Out West

The good news is, we are home safe and sound.

The great news is,  Daniel and I still like each other after 42 hours in a car together!

It took us approximately 5 days to make the stops we intended, with the exception of Denver (thanks, rain), and I saw SO MUCH AMERICA. It was pretty gratifying to mark "ROADTRIP!" off the bucket list I made in middle school when driving long distances seemed about the most "grown up" thing a person could do.

The Grand Canyon (Arizona)

If I had the words to describe how breathtaking, mesmerizing, overwhelming, and awe-inspiring the Grand Canyon truly is, I would use them now. Instead, I tried to pick the photos I thought best displayed these qualities, but unless you've seen it for yourself, pictures and words just don't do.

~sO sAsSy~

*blurry* but here is Daniel casually risking his life

And me risking mine

Four Points Monument (AZ, NM, UT, CO)

To make it from the Grand Canyon in North Western Arizona to the Four Points Monument in New Mexico, you must drive through hours upon hours of no cell service, radio signal, and a literal no-man's land. And if you're us, rain. But, once we got there, I marked yet another thing off my bucket list: Standing in four states at once!

Daniel is standing in New Mexico and I'm ALL THE WAY IN UTAH. We thought this was real clever.

Crazy Horse Memorial (South Dakota)

This was not in the plan, but it so neatly fit in with Mount Rushmore than we had to stop. Crazy Horse Monument is a work in progress that will eventually (in about 60 years) be completed and stand larger than Mount Rushmore. Standing Bear, a Native American Indian Chief, wrote to Polish sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, saying "carve us a mountain so that the white man will know the red man had great heroes also." Crazy Horse was the hero Standing Bear referred to. 

The best part about the Crazy Horse Memorial is the pride surrounding this project. Each employee on the campus was so incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. It is very clear that the folks running this show are doing it for all the right reasons, which warmed my heart to the fullest. I definitely plan to visit in the distant future to see the progress they've made! (Google this to find out what the end result will be--it's pretty impressive!)

Crazy Horse was also a great warm-up for the next thing to come!

Mount Rushmore (South Dakota)

And Chuck, we didn't forget to say hello to SD for you

The St. Louis Arch (Missouri)

This was the last stop on the trip before Kentucky. The Arch is a relatively quick, affordable sight to see if you are driving through St. Louis. If you're afraid of heights and it is particularly windy that day, don't do it. The arch actually sways---as in, go to the top, stand still, and feel it moving back and forth. Kind of scary but mostly cool. 

To get an idea of how TINY the capsule is that takes you to the top, here I am in front of the door.

It reminds me of the inside of a dryer. Which is not a pleasant comparison.

The view from the top

I took a picture of this dude when I visited the arch in elementary school. I had to take another.

I had the best road trip date of all time. 

Now that it is over, it's time to plan for the next thing.

It's officially official. I bought my one-way ticket to New York City and I'll be moving there in October. I am sticking around the bluegrass to celebrate my 24th birthday with friends and family before I the big, scary, wonderful move happens. I guess I won't be Kiley in Kentucky anymore? I'll have to brainstorm on that one.