2nd US Road Trip: TX-CO-WY-MT-SD-NE-KS-OK-TX (Fall Season)

2nd USA Road Trip, Texas - Colorado - Wyoming - Montana - South Dakota - Nebraska - Kansas - Oklahoma - Texas  : October, 2012 (Fall season)

Our second road trip was planned to visit my previous grad school in Colorado School Mines and to see gorgeous fall foliage, first snow fall in some states and National Parks in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and Nebraska. We just drove using full size sedan car (New Toyota Camry). Our first priorities to visit were Garden of the Gods State Park, Downtown Denver, Golden City, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Mount Evans Scenic Drive, Aspen City, Maroon Bells Scenic Area (White River National Forest), Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Mount Rushmoore National Memorial Monument, and Chardon State Park. We begin our road trip from South to North - Northwest : Houston (TX) - Dalhart (TX) - Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs (CO) -  Denver (CO) -  Golden (CO) - Red Rocks State Park (CO) - Mount Evans Scneic Drive (CO) - Aspen (CO) - Maroon Bells Scenic Area, Aspen (CO) - Rocky Mountain NP, Estes Park (CO) - Grand Teton NP (WY) - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Glacier NP (MT) - Mount Rushmore (SD) - Chardon State Park (NE) - Oklahoma City (OK) - Go back Houston :). Total distance is vv 4363 miles (72 hours driving if non stop)

Our Second Trip Itineary (source: google maps)

Day 1 : Houston (TX) - Amarillo (TX) - Dalhart (TX)

In day 1, we drove from Houston via Interstate 45 North - Highway 287 - Highway 385  to Dalhart, TX for 10 hours which is a small city near to border between Texas and Colorado state :). Just stayed a nite in Super 8 hotel near to this city before we continue our trip tomorrow morning to Colorado Springs (CO).

Day 2 : Dalhart (TX) - Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs (CO) - Downtown Denver (CO) - Golden (CO)

At 7 am in the morning after we had our breakfast in the hotel, we continued our trip for 4 hours driving to Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO. Garden of the Gods is a public park located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

At Garden of The Gods, Colorado Springs, CO. Left: At One of famous red rock formation on the left, you could see "A CAMEL KISS rock" look like :)

In term of geological perspective, the outstanding geologic features of the park are the ancient sedimentary beds of deep-red, pink, and white sandstones, conglomerates and limestone that were deposited horizontally, but have now been tilted vertically and faulted by the immense mountain building forces caused by the uplift of the Rocky Mountains and the Pikes Peak massif. The resulting rocks had different shapes: toppled, overturned, stood-up, pushed around and slanted. Balanced Rock, a Fountain formation, is a combination of coarse sand, gravel, silica and hematite.

Panoramic view of Garden of The Gods from Visitor Center which Pikes peak (the highest peak in Colorado at behind)

Left: Three Graces Formation at Garden of the Gods Park, Right: Another Red Rocks Formation

We spent about 2 hours to walk around and enjoy the view in the park. Took some first of Aspen trees fall foliage in around Colorado Springs. First plan, we want to continue to Pikes Peak (the highest peak in Colorado) but due to first snow fall, the road to the Peak was closed. Then we continued our trip to capital city of Colorado state which is Denver. We planned to walk around in the downtown actually in capitol park, shopping district to buy souvenirs as usual :). It was about 2 hours driving from Colorado Springs to Capitol Park of Denver.

Left: at Denver Parliament Building, Right: at Denver Capitol Park, Denver, Colorado 

It was nice weather with clear sunny day and the temperature was about 65 deg F. The flowers and garden in the park were still blooming and green even though the winter season was started. After enjoying the park, we went to shopping district of Denver which was lie along 16th street at downtown. It was only 5 minutes driving from this capitol park.

Left: 16th st shopping district in Downtown Denver, Right : My wife and my son at 16th st buying some souvenirs

We spent 2 hours walking around  to see some people activities and stores along this street. As my first plan that I will take "a blue hour" moment of downtown Denver, we drove to a someplace that has great view of downtown Denver at night. This place was memorable for me because ten years ago when I was in Denver, I took this downtown Denver photo as well.

Blue Hour Cityscape of Downtown Denver, Colorado.

