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Experience the fascination of a tourist; Feel the comfort of the local

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  • Travel the U.S.A.
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Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge

Two Lane Gems

Excerpts from author Theresa L. Goodrich’s Two Lane Gems book series.

Snake River at Grand Teton National Park

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 11 – Yellowstone to Grand Teton

In 1872, during an era of unprecedented growth and the continued doctrine of Manifest Destiny, the U.S. government decided to set aside nearly 3,500 square miles for the enjoyment of its people. That land couldn’t be bought, stolen, or borrowed. It was there for everyone, and was a remarkable development at a time of almost …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 11 – Yellowstone to Grand TetonRead More

Grand Prismatic Springs at Yellowstone National Park

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 10 – Yellowstone

People often ask me what part of this road trip was my favorite. What was my favorite park, where was my favorite destination, what was my favorite experience. To use a cliché, that’s like choosing a favorite child. BUT. But, this day was up there. It was the place, yes, because you cannot not be …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 10 – YellowstoneRead More

Beartooth Highway

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 9 – Billings to Yellowstone

We’d chosen to overnight in an Extended Stay in Billings and, well rested, I practically jumped out of bed. Today was Yellowstone Day! And, AND, not only was it Yellowstone Day, it was Beartooth Highway Day! I was a wee bit excited. After a few days of emotional, information-packed experiences, we were ready for a …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 9 – Billings to YellowstoneRead More

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 8 – Devils Tower to Billings, Montana

The wind whipped my hair as I walked to the Belle Fourche River that morning, the sun’s sideways rays turning the landscape into an impressionist painting. I ignored the cheek lashings from my ponytail and felt the magnificence, the sheer splendor of Devils Tower. It’s hard for me to call it that. Everything about that …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 8 – Devils Tower to Billings, MontanaRead More

Mount Rushmore - The Faces of Liberty

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 7 – Black Hills to Devils Tower

A fine yellow dust covered everything. Jeannie the Jeep, the picnic table, our bikes, us. EVERYTHING. Mrs. Camp Host, a squat, gruff older lady driving a golf cart, pulled the tag from the post at the end of our campsite so new campers would know it was open. “It’s the pollen,” she huffed. “That lake …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 7 – Black Hills to Devils TowerRead More

Black Hills of South Dakota

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 6 – Cattle Ranch to the Black Hills

We left the next morning after a meal of strawberries and cream, hardboiled eggs, and homemade raspberry muffins. Before breakfast, we didn’t know where we’d be that day, except for a drive through Deadwood and a landing point somewhere in the vicinity of Mount Rushmore. After breakfast, we had a fistful of destinations and a …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 6 – Cattle Ranch to the Black HillsRead More

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 5 – Badlands to a Cattle Ranch

I’ve had a lot of early morning visitors while camping. Deer. A roadrunner. Rabbits. Turkeys (jerks). But, until this morning, never in my life have I stepped out of the tent and almost immediately come nose to snout with a creature as tall as our SUV and strong enough to smush me with one prairie-tearing …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 5 – Badlands to a Cattle RanchRead More

Park Ranger demonstrating how to use an atlatl at Badlands National Park

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 4 – Valentine to the Badlands

Is there anything as supremely peaceful as sitting in a camp chair by a wild and scenic river, sipping a cup of coffee while birds sing and skip from branch to branch on a tree that’s a mere two feet away? For me, that morning, the answer was no. Nature orchestrated the soundtrack. No constant …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 4 – Valentine to the BadlandsRead More

Ominous sky over Smith Falls State Park near Valentine, Nebraska

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 3 – Lewis & Clark State Park to Valentine, Nebraska

When we’re camping, my body has a very keen awareness of the sunrise. Like clockwork, when it’s still dark but the sky starts to lighten in the distance, it decides I have to go to the bathroom NOW. I’ve learned to keep slip-on shoes next to the air mattress and a flashlight in the tent …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 3 – Lewis & Clark State Park to Valentine, NebraskaRead More

Painted sign in Iowa City Iowa

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 2 – Iowa City to Lewis & Clark State Park

I woke up a few seconds before my alarm was scheduled to screech. I stretched, made sure I hadn’t gotten a stray chocolate chip on the pillow, and scribbled in my journal a bit before we showered, packed up, and headed downstairs. Breakfast at Brown Street Inn was a communal affair. The sideboard was loaded …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 2 – Iowa City to Lewis & Clark State ParkRead More

Chocolate chip cookie and tea - the perfect nightcap at Brown Street Inn

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 1 – Elgin to Iowa City

The drive was uneventful, unless you count what appeared to be funnel clouds off in the distance. Summer in Illinois means there’s always a possibility of a tornado, somewhere, but not this time. These formations, while ominous looking, were only a couple of clouds piled up in just the right way. I was grateful that …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Day 1 – Elgin to Iowa CityRead More

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Bison are Giant and Other Observations from an American Road Trip

I glared at the dumpster as rain attacked the windshield. This is NOT how I wanted to start our Epic Road Trip. Parked in the lot of a 7-Eleven, staring at a big green hunk of carnage-carrying metal while the wipers slapped and sloshed. We hadn’t driven more than two miles before we had to …

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Bison are Giant and Other Observations from an American Road TripRead More

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