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For this blog:

This blog is about our cross country drive from California to Illinois to visit family, and back.  On our return we decided to take the scenic route and headed north up the Mississippi River along the Great River Road.  Then, from La Crosse WI, we headed west on Route 90.  There was much to see and experience and it was all new to both of us. 

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    Badlands

    La Cross, WI

    Nobles Pioneer Village

    Porter Sculpture Garden

    Driving through South Dakota

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June 28 - Bonneville Salt Flats and Flaming Gorge

We left later (on 6/27) than intended and did not make it all the way to Salt Lake City, stopping 1 1/2 hours short in Wendover, just at the Nevada/Utah border.  Today we drove thru the Bonneville Salt Flat on 80.  

Along the way we saw the metal Utah tree but it was right on the road, no pull off, and we were moving too fast to get pictures.  About 15 miles east of Salt Lake City we stumbled across the Saltair Resort.  The resort was built in the 1890s and used to be a big draw for people escaping from the city and enjoying a swim in the lake.  Since then the lake receded far from the resort and the resort fell into disuse.  In recent years it has been partially restored and is used as a concert venue.

From here we drove down to Flaming Gorge.  Mary remembered hearing about this from her parents who had vacationed here one year...but she had never been here.

At lunch we visited with some of the other diners, who were local.  They recommended a side trip to the Sheep River Canyon loop road...great suggestion.  The drive was beautiful... 

and we saw a bear...

and great rock formations.  These photos are from the Sheep Creek Geological Loop Drive.

Then it was on to the Red Canyon overlook.

We tried to get a room at Red Canyon Lodge but it was sold out.  Fortunately, the owner called the Flaming Gorge Resort - we got the last room there.

 

June 29 - Flaming Gorge

We headed out first thing for a hike along the rim of Flaming Gorge.  The views were spectacular.

While on the hike we saw a herd (flock?) of Big Horned Sheep not too far off the trail.  Sort of exciting.

Of course, on the walk Mary needed to take some flower photos. 

These is a large bridge that crosses the gorge.  

We were going to go hike about two miles, until the trail turned away from the rim before looping back.  But about a mile into the hike, black clouds started coming our way, with lots of thunder.  So, we turned back and made it to the car just before the rain started.

We then drove to several overlooks, 

and we found views of the dam,

and then drove on up to 80.  There was lots of very pretty country on the way to 80. 

Once back on 80 we found a great lunch stop in Rawlins - Rosas lariate Mexican café, a little hole in the wall, reputed to be the best Mexican food in Wyoming - and it was very good.  It had one table for four and about 12 counter stools.  We ended up in Laramie for the night.

June 30 - Laramie and driving through Wyoming

We spent the morning touring the famous Territorial Prison in Wyoming...mentioned in many old Western movies.

The prison complex also included a number of out buildings with interesting exhibits.

After we finished touring the prison we got on our phone to search for a nearby lunch spot.  We found Melissa's.  When you think of Wyoming you think of the Great West and Beef.  Melissa's was an awesome vegetarian restaurant - who would have thought to find a vegetarian restaurant in Laramie.  It was very good.  We had Indian (not Native American...Indian as in from India).  They also had Mediterranean, Italian, Mexican and Cuban.  What an incredible mix.  They were very busy.