In Mountain View, CA

We have finally arrived in Mountain View, CA and are in Google housing. Today we went to visit the Winchester Mystery House home of Sarah Winchester, wife of the creator of the Winchester Rifle. Cool house, with 160 rooms with lots of doors, windows, and staircases that lead to nowhere...read more about it at http://winchestermysteryhouse.com/thehouse.cfm.

After going on the house tour we went to see the movie, Pacific Rim; Phelan's choice of course
(yes, because I like things that are good. -Phelan). Overall it was entertaining, but they kept playing the same song over and over...and over, and the acting left a little to be desired. At 4pm we were able to check into the Google housing we have for 2 weeks. It is a very nice furnished apartment at the Park Place apartments in downtown Mountain View.

Now is the time for us to start to adjust to our new surroundings. The last few days have been tough with our hearts heavy missing friends and family, and Vermont. We do hope everyone at home knows how much we will miss them and how grateful we are for all the support they have given us and continue to give us. Please stay in touch and visit whenever possible, as we will do our best to do the same.

-Carol

We've finally arrived! I echo everything Carol said. We love you guys, and miss you all. Although the trip is over, the blog isn't quite done yet. After all, we still have to move in to our apartment...
-Phelan

Day 8

It's going to be a short one tonight, sketchy Wi-Fi means I'm writing on my phone. We made it through Nevada to California today, which means the trip is almost done! We found a really nice skatepark in Reno today, but it was incredibly hot out which lessened my enthusiasm somewhat. Aside from that, it was a lot of driving on empty roads through construction until we hit California. I think we are both looking forward to having a home base and a lot less driving.
-Phelan

Day 7

Things I learned about Idaho today:

1. It is generally flat and featureless. 
2. The state to its south is Nevada. This state is also generally flat and featureless.

After a nice breakfast in the B&B (called the Grand Victorian) we stayed at in Jackson's Hole (charming would describe it pretty well), we hit up the local skatepark. There was a little kid on a scooter doing some pretty amazing stuff, and the park itself was pretty passable. We also visited two parks in Idaho to break up the monotony. The first was fun but crowded, and the second was full of non-skateboarding trolls. As we drove up, we had the pleasure of witnessing a fight break out. In the interest of not getting shanked, we quickly drove out the way we came. I know it's hard to be a follow-up act toYellowstone, but c'mon people! 

-Phelan 

We have now stopped for the night in Elko, NV. We crossed into the Pacific time zone around 5:30pm Mountain time, so 7:30pm Eastern time. The drive today was pretty boring...to be fair we did only drive along the bottom of Idaho, and everyone knows what to expect from Nevada. It is not letting us down in that regard, smokey casinos attached to hotels, and signs advertising ladies available 24 hours a day. So far not too impressed...These are the days when we miss the rolling green mountains of Vermont for sure (Phelan says: yep, today made us quite homesick! Miss you guys). 

-Carol 

Jackson Skatepark 

Idaho, just across the Wyoming Border

Idaho Falls Skatepark

Day 6

After an adventurous (uncomfortable) night in the tent, we decided to fancy it up this evening by staying at a bed and breakfast in Jackson Hole, WY. We looked at the pictures we took today over some pretty delicious pizza, and came to the conclusion that the scenery was just TERRIBLE :). We did a whirlwind tour of Yellowstone today. I had a strange feeling of deja-vu when we walked through the thermal fields and hot springs, and I realized that I had seen them before... in Skyrim (Eastmarch Caldera I think). Maybe the developers looked to Yellowstone for inspiration? Seems possible. Kind of neat when you recognize a place that you've never walked through physically before. We also had an interesting encounter at Fairy Falls, but I'll let Carol tell that story. We finished off our trek by driving through the Teton's National Park. Pretty breathtaking views.

-Phelan

Today was fairly eventful...started out the morning around 7am because we couldn't stand to stay in the tent any more; low was 39 last night and our tent although small enough to keep us warm enough was a little too small for me in the spacial sense. I just like to be able to sit up. We took a hike out to Fairy Falls which was a 2.6 mile hike out and back. When we got there we noticed a climbing rope hanging down about 50ft up from the water, but down the front of the face of the waterfall. Much to our surprise in the middle of taking pics a guy rappelled down the rope to the bottom, and then decided to just drop off the bottom into the pool below the waterfall. Well next thing we know he is going headfirst into the rock face! Thankfully he had a helmet on. Phelan and the other guys in the picture below ran over to make sure he had not passed out. He was ok as far as we know...Phelan had him follow his finger to see if his eyes were responsive and they were. (Although the guy did have one lazy eye which at first Phelan was very concerned about, but he then reassured Phelan that he normally has a lazy eye). The guy then proceeded to hike back up to the top of the falls to warn his buddy not to try it. Scary start to the day.

Phelan really wanted to see a bear today, but no such luck. We did however see several elk, a herd of buffalo, and two moose (mom and baby). Sorry no pics of the moose yet, I will post my pictures from my camera when we have arrived in Mountain View.

- Carol

Just before he fell...

Fairy Falls 

Upper Falls Yellowstone

Tetons

Paint Pots 

Mammoth Hot Springs (not sure what is going on with my face in this)

Day 5

First thing we did today was visit a park in Cody, Wyoming. It was a fantastic park, smooth and skateable with super fun concrete bowls, and the added bonus of friendly locals. Afterwards, it was off to Yellowstone for us. We saw a couple of elk, went to old faithful, and generally soaked in more natural wonder than you can spray a can of bear repellent at. Majestic seems like too cliched of a word to use, but damn it, it sure does fit in this case.
-Phelan

Day 4

Another scenic day today. We were amazed by Mount Rushmore in the morning, walked through a limestone cave, drove through the black hills, made it to the Devil's Tower, and finally arrived in Worland, Wyoming for the night. I managed to hit a skatepark in Buffalo WY too. It was a little hard to ride, with pretty extreme drop-ins and some high walls, but it was fun. I would probably have enjoyed it more if I hadn't eaten so much ice cream beforehand...
-Phelan

Started out in Keystone, SD (tourist trap)...but right next to Mt. Rushmore so that was worth seeing. Today as Phelan said was pretty full. We were trying to decide which was more impressive manmade wonders, or natural wonders...both are impressive. What do you think? We are headed to Yellowstone tomorrow. Here is the animal tally so far...15 or so Antelope, one mountain goat, town of prairie dogs, and 6 or so deer, and of course various other small rodents that don't need to be named. Not sure if we will be able to post from Yellowstone but we will try. After that onto the Tetons.
-Carol

Mount Rushmore (perhaps obviously)

Hey GOOOOAT!

Rushmore Cave

Bouldering at the base of Devil's Tower

Buffalo, WY

Big Horn Mountains, WY

Day 3

Made it from the middle of Minnesota to the base of Mount Rushmore today, but it is a little late so we are turning in and planning on seeing the monument tomorrow. We started in the birthplace of the Jolly Green Giant, visited the (undoubtedly) only corn palace in the world, drove through Badlands National Park in awe the whole time, and were both over and underwhelmed by the madness that is Wall Drug. America is beautiful and soooo weird.
-Phelan

Day 3 and feels like we have been driving forever...really only a little more than half way. Started the day with the movers calling 7am in Minnesota time (central) we have now crossed into Mountain time. Thankfully Mom was on her way to meet the movers at the apartment. Mt. Rushmore tomorrow, and hopefully some more skateparks, and Devil's tower. Saw some antelope and of course prairie dogs. Bedtime for me...
-Carol