ROAD TRIP: WISCONSIN TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (Part 1 )

                                                

Yellowstone National Park, located primarily in the US state of Wyoming, is a place of unparalleled beauty and stunning natural wonders. It is a destination that offers something for everyone, making it an ideal choice for a family vacation. Recently, my family embarked on an unforgettable trip to Yellowstone, and it exceeded all our expectations.

A road trip is an exhilarating way to explore new places and create lasting memories. Our journey from Wisconsin to Yellowstone National Park included stops at Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, Red Lodge Montana, breathtaking Bear Tooth Pass, and a few quirky places in between. Our hope is that we inspire you to embark on your own adventure.

Bayfield Ice Caves

 

Bayfield, Wisconsin is home to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Under the right conditions, the beautiful mainland sandstone sea caves are turned into stunning ice caves in the winter by the wave action of Lake Superior.

SNOWMOBILING YELLOWSTONE NP

 

This adventure began with a flight to Boise, Idaho, landing in the dark, to meet our besties. From Boise we DROVE in the dark over 5 hours to West Yellowstone, Montana to the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

Dry Tortugus National Park

 

After reading about Dry Tortugas National Park online, I decided to fly over the park with Google Earth and was immediately intrigued. Soon after learning about this park, we started planning a trip to the Florida Keys with our besties, so I booked the trip to one of the country’s most remote parks. While there are plenty of online resources, the park is also mentioned in the book: Fifty Places To Camp Before You Die, by Chris Santella.

Florida Keys Fishing

 

During both of our trips to the Florida Keys we booked chartered fishing trips through Bamboo Charters in Islamorada. Captain Matt Bellinger has a variety of trips for you to choose from and the expertise and experience to help you catch a Lunker (aka Big Fish). Rods, tackle, licenses, bait, water, ice and fish cleaning are included in the price; sunglasses, hats, and snacks are not. You are welcome to bring beverages of your choice along for the trip.

Mammoth Cave National Park

EXPLORATION OF MAMMOTH CAVE

This past summer I had the opportunity to take a course that has been on my bucket list for sometime. Exploration of Mammoth Cave is a Karst Field Studies course offered through Western Kentucky University. This five day course covers the history, explorers, cave wars and discoveries of the World’s Longest Cave. Participants spend 6-8 hours a day underground exploring undeveloped passages and tourist trails that have been closed or never opened after construction.

Tyranena Brewery: Lake Mills, WI

 

The two of us really enjoy checking out craft breweries when we are On Adventure. On our way to Madison, WI we stopped at Tyranena (Tie-ruh-knee-nuh) Brewing Company located in Lake Mills, WI. This microbrewery and taproom offers a variety of signature and seasonal brews, with great names such as Bitter Woman IPA, Chief BlackHawk Porter, and Headless Man Amber Ale.

Belize

 

If you’re looking for a unique adventure while in Belize, then the Belize Jungle Trek Cave Tubing and Zipline Tour through Cave Branch River System, Nohoch Che'en Cave is not to be missed. The tour company will pick you up from hotels and resorts on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and take you  to this one-of-a-kind adventure. The small airplane ride from the island is an adventure in itself!

Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Plitvice (PLEET-veet-seh) Lakes National Park is the oldest and largest National Park in Croatia. It includes 16 turquoise colored lakes, joined by hundreds (at least it seemed like that number!) of waterfalls that run through a karst landscape (in other words, limestone and caves...lol). Walkways and hiking trails wind around and across the water: an electric boat links the upper and lower lakes.

Ireland

 

Ireland had never really been on our radar, but it WAS on the radar of our besties, so to Ireland we would go! When we began planning our trip, we discussed in great detail the type of tour we wanted to do and, being a group that likes to be On Adventure we decided on a tour, but not just an ordinary tour. While a big ole coach bus would get us to the typical sites, which we wanted to see, but we wanted to see and do some things that weren’t as typical on a tour and do that in an active way. Chosen by National Geographic Traveler Magazine in 2013 as one of the Top 50 Tours of a lifetime, the Vagabond 8 Day Wild Irish Rover Tour was the tour we ultimately selected and it did not disappoint!

