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Pike’s Peak, And Taking In An Air Force Academy Football Game – Day 34

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 12, 2019
Categories In Colorado, The Days Of The Trip
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No visit to Colorado Springs would be complete without a visit to Pike’s Peak.

Termed America’s Mountain, Pike’s Peak is one of the most famous mountains in the country.

The 19 miles that it takes to drive up to the 14, 115 foot summit provides you with some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.

From towering alpines growing from the mountainsides to the beautiful reservoirs below there are views that last for miles.

Not to mention you can also see a working gold mine in the distance below.

pike's peak summit view — The view from the top of Pike’s Peak looks surreal.

However, to enjoy the views from the summit, you must first tackle a few obstacles.

The Summit of Pike’s Peak

Because we arrived on a Saturday, we expected that we would encounter a larger crowd than during a weekday visit.

And we were correct. As soon as we turned onto Pike’s Peak Highway, we knew that we were in for a long wait.

For those that have been there, we were stopped well beyond the entrance to the North Pole building.

This was about a half of a mile to the Pike’s Peak entrance. However, it was a beautiful day so we didn’t mind. We rolled down the windows and enjoyed the fresh mountain air.

Once we passed through the gates, we were free to explore the 19 mile drive up to the summit.

Although the drive is quite windy, there are several spots that you can pull off to enjoy the scenery. And of course to take a few photos.

But there is nothing like the views from the top of Pike’s Peak Summit. That is of course if you can stand the altitude.

At 14, 115 feet above sea level you can definitely feel a difference in your body.

Wobbly legs, slight shortness of breath and pressure on your head are common symptoms when on top of the summit.

It definitely took us a few minutes to get used to the feeling before we decided to explore the area.

But the views are ones that we just couldn’t miss!

Air Force Academy Football Game

After we enjoyed the trip to Pike’s Peak we decided to head a little further north to the Air Force Academy.

air force football — We had the pleasure of attending the Air Force Academy football game while we were visiting Colorado Springs.

Their football team had a home game against Fresno State and we decided to take in the festivities.

Although we aren’t true fans of either team, we both love football. We had already attended a high school football game in Nebraska.

And we are planning on heading to the Denver Bronco’s game tomorrow. However, college football is one of our favorite sports.

And because we were so close we thought this would be a great opportunity to attend a game.

air force cadets — The cadets of the Air Force Academy sitting together to cheer on their team.

But we didn’t realize we were in for something special.

Air Force Academy Atmosphere

First of all, everyone was extremely polite and friendly. Both the civilian fans and the Academy cadets had nothing but respect for each other and the visitors that attended the game.

The sight of the thousands of cadets sitting together in the stadium was nothing short of amazing.

They cheered not only for their own team, but also the opposing team as they took the field.

But the experience got even better right before game time. We sat in awe as jumpers parachuted to center field carrying not only military flags, but also a huge American flag.

And then we had the pleasure to witness a flyover of two fighter jets right above our heads.

The sound of the boom as they passed gave us both chills.

It is an event that happens every game day. But as a veteran standing next to us said, ‘It never gets old.’

Although we will probably never make it to another game here at the Air Force Academy, we are proud of the young men and women who serve our country. And we are thankful that we were able to share this experience with them.

Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 34 of 365
States Visited 6 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 7
Stayed In : Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Miles Driven : 215.3
Total Trip Miles To Date : 4647.2
Total Gallons Used : 346.81
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 87.6
Hiking Miles : 3.2
Hiking Miles To Date : 89.3

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Riding Trains, Exploring Denver, And An Amazing Boulder Experience! Day 33

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 11, 2019
Categories In Colorado, The Days Of The Trip
1 Comment on Riding Trains, Exploring Denver, And An Amazing Boulder Experience! Day 33

Friday in Colorado was perfect from start to finish, including an unforgettable dinner experience in Boulder!

There is nothing like getting to ride a train or two to take in the sights of a few beautiful cities. And that is exactly what we did today in both Denver and Boulder, Colorado.

Downtown Denver — The blue skies made for a perfect backdrop to Denver’s skyline.

One day after a snowstorm blew through, the skies turned sunny, and the temperatures soared back into the mid 50’s. It was time to explore!

Denver has a really nice public transportation system of trains and buses. The lines not only cover the main Denver area, but also serve some of the surrounding cities as well.

boulder experience — The home of the Denver Broncos, Mile High Empower Field.

And with a train station right around the corner from our campsite, it was an easy choice to give the truck a rest, and let someone else take the wheel.

It turned out to be a great choice. For about $10 each, we purchased two all-day access tickets to ride the entire Denver transport system. And did we ever use them!

In a single day, we covered much of downtown Denver, including a train ride out to Mile High Stadium for a tour. And finally, another trip using the transit system for an unforgettable Boulder experience in the evening.

