This throwback Thursday, is gonna be more like a toss back Thursday, taking you back less than 12 months ago to September 2013.
After returning back to Cali from our usual Summer visiting trip to the east coast, our next trip we were to embark on would be a National Park Road-Trip!
Our plans were to fly out to Denver and do a loop from there. Hitting Rocky Mountain NP, Mount Rushmore NM, Devils Tower NM, and Yellowstone NP!
Tickets were all purchased well in advance and Dominic and I were both quite amped about the trip! Cosette however was NOT. She (11yrs old) decided that she had been traveling too much and that she didn't want to go..beside that she claims that she hates road-trips! Is she really MY daughter?! LOL
So being that I don't want to force her and make her hate grow even stronger. I agreed that she can stay home with her 'mom mom' (my mom).
During my research for the trip, I found that South Dakota had so much more to offer than what I thought was just going to be seeing good ol' Mount Rushmore and then moving on! After realizing how many wonderful places South Dakota actually had, I excitedly added:
Custer State Park (Wildlife Loop Road, Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road) but to my disappointment we were just going to miss the annual Buffalo Roundup by a few days - sounded like it was going to be super exciting, but what could we do.
Also added were: Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands NP, Wind Cave NP, & the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary!
With under 2 weeks to go before our little adventure, dear Colorado was hit with one of the worst storms in modern history, causing much flooding and disaster! Rocky Mountain NP was out of the question, since there was no road to access it. I was of course bummed, but who am I going to complain to? I added a day to Colorado Springs where Dominic and I would check out Manitou Springs and wander around the red rocks at Garden of the Gods.
When we arrived into Denver International Airport, we proceeded as usual and went to pick up our rental car. Upon our arrival at the rental agency, there was a line that was practically out the door and only 3 agents working the counter assisting the huge crowd. Well, I’ve never been known as Miss Patience, I waited for a bit and realized that this line wasn’t moving fast enough for me and decided to made other reservations (on the spot) at another agency. We then headed to this other agency and although it too was quite busy, the customer service was much faster and the line was moving. The reason being that everything was so busy was because of FEMA coming into Denver in assistance for the recent floods.
Once we finally got a car, the rest of the day was filled with eating, shopping and then going to see a Rockies game (my first time).
After returning back to Cali from our usual Summer visiting trip to the east coast, our next trip we were to embark on would be a National Park Road-Trip!
Our plans were to fly out to Denver and do a loop from there. Hitting Rocky Mountain NP, Mount Rushmore NM, Devils Tower NM, and Yellowstone NP!
Tickets were all purchased well in advance and Dominic and I were both quite amped about the trip! Cosette however was NOT. She (11yrs old) decided that she had been traveling too much and that she didn't want to go..beside that she claims that she hates road-trips! Is she really MY daughter?! LOL
So being that I don't want to force her and make her hate grow even stronger. I agreed that she can stay home with her 'mom mom' (my mom).
During my research for the trip, I found that South Dakota had so much more to offer than what I thought was just going to be seeing good ol' Mount Rushmore and then moving on! After realizing how many wonderful places South Dakota actually had, I excitedly added:
Custer State Park (Wildlife Loop Road, Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road) but to my disappointment we were just going to miss the annual Buffalo Roundup by a few days - sounded like it was going to be super exciting, but what could we do.
Also added were: Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands NP, Wind Cave NP, & the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary!
With under 2 weeks to go before our little adventure, dear Colorado was hit with one of the worst storms in modern history, causing much flooding and disaster! Rocky Mountain NP was out of the question, since there was no road to access it. I was of course bummed, but who am I going to complain to? I added a day to Colorado Springs where Dominic and I would check out Manitou Springs and wander around the red rocks at Garden of the Gods.
When we arrived into Denver International Airport, we proceeded as usual and went to pick up our rental car. Upon our arrival at the rental agency, there was a line that was practically out the door and only 3 agents working the counter assisting the huge crowd. Well, I’ve never been known as Miss Patience, I waited for a bit and realized that this line wasn’t moving fast enough for me and decided to made other reservations (on the spot) at another agency. We then headed to this other agency and although it too was quite busy, the customer service was much faster and the line was moving. The reason being that everything was so busy was because of FEMA coming into Denver in assistance for the recent floods.
Once we finally got a car, the rest of the day was filled with eating, shopping and then going to see a Rockies game (my first time).
Historic Manitou Springs
| 
|
After the game we were about to head to our hotel and check in. At this point I looked up our reservation in order to get the directions. Once we arrived at the hotel, there was an errie feeling of emptiness, we walked in to find out that the hotel had flooded and they had to evacuate! Moving all of the patrons to other nearby hotels. We were sent to another property that was very close by. The property was a huge DUMP!
This place sucks!
| 
|
It was already late at night and I immediately called the agency that I booked with to scream my frustrations and be sent elsewhere! Well…the individual that assisted me over the phone was less than very helpful, but had explained that the entire city was over booked and there was no place else for us to go, even within an hours drive! UGH
Somehow I managed to sleep that night, and luckily our second night was switched for another hotel that was to be on our route the following morning. After a nice day hiking at The Garden of the Gods and checking out Manitu Springs. We headed to Fort Collins for the night.