Desert Hikes

 

During our visit to Indio, California we had to get some hiking in, there are so many opportunities in the mountains, the desert and just outside of town. So we narrowed it down to three hikes during our stay, "The Slot" in Anza-Borrego State Park, East Indio Hills Badlands and Tahquitz Canyon. Each of theses hikes has its challenges but all  three are so incredible beautiful and scenic you won't want to miss them.

As always be prepared wear sturdy hiking boots, bring plenty of water and snacks, sunscreen, first aid supplies and let your friends or family know where you are going and when you expect to return. Finally, check the weather forecast so you can dress appropriately and make an informed decision on whether to enter a slot canyon. Flash floods can be deadly if there is rain in the forecast or miles away, save the hike for another day.

Desert Art

Winter in Wisconsin was getting old so we decided to jump in the car and head west, no pulling the teardrop RV as it was buried in snow, we would be staying with friends this time. Four days and seven states later we arrived in Southern California. There is a lot of desert, mountains and canyons to explore in the Palm Spring area, so exploring we went. First stop the town of Borrego Springs, located approximately 86 miles south of Palm Springs. 

SEDONA, ARIZONA

Stop five of our epic southwest road trip, with our teardrop trailer, was Sedona, Arizona. From Williams we headed east on I-40 towards Flagstaff to south AZ- 89A. This hour and and a quarter drive takes you through Oak Creek Canyon. Oak Creek Canyon is a spectacular scenic drive of switchbacks descending the canyon river gorge. Please keep your eyes on the road as traffic can slow down near Slide Rock State Park and at trailheads. If you are pulling a big rig or are not very confident towing through switchbacks you can stay on I-17 south and come through Oak Creek to Sedona. Traveling in this direction will take an hour and a half. Definitely, come back and drive this National Scenic Byway once you settle into a campsite and unhitch your trailer.

Grand Canyon South Rim and Williams, Arizona

 

From Page, Arizona we headed south on US-89 towards Flagstaff, then west on US-40 to Williams. Williams is the gateway to Grand Canyon National Park and home to the Grand Canyon Railway. It is also the last town on Historic Route 66 to be bypassed by US-40, which occurred in 1984.

PAGE, ARIZONA

Stop three of our epic southwest road trip was Page, Arizona. Page is located on the border of Arizona and Utah and a stones throw from the south shore of Lake Powell. It is an easy two hour drive from Monument Valley, via US-163 and US-98. Page is fast becoming an outdoor enthusiasts playground like Moab, Utah. Page offers water sports, hiking, slot canyons, breathtaking scenery and even a golf course. Established in 1957 as a work camp during the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam, the town consisted of housing and "church row," the highest concentration of churches per mile in the world. Workers back then and visitors today can choose from 12 different denominations.

MONUMENT VALLEY AND BEYOND

Monument Valley was our second stop on our epic southwest road trip through Utah, Arizona and onto Southern California. The drive from Moab to Monument Valley is just under three hours via US-191S and US-163S. On the way you will pass beautiful Wilson Arch and Mexican Hat Rock. We enjoyed Navajo Tacos at Twin Rocks Cafe in Bluff, Utah. If you are pulling an RV, like we were, there is plenty of parking for your rig. Don't forget to stop at Mile Marker 13 to snap a picture of the spot where Forrest Gump stopped his run, in the movie of the same name. So you can get that perfect shot, pull-outs are available on both sides of the road. Don't forget to look for traffic before stepping out!

MOAB, UTAH

 

Moab, Utah is know for it's amazing red rock formations, hiking, biking and off-roading opportunities as well as its proximity to Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. Additionally, three National Parks ( Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef ), beautiful State Parks and several National Monuments are a day-trip away.

Asheville, North Carolina

 

Asheville located in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains is a beautiful city with plenty for the outdoor enthusiast to do. From driving the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Downtown Art District this beautiful city has something for everyone.

BADGER STATE BREWING COMPANY

Badger State Brewing is located at 990 Tony Canadeo Run in Green Bay, WI. This is right near Lambeau Field behind the Resch Center. No visit to La-la-la-la-Lambeau is complete without a visit to Badger State!

BOND FALLS

 

Bond Falls Scenic Site is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is 4 miles east of Paulding, MI on US-45.  If you prefer GPS coordinates: N46° 24.528', W089° 7.974'