Idaho, Utah

One of the best things to wake up to is the sun rising up towards a Temple of Jesus Christs’ Church.  That’s exactly what I woke up to on this blessed new day.   It was a nice walk from our hotel along the Snake River in Idaho Falls to the temple where we spent some time serving in The House of The Lord.

I felt the spirit as we performed vicarious work for the dead and we had some good conversations with the temple workers serving during our time there.   It was a good feeling to be present and enjoy the temple grounds.

We drove the short drive from Idaho Falls back home reflecting on the amazing 1^st leg of this road trip we set out to accomplish and look forward to a break to catch up on family and work priorities.   I am looking forward to the next adventure as we continue on to explore the next part of this amazing country that we live in.

Photo by Simple Truths

 

Photo by Max Waugh

Wyoming, Idaho

It was a restful night sleep at the West Yellowstone KOA (nicest KOA I’ve ever stayed at!), for one of us anyway… the other… reminded me how much he hates camping, couldn’t sleep, and was kept up all night by snoring bears!

We spent the day traveling thru Yellowstone, seeing everything from Bison; an Elk herd (biggest bull Elk I’ve ever seen in my life), Trumpeter Swans; Cascading waterfalls including Gibbon Falls and Lower Falls off the Yellowstone Grand Canyon; and the highlight was watching people off the side of the road (I mean a mass amount of people) trying to get the perfect shot of the Yellowstone Great Gray Owl: The Ghost of the Forest.   I don’t believe not one of the amateur or even the pro-photographers were able to quite catch the pic that Max Waugh caught… check it out here to see more pics of this amazing creature Max Waugh Captures the Great Owl.

After sight-seeing, and having lunch with our new found Great Aunt from Idaho Falls (She was more than happy to tell us her stories, and Joey and I are both still craving Baby Ruth), we continued on with our drive thru the Grand Tetons National Park; Jackson Hole (Fun to pit stop at Kahuna and Lunch Counter Rapids  on the Snake River); to our final destination Idaho Falls, ID.   We look forward to a more restful night on regular beds and a morning at the temple prior to heading back home.

Tetons and Snake River

Idaho Falls Temple view from the 8th Story of the Quality Inn & Suites

Montana, Wyoming

I woke up at 3AM today, pondering and receiving some good inspiration on where to go with our road trip!   The good news for Joey and for me (as I’m equally tired and need to fully recoup from this long-week), is that the plan is to make our way back home for some time.   I’ve gone back and forth as to just be done; move forward; adjust plans for later this fall; adjust plans for later next year; adjust plans for years from now… thinking of ALL possibilities is starting to drive me crazy and has led me to just focus on the now and the next week.   So for NOW, the plan is to work our way back home… closest National Park that we haven’t visited between POINT A (our current location) and POINT B (home sweet home in beautiful Heber Valley) is Yellowstone National Park!

By about 5:30, I came to the conclusion that we would visit Yellowstone then Tetons, then if we’re not tired or bored, stop in Idaho Falls to visit the Idaho Falls Temple and, if they are open, do some ordinance work for those who have passed on.

We left Whitefish pretty early, I took the first leg and drove a good 3 plus hours to a cool place just outside of Missoula, Montana where the old State Prison and new State Prison reside.  They had a cool car museum next to the Prison tour (yes, we toured a prison, just like Alcatraz!) which was a nice break in the day.

So glad to have a Fiat after seeing how American’s would Road Trip in the past!

We arrived West Yellowstone late afternoon and ventured into the park to see the sun set and catch the famous Old Faithful.   Highlight of the day, wading in the river next to a live hot pot that was feeding super-hot water into the river.   It felt like being in a hot tub and was good to soak my tired feet.   I told joey he should come dip his feet and being downwind from the hot-pot, the nice sulfur smell sent him running!   Good times for sure.

Old Faithful still has what it takes!

Natural Hot Tub on the Madison River in Yellowstone

Montana

It was a nice restful and relaxing day today.  We attended sacrament service at the Whitefish Ward.   It was a small ward and we were greeted by two Elder Missionaries who not only were door greeters, they were also the ones who administered the sacrament, likely due to a shortage of Priesthood Brethren worthy to administer.

After church service, we enjoyed the afternoon in Glacier National Park.  It was cool to see such an amazing lake, Lake McDonald, as well as hike thru a part of the forest thru the trees and rivers and waterfalls throughout.   The highlight of the time spent in the park was hanging out with these butterflies that were just fine with us being around them and even would land on us while they were spreading their wings.

