We made it to Seattle! Internet was non-existent on the way so I'll have to recap a bit...
Day 1: WI to SD
The first day was a ten hour drive to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Along the way we saw many South Dakota tourist spots like the Corn Palace, which has a HUGE basketball arena now, and Wall Drug. By the time we arrived at Wall Drug it was in its closing process so we were only able to view the front rooms of the store. I must say, South Dakota is killing it when it comes to advertising. I'm not kidding, there are literally seventy-four signs advertising Wall Drug on the interstate going both ways just to make sure that everyone stops. I guess without these places, there would be no reason to go to South Dakota!
After being a tourist for a bit, I picked out a point on a map of the Black Hills National Forest and we made our way there in the dark to set up camp. For anyone that doesn't know, camping in National Forests is a beautiful experience and absolutely free.
After being a tourist for a bit, I picked out a point on a map of the Black Hills National Forest and we made our way there in the dark to set up camp. For anyone that doesn't know, camping in National Forests is a beautiful experience and absolutely free.
Day 2: SD to Montana
The wind had to have been blowing at 30mph the night before. Our rainfly was blown off the tent around 3am and the temperature dropped significantly after that. When I woke up our campsite was finally visible. A really great place! Nearby was a hill that I climbed to the top to watch the sunrise. On the way up I found a torn apart deer caracas, which made me think that we probably should've brought a rifle with us in case a bear decided to eat us. Fun fact, none of us are hunters! So that dream of shooting a bear is near impossible. I took a panorama from the top of the hill that you all should check out.
Panorama Link:
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=122e90db-92d0-4a5f-9642-d529f59d6fbb
Shortly after waking up we drove to Mt. Rushmore and found ourselves gazing at a fancy looking bit of rock representing four of America's great presidents. We met a couple of duck hunters from Utah that were nice enough to take our photo in front of the monument.
The rest of the drive went fairly quickly, and we spent the night with my relatives Becky and Bob. Thank you for letting us stay with you two!
Panorama Link:
http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=122e90db-92d0-4a5f-9642-d529f59d6fbb
Shortly after waking up we drove to Mt. Rushmore and found ourselves gazing at a fancy looking bit of rock representing four of America's great presidents. We met a couple of duck hunters from Utah that were nice enough to take our photo in front of the monument.
The rest of the drive went fairly quickly, and we spent the night with my relatives Becky and Bob. Thank you for letting us stay with you two!
Day 3: Montana to Seattle
Leaving Montana was tough because the mountains were so beautiful. We all dreamed of buying adjacent plots of land, erecting homes, and learning how to ride a horse so that we could gallop to each others houses. Perhaps that will happen when we're in our 50's.
The drive through the rockies was gorgeous and I had no clue that Idaho (the northern bit) was so scenic. I was expecting flat grassland the entire way, but no. I was wrong. It only took us an hour to cross the entire state, but I had my camera out the entire way.
Washington surprised us with an enormous Grand Canyon-esque gorge! I had no clue that that exists in this state. Shortly after that stop we arrived in the greater Seattle area and are now settled in at my relative Margit's home.
The drive through the rockies was gorgeous and I had no clue that Idaho (the northern bit) was so scenic. I was expecting flat grassland the entire way, but no. I was wrong. It only took us an hour to cross the entire state, but I had my camera out the entire way.
Washington surprised us with an enormous Grand Canyon-esque gorge! I had no clue that that exists in this state. Shortly after that stop we arrived in the greater Seattle area and are now settled in at my relative Margit's home.
Day 4: Seattle
When we look out the window we have a stunning view of the Puget Sound and the landscape surrounding it. Across the street is a boardwalk followed by a rocky beach. It's raining today so we don't have the greatest view across the bay. Soon we're headed to the light rail to make our way into the heart of Seattle! Our first show isn't until tomorrow so today will be full of exploration and sight-seeing.
The Spirit of America Tour is now ready to take-off! Get ready West Coast, shows begin tomorrow night Know someone in the Seattle area? Let them know about our show at Jet City Improv, Wednesday night at 8pm.
Written by Elliot Heinz
The Spirit of America Tour is now ready to take-off! Get ready West Coast, shows begin tomorrow night Know someone in the Seattle area? Let them know about our show at Jet City Improv, Wednesday night at 8pm.
Written by Elliot Heinz