Dani and Dad’s Excellent Adventure 2015

To Dad,

Cheers to the joyful three-week long road trip before my first year of college. Nights spent sleeping in the back of our makeshift camper, while days were spent exploring the wonderous national parks of the midwest. Traveling to seven states, the trip began July 22, 2015 and ended August 3rd.

Roadtrip begins from Scotts Valley, CA

Behold the back of the truck, featuring two removable wooden makeshift beds, coolers, and camping gear. Don’t forget the DIY shell equipped with plastic sheet skylight… Hey remember that one time it began leaking just as we were falling asleep because the sprinklers were going off at the gas station ? FUN TIMES!!

For the first night, we drove north to Reno, NV

Drove through Nevada, passed the Bonneville Salt Flats to Salt Lake City, UT. After a trip to Dancing Crane Imports, a quick glance at the huge white Mormon temple, we headed to the Hill Aerospace Museum. The entire time, Dad was giddy like a schoolgirl.

Back on the road, we drive north into Idaho heading for Yellowstone NP!

Heres the ridiculously long line of cars to get into the park

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.. blessed with a rainbow that lovely day

Dad and I giggled like 5 year olds when we say this thing because instantly our minds went to the gutter…

Next stop, drove south to see the Grand Tetons, WY

Dad in his 49ers chair enjoying the views of Jenny Lake

Dad and I spent hours carefully stacking logs to create giant balancing sculptures along the shores of Jenny Lake

Next adventure: swimming in the warm water of Homestead Crater, a limestone carved crater featuring a geothermal spring in Midway, UT.

We drive towards the south west corner of Utah, where we stop and check out Red Canyon

My dad is a visionary.. he sees the beer where no one else sees the beer, sorta like Homer Simpson..

Next stop, Bryce Canyon!!! I woke dad up before dawn to make sure we were the first ones on the trails, and to our enjoyment we explored the deep, winding canyon undisturbed.

Next on Dani’s crazy itinerary calls for exploring a secret lava tube within the barren lands of Utah wilderness. Dad and I scrambled into these dark igneous rock based caves that opened up into giant underground tunnels. I remember crawling around on my hands and knees in these caves alongside little children rambunctiously exploring the cave too.