Florida to Montana

[Contingency: Overland]

Had an amazing trip. Traveled over 6,000 miles and went explored other traveled through 16 states. Our destination was Yellowstone. It was by far the least favorite part of the trip lol. I knew it was popular but wasn’t aware it was to that magnitude. Being from Florida it was much like visiting Disney World with Bison instead of Mickey. We didn’t get to see one Grizzly. We were very disappointed, however we checked one off the bucket list. We loved South Dakota. We decided we will be going back. From staying in Jellystone for the kiddo, Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, camping and traveling the black hills, and camping in the Badlands with the prairie dogs (Sage Creek); we loved it. My favorite state to drive through was Wyoming. What a beautiful state and being a Western Movie and history fan, it was like being there. We had to cut out trip short by a week due to my teenage son getting sick. We got to stop off at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, and ate at Stanley’s BBQ in Tyler. If you’re near Tyler and love bbq, stop in. It is worth it. It was supposedly ranked number 10 in Texas, well I couldn’t even imagine what number 1 will be like. Lol. I knocked out 1,100 miles from Amarillo to Okeechobee in 1 1/2 days. Brutal and happy to be out of the vehicle. I shared just a few photos of the 1000s we took. We were already planning our next adventure. Slightly smaller excursion this time but we also decided we need a trailer so we can go off and explore a little easier than packing the tent back up every time. We’re hooked on this kind of life now. My 5 year old loved every minute and is asking when we’re going again already.

 

[grubworm]

very cool! that's a a big part of the trip the wife and i are planning for september. glad you had a fun and safe trip and so cool you took your 5 yr old on that. now THAT is going to be a memory that's going to stick with them! you said wyoming was your favorite state...cant wait to check it out myself. that has been a "must do" thing for many years now.

 

[Contingency: Overland]

very cool! that's a a big part of the trip the wife and i are planning for september. glad you had a fun and safe trip and so cool you took your 5 yr old on that. now THAT is going to be a memory that's going to stick with them! you said wyoming was your favorite state...cant wait to check it out myself. that has been a "must do" thing for many years now.

It is beautiful. We went through grand Tetons to 287. It was amazing. Will spend more time exploring that road. May go back next year.

 

[Billiebob]

Yellowstone. It was by far the least favorite part of the trip lol. I knew it was popular but wasn’t aware it was to that magnitude.

yep, I'm starting to like the "non tourist" parts of trips best. I'm also starting to like travelling in the shoulder, spring and fall but I'm retired so school holidays play no part in my vacations. 6000 miles is an epic journey.

We were often thru Wyoming growing up in the 1960s, my best memory was the Screaming Mimi at Thermopolis Hot Springs.

Strangely, my 12 year old mind thought it a much taller slide.
I think swimming has been a theme of every vacation.
1970 we spent a week skin diving off Key Largo.

I live in the mountains but want to go to Florida.
You guys live in Florida and come to the mountains.
Life is wonderful.

 

[Contingency: Overland]

Yellowstone. It was by far the least favorite part of the trip lol. I knew it was popular but wasn’t aware it was to that magnitude.

yep, I'm starting to like the "non tourist" parts of trips best. I'm also starting to like travelling in the shoulder, spring and fall but I'm retired so school holidays play no part in my vacations. 6000 miles is an epic journey.

We were often thru Wyoming growing up in the 1960s, my best memory was the Screaming Mimi at Thermopolis Hot Springs.

Strangely, my 12 year old mind thought it a much taller slide.
I think swimming has been a theme of every vacation.
1970 we spent a week skin diving off Key Largo.

I live in the mountains but want to go to Florida.
You guys live in Florida and come to the mountains.
Life is wonderful.

View attachment 204604

Swimming and fishing was the theme of this one. At least we tried. We learned a lot of lessons.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Had an amazing trip. Traveled over 6,000 miles and went explored other traveled through 16 states. Our destination was Yellowstone. It was by far the least favorite part of the trip lol. I knew it was popular but wasn’t aware it was to that magnitude. Being from Florida it was much like visiting Disney World with Bison instead of Mickey. We didn’t get to see one Grizzly. We were very disappointed, however we checked one off the bucket list. We loved South Dakota. We decided we will be going back. From staying in Jellystone for the kiddo, Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, camping and traveling the black hills, and camping in the Badlands with the prairie dogs (Sage Creek); we loved it. My favorite state to drive through was Wyoming. What a beautiful state and being a Western Movie and history fan, it was like being there...
...Brutal and happy to be out of the vehicle. I shared just a few photos of the 1000s we took. We were already planning our next adventure. Slightly smaller excursion this time but we also decided we need a trailer so we can go off and explore a little easier than packing the tent back up every time. We’re hooked on this kind of life now. My 5 year old loved every minute and is asking when we’re going again already.

Congratulations! Sounds like a great trip!

This was our assessment as well. We were just doing the same thing, but from Boston, back in mid to end of May. Yellowstone was amazing but we have the Whites, Berkshires and Greens not too far from us. The therms and pools, and a little more savage, but very similar to what is nearby. As a result, the Badlands - being completely alien to us - were our favorite. We stayed at Jellystone in Sioux Falls also. Very clean and well run compared to others.

