I’ll post some of my favorite shots from the Road Trip West. America is an amazing country and seeing it by car totally rocks. Since the folks that lived here for tens of thousands of years before Europeans had some time to get things right, I always study whatever Native culture I can find. Tipis particularly fascinate me. Perhaps some day I’ll build one of those in the backyard (I’ve been gathering old EPDM for the covering).

Most of us also love tools. In an outdoors shop in Boulder, CO, a climbing tool display caught my eye. I liked how they displayed the various implements of construction.

South Dakota remains one of my favorite states. Touring Deadwood always amuses, Rushmore inspires, Custer State Park amazes and The Badlands are just plain awesome. I loved this barbed wire graphic found in a hotel in Custer, SD.

In honor of our nation’s B-Day, Clay and I scampered up the rocks to the foot of Mt. Rushmore. I told him the story below about the first time our family visited Mt Rushmore, when our kids were 9 to 14.

Walking up the stairs at Mt. Rushmore I decied to head over to the restroom (a normal move for me.) As I stood outside the restroom I had a great view of Mt. Rushmore and decided to stand their and slowly say the Pledge of Alliegence. I was surprised at how moved I was by this action. I got Debby and the kids to come to this same spot and told them I wanted them to do something with me. I said “I know this may sound odd, but I want us all to stand here and say the pledge of alliegence.” We did.

After we finished and were walking away, Lex said “Dad, maybe that special feeling was just something you had cause it was just stupid for the rest of us.” I was undaunted and continued chattering on to Debby about these great men and how their lives helped form our country. Debby looked at me and said “I don’t even know who those 4 guys are.” At which point we all cracked up.

Hey Debby, it’s George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt.

Finally, we spent a day in Chicago on our drive home. Millenium Park and Stage dazzled me. I particularly enjoy the reflective structure that just seems to pull people into it. My grandsons felt the pull.

If you have a chance to drive around a portion of America, do it. You’ll be inspired and amazed. We mostly all speak the same language the cost of fuel won’t kill you. I know I came back tired but recharged, ready to fight the new battles and embark on the new adventures that lay out before me. Hope you’re the same.