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A Road Trip to Remember
PAIGE UDERMANN
Badlands National Park , South Dakota .
Glacier National Park , Montana .
Willie Nelson ’ s “ On the Road Again ” blared over the speakers as my new husband , Eric , and I embarked on a monthlong road trip across the U . S . Our goals included jumping into icy glacial lakes , spending time with friends and family , camping under the stars and making lifelong memories . I can assure you we thoroughly accomplished each one .
This was the second part of our honeymoon , so Eric and I were blessed to have ample time to explore . After getting married in June 2023 , we had already spent time overseas , and now it was time for our stateside travel escapade .
South Dakota
Joining the early commuters in Minnesota , we began our drive in the wee hours of a fine July morning . Our destination ? The Black Hills in South Dakota . Along the way , we stopped at Badlands National Park for a hike and then the infamous Wall Drug to get a free donut , offered to all honeymooners . We also searched for the mystical jackalope and drove by Mount Rushmore . By the time we reached our campsite that evening , we were exhausted .
Wyoming
The sun woke us bright and early the next morning so we could head toward our next stop : Grand Teton National Park . The name does not disappoint ; the jagged , expansive
mountain range is more than grand — it is magnificent . We arrived in time for an evening trail run and a jump into our first glacial lake . The views were nothing short of spectacular ; it was as if the heavens opened as we bore witness to the light streaming through the clouds , reflecting off the snowcapped mountains and icy water . Eric and I were in disbelief that we still had an entire month of exploration ahead of us .
Daylight turned to stark darkness and the black of night waned into the soft glow of morning as we headed out on our first of many hikes in the mountains . Along the way , we saw waterfalls , moose , marmots and more glacial lakes awaiting a swim . We later left the nature-filled solitude and explored the mountain town of Jackson Hole , WY . Jackson Hole is utterly unique and filled with shops , delicious restaurants , views of the mountains and elk antler archways that will leave you astounded . While feeling fortunate to have one evening in this lovely town , we longed for more time to spend there and in Grand Teton . Luckily , more mountains were in our near future .
Oregon
We then made our way to Oregon . Crater Lake National Park in Southern Oregon caused Eric and I to stand breathless , marveling at the scenery . There is no good way to describe the looks on our faces as the lake came into view — jaws open , eyes
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE