Aaaaaand We’re Back

Spokane, WA

Folks – to begin, I’m sorry for such a long post!

A few days since my last post, and we’re alive! After three fantastic days in two national parks, we put down in Spokane, WA. We arrived…FILTHY. I don’t really have words to describe the dirt and grime accrued over the past few days. The following is an account of our time in two national parks, centered on how we got so damn dirty.
I last left you in the Double Tree in Omaha, NE. We set off for Badlands National Park in South Dakota early in the morning, and made solid time. When getting gas in Omaha, I tried to branch out in terms of jerky. This was a bad move. After trying two different types of local jerky (and almost vomiting) at 9am I decided to stick with old faithful: the slim jim original.
Along the way we made an important stop in Sioux Falls, SD to pick up some trail mix ingredients, and I made a genius move. Three words: jerky multi pack. Eight servings of jerky kept my stomach upset for the next three days.
A protracted stop in Mitchell, SD to see the Corn Palace (see photos, for the love of God)
Refer to Mike’s blog regarding the experiences here. Sweet Jesus.
At long last, the corn ended! The Missouri River broke us free from the bonds of our corn prison.
We arrived at Badlands NP and were counseled to take the less ‘primitive’ of the two campgrounds. After a delicious meal of buffalo meat taco, we set up our campsite and headed out to watch the sunset. Please see photos, which will do a paltry amount of justice to the unspeakably gorgeous park. On our way back to the campsite after sunset, we came REALLY close to hitting two deer, but thankfully they fared better than the bird that stayed on our bumper for about 200 miles en route to Omaha.
We fell asleep under the stars (having removed the rainfly of our tent) there were so many! For the first time in my life I could actually make out the Milky Way. We were rudely awakened by GALE FORCE winds lifting our tent stakes out of the ground. Keeping the tent stable proved to be a tough task, and we were exhausted by the morning. All kidding aside, the day we spent at Badlands was simply beautiful.
The next morning we woke up super early and watched the sun rise over the park in our rearview. We set out like troopers, making it to both Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument before 9am! A quick phone call to my Uncle Chuck (to verify the faces on the mountain) and we were on our way. After leaving Crazy Horse, we began the most trying day of our journey thus far. We had a big drive in front of us, and the onerous task was complicated by a few speed bumps.
First off, Mike garnered our first speeding ticket (make that two run-ins with the law, no 13 year-olds this time) 64 in a 45=$130. No points on the license, major points off on South Dakota’s overall score. Wiping the Dakotas from our feet, we headed into Wyoming.
A few important warning lights came on in the car, and we decided to call Mini Roadside Assistance. After a short conversation, our operator informed me that we’d have to seek service and get a tow from Newcastle, WY to the nearest MINI dealer, in LITTLETON, CO. Just short of 350 miles SOUTH of our current position. With our trip headed northwest to Yellowstone, this would’ve thrown a MAJOR wrench into the gears. Luck was on our side, and after talking to a MINI mechanic, we only needed some more break fluid, not any major work. (please note the difference here: $7 in brake fluid, or a 6 hour drive in the cab of a tow truck with some driver)
We setup shop at Cambrio Coffee and Espresso House in Newcastle, where the wonderful owners allowed us to charge our phones and hangout in massage chairs until the problem was resolved. One of the employees named Kathy drove me to the auto parts store ‘downtown’ so I could purchase the dot4 brake fluid needed to press on. Crisis Averted! We promised the women we’d include them in our stories, and we set off to Yellowstone.
Side note here: this morning's news reported tornadoes in the Denver/Littleton, CO area. Simply amazing.
The Yellowstone experience was a trip in and off itself. The south entrance into the Park is through Buffalo Bill National Park, which looked like something out of Lord of the Rings. Stunning. Our time in Yellowstone defies explanation. 2.2 million acres of pristine land including hot springs, mud pots, mountains valleys, and forests. All this is situated over a volcano, which gives the land its character. Buffalo in herds, Elk, Mule Deer, Buzzards, Birds of a few types, just browse the photos when you get a chance. This cannot be stressed enough: IF YOU GET THE CHANCE, GO TO YELLOWSTONE. NOW.
We survived on peanut butter, jelly, Nutella, and Slim Jims (for me) while in the park. What a life. The tent held up perfectly, and we didn’t freeze to death! Our neighbors were fantastic, loaning a bottle opener and some warmth from their fire. After learning about the chances of harmful bacteria, we decided to skip swimming in any of the approved lakes, and went for a rowboat rental instead. Between buffalo walking on the road, and the insane views at every turn, driving in the park was slow-going, yet fantastic.
Yellowstone notes: Mike lost my camera, I almost yacked after taking a hill running, slim jim with nutella is delicious, and buffalo poop is HUGE.

From Yellowstone, we crossed into Montana and stopped for perhaps the best breakfast of our lives in Emigrant, MT. The Old Saloon was adorned with about 15 elk and deer mounts, and about 20 rifles and pistols. (read: quaint, rustic) What a meal. The rest of the drive here was great, scenic views and Rocky Mountains through Montana and Idaho, and finally landing in Spokane, with a new camera purchased from a dude named Nick at Circuit City. (he had a beard that looked like something that ran in front of the car in Yellowstone) He was nice though, super helpful, just a bad beard. All is well here in Spokane, hope you all are doing well. Chilling on the couch, watching Karate Kid 2. (What a haircut on that Ralph Macchio!) Thanks for the interest, keep reading of course!

Music Notes:
Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
Bill Hicks - Arizona Bay
Tool - 10,000 Days
Sarah Mclaughlin - Surfacing (shut up)
Tenacious D - Self Titled
Pearl Jam - Yield
Radiohead - In Rainbows (bonus disc)
Peter Gabriel - Greatest Hits