Finished taking some great night cityscape, we had a dinner and checked in to the hotel near to Golden City. We want to spend some time in Golden city because I want to have a memorable time and bring my family to my ex-graduate school which is Colorado School of Mines :).

Day 3 :  Golden (CO) - Red Rocks Amphitheatre (CO) - Mount Evans Park (CO) - Aspen (CO)

Woke up in the morning, after having breakfast in the Hotel, we drove to Golden City to enjoy the morning situation at downtown Golden and visiting my ex-graduate school, Colorado School of Mines.

At Downtown Golden, Popular Welcome Sign behind, Colorado

Golden, Colorado, established in 1859 as Golden City, served as a supply center for miners and settlers in the area. In 1866, Bishop George Maxwell Randall of Massachusetts arrived in the territory and, seeing a need for higher education facilities in the area, began planning for a university which would include a school of mines (source: Wikipedia)

Left: at Colorado School of Mines monument, Right: at Berthoud Hall, Geology and Geological Engineering Dept., my ex- campus :)

Not doing so much in this memorable campus because it was holiday, we continue our trip to Red Rocks Amphitheater which was close to Golden city, actually in Morrison city, Colorado. Red Rocks Amphitheater is a rock structure near Morrison, Colorado 10 miles west of Denver, Colorado, where concerts are given in the open-air amphitheater  There is a large, tilted, disc-shaped rock behind the stage, a huge vertical rock angled outwards from stage right, several large outcrops angled outwards from stage left and a seating area for up to 9,450 people in between. 

Posing at Red Rocks Amphitheater Visitor Center

The amphitheater is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver, Colorado and is located in Red Rocks Park, part of the Denver Mountain Parks system (source: Wikipedia).

At Red Rocks Amphitheater Seating Row and the stage behind us

After visiting this place, we continued our trip to see one of famous scenic drive in Colorado to see Aspen's tree fall foliage. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway consists of Colorado State Highway 103 from Idaho Springs, Colorado on I-70 about 13 miles (21 km) to Echo Lake, and Colorado 5 from Echo Lake 15 miles (24 km), ending at a parking area and turnaround just below the summit.This was my family's first experience to see how beautiful fall foliage of Aspen trees while we are in the US.  

At  side road of scenic byway prior Echo Lake, Mount Evans, CO. Aspen's trees show great colorful foliage at this time

We just drove to Echo Lake (mid level of Mount Evans) via I-70 W and turn left to HWY 103 right in Idaho Springs city, because we did not have much time to go to Mount Evans Park. No more good autumn trees higher than Echo Lake place. It was surprisingly nice while we were at Echo Lake that my wife and my son were experiencing first snowfall in their lifetime, although it was only few minutes fall, but it was very cold :).

At Echo Lake, Colorado, First Snowfall was happened in this lake

3 hours we spent in this scenic byway, then we decided to continue our trip to Aspen. It took 3 hours driving using I-70 west to Aspen thru Independence Pass. Stopped by a few minutes at Leadville, Colorado to breathe an air fresh and enjoy the beautiful overlook of Rocky Mountain Peak. 

At Scenic Overlook in Leadville, Colorado

We drove along CO 82-W, and this road has a lot of scenic overlook of Rocky Mountains range just right side of the road, such as Crystal Lake, Mtn. Massive Lake, Twin Lake, and Aspen forests after Independence Pass.

Left: Unknown Lake at CO-82W to Aspen, Right: One of Scenic Overlook at CO-82W

Scenic Drive of CO82 W to Aspen

Before we drive to steeped road to Independence Pass, we stopped by in a small city near to Twin Lake to take a rest for a while :). This small city was nice and clean. 

Left: at a small city near to Twin Lakes, Right: beginning scenic road to Independence Pass with Aspen fall foliage along the road

Fortunate for us, the pass is still open in current weather, and  it is a popular destination. A scenic overlook near the pass allows visitors to take in the alpine tundra environment above treeline, and offers excellent views to the east of Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest peak and the second-highest mountain in the contiguous United States (source: Wikipedia).

