Our travels this summer have taken us to six states finishing up with a big trip west. But first: Danville Baloon Fest where Suzanne’s classmate was one of the balloon pilots; Michigan wine county, blueberries, and Lake Michigan were calling; Also, three days at the State Fair Draft Horse show, an annual adventure for us. Then, since we had never traveled out west, two weeks trying to squeeze in as much as we could. Our plan, drive straight to Yellowstone and take our time working our way home.

Our first official vacation stop was a viewing pull-off at Grand Teton National Park the evening we were to arrive at Yellowstone for a great picture opportunity of the Tetons and as it turned out, two bears foraging in the field below.

Two nights in Yellowstone gave us a chance to see the geological wonder that it is. Home to half of the world’s guisers, it is impossible to see all five hundred. Old Faithful is the most famous in the park which we watched three times, once from the balcony of our hotel, the Old Faithful Inn.

From there, two nights in Cody for the rodeo and two cowboy music reviews. Two nights in Deadwood walking the streets, and a ride through the wonderful Spearfish Canyon. For Suzanne’s birthday, we visited Mt Rushmore and the night show at the Crazy Horse Memorial. Jewel cave tour was fun and we stayed two nights at the Lake Sylvan Lodge in Custer State Park. Before we left the park, a jeep ride out to see the bison herds was a rough and tumble-event.

After the Badlands, the rest of our trip was hit-and-miss museums and tourist stops including the Lakota Museum. A big one for Suzanne was in the rest area at Chamberlain, SD to see the Dignity sculpture of an Indian wrapped in a quilt.

Of course, a few breweries were on my agenda, actually sixteen this summer where I added about 150 new beers to my tally. For Suzanne, quilt shops are the go-to place, go figure. Out west, she was able to find cowboy and western fabric that her former sales reps wouldn’t have shown her back in the day.

VIEW OUR SUMMER PHOTO ALBUM

Home for a while now, getting the place ready for winter, the final garden harvest, bringing the tropicals indoors, trimming up the perennials, and putting the gardens to bed. Once that’s all done, planning the next big adventure will begin.

Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

Proverbs 3:23