So raise the bar high...

I need to stop updating so infrequently. I actually wanted to write last night since I was sitting in a hotel room playing around on Wikipedia all night, but couldn't find the motivation. Can't say I really have the motivation tonight either, so hopefully it won't be too long. But we all know that it will...once I start going, I can't stop!

Nebraska turned out to be a pretty good time. Of course, I didn't stay there the whole time, but still it was nice to be with my aunt, Josette, and to meet her friends and neighbors in the 'hood. We had a couple nice dinners together, including Thanksgiving and I even got invited out for "a night on the town" with the girls after we saw The Blind Side Thursday. Good times.

I did a side trip to the Badlands in South Dakota the Friday after Thanksgiving. After being out late drinking and then getting up early, part of me wanted to cancel the trip and stay in bed but thankfully I went. The Badlands were seriously one of the most AWESOME things I've ever seen in my entire life. And I'm proud to say that I've seen some pretty cool places in my lifetime, but this just might be at the top. Driving there during a Nebraska sunrise was also the icing on the cake. When I first caught sight of the Badlands, I had to pull the car over and just gape at the sights before me. I actually got chills. The pictures don't do it justice. It's just something you have to see for yourself. I also saw buffalo and cute prairie dogs too. But don't touch the prarie dogs. They have some sort of plague...

Also while in the Badlands, I stopped off in Wall for the famous Wall Drug Store. It's basically the South of the Border of the north. There are signs leading up to it and once you get there, it's one big tacky tourist trap. And you all should know how much I love things that are tacky. They had taxidermied animals dressed up in cowboy clothes. I was literally laughing out loud on the sidewalk by myself looking at these creatures with their hooves placed on their hips. I'm actually laughing right now as I write this just thinking about it. Haha.

Saturday was spent in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. My aunt wanted to show me a couple historical landmarks that she thought I would like, and I did. But first we stopped off at Stephanie's feed lot that she works at. It was quite interesting to see the process in which the cows are fed and taken care of before being sent off to the slaughter house. The Scotts Bluff Monument was cool. I had never heard of it before, but it was a big deal during the Oregon Trail. So yes, I walked on some of the original Oregon Trail and nobody died of cholera and I managed to keep all my oxen (Oregon Trail game reference...) And Chimney Rock was neat too, though you aren't allowed to go near it - just admire it from afar. I really do love American history stuff, so I really enjoyed seeing the sights.

The next two nights my aunt and I spent in Deadwood, South Dakota. She had previously won a free stay at the Deadwood Gulch, a hotel/casino. On the way there we stopped at the Crazy Horse Memorial. It is massive! And nowhere close to being finished, even though its been worked since 1948. It's not federally funded and they rely a lot on donations. It will probably never be done in my lifetime. But it's cool to imagine what it will look like when it's finished. You can fit Mt. Rushmore just into Crazy Horse's head. 

And speaking of Mt. Rushmore, that's where we went next. This was one thing that was on the top of my "must see" list. But I wouldn't recommend going to it after you've been to Crazy Horse. It just looks so small. But the difference with Mt. Rushmore is that it's a finished monument and it has so much history behind it. I really enjoyed reading about how it was built and about the presidents carved into the mountain. Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was originally supposed to be carved to the right of George Washington it didn't work out so they had to switch it up? Bet you didn't know that, smartypants.

Deadwood was cool. It's a little town that it all about gambling. It's also rich in history when it comes to the "Wild West". If anyone ever watched the HBO series with the same name, then you'll know that this is the town where Wild Bill Hickok was killed. All that cowboy history I found to be really interesting. While my aunt gambled, I walked around town and explored. It definitely has an old West feel, and there are a couple cool bars that give you a old timey feel. I think it would be a fun place to visit in the summer since some things weren't open and they have western shoot-outs on the streets. We had dinner at a restaurant owned by Kevin Costner and there were lots of memorabilia from his movies. Also, the Celebrity Hotel is worth checking out because they also have memorabilia from random movies and TV shows. Cool stop on my US tour, that's for sure. Deadwood definitely sparked an interest in me and I totally want to watch the show when I get back home...

 

On Wednesday I left Nebraska after a fabulous time. I probably could have stayed longer if I didn't have to be home for Christmas. I really miss Gaby the cat. She was little friend while I was there and I have the hair all over my car to remind me! I will totally be going back to Nebraska again, that's for sure. My next stop is Port Orford, Oregon. I haven't made it there yet as I've been slowly making my way. I was planning on going to Yellowstone, but after doing research I realized that there are way too many road closures to risk it. I didn't want to waste an entire day looking for the one entrance that was open, so I'll have to do it another day. Plus it had recently snowed and some of the roads were not in top condition.

Believe it or not, one of my favorite rides so far was in Wyoming. What a gorgeous state. There isn't much to see, tourist-wise, but man, nature sure has been kind. I love snow. I even love driving in it. So I was in my element as I went up and down mountains all day. I also have become a pro at taking pictures while driving. But I don't recommend that anyone does it! It's kind of dangerous. Oh well. While in Cody, Wyoming I stopped off at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center. It's basically five museums in one, and it was really neat - especially the Buffalo Bill one. Since I had just been to Deadwood, I was really interested in this Buffalo Bill character. He was one cool dude. And after Wyoming, I spent the night in Montana, where it was typically the same kind of scenery.

 

 Yesterday was what a refer to as a "bad day". I totally woke up on the wrong side of the bed and then something from back home really started to tick me off. Not even Carole King and Bette Midler could cheer me up. It was also a LONG day of powerdriving on a highway, which is kind of boring. So I was pissed off and just wanted to get to my next destination. But once I got through Idaho (where it snowed for a while) and got through the boring part of Washington, I started to feel a little bit better. However, today I woke up quite tired. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. Weird dreams. But today I went to Seattle, so all is well in the world!

Seattle, Washington. What a fun city! I really wish I had more time to explore but my next destination is calling. I did a tour of the Seattle Mariners ballpark - Safeco Field. It was cool, but not my favorite park that I've been to. Though the roof is definitely different. Since I've been cooped up in my car for the past couple days, I decided to walk around the city. My first stop was Pike Place to watch the workers at the Fish Market throw fish. That was fun. Thankfully I don't like shopping or I would have found myself stuck there all day. It kind of reminded me of Faniuel Hall back in Boston. Then I found the Real World house! That was pretty exciting to me. The Real World used to be one of my favorite shows back before Las Vegas completely ruined it. And Seattle was so great especially all the Irene and Stephen drama. The slap heard 'round the world! Also, while on the subject of TV shows...I saw lots of ferry boats and couldn't help by think of "Grey's Anatomy"....I went to the Needle but it was going to be an hours wait just to get to the top, so scratch that plan. Seattle is now at the top of my list - along with Tennessee - for places I need to go back to PRONTO.

Also, before signing off...I really have to say how much I appreciate being back near the ocean. The smell is almost intoxicating to me after being away for a couple weeks. Yes, I've seen some lakes and rivers, but really the ocean is where it's at. And the sunset was too beautiful for words.

 

I know this was long, and kind of boring. I'm multi-tasking right now...watching "The Holiday" on TBS. I can't help it. It's Kate Winslet. She does no wrong in my book. Anywhoooooo.....tomorrow I'm going to travel the historic Route 101 all the way to Port Orford, Oregon. It should be a nice ride. And I'm really looking forward to seeing my aunt and uncle and relax for a couple days.

Once again, if you like what you read - or if you made it this far - leave a comment!