Wormhole Coffee (home of the Delorean!). 360 Chicago. Eclectic architecture. Epic Whole Foods. We totally get why people love Chicago.
Cashton sunsets and a well-curated, vegan-friendly co-op. Aaron was less into this, but I got a kick out of visiting the cows down the street. My parents are not surprised, the Amish neighbors may have been.
Watching a thunderstorm roll in at the Badlands. It’s amazing to view it approaching from sixty miles away and see lightening illuminate the landscape (from a safe distance).
Mosquitoes. Holy shit! Even Deet was no match for these little vampires at the Badlands.
Food deserts. It seems like the state of South Dakota seriously lacks fresh produce and whole food-oriented grocery options. When we were in Sioux Falls for a night between Chicago and the Badlands, we ended up making dinner from a Walmart. Honestly, that experience wasn’t all that bad (organic kale!), especially compared to restaurant options, and it got so much worse at the Badlands. Even the “portobello burger” there was a beef patty with cheese sandwiched between mushrooms.
Rainy, foggy, thunderstorm-y weather. It’s been following us basically since we left Acadia, with Cashton being the only place it didn’t rain for at least fifty percent of the time. I keep saying I’m excited for dry weather in California, but maybe we’ll bring rain there too and end the drought.
gluten-free banana bread french toast / big ass salads / garlicky kale & chickpeas
Kait says
I’m sure CA will appreciate it greatly!
LOVING these photos, especially all the pensive shots of you. 🙂
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well says
Ah the Badlands! That’s still on my bucket list – so crazy rugged and gorgeous!
Amanda says
Rugged is exactly the right word to describe them! And so so many mosquitoes…bring lots of bug spray when you go. 😉
Caitlin says
those mosquitoes, lady. i cannot even imagine. you are certainly still finding ways to eat well and share the beauty of this experience.
question- it seems like you guys are moving around pretty frequently. do you have plans to have elongated stays along the way, or pretty much driving every few days to a new destination for the year?
Amanda says
Yes, we’ll definitely be doing longer stays. We’ve just spent a week in Hot Springs, SD and have a few more week-longs en route to CA (Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Seattle, Portland). Once we get to CA we’ll likely slow down a lot to explore the Yosemite area and then stay put in Southern CA for winter. I CANNOT WAIT.
Lisa says
am loving these posts!!! thank you thank you thank you!!!
Amanda says
Thanks, Lisa! We’re so glad you’re loving the travel posts!