As the summer vacation of 2018 draws ever nearer to a close, I revisited some photographs of last summer's circuit of the west. I will be perfectly honest: I want to head back to Yellowstone, and sooner than later. 2017's vacation was a whirlwind, but an enjoyable time. Below are some photographs with commentary, many taken by my daughter (6 yo at the time). Stephanie had a point-and-click digital camera that she gave to Sadie to capture what she wanted, and so far she has shown a bit of talent. Stephanie took the others.
The vast plains of South Dakota! There is a Spartan beauty here! (Stephanie took these, hereafter marked with a **)
Near Camp Pleasant on the Missouri River. Beautiful! **
The plaza at Mount Rushmore. On the columns are the state flags of each of the 50 states. Photo by Sadie - after this marked by a *.
General Washington. There are two figures in American history that fascinate the young one: George Washington and Stonewall Jackson. Good role models, both.*
We didn't get to stop but viewed it from a distance. Devil's Tower, or as the tribes call it, Bear Lodge.**
We happened to visit during the annual reenactment of the Battle of Little Bighorn.**
A young brave near the Little Bighorn River at the location of the battle.**
Part of the Cheyenne Memorial on the battlefield.**
Liberty Cap Geyser, near Mammoth Hot Springs.*
A really good likeness of the Mammoth Hot Springs, near Gardiner.*
One of the many valleys that exist in the bounds of Yellowstone.*
The distant Absaroka Mountains, if memory serves.*
The pinnacles at the top of Tower Falls. The trail to the base of the falls was closed and has been for some time, apparently. It was on my list of things to do. Disappointment, sadly.*
The Lower Falls in the Yellowstone Canyon.*
Was this Artist's Point? or Inspiration Point? I can't remember.*
Old Faithful.*
The Geyser Basin near Old Faithful. If you like geysers, you'll love this place. If you don't like crowds, you will not.*
Petrified tree near Specimin Ridge. Near here we saw our first black bear of the trip.*
This is like many of the places in Yellowstone; lakes, trees, rivers, geothermal features - truly God's handiwork.*
American Bison.*
Bison amongst one of the geothermal features.**
Yellowstone Lake.**
Grotto Geyser.**
Dragon Mouth Spring. It really did sound like a dragon in there! **
Morning Glory Pool. This one used to be much more vibrant, but thoughtless tourists in years past threw coins and other things into the pool. It is amazing how many people do not think!**
After leaving Yellowstone, on our way home we stopped at several national parks and monuments. This one was Colorado National Park. We happened on this one and decided to stop. It was well worth it.*
High desert. Beautiful!*
She wanted me to pose for one!*
Near one of the lookouts.*
A few more at Colorado NM.**
Colorado NM.**
A mine near Silverton, Colorado.**
Pueblo ruins in Aztec Ruins National Monument. Named for the town nearby, and not the tribes that lived here.**
Cliff dwellings in Bandolier National Monument near Los Alamos, New Mexico.**
A view out from one of the cliff dwellings. Notice the later Pueblo ruins in the valley below**
In the end, we traveled through 13 states and visited 7 national parks and monuments. Over 5,000 miles. And I would do it again, only I would take a bit more time to explore all of them further. Our trusty Subaru Outback took it like a champ!
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