Pacific Coast Highway, California

Napa Valley

Napa Valley, CA was a nice day trip near San Francisco. Really quite enjoyable. It was hard to go wrong, everyone was super friendly and helpful. 

Big Sur

Big Sur, California. WOW! One of the prettiest places I've ever been. I enjoyed relaxing on the beach for a while. Mia enjoyed the nature walking and seeing the ocean over the cliffs.

Big Sur is a fantastic area along the California coast.

Driving through a tree

I fun little stop over during our drive up the California coast.

Redwood Forest

The Redwoods! WOW they are big! They are located all over California. Whether you're doing the coastal region or the east side near Yosemite you can see Redwoods. The really great Redwood area is just south of Yosemite national park.

We got to stand inside one of the trees (see picture below) and look up.

It's hard to get the scope of how tall they really are so I took the picture to the left. Keep in mind this is just an average Redwood, this isn't an especially big one.

July 4th

Happy July 4th Everybody!

Los Angeles take two

 I had fun with the lighting and palm trees on this stop through LA.

Yosemite

People don't talk about Yosemite National Park enough. This place is Beautiful and very user friendly. You can see all the sites handicapped or not. It is absolutely gorgeous and takes little to no effort to see. Of course there is hiking and camping if you want to. 

At some National parks you have to Hike to get to the great views, not is is not a requirement for Yosemite.

Crater Moon, Idaho

I never really figured out why this place was called crater of the moon, however it was a nice break in the scenery. It's Lava fields in the middle of no where.

Reno

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is quite beautiful. It's what I've always heard, and it is quite true.

Idaho

Grand Tetons

Just south of Yellowstone you'll find the Grand Teton National Park.  This is Mia's favorite park so far. She loved the views.  I enjoyed exploring the little bit I got to. Mia is always worried about me and snow. 

Yellow Stone

On the drive to Yellowstone National Park we saw tons of animals. What a great surprise to see this moose so up close! I think because I am so small I am fascinated by moose, they are my favorite animal.

If you get the chance summer, or winter, go to Yellowstone. It is a great park!

 Inside the park we got to see lots of bison. This guy walked right past our car. This picture was taken with no zoom!

Devil's Tower, Wyoming

Devil's Tower is most well known, at least for my generation is from "Close encounters of the third kind" a movie from 1977.  It is also a very interesting National Park located in North East Wyoming.  

There is a Prairie Dog Reserve located at the base/ entrance to the towers park area. It was the first time we'd ever seen Prairie Dogs in the wild. Mia loved it. 

You can view more pictures from this trip:

wyoming take two

OK... WOW

OK... WOW!

So Alaska got me distracted from the blog! BIG  TIME!

Time to get back on track! You would love to know what's been happening! Last I left you I was in Iowa so I'll pick up there. Well, actually I'll pick up moving on from there. In Iowa I did tons of wonderful stuff and I promise I will come back on those things at a future date, but I need to move along with my trip or I'll be done and home before I get you on to state #39!

So here we go...

Pick up America

We heard about this group traveling across America picking up trash. 

They are working across the country. Started on the east coast and headed to the west. 

They've done seven states so far. 

I'm inspired by young men and women taking on responsibility for the condition of our country and our world. 

Their blogs are interesting to read, they are looking for help if you're interested.

PICK UP AMERICA

April Wrap up

WOW!! 9 months down 3 to go!

Here's the link to August's wrap up if you missed it :) LINK 

Here's the link to September's wrap up if you missed it :) LINK

Here's the link to October's wrap up if you missed it :) LINK

Here's the link to November's wrap up if you  missed it :) LINK

Here's the link to December's wrap up if you missed it :) LINK

Here's the link to January's wrap up if you missed it :)LINK

Here's the link to February's wrap up if you missed it :)  LINK

Here's the link to March's wrap up if you missed it:) LINK

I'm now 75% of the time done with the trip!!  9 months done 3 to go.

I've done 69% of the states (33 out of 48)

Commonly asked questions

What states did you do in the month of April?  Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana

How many states are done in total? 33     Go HERE for the list and to see a map of all the cities I've visited.

*To update fully I in addition to the states went to DC and 1 foreign country - Mexico 

What's been your favorite (in April)? April has been an unusual month, filled with unexpected and "odd" sites: The Biggest Ball of Twine, Branson. It was also Mia's Birthday.  We also saw several beautiful places too: Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, Arches national Park (my favorite so far). In Kansas we saw the Wizard of Oz Museum.

Thank you again to everyone that supported us during the MS walk.

Don't forget my photos are up to date....  Lots of pictures in my albums.

Trivia I learned about myself this month:  I like off the wall sights and activities. Examples: Duck Pin Bowling, Six State Tower, 

What's been the hardest or least favorite this month? Mia was sick quite a bit in April. Nothing to stop or slow us down, just enough she was sort of grouchy and tired.

What's next? Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Northern California

________________________________________________

If you have any other questions or want more in depth answers please feel free to ask :)

This next month I'm continuing to practice the skills of staying in the present moment, and connecting with people as I meet them.  I'm also practicing being inspired by the small things, the everyday and common things of life. 

I am adding to my practice: Going to have some fun with Operation Beautiful:  Hope you join me on this fun project.

Will you practice with me?

Missed Blogs

I realized I missed some blogs.... those will be coming the next couple days & then we'll get back on track :)

Alaska

Mia got an offer yesterday to go to Alaska.  However I've crunched the numbers, we just can't afford it currently. We'd need another $300 to make it possible.

 I appreciate people's generosity and wanting to add to my adventures. This morning I was scrapping the idea of Alaska, for now, but then I thought... May be my followers would like to send me to Alaska.

If you are interested in seeing this happen I need donations by Monday.  Even 20 people donating $15 would get me to my goal. So I feel it is very possible to still make it.

If you're interested in seeing Alaska happen please donate HERE

Thank you for your support. 

Whether we go to Alaska right now or not... Taco adventures will be continuing since we haven't done all of the 48 yet!  So keep following along either way.