Garden Of The Gods Visitor & Nature Center

Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center - Scenic view of the "Garden"

Doing a bit of free-styling now with my destinations. Left my stealth camp in Wyoming and decided to drive south on I-25 until something strikes my attention. Sadly the wildfire smoke or hazy clouds are blocking my views of the Rocky Mountains. Also sadly I am deciding to pass on by what I can only … Read more

Courthouse Rock & Jail Rock

Courthouse Rock

Another 20 miles east down the road from Chimney Rock you will find a pair of geological landmarks known as Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock. Look for the tombstone-shaped marker that says Seybolt Park for the entrance road. (Not shown here because I missed it: the Historical Marker found directly on NE-88 as you are … Read more

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Chimney Rock - View of the rock

After seeing that I was only 23 miles away whilst at Scotts Bluff, I drove 23 miles to Chimney Rock to continue my westward expansion Oregon Trail larp. 23 miles later I arrived. The entrance sign this is a National Historic Site which I believe considering the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails all passed through … Read more

Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument - Views at the summit

I’m continuing to head south through the western part of Nebraska today as I creep slowly towards the final target of New Mexico. I’m now in the city of Scottsbluff to check out Scotts Bluff National Monument. I didn’t even have this on my original list of points of interest which frankly is an embarrassing … Read more

Jewel Cave National Monument – Scenic Tour

Jewel Cave National Monument - Formation Room

The Scenic Tour of Jewel Cave National Monument explores deeper into the cave than the short Discovery Tour which I also joined this morning by mistake. Prepare yourself to traverse up & down over 730 stairs through a 1/2 mile loop that descends several hundred feet. After starting again at the Target Room we immediately … Read more

Jewel Cave National Monument – Visitor Center

Jewel Cave National Monument - Map of cave system

The visitor center at Jewel Cave National Monument is split into two parts: a small building that has a theater and film about the monument, and a slightly larger main building with the visitor center, gift shop, and modern entrance/elevator to the caverns. I watched the film and it is definitely worth seeing to help … Read more

Jewel Cave National Monument – Discovery Tour

Jewel Cave National Monument - Target Room on the Discovery Tour

Took a bit of a drive today to the southwestern part of the Black Hills, and after heading west from Custer about half way to the border with Wyoming I stopped to check out Jewel Cave National Monument. Proclaimed a National Monument by Teddy Roosevelt back in 1908, Jewel Cave is currently the fifth longest … Read more

Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone National Monument - Old Stone Face rock formation

Thus far on my road trip I’ve basically been making up plans as I go along. But my main goal for sticking around in this area was to visit Pipestone National Monument in Pipestone, Minnesota. I’ve had this on my “to do” list now for a few years and it never came together but happily … Read more

Tyler Forks Dells Falls

Tyler Forks Dells Falls - Long Exposure

My main destination for today was a spot called Tyler Forks Dells Falls, a series of rapids, falls, and cliffs. I visited back in 2019 but couldn’t find the trail, and couldn’t pull them up online as I had no reception. Today I had maps, cell service, warm temperatures, and nothing but time to explore. I … Read more

Superstition Mountain – Lost Dutchman Museum

Lost Dutchman Museum - Elvis Memorial Chapel

Last stop on this trip and for 2019 as a whole. I had to stay close to the airport in Phoenix to catch my flight. I tried a few local parks and attractions within the city area but it’s Sunday with perfect weather so everything is overrun and crowded. Struck out a couple times before … Read more