Exploring Denver

What a morning in Denver it was! The city is simply beautiful, and the blue sky and crisp cool temps made it perfect for walking around.

We checked out everything we could. Including Union Station area and the entire 16th Street District, which is lined with shops, restaurants and more.

Next up was a short train trip out to take a tour of Mile High Stadium, the home of the Denver Broncos. Since they happen to be in town this weekend, we are going to head back on Sunday to take in a game as well.

Finally, we finished our downtown Denver experience with a train ride back in to the city, and a great lunch at the classic Denver Diner.

Getting to visit and eat at so many coffee houses, diner’s and other unique eateries has certainly been one of our favorites on this trip. And the Denver Diner was a great one!

An Amazing Experience In Boulder

Our afternoon in evening in Boulder was nothing short of spectacular. What an amazingly beautiful city. Home to the University of Colorado, this town is full of life and vitality.

Experience Boulder — The view of Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado

After checking out the campus, we headed down to iconic Pearl Street to walk around and look for a place to enjoy dinner.

I could go on and on about Boulder, but I want to end with an amazing story of an incredible little place on Pearl Street known as Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery.

After walking around, we noticed the overflowing crowd, and decided it would be a great place to enjoy dinner. And were we ever right!

As soon as you walked in, you felt the positive vibes coming from all corners. The place was packed with customers, so we decided to head up to the counter to sample a few of their brews and wait for a seat.

And it was there that we met Sydney and Andrew behind the counter. Two of the most refreshing and wonderful people we have met so far, and we have met a lot of great ones!

As we sampled a couple of their delicious brews, we both noticed something you just don’t see in restaurants very often. Every single staff member was having a blast. I mean, really having fun working!

Boulder experience - Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery — Sydney & Andrew paused to take a selfie with us. Just two of the many great associates at Mountain Sun

Mountain Sun Pub & Brewery – A Different Approach

Helping each other wasn’t a question, it was how they operated. We could have spent 10 hours there and not told you who was a manager. Because they were all taking charge and taking care of everyone.

We ended up staying at the counter area for the entire time, talking to both Sydney and Andrew. You couldn’t help but feel good just being around them.

To boot, we learned the kindness and laid back atmosphere extends to their business policies as well.

Here is my favorite: As a cash & check only business, they sometimes will have customers who only have a credit card. Well, no worries here.

If that happens, they simply hand you a pre-stamped Karma envelope. No taking of names or addresses. No checking up. They just hand you an envelope and you send it in. Love it!

What an amazing place, and what an incredible experience in Boulder.

Denver Transit System — Using the Denver Transit system allows us to simply enjoy the day

Traveling really does restore your faith in how wonderful people and places can be.

Now it’s time to rest up for tomorrow’s adventures – Pike’s Peak and an Air Force College Football Game! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 33 of 365
States Visited 6 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 6
Stayed In : Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Miles Driven : 2
Total Trip Miles To Date : 4431.9
Total Gallons Used : 330.59
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 87.6
Hiking Miles : 0
Hiking Miles To Date : 86.1

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

You can follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

A Snowy Day in Denver and a 65 Degree Swing in Temperature – Day 32

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 10, 2019
Categories In Colorado, The Days Of The Trip
No Comments on A Snowy Day in Denver and a 65 Degree Swing in Temperature – Day 32

It is hard to believe that just yesterday we were in shorts hiking around Rocky Mountain National Park and today we are faced to tackle a snowy day in Denver.

Although it wasn’t a big surprise that we would be faced with this today. The weather forecast has been calling for this storm to arrive for a little over a week now.

In fact, we shortened our trip in Cheyenne, Wyoming to try and miss the large amount of snow and frigid weather that was predicted to arrive.

Leaving Wyoming early Wednesday morning allowed us the opportunity to explore Rocky Mountain National Park in glorious 80 degree temperatures.

But more importantly, it allowed us to arrive and set up camp before the foul weather moved closer.

The Cold Front Heading Our Way

After dinner last night we witnessed first hand the shift in weather conditions. We were heading outdoor to hike around the beautiful ponds near us when a wind gust nearly knocked us off our feet.

snowy day in denver — When we decided to leave this morning, it took awhile for the truck to heat up and the snow to melt off the windshield.

Then in the distance Jim pointed out a huge dust storm that was heading our way.

Being visitors to the area and being that we had never experienced anything quite like it, we stood there in awe.

That was only until the dirt start flying and pelting us forcefully in the face.

We quickly ran for the camper door and watched the gusts of wind whip around everything that was in it’s path.

After about 10 minutes of watching out the camper windows, we questioned whether or not that we were going to get a chance to get out and hike or not.

But just as quickly as it moved in, the wind gusts suddenly ceased to exist. Don’t get me wrong, it was still breezy but manageable. And you could definitely feel the warm temperatures dissipate and the cold air begin to move in.

snowy drive in denver — Luckily we only had a short drive to the coffee shop. We drove slowly and in 4 wheel drive until we made it there safely.

