I've been back from a 17 day road trip for about 5 days now. . . I still feel like it was a dream. Do you have times in your life like that? Where you wonder, "Did that actually happen or was it just a wonderful dream that I unfortunately had to wake from?"
The photo aren't all that exciting and the stories that each day held are far too many to tell. I only took pics with my iPhone and forgot to take pics often so these ones will have to do. :) I hope you enjoy!
(Some extra photos came in today! So I added them!)
It begins with a 5 hour layover in Seattle, from 1-6am, which I planned to sleep through. Based on this wide eyed face I bet you can tell just how much sleep I got. I was too excited! My face wouldn't stop smiling long enough for me to sleep. So I arrived in Vegas on zero sleep and ready to begin a Grand Adventure!
First thing to do in Vegas: leave Vegas! Haha! Couldn't wait to get to Zion! What a gorgeous place it was! Hiked up Angels Landing as soon as we got there. (Yup. First fail on the non-photo taking... Expect many. Ha!)
But this was the view from the room. What a view to awake too!
Zion led us to the Four Corners and over to Mesa Verde. I had lived in Colorado for 17 years and had never made it to Mesa Verde before. (Once again... Imagine the scene in your mind's eye.... Oops)
A cozy night in Durango before heading to Orvis Hot Springs.
This is the sauna room
And one of their pools. I am such a fan of hot springs! For real!
From Orvis we had a beautiful drive to Saratoga Springs in Wyoming.... (And yes, I forgot to take a photo so I snagged this one off line... It was definitely not summer when we were there! Hahaha) Still absolutely gorgeous though.
Departing Saratoga we headed to Jackson Hole, WY. What a beautiful drive! We were graced by the wonderful sun and all it shined down upon!
The Grand Tetons were just that- GRAND!
Once again, totally failed to get any pictures in Jackson. We did decide to spend an extra day in Jackson and headed out to Granite Hot Springs. The options to get to the springs included: DogSled rides, snow mobile rentals, or cross country skiing. We opted for Fat Tire Bike rentals and peddled ourselves the 10 miles each way to the springs. It was EPIC!! Definitely made my Top 10 List of Awesomness!
Before leaving Jackson we stumbled upon a gem! Cafe Boheme was the best food along our 4,000 mile journey. The owner, Cathy, was as sweet as can be and her food left lasting memories in my heart.
Our journey then led us near Bozeman, MT to a quaint and cozy lodge by a river (whoopsie. No photo again)... :{
After a peaceful evening we were northbound again to Whitefish, MT for another two night stay. We became instant friends with Ashley, the best front desk gal at the Pine Lodge! The next day was St Patrick's Day and that night is unforgettable. So many new friends. Found a cozy bar named Crush, where the whole lot of us were serenaded by two amazing local singers. Seriously was one of my favorite nights, ever. Not much else beats a cozy environment with funny wonderful entertainment surrounded by friends.
We had so much fun in Whitehorse that we opted to keep it going. A friend offered to take us out to their cabin in Glacier National Park and we couldn't say no!
After spending a deliciously cozy night in a cabin, next to a wood stove, with unbeatable conversations, and delicious food and music, it was time to say goodbye.
Our next adventure led us to Calgary and an interesting stay, at what I learned is called a homestay. We pulled up in a neighborhood, in front of a gorgeous house and I felt so silly walking to the front door. There was no indication that this was a hotel or b&b... A young Asian girl answered the door and I thought for sure we had the wrong address... But sure enough, we were in the right place. We were shown to a room in their gorgeous home and decided to get all fancy and head into Calgary. Once again I failed to get a photo... But I was definitely happy regardless.
(Here's a picture of me making sure the jewelry worked before ever leaving anchorage)
My very first time ever wearing a Little Black Dress. I felt like a princess. :)
The following morning as we quietly lumbared down the stairs with our luggage, we were surprised by a older Asian man wondering what took us so long to come down for breakfast. !! Uh, we had no idea we were supposed to be eating breakfast. But I guess that's what happens at a homestay. So we settled in at their kitchen table and were waited upon by a wonderful woman who wanted to ensure I had plenty of orange juice. It was such a strange experience to be sitting at a stranger's kitchen table while they waited on you and watched you eat the whole time. Haha! Time to make new friends, I guess. By the end of breakfast we were all exchanging hugs and goodbyes like we were old friends. What a wonderful life we live.
Banff was the next stop and Good Golly Molly is it gorgeous!
I didn't want to leave. . . But a hotel in Japser was waiting for us and on the road again, we went.
Absolutely gorgeous drive!
Jasper to Fort St John the next day... And while this photo might not seem like much... To me it holds a treasure! If you look closely you will see an Owl!!! I wanted so badly to see an owl on the trip. . . Knowing it would be a miracle. And low and behold: a miracle. =)
Fort St John led us to Liard Hot Springs for an evening to soak once more in magics waters. . .with lazy bison soaking up the sun.
Sitting in the hot springs, under a full sky of stars, a crescent moon next to a shining Venus, and a whole new group of friends to share story with, I thought I just may explode from happiness. And just when I thought life couldn't get any better, I looked up and the Northern Lights were dancing overhead. My little heart squealed with joy at the magic of life.
Liard to Whitehorse. . . And a kind front desk gal who decided, "I like you. I'm gonna upgrade you to the Presedential Suite. Shh, don't tell anyone."
Wow! Life- you sure know how to woo a gal! :)
Whitehorse to Anchorage was a gloriously sunny day. Welcomed home by Mount Sanford, Drum, and Wrangell.
On our trip we managed to see:
Hundreds of deer, antelope, and elk. We saw handfuls of bald eagles! Two golden eagles (the first I'd ever seen!). 4 coyotes! Big horn sheep. Mountain goats. Rock sheep. Moose. Not one but Two OWLS! And a Lynx! What a wonderful world we live in.
Followed by a crisp sunset as we pulled into Anchorage- the sun setting on the final night of an epic 17 day trip filled with more memories than my heart can hold.
I'll admit it has been a tough time getting my feet back on the ground after a high-flying trip. But it's been nice to be surrounded by my friends and family and it seems even the fish are glad I'm back in town.
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