Our 4th Anniversary Trip

On July 31, 2009, Scott and I left for our annual anniversary trip. Every year for our anniversary, we go somewhere on a trip. It is also right before school starts, so it is our little get away before I go back to the grind.

We decided each year we are going to try to go to a different state or city in the United States with the goal of going to all 50 states. This year we did a "road trip" to Wyoming, South Dakota, and Montana. I had actually been on a road trip similar to this with my family about 12 or 13 years ago. We did it in the reverse of what my family did, mainly because we wanted to go to Martin's Cove.

Here I am at our first stop--Rawlins, Wyoming. You can tell by my hair that the wind always blows in Wyoming!

We then headed to Martin's Cove. Here is the entrance gate:

These statues represent the "valley boys". Four young men that carried the pioneers across the Sweetwater River.

We walked on a trail into Martin's Cove. This is where the Martin Hand Cart Company was taken to await the rest of the rescuing party. This is the plaque/monument at the start of the trail that we walked:

Scott at the monument.

Some antelope that we saw while walking on the trail.

Martin's Cove

Scott and I at Martin's Cove:

It was a very humbling experience at Martin's Cove. We first watched a video where excerpts from a letter of young boy who was a member of the Martin Hand Cart company were read. It was a tear-jerker! Scott said his allergies were acting up--right. It was neat to see and just appreciate all that the pioneers went through. I couldn't have done it--I don't know how they did it!

This is Independence Rock. It was just past Martin's Cove. We didn't go over to it or climb it. Just took pictures of it.

We then headed to South Dakota. We stayed in Custer. The annual Sturgis Road Rally was to begin on August 3 and there were bikers everywhere! Even in Custer. We stayed at a KOA. Scott wanted to camp a little bit on this trip--so I settled for the KOA. At least there were bathrooms and hot showers! Here is Scott at our campsite:

We woke up the next morning and headed for Crazy Horse and Mt. Rushmore. Here is Scott just outside of the Crazy Horse monument. It is a work in progress.

This is what Crazy Horse will look like some day. You can see the actual Crazy Horse in the background.

Mt. Rushmore from the main entrance.

A closer shot:

They had renovated the area since I had been there. It was really nice.

We went on a boardwalk trail to get a closer look.

Lincoln:

Washington:

Jefferson:

Theodore Roosevelt

Stopping to catch our breath after hiking back up to the main entrance.

Having lunch with a view of Mt. Rushmore:

We headed down the road and stopped in Sturgis. These pictures only show a small portion of the bikers that were there. It was crazy! It looked like one big wild party. We saw some sights that we won't be forgetting for a while and some outfits that I wouldn't be caught dead in!

They block off the center of the streets for bike parking.

We then headed back on the road toward our next destination of Billings, Montana. We stopped at the Battle of Little Big Horn - Custer's Last Stand.

We drove around the battle field and read the plagues and saw where soldiers and Indians were killed.

This monument is on the hill where Custer was killed.

We woke up and headed on our way to Yellowstone. We went by way of the Bear Tooth Highway. It is a very steep scenic road that takes you from Montana to Wyoming. Here is the view from the top overlook:

Scott and I at the top:

As we entered Yellowstone, the first animals we saw were buffaloes.

We also saw some black bears. This picture isn't the best--you can only get so close!

The Yellowstone River:

The view of the Yellowstone River from Tower Falls:

Scott at Tower Falls:

Tower Falls:

Me at Mammoth Springs:

Mammoth Hot Springs:

Yellowstone River:

Close up of the lower falls (sorry this picture should be rotated! I forgot to rotate it!:

The Yellowstone River just before the lower falls:

Yellowstone River again--I love the color of the rocks and the water!

Upper Falls:

Scott and Upper Falls in the background:

Scott and I with the Upper Falls in the background:Upper Falls from what is called "Artist's Point:

I love the colors in this picture.

A trip to Yellowstone just wouldn't be complete with out seeing the "Old Faithful" geyser!

Waiting for Old Faithful to errupt.

Old Faithful:

We then left Yellowstone and headed for Jackson Hole. Here we are at the park in Jackson Hole:
Our anniversary trip was great! Yellowstone has so many beautiful natural wonders to look at! I had been there before--but we had just drove through or just looked at Old Faithful. I had not ever stayed there and got out and hiked around. There is still so much that we didn't get to see. Yellowstone was Scott's favorite place we went to on the trip. We will probably go back. I liked the entire trip. I love to travel! Next year will be our 5th anniversary. We are thinking Hawaii--we'll see!