So after a spectacular day of views of the Rocky Mountains and hiking and biking in shorts and t-shirts, we braced ourselves for the anticipation of a snowy day in Denver.

Snowy Day Activities

When we woke up in the early morning, there was just a dusting of snow outside.

However, the temperatures were continuing to drop and by the time the sunrise appeared it was snowing heavily.

We could hear those around us scraping the ice off their windows as they prepared to go to work.

For those of you that are snow lovers you might anticipate all the things that you could do in a Colorado snow fall.

writing at a coffee shop — Not your typical snowy day activities in Denver, but the winter recreation activities aren’t open yet.

Skiing, snow shoeing, snowmobile riding, and more might have crossed your mind.

However, none of the winter time recreation facilities are open for business this early in the year.

And with temperatures predicted to be back in the 70’s early next week, you can understand why.

So what do you do when you have a snowy day in early October in Denver?

We worked at New Terrain Brewing Co. and sat right next to the fireplace. As you can see, we got so warm that we had to take our coats (and sweatshirts off).

For us, we decided to dedicate the day to writing.

Writing on a Snow Day in Denver

Because there is so much to see and experience in and around Denver when the weather cooperates, we both agreed that today would be a good day to spend indoors writing.

We needed to carve out a little time for writing articles, recipes, and more. And there is no better time than a snowy day to accomplish this task.

So we headed to a local coffee shop to warm up and let the writing begin.

Those 3 hours flew by quickly, but we both got a lot accomplished. So we decided that after we made lunch back in the camper to head back out to write for another few hours.

This time we sat inside New Terrain Brewing Company to write comfortably next to a fireplace.

new terrain brewing co. snow — No matter how cold it gets, it never gets old looking at the Rocky Mountains, especially through a window!

We thoroughly enjoyed the wide open atmosphere and our bones warmed up within minutes as we sat at a high top table right in front of the fire.

In fact, we got so warm that we both took off our coats, hats and even sweatshirts within the first hour of being there.

But we didn’t mind the heat. Just the thought of the temperatures swinging 65 degrees to hit a record low this evening made us appreciate the warmth even more.

And now that we had most of the day to write, we are set to explore what Colorado has to offer over the next few days!

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 32 of 365
States Visited 6 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 6
Stayed In : Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Miles Driven : 12.3
Total Trip Miles To Date : 4429.9
Total Gallons Used : 330.59
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 87.6
Hiking Miles : 0
Hiking Miles To Date : 86.1

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

Hello Colorado! A Visit To Beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park – Day 31

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 9, 2019
Categories In Colorado, The Days Of The Trip
No Comments on Hello Colorado! A Visit To Beautiful Rocky Mountain National Park – Day 31

From the beauty of Wyoming, to the thrill of the Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, today was something special!

As we left Cheyenne and headed towards the Colorado border, we were treated to some stunning views.

Rocky Mountain National Park visit — The drive out of Wyoming and into Colorado was simply beautiful. As we stopped to take our state sign picture, it was hard to believe we were heading into our 6th state already!

From cowboys riding horses and moving cattle, to crystal clear lakes and streams drenched by a cloudless sunny day, we were surrounded by endless beauty.

The weather the last few days has been nothing short of terrific. With high’s in the 70’s and sunny skies, we have been able to hike and bike outdoors at will.

Rocky Mountain National Park — Just one of the many streams we saw today as we crossed the border into Colorado. The colors of autumn are all on full display, adding even to the views.

But that will all change tomorrow! Another early-fall snowstorm is heading in from the North. And this one will be dropping a few inches of snow on us.

By tomorrow, the 80+ degree temperatures we enjoyed late this afternoon outside of Denver will struggle to get into the 20’s.

Billings, where we just visited and hiked a few days back is really getting hit. In fact, with up to a foot of snow!

With the snow coming tomorrow, we decided to head to Rocky Mountain National Park today. The drive into the park was nearly as beautiful as our time inside.

The good news – by late Friday, it will already be back near 50 here. And into the 60’s by Saturday.

But with the snow coming, we decided to spend today visiting the Rocky Mountain National Park. And is it ever breathtaking!

The Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain is our 6th National Park / Monument we have visited so far on the trip. And to this point, it is certainly near the top of the list when it comes to favorites.

As we drove in, the sheer size of the mountains takes your breath away. It amazes me that somehow, they were able to carve a road through it all.

The streams that run through the mountain range are a sight to behold as well. And the colors of fall only served to paint an almost surreal picture.

I somehow have developed a habit of singing whatever song applies to each day’s travels while we are driving in the car.

Fall in the Rockies – what a beautiful time!

And I am pretty sure that after today, Mary is ready to not hear me singing John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain High” for awhile!

But the song is so fitting. The fresh air. The rolling streams and soaring pines. It just makes you feel so alive.

