My Oregon Trail: August 2012

Last Oregon Trail Blog

I just wanted to thank EVERYONE for reading my blog and being so supportive to me. I really enjoy writing these blogs, and sharing my experiences with all of you. This has been an amazing time for me, and I'm glad I could include all of you. Please stay tuned for my next adventure. I don't have anything lined up yet, but hopefully it won't be long until I can blog for you guys again. Until next time......

BE HAPPY!!!

Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2012

Today, we drove from Columbia, Missouri to Cookeville, Tennessee (hometown)

It was the easiest and shortest driving day, and we ran across a fun town in Illinois. We ended our journey today, and we were both so thankful to be done. Even though I still had to drive back to Alabama, I still had a few days of being in one place. I was so thankful to have my mom with me on this trip home. It's not easy for anyone to drive across the U.S., and if you can have someone with you, it's the greatest thing! I never let her drive because I wanted her to enjoy the scenery, but I really enjoyed having here there to talk to and laugh with. Thanks mom!

So, we came across Metropolis, Illinois...this town is totally dedicated to everything Superman, including this giant statue in the town square. Their newspaper is even called the Daily Planet.

Mural of all of the Supermans

Yay for pretending to be Superwoman!

She really is Superwoman!

The museum

Front entrance of the museum and gift shop

Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2012

Today, we drove from Sidney, Nebraska to Columbia, Missouri....this was our longest driving day on our trip. We were so delirious by the end of the drive, we laughed at EVERYTHING. It was so fun!

While driving through Nebraska, we came across an original Pony Express Station...cool huh?

Mail bag

buffalo jacket they wore to keep warm

St. Louis Arch!

Utah,Wyoming, Nebraska

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 2012

Today we drove from Ogden, Utah to Sidney, Nebraska. This drive was the Wild Wild West drive. If you ever drive through Wyoming, you will know what I mean. It's the wild west. Beautiful!

So, Wyoming has a random Lincoln statue/memorial dedicated to the Lincoln Highway.

Huge Lincoln statue!

Pine tree growing a Precambrian tree... randomly in the middle of the interstate in Wyoming.

Precambrian rock

Jumping at a "scenic view" in Nebraska.

Making friends in Wyoming :-)

Oregon, Idaho, Utah

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012

Today, we really started out on our journey home, and officially left the state of Oregon. I definitely cried when I left Bandon, and almost did when I left Oregon. But, like Tom Hanks says, "There's no crying in baseball."----I am aware how that quote doesn't quite fit...lol.

We drove from Bend, Oregon to Ogden, Utah. Woot! Pics to enjoy!

The morning view from our hotel room in Ogden, Utah.

Devil's Slide in Utah

Ummm...lol, yeah. I originally wanted to do jumping pictures in every state, but that just wasn't going to happen, so here's one from Eastern Oregon at a random campground area in the middle of NOWHERE.

CRATER LAKE!

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2012

We woke up, and went to the Farmer's market in Coos Bay before we decided to head out. Mom loved it. They had so many good produce choices, and it was hard to resist buying them, but nothing would keep well in a car for the trek home. But, we did buy cherries and blackberries. After the market, we drove to Crater Lake. I don't have words for Crater Lake. Beautiful? Gorgeous? Huge? Peaceful? Majestic....there it is...Majestic! The water is the bluest blue you have ever seen in a lake. Crater Lake used to be a volcano, but is now a crater, and the water is melted ice and snow. It has no outside water source coming or going to it, therefore, it is as pure as it gets for a lake. I don't need to say anymore, just enjoy the pics...