Bags Packed - Check -- Car Loaded - Check -- On the Road

Vacation time is finally here.  I am beyond excited to begin this adventure!

7:30 AM -- Fenton, MO

Car was loaded and ready to hit the road for the first part of the journey.  First stop - Jefferson City, MO to meet my sister, Kim and her hubby, Tim.  (I know it's cute . . . their names rhyme.)

I pulled into their driveway at 9:45 AM.

Now time to load all of my bags and goodies into their van.

It's not hard to pick out my additions to the back of the van.  My luggage matches the color of my car and everyone who knows me knows my beverage of choice is Dr. Pepper.  We made a quick stop to visit with Dad before            leaving Jefferson City.  Next stop . . . Kansas City to meet up with Todd and Jory.  

All in all, I traveled 605 miles today, ending up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  We found a super nice Holiday Inn Express near the interstate with a Cracker Barrel down the street for dinner.  It was a great start to our vacation!  

Tomorrow, we'll be up and moving, heading toward Devil's Tower, Wyoming with lots to see along the way.  South Dakota has great scenery.  I love this state!  Stay tuned for more adventures.

       
                     

Our Home For A Week

We've booked an Airbnb cabin near the west entrance to Yellowstone.  The photos are fantastic!  Our host has been sending me texts and emails with information about the area . . . where to shop, get gas, go for evening entertainment.  He has sent lots of links with suggested daily activities and sites we will not want to miss in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks. This is so helpful.  

The cabin has a fantastic kitchen, so we'll be able to cook some meals and avoid eating out three times a day for two weeks.  It appears to be a cook's kitchen and is said to be well stocked with pots, pans, and dishes.  A trip to a local grocery store should have us ready to grab a quick breakfast each morning before heading out for the day's adventures.  There is a grill on the front porch, so I suspect we'll BBQ at least a couple of evenings.  

 

The living room is huge with a fireplace and a large TV.  There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms, so we'll have plenty of room to relax.  There is a stack washer/dryer too so it will be easy to keep up with laundry too.  This will be home for a full week.  I may never want to leave . . . oh wait, it gets really snowy here for a big part of the year . . . I will enjoy my week here and make memories to take back home.  Yes, that's the way it will go.  I will make treasured memories of the time I have here, and I will make it a point to share all of those memories here.  

Yellowstone 1976

Oh, my, these are the only two pictures I can find of our first trip to Yellowstone.  I do remember that we left home in late June 1976 headed northwest to Yellowstone.  Night two of our trip was spent sleeping in our Ford Pinto because it was snowing and we weren't sure where we would find the next campground or gas station.  LOL!

My hippie/bell bottom jeans and Winola T-shirt days may be over, but my love of rocks and all things nature-related has remained unchanged through the years.  I have been a collector of rocks and plants for all of my years.  

I have waited 50 years to get back to Yellowstone, and this summer is the time.   I am so excited for the adventure.  Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring and Lake Yellowstone, here I come.  I'll be travelling with my sister and her husband, as well as with my nephew and his friend.  I am so ready to get going.  I'll post pics along the way.  I know it will be a trip that will not disappoint!