Left: at Independence Pass (West Side), Right: my lovely wife posing with East side view of Independence Pass

Independence Pass, originally known as Hunter Pass, is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States. It is at elevation 12,095 ft (3,687 m) on the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range. The pass is midway between Aspen and Twin Lakes, on the border between Pitkin and Lake counties.
Just an hour we spent in this place, because it was freezing cold and we need to get to our hotel before the dark comes. About 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to this Hotel from Independence Pass, and we drove a long scenic road because we can see fall foliage of Aspen trees on the right and left side of the road.  We booked a room Hotel Aspen for one night. This hotel is recommended because it is in the middle of downtown Aspen. And I choose this Hotel because it near to popular a landscape view of Maroon Bells Lake Park, and I planned to hunt a sunrise time in this Lake :).

Day 4 :  Aspen (CO) - Estes Park (CO)

I woke up in the early morning, and it was still dark about 4:30 AM in the morning. I need to get up early because I want to have a space to take some golden hour moments in Maroon Bells Lake. I heard that there will be many photographers to capture this beautiful landscape view particularly in the peak of Aspen leaves fall foliage. It took me about 30 minutes driving to go to this place. My wife and my son were still sleeping in the Hotel :), I will bring them to this place in the morning after they wake up. Maroon Lake (9,580') provides one of the most memorable scenes in the Rockies. The lake occupies a basin that was sculpted by Ice-Age glaciers and later dammed by landslide and rockfall debris from the steep slopes above the valley floor.

Sunrise hour moments in Maroon Bells Lake with Aspen fall foliage trees in the foreground 

The view of the Maroon Bells to the southwest from the Maroon Creek valley is one of the most famous scenes in Colorado, and is reputed to be the "most-photographed spot in Colorado" and one of Colorado's premier scenic overlooks. The peaks are located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness of White River National Forest (source: Wikipedia). 2 and half hours I spent in this place and it was freezing cold. 

I went back to Hotel for having breakfast, taking shower, and bringing my family to visit magnificent Maroon Bells Lake with beauty of Aspen tree fall foliage along the road going there. Before we checked out, we had a few time to take some beauty of fall foliage surrounding the Hotel :).

At Hotel Aspen with Aspen Trees Fall Foliage behind, Aspen Downtown, Colorado

30  minutes driving in Maroon Creek Road to Maroon Bells from our Hotel. Beautiful Aspen trees fall foliage at left and right side of road. They were gorgeous ! Indeed... :). And we were served with an amazing view at Maroon Bells. What an experience !

With my lovely family at Maroon Bells Lake, Aspen, Colorado

Finally after 10 years was in this place, I could bring my family and see one of beautiful place in the United States :). After we were done to enjoy the view in this place, we continued our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado. Taking some pictures while driving to next spot of our road trip.

An Overlook View  at Maroon Creek Road

Along the way we drove, we saw a lot of Aspen trees were showing their fall foliage.  Yellow, Red, Green leaves were mixed together in the trees. They were really gorgeous. What a great moment we had in this time, and my first plan to see Aspen fall foliage was succeed because I can go together with my lovely family here to see one of the greatest God's creations. :). We stopped by many times, just want to capture the beauty of fall foliage along the road we drove. Aspen is one of the best place to see fall foliage in Colorado.

Gorgeous  fall foliage of Aspen trees in White National Forest, along  the way we drive near to Aspen City, Colorado

Because we stopped by many times, it delayed our time to get in Estes Park. It was about 4 hours driving to Estes from Aspen. We got to Estes around 7 PM and it was almost dark even though we still can enjoy the sunset in Lake Estes near to Estes Park downtown :). Then we checked in to our Hotel (American Best Value Inn Hotel) near to Estes Park. It was nice Hotel with best price.

Sunset time at Lake Estes with Rocky Mountains Range behind, Estes Park, Colorado

Day 5 :  Rocky Mountain National Park (Estes Park, CO) - Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)

Early morning having our breakfast and checking out from Hotel, we continue our trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. I just planned to visit the Bear Lake, because this place is one of the highest and famous part for taking photos. Just 15 minutes driving, we stopped at south entrance sign, and as usual taking some pictures in here with my family :).

