we chose other dinner dishes, Taylor; a Lunchable, Tony; beef jerky and cheese which he roasted over the fire (don’t ask), and me; more s’mores. We got our fire started quickly thanks to maps of the area as kindling and lots of branches from the surrounding pines.
Day 4- The Grandest of Tetons, WY --> MT
Today we explored Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone. It was an incredible day and I’m just going to let the sights speak for themselves.
Our plans for the night were to possibly camp in Yellowstone but upon arriving we found out that all of the campsites were either closed from winter still or were full. We decided to see everything in Yellowstone that we had come to see and continue driving. Our plan was to find a place to stay in Montana. Well after driving until 12:30, Tony, our faithful guide, gave in and we slept in a parking lot in the truck. What a day!
Day 5- Yellowstones and Weary Bones, MT --> ID --> WA
Still in the truck from last night, Tony woke up around 4:30 and got us on the road again, did I mention how thankful we are for him?!?
And today we drove, through Montana, through Idaho, and through Washington.
Tonight, we were happy to arrive at our campsite while there was still daylight, something we haven’t gotten a lot of. We stayed right on the beautiful Lake Wenatchee and of course had a photo shoot as the sun went down.
I think we sat around the fire and laughed and talked and made s’mores for almost two hours but I’m not really sure. Before bed, Taylor and I finally got to put our hammocks to use and enjoyed a few minutes to just hang (ha) and chat. And off to bed we went, under the beautiful Washington sky.
Day 6- Seattle and Such, WA --> OR
We’re headed to Seattle but we’re not so sleepless. I think from the moment we entered the tent last night, we all slept soundly. Never thought we would miss the tent but we definitely had. And off we go, ready for another day of adventures in the West!
It was a beautiful afternoon and despite some grouching from Taylor and me, it was nice to be out and about after lots of driving. A few more quick stops, the house from Full House and Lombard Street. I was super thankful that Tony was driving because those crazy roads in this big truck could not have been easy to navigate!
Hollywood sign. We spent some time exploring, finding our favorite star’s stars, and trying to find the most expensive houses in the area. We stopped in a little cafe for breakfast and I excitedly purchased a mini cheesecake to enjoy with my bagel, that’s how the stars eat, right?
We were up with the sun, although it felt like we were camping on it, and off to Vegas! Taylor found a fun and high rated breakfast place and we all ate way more than we should have. When in Vegas though, right? We spent a few hours, and a few dollars, exploring the Strip but I think all three of us were a little overstimulated. Still, an experience!
After a few stops here and there throughout the park, we embarked on our twelve-hour journey for the day. Despite what people may think, the driving really has not been miserable. Although Tony has been our fearless leader for about 99% of the driving, we've all still enjoyed the time spent in the truck.
Whether passed out in the back, jamming with Taylor (mostly to annoy Tony), musing over the sights, taking online quizzes, or just chatting, we've always found a way to quickly pass the miles. Most recently, Taylor requested that I reread my Jodi Picoult novel but this time aloud. So, as we made our way to our campsite (which we were already late for) I read to Taylor and Tony. Aaand then, there they were, the blue lights again. Ask Tony about that experience sometime, although the cop let him off with a warning, it was a very strange exchange.
None the less, we arrived to our campground around eleven that night. And I use the word campground loosely. Let me preface this with the fact that Taylor and I give Tony a hard time about many of his housing options. So we arrive at our campground and it's actually a dude's ranch, a dude with one leg... So he hops on his four-wheeler and leads us into the pasture where he keeps his cattle. Taylor and I sat in the truck and contemplated our impending deaths. Despite our initial hesitation, it was a lovely evening and we wished that we had arrived earlier so we could have explored the ranch.
Now I had assumed that this would be a cute little store but I could not have underestimated it more. A huge retail store, a bakery, a garden store, and a huge courtyard surrounded by food trucks is what greeted us, along with hundreds of other adoring fans. As we approached, overwhelmed by the lines of people, I overheard an employee tell a customer that this was a slow day in comparison to some weekends! Wow!
So, New Orleans, we got a hotel. Again, I use that word loosely. This particular hotel happened to be part of a hospital. No, I am not kidding, I wish I was, we literally shared elevators with doctors and patients. Again though, despite our ragging on Tony, he was right and it was a very nice hotel.
After checking in, we headed into the city to explore and find some dinner. We enjoyed a nice, local dinner complete with alligator, fried catfish, hushpuppies, jambalaya, and more. We explored for another hour or so, stopping to watch street performers and buy beignets to enjoy for dessert.
Real beds and a clean, free shower were a real blessing and after enjoying a few movies, we slept well.
We're headed for Nashville and have decided that instead of staying the night as planned, we'll drive through and get home tomorrow morning.
Stay tuned!
So Seattle! Seems like so long ago, I haven’t gotten the chance to blog and I’m hoping I can remember all the way back!
