Howdy Friends! I’m still on a road trip vacation and still seeing our beautiful country. If you didn’t see part one of our trip, you can see it by clicking here. Today I wanted to show you a few more places we’ve been so here’s part 2 of our beautiful scenic road trip.
Part 2 of Our Beautiful Scenic Road Trip
In the last post, I left off with us leaving Zion national Park with our next adventure starting in Salt Lake City, Utah where we began the day touring Olympic Park. I never thought about what cities did after they held the Olympics. And I’m still not sure about other cities but Salt Lake turned the facilities into a training center and museum after the 2002 Olympics. We actually watched these young kids practicing and I bet we see one or two of them in the next winter Olympics! I enjoyed hearing the moms chatting while they watched and made videos of their kids. You could tell they had been together a long time.
Olympic Park, Salt Lake City
While we were at Olympic Park, there was a large case inside the museum with event pins for the 2002 Olympics. In the photo above, you’ll see the pin for American Living Legends Wild Horses and Burros events. I was so excited to see it and to know they had events for our extremely talented and determined wild Mustangs and Burros. It got me to thinking… Do they have an age limit for the Olympics? I mean you only see athletes in their teens and young twenties really but Scout (our adopted wild burro) and I could totally do something fabulous. Like maybe a dance routine using those long ribbons. There would be matching outfits of course. We’d be a national TV and internet sensation! I can feel it!
Bonneville Salt Flats
Have you ever heard of the Bonneville Salt Flats? It’s a densely packed salt pan in Tooele County in northwestern Utah. Many people test cars for land speed records across this ginormous piece of land that is complete salt. Salt! I had heard about this but couldn’t imagine it until I set my own feet on it. At the entrance, it’s a little dirty and gray but as you get out on it, it gets bright white. We let Macy (our middle child) drive the rental car as fast as she wanted to go. Maybe it was as fast as the car would go but all I’m going to say about that is I think it will be a while before my hand indentation comes out of the door handle.
Shoshone Falls Idaho
When we left Utah, we stayed in Twin Falls, Idaho and visited Shoshone Falls. It’s one of the largest natural water falls in the U.S. and is 212 feet tall and 900 feet wide. The bottom is a beautiful teal colored lake. I was told during spring time the water typically gushes over the falls but even with the small amount of water I found it beautiful. We chose not to spend much time there because we wanted to get to our true destination – Saylor Creek, Idaho.
Oregon Trail in Idaho
On our way there we came across part of the Oregon Trail. Can you see the trail in the photos above? The parks service doesn’t allow people to walk on it but you can get close enough to see the deep ruts where the wagons bumped along and navigated their way to a new home destination. I seriously can’t imagine how rough a ride that was but I’m grateful for their determination and thankful I was born in the age of cars and chiropractor’s.
Saylor Creek, Idaho
When we first discussed this road trip, we planned to see where our wild Mustang, Sherlock was born and raised before being gathered by the Bureau of Land Management for adoption. His herd needed to be relocated because the area where they lived had burned and had nothing left to eat. If you’d like to read about our adoption of Sherlock, click here. You can also read about Scouts (wild burro) adoption here.
You can see from the photos the land is immense but dry and not all that great. I think if we could ask him whether or not he wanted to live in Idaho or Navasota, TX, he’d just laugh at us, walk away and go back to eating is luscious green grass, treats, and be ready for his next bath. 🙂 He may miss his family but he has Scout, cows and us around to keep him company.
Missoula, Montana
Our last stop before we head to Glacier National Park is Missoula, Montana. The view of the river was just outside our hotel patio door. We were able to leave the doors open and for a girl from Texas, that was a bit of heaven. The roar of the river and cool breeze was marvelous. I’m very excited about Montana. Not only for the color changes in foliage, the pleasant cool weather but for the natural Christmas trees that are everywhere! I feel like it could be a Hallmark movie moment for me! Soooooo excited!
WOW, you two have covered some wonderful territory! Thanks for sharing, and safe travels.
Author
We really have! The rental car at the half way point was about 4000 miles! 🙂
You go , girl !!! Why didn’t you take me with you? I sure would have loved that trip ! I may just have to follow in your footsteps !!
Author
You will love it! I would suggest a trip in the fall when the leaves are changing. It’s spectacular.
Beautiful country and know you are enjoying yourselves a lot. I love the mountains and was so surprised at the shapes they take on in each state, some round some peaked, it was fascinating. Thanks for sharing these awesome pictures.
Author
I was thinking that same thing Marlene. Some are so vertical and to see how trees can grow straight out of a giant rock is crazy to me. Looking forward to the trip home though. For me, 2 weeks is long enough.
It’s been so much fun following along on this adventure, Cindy! I’m dying over all the places you’ve been visiting because so many are on my bucket list too. My baby sister actually got engaged on the salt flats so it was crazy to see that you guys had gone there. Love that you’re making tons of memories with your family. I’m telling you there is nothing like it! Hugs and have fun, CoCo
Author
Not sure I can top an engagement! That’s super cool and quite the story I’m sure. Have loved every minute of it but am ready to be home in my own bed, bathroom and in my own kitchen. 🙂
What a fun trip! And the landscapes are are pretty awesome!
Author
It was a bucket list trip for us. But we’ve decided it can’t be a one time only trip. Too pretty to not go again. 🙂
It’s been so much fun following along on your adventures! And you went at the perfect time to catch all the colors of fall <3
Author
We really did! The Farmers Almanac showed we’d be to late for the fall colors. Good thing we didn’t listen – LOL.
Cindy, what a delightful road trip, the scenery is amazing! I have been to many of the same places, but some I have not. Thank you for sharing, I have enjoyed arm chair travel with you!
Author
I love how you put it Pam – Arm chair travel! And I’m glad you enjoyed it. We have an amazing country! Happy Friday
Thank you, Cindy, for taking us along. I love all the detail that you give. I absolutely love this post, but I’m still trying to get over Bearizona. So happy you had a good time. And I’m glad you’re home safe.
Author
It’s good to be home! Glad you liked the post and believe me, there are so many details I left out! When we get together next, we’ll chat about it more.