My Roadtrip Out West


I’ve been so busy lately, buying a new home and putting my old one on the market, and going on a trip out west with my Dad. Things are finally starting to slow down, just as my busy wedding season ramps up. I thought I’d take this time to share some of my favorite photos from our road trip. We spent 9 days driving out west as far as Montana to celebrate my Dad's birthday. 

We drove from Southern Indiana straight through to South Dakota before stopping in Badlands National Park. We drove the main loop through the park and went on a short hike, finishing up as a storm was moving into the area.

Dramatic sunset over the Badlands with sun rays piercing through storm clouds above the rugged landscape.

Storm over Badlands National Park

Just as we were leaving the Badlands, we saw our first bit of large wildlife, a sheep grazing by the roadside.

A bighorn sheep walks along a dirt path in the grasslands with mountains visible in the background.

Sheep at Badlands National Park

A bighorn sheep grazes in the wild grasslands with rocky badlands terrain in the distance.

After leaving the badlands, we traveled to Wall, SD, where we spent the night so we could visit Wall Drug in the morning. We had a tasty breakfast at Wall Drug and did some shopping before heading out. We passed through the Bighorn Mountains and some beautiful scenery on our way to our Airbnb in Cody, Wyoming. Our little rental was perfect for our 3-day stay, with a stunning view.

Sunset over an arid desert landscape with scattered shrubs and cacti silhouetted against an orange sky.

View from our Airbnb at sunset

We spent our first day in Cody shopping and sightseeing. On our second day, we went to Yellowstone National Park, driving the main loop and stopping at a few key areas like Old Faithful and the Mud Volcano. My favorite photo though comes from Artist's Point.

Dramatic canyon view of Lower Falls in Yellowstone with turquoise river winding through steep rock walls.

View from Artist's Point

Dead trees stand sentinel on a desolate beach landscape.

Yellowstone National Park

Vibrant turquoise hot spring pool surrounded by colorful mineral deposits in Yellowstone National Park.
Steaming geysers and thermal features on white mineral flats in Yellowstone National Park.
Serene mountain lake reflects surrounding pine forest and distant peaks in wilderness setting.

Yellowstone National Park

We saw so many buffalos, both alone and in herds. One even crossed the road right behind our car. We went to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West on our third day and toured the five museums within.  

Majestic American bison standing alone in a grassy meadow during summer.

Buffalos in Yellowstone National Park

Close-up portrait of a bison showing its distinctive horns and shaggy fur.
Wild bison with shedding winter coat grazing in a green prairie field.

On our way home, we decided to go through Montana and spent the night there. We then returned to South Dakota to see some more sights. We stopped in Deadwood and did some shopping, then headed to Devil’s Tower. Pictures don’t do the tower justice. It is huge! If you look closely at the picture on the left, you can see someone on the rocks toward the bottom right.

Devils Tower monolith rising against cloudy sky with sun peeking through.

Cell Phone Pictures of Devil's Tower

Devils Tower National Monument framed by pine trees with sun glowing through misty clouds.

After Devil’s Tower, we headed to Mount Rushmore, and then back home.

Visitors walk along a pathway lined with international flags leading to Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota.

Cell Phone Pics of Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore carved mountain peak rises above forested hills against a blue sky.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial showcases massive rock carvings against a cloudy sky.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have had this time with my dad and to be able to see more of our country.