Left: Road in Estes Park to Rocky Mountain National Park; Right: At South Entrance Sign, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Inside the national park from the Beaver Meadows Entrance, Bear Lake Road runs 23 miles round trip to Bear Lake. It was about 45 minutes driving from the Entrance Gate of National Park to Bear Lake. We drove along scenic byway before we reach the parking lot of Bear Lake.

Scenic Drives to Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

The road passes several picnic areas, campgrounds and the must-stop Moraine Park Museum. In the Moraine Park area, look for foraging elk and other wildlife. The road continues past Sprague Lake that we did not stop by, gaining a few hundred feet in elevation, before evening out as it parallels Glacier Greek. It twists and turns up a series of switchbacks to Bear Lake, where an inviting paved trail encircles the sparkling lake at the base of Hallett Peak. After we parked our car, we need to walk about .6-mile as an easy hike, is 250 feet from Parking Lot. Unfortunately I did not to do hiking to surrounding Lakes near to Bear Lake like Nymph Lake and Emerald Lake due to time limitation and my family was getting cold here. 

At Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

No more than 2 hours we spent in Bear Lake due to the chilly wind was happened in this area and it was freezing cold even though the morning sun was rising. My first plan was eager to hike Nymph and Emerald Lakes, but I canceled it because I felt cold. 
We continued our trip to Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming directly from Rocky Mountain National Park :), and it was needed 7 hours to drive. 

An afternoon sunlight view when heading to Grand Teton National Park via HWY 26 W/287

What a long way to go, and finally we got to Grand Teton National Park after sunset and it was dark :). This was my second time at Grand Teton National Park. We checked in a lodge inside Teton Park which is Jackson Lake Lodge for a night. I choose this hotel because it is in the middle of National Park, and really close to almost all overlook in the Park :). What a nice lodge, no TV and Internet services :).

Day 6 :  Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) - Jackson (Wyoming)

Among the most photographed national parks in USA, Grand Teton National Park has been immortalized in the work of countless photographers over the years, most notably Ansel Adams whose photo of the Tetons and Snake River is instantly recognizable to so many of us.  It can be a humbling experience to stand in the same location as so many greats that have come before you and attempt to do justice to one of the most photographed landscapes in the world.  Yet, a trip to photograph the Tetons simply isn’t complete without hitting a few key spots.

At Grand Teton National Park Entrance Sign, Wyoming

Often called the “most photographed barn in America”, the Mormon Row Barn is actually a pair of barns built by T.A. Moulton in an area called Antelope Flats in the southern portion of the park.  The north and south barns can be found off a gravel road called Mormon Row which lies between Antelope Flats Road and Gros Ventre Road, a few miles east of Moose Junction. From hotel, in the early morning, I headed to the North (Upper) Barn first to capture the golden lights hit the peak of mountains. When I got there, there were many photographers to shoot the golden hour moments too. It was crowded and you need to find a good place to put your tripod without annoying other photographers. 

First light of Sunrise over the Teton Range, Upper Mormon Barn, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

I spent almost 2 hours in this place from 5 am in the morning the from this place I drove to South (Lower) Barn. As you travel through this area, it is hard to imagine a more beautiful location than the land on which these barns lie. There are only a few houses on the road. It is safe to say they see their share of tripods as this location is often crowded with photographers year-round. I was amazed with two location of these Barns, all of them are incredible views.

South Mormon Barn in the morning with Teton Range in the back, Wyoming

  
Satisfied with the views in Lower Mormon Barn, I continue to drive a few miles south of the Snake River Overlook, is the turn-off for Schwabacher Landing for surveying best photo location for tomorrow sunrise :). There are 2 part, upper and lower parts, but most of the people prefer to photographs at lower part. I spent the first few hours of the morning just walking along the creeks and dams searching for the photographic opportunities that are constantly appearing.  

At Lower Schwabacher Landing Parking Area, Grand Teton National Park 

Then after I spotted some good places for tomorrow morning shoot, I went back to the Hotel for picking up my wife and my son for driving and looking around some overlooks and turnouts in Grand Teton National Park. 

