Searching for the Needle Among the Abstract

Granite spires towered over the thick forest of fir trees as I approached Needles Highway.  Also known as South Dakota Highway 87, this scenic byway…

Yellowstone National Park: Where the Buffalo Roam

Early afternoon, I left Mammoth Hot Springs to drive towards Hayden Valley.  The valley, known for its abundance of wildlife,  is most popular during the…

Finding Solitude at Sylvan Lake

After a restful night, I woke up bright and early at the Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn in Custer, South Dakota. It was a perfect…

A First Impression of Yellowstone National Park

The sky was a bountiful blue and the air smelled fresh and pure.  The drive from Cody to the entrance of Yellowstone National Park took…

Road Trip on the Bighorn Scenic Byway

Are you a fan of road trips?  I absolutely love the energy that comes from driving the open road.  I’m also guilty of stopping by…

First Wild Animal Sightings in The Badlands

Approaching the Badlands on Interstate 90, I began to notice the fascinating geological formations that makes up this unique region of the United States.  I…

Mount Rushmore, An Artistic and Architectural Phenomenon

For reasons I can’t explain, I’ve had a crazy fascination for Mount Rushmore National Memorial.  I suppose it started in the eighth grade in Mr.…

Spotting my First “Bison” at Sioux Falls, South Dakota

It had been a long day of driving (close to 1,000 miles), but I was on a high having reached Sioux Falls, Idaho.  With plenty…

Santorini: Life on a Volcano

Arriving by sea, the cruise ship pushed forward, edging closer to dramatic views of whitewashed villages atop Santorini’s crescent-shaped caldera.  The scenic view of watching…

Reaching Sioux Falls, South Dakota from Ohio! What a Drive

With an early morning departure of 5AM, I have set out for my week’s vacation out west.  The estimated number of miles I plan on…