McDonald Lake, Glacier National Park

McDonald Falls, Glacier National Park

As I reflect back on this past week and what we were able to see and do in such a short amount of time, I am reminded of how dreams can become a reality.  If you set your mind to something, you can accomplish it, no matter how big that something may be.   I spent the day pondering on my ‘Why’ I decided to move forward with this crazy idea of traveling across the country to visit so many amazing and awesome places in such a short amount of time.   Is it for the adventure?  Is it for re-living past memories?  Is it for making new memories?   Well, my answer is that it’s for all of the above.   I have had quite the adventure this past week… I have re-lived my past… and I have made many new memories.   It has been a road trip that I will never forget!

So, the question now is, do I continue on… There are 40 states left to visit… more adventures in store… memories to be made… yet at what cost?   Both Joey and I are tired; it has been more challenging than I expected to work remotely; my older son is moving back in to live with us this coming weekend; I miss my soul mate, Tracie; and this journey is proving to be more daunting that I had expected… dare I say I worry that this dream, potentially may turn into a nightmare?  If that happens, all will have been a waste and the return on my investment (mostly time), would have been for naught.

I’m at the fork in my road trip… my plan this evening is that tomorrow I will either continue on, or head back home.   I will be sleeping on it and decide what to do in the morning.    Good night, until tomorrow when our Heavenly Father, with His sunrise, will bring us a new day.

Washington, Idaho, Montana

I took the wheel of the Fiat today to give Joey a break from having to drive, which I think he appreciated.

Compared to what we had driven in the past week, it seemed to be a pretty easy drive!   We drove thru Spokane; then thru Coeur d’Alene; then thru Flat Head Lake; and on to our final destination in White Fish, Montana, just outside of Glacier National Park.   We officially have visited 8 states in total, which include (in order) UT; AZ; NV; CA; OR; WA; ID; and MT

It was a restful day as we enjoyed the nice amenities of our hotel and just rested and recuperated from our journeys so far.

Ritzville, Washington

Peaceful Valley, Spokane

Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho

Flathead Lake, Montana

Oregon, Washington

Woke up… EXHAUSTED!!!   4 full days of travel… has WIPED us out!   Thank heaven we decided to add a mid-point night from Oregon thru Washington to Montana!   Estimated time of arrival to our Hotel, 5 hours!

I’m so thankful for having Joey as a driver as I was only able to drive the 1^st hour along the Columbia River Scenic byway… Joey took the 2^nd leg to the Columbia River Temple in Richland, just outside of Kennewick, WA, where we took a break to stretch our legs and eat lunch… I tried to drive the 3^rd leg, yet just couldn’t stay awake, it was crazy, I had to pull over after being behind the wheel for only 20-30 minutes, then I told Joey I either had to sleep or he would have to drive the rest of the way, which thankfully he decided he could drive the rest of the way.   Once we arrived at our hotel, I crashed and slept for a good couple of hours to recoup from the lack of sleep and drive time this week.  I seriously have a greater respect for long haul truck drivers, they have what it takes!

Highlight of the day… Multnomah Falls.  A Thank You to the ladies at the candy shop we visited in Newport for telling us about this ‘must see’ waterfall.   We were thinking we would hit as many waterfall hikes along the Historic Columbia River Scenic byway, yet we were so tired we made it to a lookout point and this waterfall.   The waterfall was for sure ‘Storybook’ quality, and worth turning out to stop and walk up the short ¼ mile paved trail to see it.

California, Oregon

Today was another Sunrise (actually before sunrise) to Sunset (ok, after sunset) day!   We drove and/or were in the car for over 16 hours, a repeat to what we did on Tuesday.   Milestones… over 2500 miles driven; peaked the Fiat at 101 MPH; after over 5 close call car incidents, no car troubles or crashes to report.  Whew!

Highlights of the day… visiting Newport and Lincoln city along the 101 Oregon Coast (which by the way, if you get nausea from the smell of fish, don’t visit!); hanging out at the Portland Oregon Temple before checking into our hotel; and lastly, $2 burgers from a little burger joint called ‘Burgerville’ in Gresham, OR.

Portland Oregon Temple

Along the way, we had some good conversations and incidents with local peeps in Newport and Lincoln City.    One was with a young lady that worked at the candy store we parked in front of in Newport.   We started talking and come to find out she had never seen a paper map before (I bought one that was bigger than my old one as my eyes are getting old); Another was with the Bar Tender at the restaurant we ate dinner at (we didn’t want to wait the 45 min for a table so the hostess offered to have us sit at the bar, which we kindly accepted) and once she found out Joey was underage, kicked us out (which ended up being ok, as eating on a picnic table along the coast line was much more fun than eating at a bar!)

Newport US Coast Guard

Yaquina Bay Bridge

California

We took it pretty easy today, we visited the Oakland Temple; checked out a cool place called Jack London Square; took pics of the famous Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Baker; hung out at Pier 49; drove the streets of downtown San Fran looking for cable cars, which we didn’t find; then had Japanese fried chicken at this cool restaurant (can’t remember the name of it) in downtown Oakland, which by the way has some cool graffiti art!  Ok… maybe we didn’t take it pretty easy!