In the wee hours of the morning, we (I) drove up from Fort Collins to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Dominic slept and missed out on all the beauty and solitude. Dirt roads and wilderness. It was a wonderful feeling to be out on the open road once again!
Somehow I managed to sleep that night, and luckily our second night was switched for another hotel that was to be on our route the following morning. After a nice day hiking at The Garden of the Gods and checking out Manitu Springs. We headed to Fort Collins for the night.
In the wee hours of the morning, we (I) drove up from Fort Collins to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Dominic slept and missed out on all the beauty and solitude. Dirt roads and wilderness. It was a wonderful feeling to be out on the open road once again!
| 
| 
| 
|
Our first stop was at the Black Hills Horse Sanctuary, where we took a tour. Following that was a visit to Wind Cave National Park, and our first Buffalo sighting!
| 
|
We then headed into Custer State Park, which in my opinion is actually nicer than a number of National Parks, and one of the best parks that I've ever been to!
Once we arrived, we found out that the Buffalo Round Up had to be postponed and that it was actually coming up the following day!!! So you know that meant we were definitely going! That night we went headed to see Mount Rushmore for the first time!
Once we arrived, we found out that the Buffalo Round Up had to be postponed and that it was actually coming up the following day!!! So you know that meant we were definitely going! That night we went headed to see Mount Rushmore for the first time!
| 
|
We left the hotel in the early morning at barely 4am, and although it was a September day it was FREEZING. Dominic and I were only wearing shorts and a tee shirt! The only items packed to keep us warm was a hoodie and pair of gloves.
| 
|
As with every trip I monitored the weather and packed accordingly. What went wrong?! I’ll tell you what went wrong…I was searching the weather for Rapid City MI (where it was at least 20+ degrees warmer) vs Rapid City SD where the mornings dropped to the high 30’s! Brrr!
Attending the Buffalo Round Up was quite a hoot, and we cuddled and bounced around to keep war amongst the locals we were all warm and toasty in their winter like gear, blankets, and supplies. A number of comments were made in good humor assuming that we must’ve been wither from FL or North Dakota! Either we didn’t know how to dress for this weather or we were use to the weather and it didn’t bother us.
Attending the Buffalo Round Up was quite a hoot, and we cuddled and bounced around to keep war amongst the locals we were all warm and toasty in their winter like gear, blankets, and supplies. A number of comments were made in good humor assuming that we must’ve been wither from FL or North Dakota! Either we didn’t know how to dress for this weather or we were use to the weather and it didn’t bother us.
| 
|
Eventually Dave B met up with us in Rapid City, and we continued our travels heading to Yellowstone NP. Seeing Devils Tower NM on the way and fulfilling a checkmark on Dave B’s bucket list with that one. Still driving into the night, we needed to stop for dinner in one of these cowpoke towns. Choosing Gillette, WY I found a Mexican restaurant and boy were we hungry! And this restaurant did not disappoint. The food was HUGE, and we were amazed at how awesome and tasty it was! Totally a yummy stop, and one that I wish wasn’t all the way out in Gillette, WY - not quite sure I’ll ever have reason to be out that way again!
| 
|
The next morning we entered the gates of Yellowstone, and it started snowing on us! Wow, definitely some crazy and interesting weather we were getting!
While I had already been to Yellowstone, it was a first for both Dave and Dominic, and I was excited for them to see it! All of the wildlife and majestic beauty. All of the thermal activity. What a very unique place, and a bit smelly too!
While I had already been to Yellowstone, it was a first for both Dave and Dominic, and I was excited for them to see it! All of the wildlife and majestic beauty. All of the thermal activity. What a very unique place, and a bit smelly too!
| 
|
We were all having quite an enjoyable visit, when on our third day going back into the park (which happened to also be our last day), the gates were closed and the Government had shut down! Gack!
I couldn’t seriously believe it, even with my own eyes. This was crazy. And to think of all the other travelers, the ones who came from abroad to visit this special place. All being turned away! It was a true shame. So, onto Plan B - which I didn’t quite have yet! LOL
We had to reroute our directions and I figured that we could at least still see the Grand Tetons (another one that I’ve been to and knowing that we might not be able to hike, but still get some awesome vantage points even without entering through the gates). Stopping in Jacksonhole, WY along the way, we managed to still have a wonderful day and it only left us wanting more! So as we drove into the sunset on our way back toward Denver, I sat there (as the passenger), and started mapping out the next trip to Yellowstone and more! Why, you ask…Because that’s what I do!
I couldn’t seriously believe it, even with my own eyes. This was crazy. And to think of all the other travelers, the ones who came from abroad to visit this special place. All being turned away! It was a true shame. So, onto Plan B - which I didn’t quite have yet! LOL
We had to reroute our directions and I figured that we could at least still see the Grand Tetons (another one that I’ve been to and knowing that we might not be able to hike, but still get some awesome vantage points even without entering through the gates). Stopping in Jacksonhole, WY along the way, we managed to still have a wonderful day and it only left us wanting more! So as we drove into the sunset on our way back toward Denver, I sat there (as the passenger), and started mapping out the next trip to Yellowstone and more! Why, you ask…Because that’s what I do!