We spent a fun few hours exploring the waterfront and Pike Place Market. Personally, I loved the market and could have spent days (and hundreds of dollars) exploring booth after booth of beautiful 
flowers, fresh produce and seafood, and more. Personally, I did not love the Gum Wall, I thought it was super nasty but cool I guess. We enjoyed a fancy lunch on the waterfront and hit the road again.
flowers, fresh produce and seafood, and more. Personally, I did not love the Gum Wall, I thought it was super nasty but cool I guess. We enjoyed a fancy lunch on the waterfront and hit the road again.
That night, our campsite was right on the Pacific Ocean in Rockaway Beach, Oregon. We scrambled around to find firewood and enjoyed a beautiful night around the fire with hotdogs and s’mores.
Day 7- A Redwood Tree and the Traveling Three, OR --> CA
Such a beautiful day! We headed down the coast of Oregon and California along Coastal Route 1 and saw too many beautiful sights to count. Our first stop was to the Battery Point Lighthouse in Crescent City, California. The lighthouse and surrounding area were absolutely beautiful and our tour of the property was full of history and laughter, definitely a favorite stop.
Before heading out, we filled up on gas and bought subs for lunch and dinner. Tony warned us that we would be fairly stranded that night but I didn't realize just how much he meant it.
Into the Redwoods we went. We spent a few hours exploring the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and Fern Canyon before settling into our campsite at Gold Bluffs Beach Campground. Have I mentioned that Tony would make a great travel agent?
Day 8- Golden Gate to the Golden State, CA
Most of today was spent driving with a few scenic stops here and there. Our main destination for the day was San Francisco. We spent some time hiking around the Golden Gate Bridge in search of the best views of the bridge and city.
Another night spent along the ocean! We enjoyed hotdogs and s’mores (quickly becoming a staple in our diets) and headed to bed along the edge of a cliff above the ocean. Lovely, until a windstorm hit in the morning, waking us up and making us scramble to pack up before our tent blew away!
Day 9- Big Sur(prises), CA
Another day of driving along the coast. We stopped for a few scenic stops but the real surprise was the insanity of the roads. While I will admit that I was asleep for a great deal of the trip, the windy and narrow roads along the cliffs were insane and scary. How people navigate them is beyond me and I think Tony deserves an award for handling them as smoothly as he did.
The day was mostly spent driving and we were all excited to be spending the night in a hotel! Until we arrived…
Now I have stayed in some sketchy places but when we arrived at our Motel 6 outside of Los Angeles and were greeted by armed guards, I was a bit apprehensive. Tony assured us that this was the best place to stay in the area and that we would be safe. Honestly, it wasn’t awful but the drama of it was entertaining after a long day.
Pizza, long showers, and real beds were a real treat and we all passed out, ready to take on Hollywood the next morning.
Day 10- Lost in Angeles, CA
An early start had us in downtown Hollywood before 7 AM and gave us some awesome views of the
After our fair share of the celebrity life, we headed back into the wilderness to Joshua Tree National Park. Despite our grumbles, Tony convinced us to brave the extreme desert heat and go for a hike. We enjoyed trekking through the desert to an old ore mill but personally, I was more focused on the awesome cacti, variety of lizards, and big jackrabbits that would run for cover when we came close.
A few hours in the hot sun had us ready for a cold drink and nap in the AC but Tony had other plans for us; Death Valley. And goodness gracious, the name is accurate. No food for literally hundreds of miles, extreme heat, and hangry and tired campers makes for a fun combination. After passing so many little “towns” that had absolutely no food, a gas station where diesel was seriously 5.26, and a few Indian reservations, we were convinced that we were going to starve and die. The reception was spotty but Taylor found a Denny’s! 50 minutes in the wrong direction. At this point, I think we had all given up but continued driving towards our planned campsite for the night. And wouldn’t you know it, the town of Stovepipe Wells had a restaurant that was still open for another hour! And we ate!
Our campsite was just across the street and upon arriving, we realized that the site was closed for the summer (the sites around here are closed during the summer months due to the danger of camping in extreme heat). We kept driving until we found another campsite, literally a gravel area with a camping sign, sadly all of the spots were taken and we were still homeless. We decided to turn around and drive a ways to a site we had passed earlier and luckily it was open, and had toilets!
I think it was close to 11 PM by the time we got set up and settled in and get this, it was 96 degrees! I love summer but why anyone would choose to live/ visit a place this hot is beyond me. So yes, we survived a night in the hottest place on Earth, literally! What an achievement!
Day 11- Gambling with Death (Valley), CA --> NV --> UT
We were up with the sun, although it felt like we were camping on it, and off to Vegas! Taylor found a fun and high rated breakfast place and we all ate way more than we should have. When in Vegas though, right? We spent a few hours, and a few dollars, exploring the Strip but I think all three of us were a little overstimulated. Still, an experience!
Our next stop was a quick visit to the Hoover Dam! Again, cool to see but didn’t need an entire day to explore, so off we went. Tonight, we’re calling Utah home and tomorrow we have a full day of hiking and sightseeing in some awesome spots!
