In 2006 I was moving from Vermont to California and I took a road trip with my 2 best girlfriends and a packed car
Badlands, South Dakota, United States
They tell you "you wont know the Badlands until you're in the Badlands". We kept thinking what does that mean, heck I could see them outside the window as we drove down the highway and they were kinda cool. Then we exited the highway to take a scenic route and all thought and speech fled as were literally surrounded. It was jaw dropping and seemed like we were on another planet.
Grand Teton, Wyoming, United States
To this day I find the Grand Teton stunning. The majestic peaks and lakes and old farm houses. It felt peaceful there.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
It was a brisk Sept. morning at sunrise when the gates opened up from NW side of Yellowstone. We were heading towards the 306ft waterfall. There were no other cars on the road and all was quiet and still waking. I followed a turn in the road and then a buffalo stepped out in front of the car. I came to a stop and we watched the whole herd followed. My car was surrounded. We rolled down the windows and remained silent. Listening to them walk and breathe was mesmerizing. Then suddenly there was a snorting sound. I looked back and to my left and there was a huge buffalo staring at my car huffing out his nose and pawing at the ground. I think he was warning me before a charge. Needless to say we left the herd in peace and ventured off down the road.
One of the only, if not the only, lighthouse still run by lighthouse keepers. The lighthouse is only accessible at low tide. The lighthouse is sunning against the CA rocky cliffs and sunsets.
Bodie, California, United States
Bodie is a ghost village. No roads, no power lines, no traffic noise, just empty forgotten leaning houses built into the golden hillside of the high foothills.
Winding roads along rivers surrounded by golden grass and vine covered foothills. Amazing wine and cheese stops to pause and stretch your legs and expand your taste buds.
This was a once in a lifetime journey for both my myself and my friends. Non of us had been past the Mississippi and driving for hours as the Rockies just got bigger and bigger was unbelievable. Signs with town populations of 26 was fascinating. Driving amongst the giant redwoods and crystal clear blue Smith River just North of Crescent City, CA was specular. Finally understanding how the fog rolls in an Mark Twain when he said "the coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco".