Where Was I?

So...where was I? Oh yes, the vacation that happened two months ago about which I have written only a measly amount...

A highlight of the trip for me was the drive there. I know that sounds slightly mundane, but I do really love driving. There's nothing like a good old-fashioned road trip! There are so many things in favor of road-tripping. Planes are all well and good, but I love being able to really experience the journey - to see what lies between me and my destination. I love the spontaneity inherent in highway driving, with its various and sundry "points of interest." I remember stopping in Metropolis, IL with my family on a cross-country road trip just to see a 25-foot statue of Superman - well worth the stop! I love the element of surprise involving weather and road construction. I love car activities: games, songs, books on tape, etc. But possibly most of all, I love the conversation. You get to know people on a road trip like nowhere else. You're equally a captive audience to the other passengers. It's major bonding time.

I definitely experienced this on our drive through Utah and Wyoming. My favorite part was when the girls were all together in the big "rig" (the moniker assigned so appropriately by Jen West to our main vehicle). We had some serious girl-talk time and really got to know each other better. I think that was the perfect way to start out our trip! Maybe the guys would have enjoyed their road-trip bonding time too, if Parker could stay conscious through an entire sentence...

Which brings up another point, I never named our travel group. Easily fixed: Stephanie Gourley, Stephanie Janes, Jennifer West, Michelle Hagfeldt, Parker Smith, Ryan Gourley, and yours truly. Kate Rampton (Bruland now, but that's for another post) joined us for a few days as well. It was almost the perfect group! We had such a good time and everyone helped with everything.

So, after our incredibly long yet enlightening drive, we arrived in the charming town of Cody, Wyoming. There's just something so Western and American about this town...I don't quite know how to explain it, but whatever it is, I love it! Cody is an extremely endearing town. I don't know what it's like to live there, but I wouldn't be averse to giving it a shot! My friends did some incredibly cute things on this day because it was my birthday. They were so adorable! I'd have to say that this was one of the best birthdays ever! Thanks again guys!

From Cody we drove to the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone by way of the Chief Joseph scenic highway and the Beartooth Mountains. This is perhaps the most beautiful place on earth, in my humble opinion. I don't know what more I can say about it other than GO THERE! It is not a place to be passed up. But from one traveler to the other, let me give you a bit of advice for your visit - take plenty of bug spray and wear layers. Trust me...

We stayed at Canyon Campground in Yellowstone and it was really nice. I think a few people in our group expected it to be a little more rustic than it was. They were pleasantly surprised! We had this amazingly huge tent for the girls and waking up the first morning in the freezing cold was so much fun. Everyone's hair was funny, and we all just laughed. Good times! I do have some pictures of this, but I like my friends too much to publish them here.

I'll see if I can actually write a post from home one day and I'll throw a few photos up then.

Much more to come...