After saying our goodbyes to my parents and Pete's parents (thank you for EVERYTHING!!!), our trip started on September 16th at 8:30am. It began with the easiest border crossing into the States, followed by the hottest day of driving which caused us to jump in every lake we saw! Unfortunately Patience's heating system works even when it's hot out, uhoh, hehehe. After meeting Beynon for lunch in Spokane, Washington we started heading East. We spent our first night in Montana and woke up to a beautiful sky where we got our first shots with the van. After a few days of driving we finally made it to our first destination, Yellowstone National Park, where we played tourist with the endless wildlife and scenery. Two nights later we wound our way into Grand Teton National Park where we did an awesome 19 mile (30km) day hike up the Paintbrush Divide to Solitude Lake and down the Cascade Canyon. Breathtaking!! After our long day of hiking we said goodbye to the Tetons as they glowed in the setting sun and headed into Jackson, Wyoming. We immediately found a place to scarf down some food and looked for a place to crash away from all the blinding lights of the town. The next morning we woke up to frost on the windshield, welcome to Wyoming! From there we headed to Sinks Canyon outside of Lander for a few days of climbing to get us back into shape before we headed to Ten Sleep. Ten Sleep is a massive canyon with endless sport routes on both sides of the highway with virtually no one there (well except for a billion cows). Paradise!! We managed to get some 100ft climbs in and Karen did her first 11b/c (top roping). We are now hanging out in Laramie with Pete's childhood friend Renny, his wife Jill and their baby Case while we waited for new front shocks which Pete is now installing so that our tires will make it down South. Thank you for being awesome hosts and putting up with us for so long! Next stop Utah!
LOVING VAN LIFE!!!
Hopefully this slideshow works. If you click on a photo, it will take you to the online album if you want to see full size pictures.
LOVING VAN LIFE!!!
Hopefully this slideshow works. If you click on a photo, it will take you to the online album if you want to see full size pictures.
Great pics guys - thanks for sharing - looks like you're already having a blast!! Katie
ReplyDeleteFYI - your insightful use of technology works just fine Karen & Pete. Well done. I love your write-ups and photos. Thanks for sharing. We miss you less (a bit) when we feel, in part, like we are there with you in such a timely manner :-) Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing area you've already visited - Yellowstone and the Tetons. Some of our favorite places indeed. John, Kevin, and I did that monster hike you did in the Tetons. Stunning. Did you jump in Solitude Lake? We did - it was friggin' cold even in July! Looks like you're having a great time already - mad bloggin' skills already! We're going to be touring around parts of Oz in our little hippie camper soon enough. We'll have some stories to share - life in a hippie van. At the airport waiting to fly to Sydney tonight. Where are you? Talk soon.
ReplyDeleteGeorg & Kevin
Wow!! What a great start to an awesome trip. Sure makes us wish we were 30 years younger. Love your blog and we will certainly keep in touch while you're away. I remember how important that was when I was on my round-the-world-trip in the seventies. Take care of yourselves. Love from Judy and Bob
ReplyDeleteOh Karen, what you're seeing with your own two eyes is so incredible. These views are amazing. You look so happy, have a memorable journey. All the best, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity eh?! Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteAh ha I figured out how to make a comment.
ReplyDeleteYes I am a slacker ... Read your blog eagerly & all good intentions to email fell into the ether of WSS. So good to hear your news and that you are finally on your way south.
I am enjoying math 11 & 12 and am SO GRATEFUL for all your notes etc etc. I would be floundering big time without them. The kids miss you at school and so do I ! WSS trundles on as normal I won't bore you with the details.
My sea kayaking trip went really well. We had fantastic weather & the Queen Charlottes are a very special place.
Thats all for now
Keep having fun and blogging its lovely to see the pictures of you & Pete
Corinne
Some travel with their friends and some prefer to travel alone, here's a place for you and your friends to stay when you visit there.
ReplyDeleteHostels in Mendoza