In South Dakota

Fossil Butte National Monument, WY

This park was an out of the way adventure, but was well worth the time. The kiddos explored the fossil collection and completed another Jr Ranger program. The Rangers at this park actually workes with the kids and even sat down in the floor to work with Caden.  This park even keeps a ledger with the names, ages, and cities of each chikd that completes the program and they engrave the back of the badge with a corresponding number, no other park we have visited does this and it adds a nice touch of formality. They also have a Sr Ranger program that I completed, which is pretty cool seeing as hiw I have helped the kiddos finish around 20 of these programs. 

In the park we saw a tarantula, prarie dogs, and we counted 27 antelope on our drive out. 

Very good time. Also, if you look in the photos uou will see Caleb wearing his Alcatraz inmate hat. 

Westers in Wyoming

Oh yeah we have crossed another state line. 

The Great Salt Desert, UT

We have officially crossed and hiked in the Great Salt Desert. The terrain was harsh, but beautiful. Along the way we found an old dig with water seepage creating salt crystals. The heat waves played teicks on the eyes and the mountains that form a perimeter to the desert seemed to float in a sea of molten silver. It was a great sight to share with the kiddos. 

A long day of driving

We are in the long road portion of out trip. We stayed in Winnemucca,NV last night right smack dab in the middle of a biker rally.  We left out at 6:00am headed towards Fossil Butte National Park. Aling the way we were treated to snowed capped peaks in the Ruby Mountains and are looking forward to our drive through The Great Salt Desert and Great Salt Lake in Utah. 

Tahoe National Forest

Toured the Tahoe National Forest. The kiddos saw snow covered peaks and Donner pass. We stopped and toured downtown Truckee, CA and then drove on to Reno, NV. 

The coolest thing we saw was old elevated railroad tracks that wound through the valley hovering above the Truckee River. 

Half way mark

This pic illustrates where we have been and some of the Jr. Ranger programs that have been completed. We are missing two pins that have to be sent for, but this is a good summary.