THE HONEYMOONERS

 Pics - http://pix.kg/p/4509828211103%3A1490046217/scl


When we started talking about taking this trip, we created some expectations and were super excited to see certain places. Yellowstone was one of those places.  We also had stopovers we thought would be quick and almost dull like South Dakota.  We were way off on both of these spots and a few more too.

I’m not saying we didn’t enjoy Yellowstone because we definitely did, but we didn’t love it.  We arrived after a huge driving day, I think it was a six hour one.  We couldn’t wait to explore the park, go on a few hiking trails and experience all the nature everyone talks about.  We stayed at a great little KOA a few minutes outside of the park and they recommended to rent a car for the day to explore Yellowstone.  It was under 50 bucks for the day so it seemed like a great idea so we did.  It was funny to have everyone in a “normal car for the day!”  We drove in and immediately had a huge bison and his baby walk directly next to us in our car, it was amazing! 

We also saw a bunch of wolves, elk, deer, a bald eagle and some other wildlife.  Unfortunately no bears, they say there are everywhere there and actually freaked us out a little at our campground.  So after seeing a bunch of wildlife we kept driving to Old Faithful.  We had no idea how huge the park was!  An hour later we saw Old Faithful (kinda cool, kinda disappointing) is basically water shooting out of a hole every 90 minutes.  We then drove to some falls (another 40 minute drive) and by then the kids were tired, we realized no hiking and we had about an hour and 40 minute drive to get out of the park.  To make a long story short it was a ton of driving when we had just drove a ton the day before.  We couldn’t have been more happy to be out of the park back at the campground making our nightly fire.

After two nights at Yellowstone we drove through Montana and onto South Dakota.  We loved Montana with its rolling mountains and beautiful scenery and wished we could have seen more, but at this point we are realizing we only have about a week to get from Montana to Baltimore so on we went.  We were most disappointed to miss meeting up with Daphne in Missoula.  We heard its beautiful there and would have loved to see family.

South Dakota - Who knew it was so cool!  I sure didn’t and I kinda think most people don’t either.  We drove through amazing national forests with lakes, mountains and little western towns that were adorable.   One of them was Deadwood and I know there is a HBO show based off the town.  It really was super cute!  We stayed at another KOA in South Dakota and this one was out of control!  It was basically crack for kids. It had 2 pools, a splash pad, a movie theater, mini golf, sports games, 3 playgrounds and tons of camp-like activities like tie dying and skits. Thankfully it also had a great place for us to watch the heat game too- GO HEAT!!!!  Not to mention it was beautiful, nonetheless we decided to stay for 2 nights. 

On our last day we drove to Mt. Rushmore.  I really didn’t think I would be as moved as I was but it truly is remarkable. Riley loved it too because “George” (curious george) went there in one of his books lol.  We went and saw a quick 15 minute movie on the history of making it and were all blown away, even Lincoln :)

 

After our exciting stop at Mt. Rushmore we had another big day of driving.  We have gotten really good at these crazy days but it’s not to say it’s easy.  We take turns sleeping and driving (and drinking lots of coffee).  Link seems to sleep the second the car goes on so he’s no problem and Riley is loving life because we let him watch movies (his favorite thing to do besides find new playgrounds) and play on the iPad.  We stopped at Sioux Falls and had a great dinner and checked out the falls and drove until 11:30 and arrived at Fairfield Iowa.

Fairfield, Iowa - most people are probably thinking what a boring stop but wow I was amazed today and Bradley was like a kid in a candy store. Bradley picked out this stop because of his new chapter in his life he has embraced, TM (Transcendental Meditation).  He learned in Baltimore and has been practicing for about 6 months and the headquarters is here in Fairfield at the Maharishi University of Management.

 There was a great Oprah special on this University and I know Dr. Oz talks a lot about it. We walked around the campus today - everyone was amazing, talkative and friendly and there is definitely an energy you can feel. It even got me thinking I should give TM a try. J  We had fun in the bookstore and bought some stuff and had lunch in a really cool spot that we could have spent all day in, Revelations. 

Bradley made some phone calls yesterday and booked both of us treatments at a place called The Raj – it’s a Ayurvedic spa that is really supposed to be awesome.  We are both super excited and I know we need it after sleeping on this RV bed (which now has an egg crate and a featherbed on top that we bought because the bed was so uncomfortable!)

Its unbelievable to me that there are only 5 days left on our adventure.  I know in my heart its time, Riley has been saying he misses his house and his friends and I will melt into my bed once I see it.  Not to mention I haven’t watched TV in 5 weeks. I can’t wait to check out my TIVO line up.  But it’s sad, I’ll miss this crazy routine we have gotten into and the closeness I’m experiencing with my family.  It’s a dream come true to me to take this trip and I’m not sure I’m ready for the dream to be over.

The good news is we are picking up some hitchhikers- my mom, sister and Bharat are catching a ride back with us from Ohio after we visit my grandparents!  It’s going to be a crazy 8 hours home!  Can’t wait!