quick update...

We are planning to head out first thing tomorrow and drive 15 hours to get home... but since I am back at my computer after two days without internet access, I thought I'd write a quick update.

We did find snow when we woke up yesterday morning, but decided to just go ahead and drive and see how the roads were. Well, they were fine. There were a couple of slushy or slightly icy parts just as we headed into the Black Hills, but the sun was out and the snow melted quickly. Once we got into Wyoming we discovered that they really know how to deal with snow on their roads (yay Wyoming DOT!) and even the mountain passes and National Forest roads were in fabulous shape.

We got to see Mount Rushmore and a LOT of rural Wyoming, which I didn't like nearly so much as rural Montana but that is probably because it was covered in snow and I don't like snow and didn't want to see snow. :-) I will give Wyoming the benefit of the doubt.

Last night we stayed at an inn in the Wapiti valley, west of Cody, Wyoming. We stopped for dinner in Cody and so it was dark when we drove out there. It was so cool to see the sun rise and discover we were in this incredibly beautiful spot between two snow-covered mountain ranges. The drive into Yellowstone's east gate this morning was extremely pretty and I wish we had been able to pull over and take lots of pictures.

We spent the day driving around Yellowstone where we saw a truly remarkable number of elk and bison, not to mention some cool hot springs and gorgeous mountains and lakes.

I have LOTS of photos to share but the family is getting ready for bed so I'd better go join them. If all goes well we will be able to sleep in our own beds again tomorrow!!