Monday Maunder: July 15, 2013 (On The Road Edition)

Greetings from the Big Sky!!

The last time I posted was two weeks ago.  It has been an unusual couple of weeks, so I will not be sticking with my usual formatting this time around for the usual Monday Maunder.  Instead, I am going to just share a few of my highlights for your enjoyment!

In the last 15 days, we have traveled in and out of 6 different states, putting on 2000+ miles between my own little car and a rented RV.  

In the state of South Dakota, we walked the paths surrounding Sioux Falls, hiked the trails of Mount Rushmore, and walked with giant tortoises in the Reptile Gardens.  We also spotted a mountain goat and watched a snake and alligator show.  The latter had me on my seat with intensity, ready to cover my children's eyes at the slightest hint of incoming damage!

We traveled through Yellowstone National Park in a RV (six members of my family!).  The first night of camping made me glad I was in a hard-covered camper because four bison were chilling about 25 feet away!  We also spotted moose, elk, deer, and many more bison throughout the Park as well as grizzly bears and wolves in West Yellowstone.  We saw waterfalls, geysers, hot pots, and more.  One day alone we walked about 8 miles and I loved every minute of it!  I grew up very close to this wonderful little place, so it was fun to re-discover and remember all the good times that were had!

We visited a number of old ghost towns in the state of Montana, walking through crumbling cemeteries, touring the cities on old converted fire trucks, hiking to gallows, sitting in old school rooms, panning for gold and garnets, and even exploring the infamous (from my childhood!) two-story outhouse!

Our adventures continue, but are slowing down and I look forward to not being in a car for extended periods of time over the next couple of weeks.  I hope to get in more reading, finally finishing Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.  I will be a guest at my aunt's book club later this week, so keep your fingers crossed for me that I can even squeeze in that book as well before we meet!!  

My children and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time on the road, but it is starting to wear on us.  We miss sleeping in our own beds, having my husband and their daddy a part of our daily lives.  A case of the crabbies are starting to set in as evidenced by increased grumpy episodes from all of us!  Thankfully, our increased time of relaxation this week should cure some of this to get us through until we return to the comfort of our (new temporary) home.

I have postponed all posts until I return home, but will try to check in as I can for the usual Monday Maunder.  Next week will put me back in limited internet access territory, so no guarantees there.  But, you can continue to follow our adventures through pictures on my NEW Tumblr account, Tif Talks Books & Beyond!!  There are a number of pics over there from the last couple of weeks already!

Since I have had such limited access to the online world, fill me in on what I have missed!  What have you been reading?  Where have your adventures been taking you?  Any big breaking news?