where are my cowboy boots?

Phew! After four days of camping Jackie and I have finally showered and it is now safe to walk within 10 feet of us. Camping and poking around the wilderness was a ton of fun and I was able to embrace my inner..nature...goddess? Weird. Anyways!

We went through South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. We're in Washington now and just came back from Seattle (did the whole Pike's Place Market thing and ate really awesome fresh seafood).





Sidenote: Jackie and I were bored in the hotel room because the wifi was slow as molasses and the tv was broke (holla cheap hotels) so we took a spontaneous trip to the movie theater to see "Ted" because she had random free Regal ticket coupons in her wallet...random. 

South Dakota was such an unexpected surprise! It was awesome! We passed through some touristy spots... like The Corn Palace... made of corn... Wall Drug Store...an old timey store... think Cracker Barrel on crack with a twist of yeehaw. 


We passed through the Badlands on Tuesday which were AMAZING! Probably one of my favorite top 3 moments on the trip so far.. it was unlike anything I have ever seen before! We reached Rapid City and spontaneously went to see a cool dino park (apparantly South Dakota is known for their fossils?) and Crazy Horse before setting up camp.

The next morning (the 4th!) we took a shot of Mount Rushmore from the road and headed off to Yellowstone. We camped at this amazing area in western Montana (and I think I want to move thereeeeee). We drove through the Gallatin forest and hung out on this purdy lake...

We found Jimmy Madison in Rapid city!!!

Lake Obgen..?

The next morning Jackie and I were so tired but we went through Yellowstone on a kind of dreary day and checked out Old Faithful, walked through some of the geyser paths, and hiked a little.

Old Faithful esplodin'

view from an overlook

I also found THIS! For those of you don't know... 4 leaf clovers are my thing...well, they have been for the past year. They are God's special little gift to me...even if that sounds weird to some of you, it's true! Most times my eyes catch a patch of clover... I'll look, knowing I'll find one.. and this time was no different! So exciting... it made my day!

Yesterday we went from Yellowstone to a camp in Idaho after making a pitstop in Missoula (very cute town, I liked it a lot!). This was the last night of no showering hoorah!

Sorry this post was a lot of just recap and pics... in my next post I'll address the following:

1. my time in portland and Sacramento

2. the imaginary bear character jackie and I have made up

3. awkward things about camping like gray water

4. what I have learned so far (flexibility, surprises, smallness)

:)