The Next Few Days…

The Denver area will be our home for the next few days. We are going to branch out for day trips to Colorado Springs, Boulder and Estes Park to name a few.

Scenes like this made the drive into Colorado a great experience.

And Sunday, we even hope to head over to take in a Denver Bronco’s game. Snow or not, it’s going to be a great week in Colorado! Happy Traveling – Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 31 of 365
States Visited 6 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 6
Stayed In : Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Miles Driven : 190.2
Total Trip Miles To Date : 4417.6
Total Gallons Used : 329.65
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 87.6
Hiking Miles : 4.2
Hiking Miles To Date : 86.1

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

A Visit to Cheyenne, Wyoming – Botanical Gardens, Boots & Beer, Day 30

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 8, 2019
Categories In The Days Of The Trip, Wyoming
No Comments on A Visit to Cheyenne, Wyoming – Botanical Gardens, Boots & Beer, Day 30

As we wrapped up journey through Wyoming, we had the pleasure of spending the day and night in Cheyenne, the state capital.

We arrived in town early in the day and decided to visit the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.

Cheyenne Botanic Gardens

As most of you know, we are avid gardeners ourselves. And any chance that we get to visit or speak about gardening, we jump on the chance.

This time, we found this amazing gem of an attraction after doing a google search on what to experience when visiting Cheyenne, Wyoming.

cowboy boot in cheyenne, wyoming — In front of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is this large cowboy boot sculpture. Throughout the entire town of Cheyenne, you can see a variety of cowboy boots that have been uniquely designed and decorated to represent the city.

Actually, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is Wyoming’s only botanic garden. Although it exists in one of the most challenging gardening climates, the beauty of gardens, landscape and Grand Conservatory are definitely worth a visit.

They even have a Children’s Village on site that allows the visitors to interact and provides real-world examples of sustainability. Windmills, hand-powered water pumps, a roof-top garden and multiple raised garden beds fill the area.

Every inch of the space has been updated and utilized to make visitors feel welcome to enjoy the space at their own leisure.

windy cheyenne — We have informally nicknamed this state, Windy Wyoming. By the look of these large cottonwood trees, you can imagine why.

FREE Admission

And the most surprising fact of all, it’s 100% free to the public. There is no fee to walk through the Grand Conservatory, Children’s Village or the entire grounds of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.

Not to mention they hold several educational programs throughout the year, and quite a few weddings as well!

However, in an continual effort to keep it free to the public, they offer a membership program to those who want to give back to the community.

Without the support of the Friends of Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, they would not be able to provide such a beautiful facility and grounds for everyone to enjoy.

bunnies with a bunny sculpture — Even the real bunnies are interested in the sculptures in the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.

We literally could have spent all day there. However, because we had less than 24 hours to enjoy the city of Cheyenne, we pulled ourselves away from the beauty and serenity of the area and headed in the city.

The Streets of Cheyenne, Wyoming

As we drove through the streets of Cheyenne, Wyoming, we couldn’t help but to notice the historic buildings that lined every street.

On the north side of Cheyenne stood the large gold dome of Wyoming’s State Capitol building. And on the south end of Capitol Avenue is the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Both the dome and the tower on the old train depot building gives downtown Cheyenne a unique skyline.

Cheyenne, Wyoming train depot — The tower of the Historic Train Depot in Cheyenne that is now the home of Alliance Beer Company and more!

The depot has become a cornerstone of Cheyenne’s identity. It no longer services train passengers, but, like many depots in western towns that no longer have passenger train traffic, the depot has been repurposed for other uses. The depot features a railroad museum, restaurant, and its lobby plays host to a number of community events.

So we decide to head to the train depot to have a quick drink before dinner.

What we didn’t know is that we would be experiencing something unique.

There was a large crowd around the entrance off the Accomplice Beer Company. So we decided to see what all the fuss was about.

When we entered into the lobby, we realized that the famed restaurant was also a brewery.

Being rookies to the area, we asked our host to guide us through the ordering process.

That is when we knew we were in for a treat! Unlike most restaurants or tap rooms, the Accomplice Beer Company offers self-pouring taps of a variety of beers that they have brewed on-site.

Self-Pouring Beer Taps

Yes, you read that right. You pour your own beers!!! Upon entering the restaurant, they give you a plastic card that is connected to your credit card account.

When you want a beer, or a small taste of one, you place the card above the tap that you want to try. Once you pour the liquid into the glass, it charges you by the ounce.

self pouring taps — Self-pouring beer taps – what a unique way to serve beer!

What a fantastic way to be able to try a variety of beverages!

Because we had never heard of such a concept before, we asked Jared, our server if this was a typical practice in Wyoming. He explained that this was a unique concept to Accomplice Beer Company, and it simply has taken off!

And by the size of the crowd on this Tuesday evening, I would say that he was correct!

