Home!

We made it home safe and sound!  Today we spent 10 hours driving home.  The weather was yucky, a lot of rain and big traffic jam.  I can say that we were all happy to be home.  Our cat Disney was happy to see us too.  He was snuggling all of us while we unpacked.

We did have a surprise when when we looked in the back yard.  We evidently had a visitor while we were gone.  Something, decided to try and climb the rod iron bird feeder that we have and it was heavy enough to bend the whole thing to the ground. There have been numerous black bear sightings in our area so, I think he decided to pay our home a visit.  It's kind of ironic that while we were in bear country, while I was looking to see a bear, one was here!

Almost Done!

Today the girls and I officially have been in all 48 states!!!  Yay Us!

We pretty much just drove today, nothing exciting.  We did stop for pizza during a rain storm and that was good, but other than that, not much else.  That is good considering we have had our share of bumps this trip.

Tomorrow we head home.  I think everyone will be happy to sleep in their own bed and regain a little normalcy before school starts.

Wisconsin

We got a late start this morning because we did not get to bed until after midnight.

Our first destination was the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum and Chippewa Heritage Museum.  Both were very interesting.  Not only did we learning about the logging industry, we leaned about Wisconsin's farming industry as well.  The museum had a real one room school house, and an actual cottage that early settlers raised their family of 8 children in.  Both Hailey and Maddie got a good idea of how easy they have it now with robots that vacuum, their own bedroom, and indoor plumbing.  We ended the tour at the 1920's soda fountain where we all enjoyed our favorite treats.

We then stopped at Nelson Cheese Factory before we got back on the interstate.  Hailey insisted that we get cheese in Wisconsin.

We had about a 5 hour commute to the campground we are in now. When we got in the park there was a  mysterious ticking/ringing sound coming from the dumpster at the front of the park.  Hailey thinks it may be someones broken alarm clock that wont stop. Who knows???? Unfortunately, we had a little issue with checking in, someone else was in our spot.  When we looked at the reservation page again, Doug realized that I booked the site for 6/28 not 7/28.    Yes I am an air head sometimes!  Lucky for us we still have sites available so we are in and settled for the night.

Gotta love the ups and downs of the "Traveling Gaede's"

Making Lemonade

Today life gave us lemons!  Doug noticed that the back right breaks on the suburban were grinding, so we had to take it to the Chevy Dealership in North Dakota before we headed to Wisconsin.

While it was being serviced, we took advantage of the courtesy shuttle to have lunch and so some exploring.   It was better than sitting the the waiting area bored out of our minds.  So we went to lunch and then explored the North Dakota Heritage Museum.  It was pretty interesting to check out the different aspects of the state, from it's Native American beginning to modern times.  We also got to see  William Shakespeare's first folio, which they had on display as well.  Hailey was very interested in that because she had studied Romeo and Juliet in school.

Finally, after several hours we got the call that the suburban was ready and we were back on the road. We still had a long drive ahead of us, and Doug dutifully drove close to 8 hours to out next stop.  We did not pull in until almost midnight.

Needless to say, we plan to sleep in a little,

Painted Canyon and Enchanted Highway

Today marked Doug official visit to all 48 states!  He was a very happy camper!!!  Us girls still have a few to go, our trip is NOT over!

We visited the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and saw the Painted Canyon.  It was amazing!!!!!! It was incredibly beautiful  to see all of the colors.  We drive the loop in the park, stopping to see teh wildlife and amazing views.  We even did a short hike. I felt like I was part of a "CBS Sunday Morning Moment of Nature."  

Perhaps, my favorite part of this park was the wildlife.  We got to see prairie dogs, a herd of antelope, and bison.  We actually had a front row seat to view the enormous beast, as one decided to walk right next to the suburban.  He was close enough that I could reah out and touch him if I wanted to

After we left the National Park we drove to the Enchanted Highway.  Maddie was so excited to see the sculptures.  I must admit that they were pretty amazing to see. Both girls had a blast posing with the purple and black flamingos in front of the sculptures. Doug even joined in the fun. Now we are parked at the Enchanted Highway RV park for the night.  Tomorrow we must continue our drive east towards home!

Driving and Driving and Driving Some More

Today we continued our trek back east towards home.  We were in the car for like 10 hours.   It seemed like the road was going to go on forever and ever and it did.   We had no cell service for most of the ride and the towns were few and far between.  At one point Doug was looking for a gas station for about 150 miles..... and then we ran out.   We were pulled over on the side of the road while he was trying to get the gas from the generator, into the truck, when a very kind woman named Ann, stopped by and offered to help.  She took Doug to the nearest gas station, which was just 10 minutes up the road.  She was very kind to help strangers out. We were very thankful that things worked out.  Once we were gassed up we then continued our drive for a while longer until we came to a rest stop and parked there for the night.

Glacier National Park

Today we visited Glacier National Park.  It was another beautiful weather day and the sights were amazing!  It is so sad to see that the glaciers that we saw today will not be there in a few years.  Seeing the pictures of the park just 20-25 years ago and comparing them with todays views is astounding. We have lost so much.  Once day people will be visiting glacier national park and reading about how the park got its name, they will not be able to see with their own eyes.  That is so sad!

On a happier note, we took a bus ride to the top of one of the visitors centers, and then explored the rail that was above the treeline.  I got very excited when we got on the bus because the drive was taking about she has seen a bear in a field we were going to pass all day. Unfortunately he was not out when we went by.  My quest to see bear is still unfulfilled.   Anyway, on our hike we saw some of the most beautiful wild flowers, a heard of big horned sheep up on a cliff, saw some adorable ground squirrels, and had an up close and personal view a goat.

It was a great afternoon, I really wish we had more time to explore more of the park.  We have to head out for another very long drive tomorrow.