Fun Facts

Fun Facts about  our trip:

- Crossed the Continental Divide several times. The highest point that we reached was 6393 feet.

- Highest altitude reached :9000 ft in Big Horn National Forest, Wyoming.

- Seat time:125 hours

- Total miles traveled: 7375 miles

- Lowest gas price: $2.65 in Maryville, Tennessee

- Highest gas price: $4.58 in British Columbia, Canada

- Warmest temp: 75 degrees, Big Horn National Forest, Wyoming

- Highest legal speed limit: 80 mph buffalo, Wyoming

- Coldest temp: 25 degrees, Banff National Park, Canada

- Passed through 15 states once and 4  of those twice: Virginia (2),  West Virginia,  Ohio, Indiana (2),  Illinois  (2), Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  North Dakota,  Montana (2), Wyoming,  South Dakota, Iowa, Kentucky,  Tennessee,  North Carolina.

- Crossed the border twice: in and out of Canada.

- Saw the following signs: avalanche warning, bison on road, sheep/ram  crossing, animal collision, geological area - earthquake, rams on the road, elk on the road, moose crossing, no services

- Visited 2 Canadian Provinces

- Saw the Milky Way

- Visited 6 national parks and several national forests: Shosone, Big Horn, Lewis and Clark to name a few.

-  made a host of new friends, priceless

Last Day

Yesterday took us from Iowa, through Indiana, Kentucky (a new state to add to the list), and landing in Knoxville, Tennessee. Today is our last day on the road. Russ wants to put the Raptor on the Tail of the Dragon to home. I am walking through fear on this because the last time he was on it, he was in an accident with a sport bike.

We have enjoyed sharing our trip with you! We have you have enjoyed being a part of it. I have a list of fun facts that I am going to post once we have completed our journey. :)

Des Moines, Iowa Hospitality

We started our day yesterday visiting with Rusty's good buddy, Joel. We met in a cool diner in Des Moines, talked about our lives and enjoyed seeing each other again. The kids got to meet Cubby. Wow they have really grown!!

We look forward to seeing them again soon and not letting it be so long between visits next time. We missed seeing Kristen  this time!! A thanks and hug to Joel for all that he did for us!!!

Wonderful Ottumwa Iowa

Ottumwa, the city of bridges, should be called the land of corn. Wide open spaces with golden corn fields and hay bales galore. In addition to being so beautiful, we had wonderful visits with known family members and family we have never met before filling our hearts with joy and excitement. We reminisced about old times and learned stories we have never heard before.

Rusty and I met his Uncle Charles, his dad's brother, his wife Thelma, and one of his daughters, Brenda. We listened to his stories of the old days when he and Dad Meeker were little, looked at picture albums, and got to know each other. There were seven kids in the family!!!

We spent the rest of our time with the Chisman side of the family: Aunt Joanne, Mom Mee's sister, Jannie, Joanne daughter, and Rick, Jannie's husband. We drove around town, listening to stories about how Granddaddy Chisman used to walk to work to Morrell Packing Plant and how the high school kids would "scoop the loop" down main street.

Cubby spent time with his cousin, Penny and the cat that Uncle Max didn't have, Andy. The story goes that Uncle Max always said that he didn't have a cat, but he spent a lot of time with this cat he didn't have. He is a healthy tuxedo cat that has a pad and a bowl of food on their covered porch. He gets a heating pad in the winter. Last night when Rusty was walking the dogs, Andy came along too.

We ended our evening at their favorite bar and grill enjoying beers and the nightly special, fried pork tenderloin.  You haven't tasted fried pork tenderloin until you go to Iowa. I have heard them talk about it for years but didn't understand until now how delicious it really is. So yummy!!! Oh by the way, the Chisman side of the family can fight for the bill just as good as the Meeker side.

We visited Janine and Rick's home. Met their dog, Jack, and son, Blake, and his dogs. Rick is a very talented taxidermist. He has some beautiful mounts. My favorite was a carribou that he shot in Alaska.

We created everlasting, heartfelt memories today with both sides of the family. It warms my heart to remember us sitting around table sharing a meal, laughing and having a good time.

We know that some of the family doesn't do email or social networking, do for those of you who are reading this, please tell the family how much we enjoyed seeing and talking to them and for everything they did for us!!! Happy birthday again to Aunt Connie!!

Hello Iowa!!

Our 12th day is almost done and we have traveled through 4 states today: Wyoming,  South Dakota,  Nebraska,  and Iowa. Yellowstone at sunrise, the Shoshone and Big Horn National Forests were beautiful!!!

So excited about tomorrow because we will be visiting with Framily (friends and family). Some we haven't seen in about 10 years and others I will meet for the first time. Rusty hasn't been home to Iowa since he was little, so this is extra special for him.

So here's to Framily!!! Thanks to Joel for navigation  assistance and hotel reservations!!! Can't wait to see you guys. Cubby can't wait to meet the kids!!

Farewell To Yellowstone

We began our day the way we ended, in the dark at the community campfire for our cabins. We met some many nice people: honeymooners from Colorado, family from the UK, and another couple from Indiana. Some still site seeing, others hitting the road, and many going hunting. 

This is offseason for the national parks and I love it. There are no crowds and an abundance of scenery. One note: Don't get down wind of a bison. ;) 

 Our travel from the west gate to the east gate brought many photography opportunities. We saw bison, elk, and a wolve. 

 Our path today takes us through Wyoming, South Dakota, and into Iowa. The Shosone National Forrest in Wyoming is beautiful. Lots of ranches and hunters on horseback.

Amazing Day at Yellowstone NP

Day is done and what a great time it was! The bison were in abundance. They pretty much run the place which means if they are walking in the road they have right of way. :)

We saw amazing views of the Yellowstone River, elk, bison, and Old Faithful. We actually waited and saw it erupt. What an amazing event. It happened right at sunset.

We are finishing our evening at Madison Crossing Lounge. They have bison steaks, ribeye, local microbrews from Montana.

We crossed into Wyoming while in the park today. Our highest elevation was 8200 feet. The highest so far. There is snow on the ground in some parts and they are calling for more. Temperatures range from 25-60 depending on elevation. We also crossed the continental divide again. :)

Cheers! Until tomorrow!

Good morning from Yellowstone West

...and God bless America!

Yellowstone Arrival

We arrived at our cabin at Yellowstone NP very late or very early, however you want to think about it and was very pleased. It's a very nicely furnished, well decorated place. My favorite things are the comfy robes and fireplace. We are near Old Faithful according to the map. So we will see!! Kudos to Russ on a great job getting us here.  We drove on a desserted back road to get here.There were bison warnings and we did see one. The stars are bright and beautiful.