After a couple of samplings, we decided that we would head back outdoors and explore the town of Cheyenne a little more.

Cheyenne is home to many historic buildings, including The Wrangler.

The beauty of the buildings, shops and restaurants made us want to come back for more!

Although we have to cut our stay short in Cheyenne due to a snow storm and frigid temperatures that are expected to arrive tomorrow night, this is one state and town that we will definitely come back to visit!

Happy Traveling!!! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 30 of 365
States Visited 5 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 5
Stayed In : Cheyenne, Wyoming
Miles Driven : 208.9
Total Trip Miles To Date : 4227.4
Total Gallons Used : 313.14
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 87.6
Hiking Miles : 3.6
Hiking Miles To Date : 81.9

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here: Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

A Stop In Casper Wyoming – And A Mountain Of A Hike!

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 7, 2019
Categories In The Days Of The Trip, Wyoming
No Comments on A Stop In Casper Wyoming – And A Mountain Of A Hike!

One thing is for sure, our single-day stop in Casper, Wyoming on Day 29 certainly taught us that we are not quite in tip-top hiking shape.

Oh, we are getting a little better with every hike and bike ride – but today’s hike got us for sure!

Perhaps we should be a little more cautious when a trail has an asterisk by it’s name for climbing difficulty.

We may have killed ourselves a bit with the hike up Casper Mountain, but it was so worth it for the views.

A Little Stop In Casper, Wyoming

One of the things we have learned so far on this trip is that every city, no matter how small or large, has a story to tell. And along with it, something to always see or do if you are just willing to look.

And our stop in Casper, Wyoming is the perfect example of that.

We decided to stop and stay in Casper for the night on the way to the capital city of Cheyenne. And we were both pleasantly surprised at just how beautiful it is, and how much it has to offer.

With a population of just under 60,000, the city today has a thriving park system, a historic downtown area, and an impressive ongoing revitalization effort.

Casper is known as the “Oil Capital of the Rockies,” and has seen many boom and bust times right along with the oil industry.

It’s a bit funny, but the name of the city actually comes from a misspelling. It is named after Lt. Caspar Collins, who in 1864 was in charge of the U.S Fort in the area, so named Fort Caspar.

The view of the surrounding valley and the city of Casper below.

Unfortunately, when they decided to make it a town to be named after him, a newspaper misspelled it as Casper, and it has remained that way ever since!

The Bridle Trail Hike And The Falls At Casper Mountain

So back to that hike. And what a hike it was as we traversed the trails at Rotary Park.

Rotary Park is really a treasure to the city. With multiple hiking trails, steel bridges, benches and sitting areas throughout, there is something for everyone.

The autumn colors were on full display during the hike. With temperatures in the 70’s, it was simply a great day for hiking. The forecast here for Thursday though – a low of 10 and a high of 25!

We started off with a short hike up to Garden Creek Falls. The falls are at the base of Casper Mountain, and are one of the few falls we have visited where you can walk right up to the cascading water.

The Climb That Got Us…

From there, we decided to hike the Bridle Trail, a 4.5 mile hike with off-shoots everywhere. Including a steep rock and step climb that overlook Garden Creek Falls.

That was the one that got us! We had already walked a good 6 miles up and around all of the trails and off-shoots, and then decided to do the climb.

The Garden Creek Falls at Rotary Park in Casper, Wyoming.

By the time we got to the top of the main outlook, we were already at an elevation of 6250 feet. And it was certainly affecting our “in-shape” feeling just a little bit. Okay….a lot.

The top of Casper Mountain actually tops out at an elevation of 8,130 feet. And no, we certainly didn’t even think about going there.

But wow, what beautiful views of the city and surrounding mountains. It was certainly worth the effort to make the climb.

Rotary Park Casper, Wyoming — Rotary Park is certainly a treasure for the city of Casper

When we finally got back down, it was straight to the camper for dinner – and sleep!

Tomorrow it will be on to Cheyenne to see the capital city! See : Dates For The States

And probably take a day on the bikes instead of hiking. 🙂 Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 29 of 365
States Visited 5 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 5
Stayed In : Casper, Wyoming
Miles Driven : 130.5
Total Trip Miles To Date : 4018.50
Total Gallons Used : 297.66
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 87.6
Hiking Miles : 8.2
Hiking Miles To Date : 78.3

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Enjoying Thermopolis, WY and Our First Hot Springs Bath – Day 28

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 6, 2019
Categories In The Days Of The Trip, Wyoming
No Comments on Enjoying Thermopolis, WY and Our First Hot Springs Bath – Day 28

Today we had the pleasure of visiting Thermopolis, WY. But it wasn’t because we had planned to make a trip there.

In fact, neither of us had ever heard of the town of Thermopolis until this past weekend.

As we were sitting at restaurant in Cody, WY, our friendly server was asking us about our trip around the country.

