Craters of the Moon

Parts of  Idaho reminded me of central Illinois -- if the potato fields were soybeans (which I thought they were at first) and there weren't mountains in the background.  But Craters of the Moon was unlike anything I had seen before.  I don't know how to describe it -- it's not really beautiful, just very strange.  Volcanoes erupted years ago, and the hardened lava is what's left.

There are also hills covered in cinders to hike up. . . 

And caves to explore (nature's Pantheon).

Yellowstone

Today was Yellowstone!  Since I didn't plan ahead, I didn't have a good plan of attack so I decided to just do one day and see what I could (or at least Old Faithful).  Today turned out to be cloudy and cool so waiting for Old Faithful took a little more patience.  (I kept thinking of the saying, "A watched pot never boils."  Except it finally did.)    

I then braved the weather and visited other geysers.  Standing in the steam felt good except for the smell!  When I was leaving, I stopped by a waterfall.  There were some people swimming in the river.  It had to be freezing!

While it was beautiful, I've decided I'm definitely a beach person.  I like the wide open space.

I saw a moose!!

While traveling through the Bighorn National Forest, there were a few cars parked along the side of the road (not at a scenic overlook), and people were looking at something.  I thought it seemed strange so I pulled over too.  There was a moose!!  Glad I stopped!!  

I also saw prairie dogs near Devil's Tower.  So cute!  (I was hoping one would attack the girl who was trying to catch it, but they just ran to their hole.)  

Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower

I didn't post yesterday because I went to the lighting ceremony at Mt. Rushmore.  I was looking forward to it, but it was a little disappointing.  It didn't seem to be very well lit.  (It looked better from farther away.)  I did enjoy my time there in the afternoon.  The "Walk of Flags" (I think that's what it's called) was a cool entrance.  Also the trail to get closer to it made for better pictures.  Piece of advice:  start on the left that way you go down the stairs.

Devil's Tower wasn't on the list, but was only an hour away.  Also a few people told me I needed to have a close encounter.  No aliens, but there were people climbing it.  I wasn't that adventurous, but did walk the trail around it.  It's just odd that it's the only thing like it around.  

But the whole Wyoming landscape is strange.  There's red dirt and hills with scrubby bushes and protrusions on the top.  Then there's tree covered mountains which leads to a flat, brown almost desert-like (I'm assuming) land.  Then back to mountains which is what I get to drive through again tomorrow to get to Yellowstone.  Can't wait!  I wish my sister was with me so I could make her drive -- just kidding!

Ashfall fossil site and Corn Palace

Who knew there were once rhinos, elephants and alligators roaming the plains of Nebraska?   What about saber-toothed deer?  (I didn't even know there was such a thing.)  Ten million years ago anyway.  Here's what happened: A volcano erupted, covered the ground with ash, and the animals basically suffocated.   Sort of a mini Pompeii.   However, most of it still remains in place, and it's actively being excavated.  Very interesting!

I was not as impressed with the Corn Palace.  I didn't realize they "rebuilt" it every year so this year's hadn't been completed yet.  Not sure when they take it apart or how long it takes (forgot to ask too).

Day two

I almost pulled a Clark Griswold and showed up at Wally world when it was closed.   Luckily, the internet saved me from a hour drive to a closed carousel museum.  Actually, I thought the whole day wasn't going to work out, but some nice contractors let me in to the school.  Looks just like what I drew. :)

Then a quick 4 hour drive - dodging the storms - to Norfolk, NE (apparently the boyhood home of Johnny Carson).  I found the best radio station out of Omaha to keep me company (it was like I was back in high school/college.)  The last hour had large cattle farms/ranches, and rolling corn fields.

The hotel manager gave me a wonderful recommendation for dinner.  The weather was so nice I took a walk after and was completely charmed by the town.  On to the rhino skeletons and Corn Palace!

The adventure has started!

The adventure has started!  I left this afternoon since I wasn't doing anything else.  (It also worked better with what I wanted to see.)  Carden Park school will be my first stop -- if I can talk them in to letting me inside.  I've seen the exterior when it was under construction, but only pictures of the interior.  They looked awesome!

Then on to a new state and the carousel museum.  The plan is to travel to the next stop after that, but who knows???