Only a few days left in this crazy journey, stay tuned to see how things wrap up.
Keep an eye out for lots of pictures and a trip-in-review video after we get home!
We spent a few hours exploring different overlooks and taking in the views before heading to our campground for the night. We decided to give ourselves a bit of a luxury and rented a DVD to watch in the tent before passing out after another busy day. Taylor and I have agreed that the time spent at our campsites has been some of our favorite moments, I think we'll all miss it.
Oh wait, I forgot an important detail about our day. As we were heading out of the Grand Canyon, poor Tony got pulled over. The officer kindly bumped his recorded speed down by a bit but our trusty driver still received a ticket.
Despite the title, I did not find today boring, I thought it was pretty neat! Our morning kicked off with a quick tour of the Petrified Forest National Park, which is actually really cool. If you're not familiar, look it up!Day 12- A Grand Day, UT --> AZ
We started the morning off in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah and then headed for the real canyon, the Grand Canyon. Although I've seen pictures of the Grand Canyon, I honestly don't think I knew what to expect but I was surely not disappointed.
Oh wait, I forgot an important detail about our day. As we were heading out of the Grand Canyon, poor Tony got pulled over. The officer kindly bumped his recorded speed down by a bit but our trusty driver still received a ticket.
Day 13- Petrified with Boredom, AZ --> NM --> TX --> OK
Whether passed out in the back, jamming with Taylor (mostly to annoy Tony), musing over the sights, taking online quizzes, or just chatting, we've always found a way to quickly pass the miles. Most recently, Taylor requested that I reread my Jodi Picoult novel but this time aloud. So, as we made our way to our campsite (which we were already late for) I read to Taylor and Tony. Aaand then, there they were, the blue lights again. Ask Tony about that experience sometime, although the cop let him off with a warning, it was a very strange exchange.
None the less, we arrived to our campground around eleven that night. And I use the word campground loosely. Let me preface this with the fact that Taylor and I give Tony a hard time about many of his housing options. So we arrive at our campground and it's actually a dude's ranch, a dude with one leg... So he hops on his four-wheeler and leads us into the pasture where he keeps his cattle. Taylor and I sat in the truck and contemplated our impending deaths. Despite our initial hesitation, it was a lovely evening and we wished that we had arrived earlier so we could have explored the ranch.
Day 14- Making Gaines, OK --> TX --> AR
An early morning kicked off our second week on the road but we (Taylor and I) were very excited for our next stop. For those of you who aren't familiar with the HGTV show, Fixer Upper, it follows a couple from Waco, TX who help families purchase "fixer uppers" and turn them into incredible homes. The Gaines family also own a retail store in Waco which is where we were headed.
After a few hours of driving, an exhausted Tony handed over the keys and I got behind the wheel for the last stretch that morning. Upon arriving in Waco, I was so excited to get out and get shopping that I proceeded to lock the keys in the truck. Thank God for OnStar, we had the keys back in hand within a few minutes. To The Silos we went!
Now I had assumed that this would be a cute little store but I could not have underestimated it more. A huge retail store, a bakery, a garden store, and a huge courtyard surrounded by food trucks is what greeted us, along with hundreds of other adoring fans. As we approached, overwhelmed by the lines of people, I overheard an employee tell a customer that this was a slow day in comparison to some weekends! Wow!
We spent an hour or so exploring and shopping and then, much to Tony's excitement and my credit card's relief, we headed out.
After arriving to our campground and showering, we settled around a picnic table and read a bit more of our Jodi Picoult novel before retreating to the tent. That night may have ranked up there in terms of heat next to Death Valley, the humidity was almost unbearable, regardless, we survived.
Day 15- Jazzin' Up the Trip, AR --> LA
Not only did we survive, we even slept in. As opposed to the 4 and 5 AM starts on our first leg of the trip, we packed up and got on the road around 9:30. Throughout our seven-hour drive to New Orleans, I continued reading our book and finished it within minutes of arrival. I'm definitely glad I brought it along and who knows, maybe I'll read it a third time when I get back.
So, New Orleans, we got a hotel. Again, I use that word loosely. This particular hotel happened to be part of a hospital. No, I am not kidding, I wish I was, we literally shared elevators with doctors and patients. Again though, despite our ragging on Tony, he was right and it was a very nice hotel.After checking in, we headed into the city to explore and find some dinner. We enjoyed a nice, local dinner complete with alligator, fried catfish, hushpuppies, jambalaya, and more. We explored for another hour or so, stopping to watch street performers and buy beignets to enjoy for dessert.
Real beds and a clean, free shower were a real blessing and after enjoying a few movies, we slept well.
Day 16- From French Bars to Steel Guitars, LA --> MS --> AL --> TN
Another day of sleeping in, which we all definitely needed. And driving, lots of driving.We're headed for Nashville and have decided that instead of staying the night as planned, we'll drive through and get home tomorrow morning.
Stay tuned!
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