East to West: April 2006

Mt. Zion and Bryce Canyon

Well, Here we are, the last official stop on the roadtrip. We saw both Mt. Zion Nat Park and Bryce Canyon. They were pretty cool. The colors of the clay during sunset and sunrise is pretty spectacular. We hiked around a bit and then boogied out of town.

From here we made it to Cali in 2 days. We stopped in Barstow or Bakersfield for the night. The next day we got to Ft. MacArthur where we stayed in Billeting for a week while we looked for apartments.
Final trip summary
Miles - 4,930
States we visited - 19 - Mass, Conn, NY, NJ, PA, Ohio, Indianna, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montanna, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California

If I were to do it again, I would take more time. The end of the trip became a dash because we were in the car the whole time. Stopping for a few days to see friends and family was fun and it didn't feel like we were driving that much. We honestly didn't feel like it was a chore driving until we left Yellowstone. Then it seemed to take forever for the torture to end.

I would like to thank you all for your hospitality letting us live like bums in your houses. The memories will last until the Alzhimers.

In three years, we may be doing it again.

Not. :)

Tetons, Jackson Hole

The Tetons were majestic. It was the first word that came to my mind and it is the only way to describe them.
They were so shocking we pulled over and just gazed for a while.

Jenn and I went for a day hike. It was pretty awesome. Lots of great scenery and we got lucky with a perfect day.
Towards the end of the hike the clouds rolled in and we beat a pretty good rain back to the car. Whew!!!
We did see a baby bear on the hike and Jenn beat two sticks together the rest of the way - just the way Rob taught her.

I think these picture captures them the best.

Leaving takes you to Jackson Hole. We were looking for a place to eat and I happened to notice the world famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, so we went in.

It turned out to be a totally Wyoming experience.
Jenn got a kick out of the tables which were all made from tree cross sections and laquered to a shiny finish. As well, the support beams were whole trees, preserved with the bark still on. Funny the stuff you don't notice when you grow up around it. :)

The menu was not the best, but the saddle seats at the bar were worthy of the trip.

Well, Wyoming is soon to be in the mirror and Utah in our window - which means we are about to get to the point in the trip that we can't wait till it's over! :)

Yellowstone, The Tetons

Yep, Old Faithful. Right on time - - - for us to leave the sulfur smell and head to the Teton Mountains.

As we left Yellowstone, the land was very flat and uneventful. We rounded a corner and this is what we saw. These mountains are so large and so jagged, pictures don't do them justice. I felt like they should have been in a larger mountain range.

Jenn jumped in this lake later on that day. It was very very very very very cold. Dan did not make it in the lake. He settled for a shower at the hotel.

Yellowstone

So we finally arrive. Not sure what to expect, it should be a good ride. Kinda flat when you enter.

Here is Jenn at the lake where we stayed. We got lucky with dinner reservations and had a nice meal at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel

Sunrise at the hotel. We got up early to see the sunrise over the lake - it was supposed to be spectacular. A few seconds after I took this, it clouded over and the sunrise was bust.

.

As you can see, there were lots of Buffalo. Even outside the hotel room window.

Driving to Yellowstone

This is a natural bridge outside of Casper, where Mom and Dad Cowan live. This is one of their favorite places to take a picnic. It was the first time I had been here. I have to agree, it was a very nice location.

I failed to take any pictures of them or the neighborhood or the resturaunt. So I guess you don't get to see how they live out west. Sorry.

Below are photos as from the road as we head west to Yellowstone.