Highlight of the day… feeling like a 16 year old driving his first car!  Let me explain… while driving downtown San Fran (if you’ve ever driven, you’ll know what I’m talking about), we were first car stopped on the steepest hill I’ve ever been on!   I started to freak out a little… ok a lot!   I told Joey,  there better not be any cars behind us,  well, you guessed it… a super new and nice Toyota Highlander right on my tail… inches from our little Fiat!   I immediately put on the parking break and started sweating as I waited for the red light to turn green.    Green light, I better go!   First attempt, stalled the car… Second attempt, squealed the tires and stalled the car again!   Third attempt… 4K RPMS, Squealed tires, and whew!  We made it without rolling the car back!  I felt a huge accomplishment being able to get out of there without having to get out and having Joey give it a go.   After we were driving again Joey says, you know, the Fiat has ‘hill assist’ that would have held you in place without you doing everything you did… I replied, yeah, you’re right, yet now we have a story to tell!

Nevada, California

I woke pretty early today, woke Joey up just before sunrise.   We had a restful night in Boulder City, just outside of Lake Mead National Park and the Hoover Dam.   We ventured out to take some pics of Lake Mead as well as the Hoover Dam.   Funny thing, we had to turn back around to our hotel after being stopped at a security check point.  Something we learned today is that you’re not able to take firearms with you to the Dam.   :  )

It for sure was a sunrise to sunset day.   After a hearty breakfast at the local diner (Thank you Best Western for the $10 discount), we were off in the Fiat!   During our drive from Nevada to Northern California, we were able to accomplish a lot!   We stopped in to have lunch with our friends, Ruth and Jerry, who live in Bakersfield (Got to have lunch at In & Out your first day in CA, it’s tradition!); drove thru the San Andreas Fault; up the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway); then back in to stay at the Oakland Airport Executive Hotel for a couple of nights.

Highlight of the day was for sure hanging out at a place called Ragged Point to watch the sunset and take some beach pics.  We found this Nature Trail ‘Coastal Access’ and decided, let’s do it!   For sure in flip flops, so we can get in the water too… well, little did we know it was steep, ragged, and pretty rough trail.   We trekked down to the bottom (without injury and without being bit by snakes, yes there were snakes!), took our pics, enjoyed the sunset, and back up to continue on our journey.

A thought I had as I was climbing back up, which if you have every hiked a steep dirt trail (especially in flip flops)  it is much easier than going down as you’re looking into the mountain and able to balance yourself better, etc.   Thinking of spiritually going down and going up… when you’re going ‘downhill’, meaning making wrong choices, you are more likely to slip; fall backward; get hurt by falling without being able to catch yourself; lose control.  Yet when you’re going ‘uphill’ you can grip; fall forward; still get hurt, yet able to catch yourself; be in more control as you have more ability to do so.   So there you have it, if you ever find yourself going ‘downhill’ remember you can always turn around and go ‘uphill’!

Utah, Arizona, Nevada

Mission Launched!  Joey and I, left Heber right on time around 3ish AM, we arrived Bryce Canyon right as the sun was rising.   What great mental pics taken of red rock scenery all around us.   The morning drive was quick, Joey slept almost the entire way of our first leg.   We checked out some amazing vistas, first one being ‘Inspiration Point’ and then later found a cool trail named Sheep Creek and Swamp Valley (not sure why it was called that as it was dry as a bone!).   What we thought would be a short 3 mile loop, turned out to be 1.1 mile in (totally downhill) and 1.1 mile back (totally uphill) and took us MUCH longer than we anticipated.   It was pretty cool to see the formations from below instead of from atop, so it was totally worth the adventure.

The Grand Canyon is ah inspiring.  We drove by some lookout points, visited the ‘Visitor Center’ which by the way, have MANY visitors.   Joey and I were ready to bow out and just leave, yet I told Joey we should try to find some places in the area without so many people, and we did.  Good thing we stayed, as the highlight of the day was Joey running into a Japanese couple who he spoke to and was excited to have a quick conversation with them.

On our way out of the Grand Canyon, we got off the main freeway and drove into a town to find some dinner.  Little did we know, the town was part of the original ‘Route 66’, and was all decked out with vintage stores; neon lights; etc.   Felt like we had drove into Radiator Springs of the Cars movie!  Favorite pic of the week is this one Joey took of a shop on Route 66 as the sun set!

We just checked into the Best Western in Boulder City, home of the Hoover Dam.  It’s almost 11PM, PST, and I’m SOO glad Joey talked me out of camping at Boulder Beach at Lake Mead.  I was able to take a quick shower and hopefully be able to sleep like a baby.  It was a great first day and I’m so thankful for being able to drive our first day, almost 1000 miles, safe and sound.   3 states visited in one day!  45 to go!  Woo Hoo, we’re Looking forward to tomorrow!