Last week I posted that my friend Kat and I had won a road trip from Chicago to Boston. Turns out we won a different route – U.S. Route 20 from Chicago to Casper, Wyoming. That route doesn’t have as much to see, and it means I won’t be able to stop in Pittsburgh and see friends and family.
But the good news is we still get a free week-long trip, and once our journey to Wyoming is complete, on the way back we’re going to head north through North and South Dakota! If you’ve been following my blog, you know those are the last two of the lower 48 states that I have yet to set foot in. By this time next month, I’ll have seen all 48. For someone who had only seen six states up to the age of 25, that is pretty amazing.
We’re gonna camp in the Badlands for a day or two. I’ve been researching this park, and I’m really excited because they have two of my favorite animals: Bison and bighorn sheep! Since I won’t be making it to Yellowstone this summer, seeing bison in the Badlands will have to suffice. And I love bighorn sheep and managed to see a few in Colorado last summer, but only from far away through a telescope. I’m on a mission to see some with my own eyes and take pictures.
So stay tuned. For our trip to Wyoming, we’ll be blogging and posting videos on www.exploringmyamerica.com. You can go there now and register. We’re the Route 20 Ramblers. When it comes time to travel (August 15), vote for us every day as your favorite team – if we get the most votes during that week, we win an extra $500!
Though we are being given a traveling budget, we want to make sure it will last the whole trip. We’re hoping to do some camping under the stars instead of staying in hotels. There’s also that ‘donate’ button in the right-hand column of the page you’re currently reading. Feel free to throw a $5 or $10 credit card contribution our way if you like.
So during our trip to Wyoming (August 15), we’ll be posting videos on exploringmyamerica.com. Starting August 22, come back to this blog to read about our travels through North and South Dakota and back to Chicago.
We’ll see you on the road!
9000 Miles 
Have a great trip. If you come up to the ND badlands, don’t spend all your time in the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Make sure, if you get a chance, to visit the north unit right outside of Watford City, ND. Admittedly, I spend more time there because it is closer to me(live north of the north unit), but I think the north unit is even better than the south, if you want a more natural experience, since the north unit doesn’t have nearly as many visitors. The ND badlands are greener than the SD badlands.
Bison are the main animals you will see(if they let you 😉 ), but when they let you close, they let you CLOSE. We were there last week, and there were babies running around! Beware of getting too close to them however. They only tolerate so much attention before you tick them off.
ND is a beautiful state, and it is the state most likely to be ignored. Keep your mind open and enjoy the people and the natural beauty all around you.
You know it must be good if a California born and bred girl like myself settled here and has no intention of ever leaving, 40below winters and all.
Again, take care and safe travels!
Oh, yes. If you like to hike and you are brave, make sure you hike a little bit of the Maah Daah Hey Trail. AWESOME!
Thanks for the tips!