Yellowstone NP

The drive down to Yellowstone was a lot like Mount Rushmore, long, straight roads for miles. I did enjoy the burrito we had on the way there. (This is us actually leaving Yellowstone...

...and leaving our cute yellow hut)

Our cute little yellow hut which we stayed in for two nights.

Waiting for Old Faithful to go off and he sure did take his time. James looks like he is about to fall asleep!

Something is happening, look behind you!

When it did go off it was quite amazing 

Now going off for a trek to look at 200 feet high view of Old Faithful

Look what we saw among the way, a chipmunk

Come on, nearly there!

Just a little further and Ild Faithful look like he was ready for another eruption!

And there you go. It was worth the climb.

Day 2: Going to Grand Teton NP

Once again family bullying the youngest !

Beautiful view of the Grand Teton mountain range.

We weren't even looking at each other 

One stinky hole because sulphur smelling like EGG

A view of the Yellowstone's Grand Canyon behind me 

The Lower Falls of Grand Canyon on Yellowstone. Mum had firm grip of me.

........anddddd bisons. "You lookin' at me?"

10 hour Journey to Mount Rushmore

The journey down to Mount Rushmore was very long but also memorable. We made quite a few stops along the way to take some pictures and do some climbing.

The view from the car of the Badlands NP

Crossing the road like the Beatles with a long straight road ahead. Walk quicker, car coming!

The family and I at Mount Rushmore, everyone just looking a little tired 

After a long day, we had our first good meal since Ames at a retro American dinner   

NO WI-FI

My post today is to say that I am sorry I haven't done a blog post yet for Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone. We have been staying in a little cabin with no wi-fi, but we stopped off at a McDonalds so I could got my dose of Internet for an hour. Will be doing a blog post tomorrow so keep watching this space. 

Corn, corn and more corn

Day 2 staying with our friends, Janet and Peter. Today was a shopping-free day. It was time to see some of the delights of Story County.

Setting off for our boat ride and a barbecue on the Great Creek.

Having a nice time sun bathing and soaking up the rays.

Happy family munching on yummy homemade guacamole and chips.

CORN !

When we arrived back home, we experienced Smores for th first time.

The next day, we managed to squeeze in a little retail therapy before the IOWA State Fair.

Just getting started. Which stick shall I start with?

We had a close up look at some great animals.

Had to be done.

Then James and I were interviewed by Ed Wilson, chief meteorologist at who.tv. It was exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. Ed and his camera man were really friendly.

It was a really great day and we have really enjoyed our time in Iowa.

Ames, Iowa

 Just arrived in Ames to visit some family friends 

 Family wearing our Iowa State t-shirt 

 Getting a pedicure treatment

 Me and James amazed by the US mail box 

 Watching the world go by 

Went to dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory, hoping to see Penny from 'The Big Bang Theory'

Me, father and my massive strawberry smoothie  

The lost days in Chicago

When we arrived in Chicago I was not very well so I'm sorry if I look really green. This is me at the top of Willis Tower the tallest building in Northern hemisphere after having been in the longest queue in the Northern hemisphere.

My mum persuaded me to go out on the ledge. I thought it was exciting but at the same time it made me queasy but that could just have been my current state of health.

I had to sit down in the shade and my mum looked after me in the Millennium Park. 

We had lots of fun in and around The Cloud Gate, taking photos of our distorted reflections in the sunshine.

Everywhere we looked there were lovely views. 

On our second day in Chicago we went to the Chicago Institute of Art. We were supposed to go the day before but I wasn't up to it. I was feeling slightly better today. This was the entrance is Millennium  Park. Not a cloud in the sky!

The sun was so bright, we had to wear shades.

Mum and I walked around together. We saw some paintings by some of our favourite painters.

Kandinsky 

Dali

No idea but I liked it!

You will be pleased to know that as I write this I'm feeling MUCH better!