We told him how much we were looking forward to seeing the hot springs and geysers in Yellowstone National Park.

That is when his eyes lit up and asked if we had planned a stop in Thermopolis.

Not knowing anything about this town, we asked him for more information.

thermopolis hot spring — The world’s largest hot spring and the bridge that crosses over the river.

He told us that it was the location of the World’s Largest Mineral Hot Spring. And if that wasn’t enough to peak our interest, he also explained that you could actually take a natural hot spring bath there as well.

That is when we knew that we had to make a stop there! And lucky for us, when we checked where it was on the map, it worked out perfectly in our travel plans.

Leaving Cody and Heading To Thermopolis

After a few wonderful days in Cody, we started our journey southwest across Wyoming, towards the state capital, Cheyenne.

But instead of driving straight through, we decided to break the trip up and stay in a couple smaller towns along the way.

Therefore, our first overnight stay was planned for Riverton. That is when we realized that we would be driving right through Thermopolis along the way!

big horn river thermopolis — A view of the Big Horn River that runs through Thermopolis.

Although we hadn’t previously planned to stop, we now knew that this was a must see town.

So we drove an hour south of Cody and ended up at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis.

Hot Springs State Park

As soon as we entered the park, the faint smell of sulfur filled the air. Not knowing exactly what to expect, we put our bathing suits in a bag and headed toward the recreation area.

The temperature outside was 56 degrees F. However, it felt warmer as the sun was out and the breeze was all but absent.

thermopolis hot springs bath — The outdoor public hot springs bath. Where you can enjoy sitting in 104 degree hot springs water.

We first came across a large building that had a pool that extended from the inside to the outside.

However,we were shocked to see that the outdoor pool area was still open in October. Although it made sense when we saw several families outside enjoying the warm water.

We continued our walk to explore the area and came across the Public Bath House. This is where anyone can come in an enjoy soaking in a Natural Hot Springs Bath, for free!

The temperature of the water is 104 degrees F, the standard temperature of a hot tub.

mineral rock — On our bike ride through town, you can get a closer look at the mineral formations from the run off of the hot springs into the river below.

We knew that we had to enjoy this rare opportunity while we were in Thermopolis. So we both changed into our swim suits and headed outdoors.

Although the smell of the minerals from the hot springs was in the air, we entered the therapeutic water.

We sat on a bench that allowed our entire body to be submerged in the hot springs water. It was so relaxing to be outdoors, looking at the geological formations around us.

Mineral formations:

hot springs over flow — The hot springs water runs over the cliffs to the river below.

We really couldn’t believe that if it wasn’t for someone telling us about Thermopolis earlier in the week, we would have driven straight through the area!

When we got out of the hot springs bath, we decided that we should walk the area and get a closer look to the world’s largest mineral hot spring.

There is a path that leads you around the hot springs area. You can see the water steaming out of the ground and running towards the river below.

There are variations of colors streaming over the rocks and the mineral deposits along the river bank are simply amazing.

Wind River Canyon

After we spent time exploring Hot Springs State Park and biked the town of Thermopolis, we decided to hit the road towards Riverton.

But what we didn’t know was that we would be driving through Wind River Canyon. Which may hold the prettiest views in Wyoming!

Although you are just a few miles south of Thermopolis, the roads quickly change. In fact, within minutes, you are driving towards the bottom of a large canyon. And off to the right is the majestic wind river.

wind rive canyon — I could only imagine that spectacular views that those who are on the train get to see as they travel through the canyon.

The views were absolutely stunning!

And on the other side of the river, there were train tracks that followed the river’s path.

As much as we both enjoyed the scenery among us, we couldn’t help to imagine the incredible views that you could see if you were lucky enough to be on that train.

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 28 of 365
States Visited 5 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 5
Stayed In : Riverton, Wyoming
Miles Driven : 146.3
Total Trip Miles To Date : 3888.5
Total Gallons Used : 288.0
Biking Miles : 11.3
Biking Miles To Date : 87.6
Hiking Miles : 2.6
Hiking Miles To Date : 70.1

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

An Amazing Day In Cody, Wyoming – A City Rich In Old West History! Day 27

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 5, 2019
Categories In The Days Of The Trip, Wyoming
No Comments on An Amazing Day In Cody, Wyoming – A City Rich In Old West History! Day 27

If you have never been to Cody, Wyoming, it certainly needs to be added to your “Must-Visit” list!

Situated on the upper western-edge of Wyoming, Cody sits just 52 miles from the eastern entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Cody also happens to be located along the beautiful Shoshone River, nestled beautifully between both the Beartooth and Absaroka Mountains.

Just miles outside of Cody, Wyoming, this was our view as we headed for a day trip to Yellowstone National Park.

For just those reasons alone, it is more than enough to make it a must-see stop for visiting.