We also loved the drive through Wyoming and concluded that a travel trailer is in our future.

Definitely want to go back. The first time is almost like a dry run. We identified a bunch of places we missed or wanted to spend more time at, so I really want to go again.

Glad you had a nice go, overall. Sorry to hear about your son but I hope he is all better

 

[Contingency: Overland]

Had an amazing trip. Traveled over 6,000 miles and went explored other traveled through 16 states. Our destination was Yellowstone. It was by far the least favorite part of the trip lol. I knew it was popular but wasn’t aware it was to that magnitude. Being from Florida it was much like visiting Disney World with Bison instead of Mickey. We didn’t get to see one Grizzly. We were very disappointed, however we checked one off the bucket list. We loved South Dakota. We decided we will be going back. From staying in Jellystone for the kiddo, Deadwood, Mount Rushmore, camping and traveling the black hills, and camping in the Badlands with the prairie dogs (Sage Creek); we loved it. My favorite state to drive through was Wyoming. What a beautiful state and being a Western Movie and history fan, it was like being there...
...Brutal and happy to be out of the vehicle. I shared just a few photos of the 1000s we took. We were already planning our next adventure. Slightly smaller excursion this time but we also decided we need a trailer so we can go off and explore a little easier than packing the tent back up every time. We’re hooked on this kind of life now. My 5 year old loved every minute and is asking when we’re going again already.

Congratulations! Sounds like a great trip!

This was our assessment as well. We were just doing the same thing, but from Boston, back in mid to end of May. Yellowstone was amazing but we have the Whites, Berkshires and Greens not too far from us. The therms and pools, and a little more savage, but very similar to what is nearby. As a result, the Badlands - being completely alien to us - were our favorite. We stayed at Jellystone in Sioux Falls also. Very clean and well run compared to others.

We also loved the drive through Wyoming and concluded that a travel trailer is in our future.

Definitely want to go back. The first time is almost like a dry run. We identified a bunch of places we missed or wanted to spend more time at, so I really want to go again.

Glad you had a nice go, overall. Sorry to hear about your son but I hope he is all better

We’re definitely gonna stick more towards the off-road “overland” trailer, but it is definitely a must. I have an off-road trailer already that had a camper on top of it. I traded for it so I may just use it as a trial DIY and see what I can do with it.

 

[Salty4Life]

My wife and I are planning our trip out there this summer. We will be traveling from Loxahatchee. What routes did you take?

 

[Contingency: Overland]

We didn’t take any special routes. Stayed to the interstates and highways because it was our first trip. Definitely check out South Dakota (Rushmore, badlands). Black Hills we will definitely be returning to explore. Sheridan Lake is a great place to stay (rock loop # 117) is a great spot right on the lake. We didn’t spend much time in Yellowstone. Couldn’t find a spot to camp. After leaving Yellowstone we went through grand Tetons. Wished we had just made that our destination. Beautiful and less touristy. 287 through Wyoming was a beautiful drive. Grabbed some bbq in Texas at Stanley’s. Very good. If you’re going to Yellowstone make sure you have campsites reserved. We did, but our timeline got pushed a few days ahead due to some weather issues. Enjoy and can’t say South Dakota black hills enough.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

We didn’t take any special routes. Stayed to the interstates and highways because it was our first trip. Definitely check out South Dakota (Rushmore, badlands). Black Hills we will definitely be returning to explore. Sheridan Lake is a great place to stay (rock loop # 117) is a great spot right on the lake. We didn’t spend much time in Yellowstone. Couldn’t find a spot to camp. After leaving Yellowstone we went through grand Tetons. Wished we had just made that our destination. Beautiful and less touristy. 287 through Wyoming was a beautiful drive. Grabbed some bbq in Texas at Stanley’s. Very good. If you’re going to Yellowstone make sure you have campsites reserved. We did, but our timeline got pushed a few days ahead due to some weather issues. Enjoy and can’t say South Dakota black hills enough.

We had snow mixed with rain while in Yellowstone, and that persisted as we drove all the way through and down to the Tetons. The fog there was thick as pea soup and it was cold, so we just passed through. Could see the mountains anyway. Tetons are on my list for our return

 

[BuffaloPhil]

Definitely recommend a return trip across Wyoming...287 is a greast route to explore much of the state. Agree that the Tetons are much more dramatic scenery than much of Yellowstone, absent the geothermal features. US 14 from Sheridan to Cody via Shell Canyon is spectacular. Sorry the Tetons were fogged in durng your visit -- here's a peak at what you'll hopefully see on your return visit...

 

[ThundahBeagle]

We had snow mixed with rain while in Yellowstone, and that persisted as we drove all the way through and down to the Tetons. The fog there was thick as pea soup and it was cold, so we just passed through. Could see the mountains anyway. Tetons are on my list for our return

Sorry. Could NOT see the mountains.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Definitely recommend a return trip across Wyoming...287 is a greast route to explore much of the state. Agree that the Tetons are much more dramatic scenery than much of Yellowstone, absent the geothermal features. US 14 from Sheridan to Cody via Shell Canyon is spectacular. Sorry the Tetons were fogged in durng your visit -- here's a peak at what you'll hopefully see on your return visit...View attachment 221862

Thank you, @BuffaloPhil . Someday I'll be back