But Cody has so much to offer visitors than just a chance to see one of nation’s most majestic National Parks or take in the stunning sights of the surrounding mountains and Shoshone river. So much more!

In fact, it was just recently named Wyoming’s most beautiful town.

The rodeo stadium at the end of town is always a lively place in season.

And after spending today walking the street’s of Cody, it is easy to see why.

It was so neat as walked around to discover the history of this bustling old western town that now boasts a population of 10,000 residents.

The History of Cody, Wyoming

Incorporated in 1901, Cody was founded by none other than the famous Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody.

Buffalo Bill first passed through what is now Cody in the 1870’s. And it wasn’t long after, he came back to settle the area to become a destination point for travelers the world over.

The Irma Hotel & Restaurant

In 1902, Buffalo Bill built the Irma Hotel & Restaurant. He named the hotel after his youngest daughter Irma, and today, the Irma is still going strong. It continues to be an iconic stopping point for visitors and locals alike.

The Iconic Irma Hotel & Restaurant in Cody, Wyoming.

In fact, we were lucky enough to saddle up to the old bar and enjoy a great dinner at Irma’s on our visit to Cody, and loved every minute of it.

It’s hard to believe we were sitting in the same hotel and restaurant where Buffalo Bill and others such as Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane had dined as well.

The old bar at Irma still has some of the classic old rifles on display that helped shape the west and the town.

We spent the entire day visiting and enjoying all of the shops that lined the main and side streets downtown. And believe me, there are a lot of them to enjoy – including artist studios, specialty shops, breweries, restaurants and more!

Meeting New Friends – The Best Part Of The Trip

Without a doubt, the best part of this trip has been, and will remain to be, all of the amazing people we get to meet along the way.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t end today’s article with the story of two such wonderful new friends we made while in Cody.

As night fell, we walked into a local brewery to see if we might be able to catch a little of our home-state Ohio State Buckeyes on TV.

Meeting the Hannans In Cody Wyoming — What an incredible night talking, laughing and meeting our new friends the Hannan’s

It just so happened, the Hannan’s, who recently moved to Cody from Ohio, were there as well for the same reason.

Well, it didn’t take us long to find each other. And by the end of the evening, we ended up all sitting together, talking, laughing, and realizing that we shared so many common things beyond our love of our home state football team.

There are so many incredible people all over this country, and we love meeting them all. And tonight, we can add the Hannan’s to that list for sure!

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary.

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 27 of 365
States Visited 5 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 5
Stayed In : Cody, Wyoming
Miles Driven : 10.5
Total Trip Miles To Date : 3742.2
Total Gallons Used : 277.2
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 76.3
Hiking Miles : 1.5
Hiking Miles To Date : 67.45

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

An Amazing Day Exploring Yellowstone National Park – Day 26

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 4, 2019
Categories In The Days Of The Trip, Wyoming
2 Comments on An Amazing Day Exploring Yellowstone National Park – Day 26

If you have ever visited Yellowstone National Park, you are going to understand why there will be a few words and lots of pictures in today’s daily update.

Neither of us have ever been to Yellowstone, and we were afraid that Mother Nature was going to make this trip impossible.

However, the roads that were temporarily closed due to the epic snow storm last week, were now reopened.

So we took the opportunity today to head to the East entrance to explore what Yellowstone National Park had to offer.

And to be completely honest, it was way more impressive than we could have ever hoped for.

Not only did we get to see magnificent views of the landscape along the way, we also had a few up close encounters with the native wildlife.

But the most amazing part of the trip was being able to experience the variation of weather from the morning to the afternoon.

Check out the pictures below to see not only the natural beauty of Yellowstone National Park, but also how quickly things can change in a matter of hours.

Buffalo Bill State Park

Yellowstone National Park

Some of the Wildlife We Encountered

Bison at Yellowstone national park — As we drove around the scenic byway towards Fisher’s Bridge, we saw several Bison. This one was several feet from us, but with the magic of a zoom lens, we were able to get an up close picture of him as he was forging on the grass.

Grizzly Bear in Yellowstone National Park — As we continued our travels, we noticed a few cars pulled off in the distance. There were several photographers there that were pointing their large lens cameras in the forest. We decided to pull off as well and see what was happening. In the distance, you could spot a grizzly bear digging in the area to find it’s next meal. It was hard to get a good picture, but we have circled the bear in the above picture so you can take a look.

We also saw a nest of Bald Eagles perched in the peak of a pine tree. However, because they were so high up in the tree, our cell phone pictures didn’t turn out worthy of posting.

But I can tell you, it was very humbling to watch the once endangered species feeling comfortable in their little home located in Yellowstone National Park.

And yes, we saw Elk. But more on that below….

The Landscape

burnt forest — Scattered throughout the landscape you will see thousands of acres that have been victim to forest fires. You can see the stripped trunks of the trees are scorched black and in the distance there is new growth that is starting to flourish. As sad as it is to see, it also was beautiful in its own way.

hot springs — Hot springs are present in many places within Yellowstone National Park. This one was at the entrance to a hiking trail and was boiling and steaming as we took this photo.

snow covered mountain — The snow at the higher elevations was simply beautiful. And as we continued our drive towards Old Faithful, it actually began to snow again.

Old Faithful at Yellowstone National Park — No trip to Yellowstone would be complete without viewing Old Faithful. We waited about 50 minutes for it to erupt – a sight that we have both wanted to experience since we were kids. There were several other geysers in the area and it was amazing to watch the steam and hot liquid spew from miles below the earth’s surface.

The Snow Returns

snow covered roads — The drive back to the East entrance was much different than our morning drive. We no longer had beautiful and clear skies. Instead, we had large snowflakes falling on our windshield and the visibility was much more limited. And as you can see, the roads were covered in some areas.

elk in the snow — But because the newly fallen snow covered the area, it was easy to spot Elk in the distance. They were forging around an old cabin and they were easy to see against the backdrop. So we pulled over to watch their grace and beauty for just few minutes This also gave us a break from the intense drive back to the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

If we had to explain today’s adventures in one word, it would be Majestic!

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 26 of 365
States Visited 5 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 5
Stayed In : Cody, Wyoming
Miles Driven : 261.20
Total Trip Miles To Date : 3731.7
Total Gallons Used : 276.42
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 76.3
Hiking Miles : 3.1
Hiking Miles To Date : 65.95

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States

Follow along by signing up for our twice weekly email updates at the bottom of the page. You can also follow us on Facebook : Live Simple Tour Facebook and Instagram : Live Simple Now Instagram Page.

The Beauty Of Montana In Photos – And Heading To Cody, Wyoming! Day 25

Post author By livesimplenow
Post date October 3, 2019
Categories In Montana, The Days Of The Trip
No Comments on The Beauty Of Montana In Photos – And Heading To Cody, Wyoming! Day 25

A look at Montana in pictures…

Sometimes, pictures are the only way to tell a story. We thought for today’s update, we would showcase a few of our favorite photos from our drive through Montana and let them speak for how beautiful the “Treasure State” really is.

And as you can see from today’s first featured photo at the top of our article, Montana has some incredible views!

We had to shorten our stay in Montana this week a few days due to the snow in the west.

But that doesn’t mean we didn’t have the opportunity to see the amazing beauty Montana has to offer. And today’s drive on Highway through Red Lodge as we headed towards Wyoming was the perfect example. We hope you enjoy the photos and descriptions below.

The Incredible Beauty Of Montana In Pictures

With the snow-capped mountains in the background , this photo almost looks fake. But it certainly isn’t! As we left Billings, Montana to drive toward Red Lodge, Montana and eventually the border of Wyoming, it was surreal to see these wide open views everywhere we looked. As vivid as the photos are, they simply don’t do it justice.

The surrounding fields were so breathtaking, so we pulled into a cattle ranch entrance to snap a few photos. And has been the case with Montana folks all throughout this week, we were greeted graciously by the rancher telling us all about the ranch and the towns around. He told us it was good we were coming through now, because in about a month or two, there would be a few feet of snow everywhere!

Montana in photos — It is hard to describe, but the air is just different here in Montana. It is so crisp, and so clean. Montana doesn’t have a lot of cornfields, but this one was simply beautiful set against the mountain backdrop.

The Town Of Red Lodge

We stopped to walk around and have lunch in Red Lodge, Montana – and what a treat. It is an incredible little “old-western” town with a modern feel for western art. Artist’s shops dotted main street, as did a huge collection of great little shops and restaurants. We enjoyed a fantastic lunch at Fosters and Logan’s along with some wonderful conversation with one of the owners who transplanted here long ago from the East Coast. It was easy to see why.

And as we headed out of Red Lodge, we were greeted with this incredible rolling stream. The sounds were sensational, and the view stunning. It was hard to leave, but we finally climbed back in the truck and headed for the Wyoming border – and the town of Cody.

Hope you enjoyed Montana in pictures. Tomorrow’s photos should really be a treat as we head in to Yellowstone for the first time ever! You can check out all of our past days of the trip so far here : The Days Of The Trip

Happy Traveling! Jim and Mary

CURRENT TRIP STATS

Day 25 of 365
States Visited 5 / 50
National Parks / Monuments Visited : 4
Stayed In : Cody, Wyoming
Miles Driven : 128.5
Total Trip Miles To Date : 3488.5
Total Gallons Used : 260.29
Biking Miles : 0
Biking Miles To Date : 76.3
Hiking Miles : 2.2
Hiking Miles To Date : 62.85

About Our Living Simple Tour

On September 9th, 2019, we set out in our NuCamp T@B 400 Teardrop Camper to travel to every state. You can check out all of our dates here : Dates for the States