Left: At Teton Point Overlook, Right: At South Mormon Barn, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

We were heading from south to the north from South Mormon Barn, Teton Point Overlook, Snake River Overlook, and Oxbow Bend Overlook. We spent about 30 minutes - 1 hour every overlook to enjoy the beauty of landscape views :). The most well-known locations in all of the national parks- the Snake River Overlook.  Whether Ansel Adams’ famous photograph or the work of so many others, this location has been repeatedly photographed over the years for a reason- it’s gorgeous.  With the Snake River winding into the foreground and the Tetons towering over the valley, this location is near perfect.

Snake River Overlook, the most photographed view  (Ansel Adam's point) in Teton National Park

The Snake River overlook is located just off Hwy 191 between Moose Junction and Moran Junction.  Its proximity to the highway makes it a popular stop, though most people only linger a few minutes. Another popular spot for photographing Grand Teton National Park is Owbow Bend, located just inside the Moran Junction entrance to the park.  We amazed with the beauty of fall foliage as foreground of Mt Moran Range. One of the best time visiting Grand Teton National Park is in Peak of Fall foliage season. 

Oxbow Bend overlook, Grand Teton National Park

Owbow Bend is a looping meander of the Snake River which often holds a beautiful shadow of the Teton Range, in particular Mt Moran. After we enjoyed the view of oxbow bend, we went to Jackson city (the nearest city in Grand Teton National Park) for having lunch and checked in other Hotel. 


Day 7 :  Jackson (Wyoming)-Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)-Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)- Choteau (Montana)

Right after I woke up in the early morning, I drove along the Teton road headed to Schwabacher Landing. At the end of this short gravel road lies some of the best sunrise photo opportunities to be found at Grand Teton National Park. Fortunately, the beaver ponds were on a still morning, there are mirror reflections of the Tetons nearly everywhere you look and the hardest decision is often which direction to point your camera.

First sunlight hit the Peak of Teton Range at Upper Schwabacher Landing, Grand Teton National Park, WY

Schwabacher Landing is a series of channels and beaver dams which perfectly reflect the Tetons on a calm, still morning.  Whereas other locations only enjoy “magic lighting” for a short window of time, Schwabacher Landing presents fantastic photo opportunities as late as 9 am. Btw, it was freezing cold, I could not resist more than 2 hours :). I spent almost 2 hours for enjoying the golden hours in this place, then I picked up my family in the Hotel for continuing our trip to Yellowstone National Park. Heading up to Yellowstone, we stopped by in some beautiful spots

At Yellowstone National Park South Entrance Sign, Wyoming

After we stopped by in entrance gate, we headed to one of most scenic location in Yellowstone National Park which is Old Faithful Geyser. It is also called the most predictable geographical feature on Earth erupting almost every 91 minutes. The weather was partly cloudy and cold :). We spent about 1 hour here to watch the geyser when it was erupting of boiling water to a height of about 50 m lasting from 1.5 to 5 minutes.

At Old Faithful Geyser location. Right: My son watched the geyser when started to erupt in the visitor center.

After the eruption stopped, we were heading to other point of interest in the North by car which is Grand Prismatic Spring.  The grand Prismatic spring is the largest hot spring in the park  Located in the Midway Geyser Basin, the spring is 370 feet in diameter and 121 feet deep. Due to the cold weather condition at the time we visited this spring, the spring was unfortunately not clearly seen. The mixing between cold air and hot water was creating fog condition covered almost the spring in the location. we walked through the footstep bridge along the spring location, and we saw some small springs. A clear one is Opal spring and it was quite good enough to see the blue rich colors surrounded by reddish soils of hot spring. 

At Midway Geyser Basin. Left: at Opal spring, Right: at Grand Prismatic Spring. Fog covers all surface of spring

As anyone can see, the deep blue of the spring’s mineral-rich water isn’t its only distinguishing color. The vivid rings of rusty reds and vibrant yellows and greens that encircle it are caused by colonies of pigmented thermophiles — microbes that live within specific extreme temperature ranges at hot springs. 
We enjoyed the springs about 1.5 hours. My watch showed about 3.30 PM, and at that time, I planned to go to last spot in Northern part of Yellowstone which is Mammoth spring. Due to the weather condition was getting colder and the sky was covered by dark clouds (it was predicted that the first snow will fall in Yellowstone at that day), I assumed the fog condition will cover the Mammoth spring also. We headed to the West entrance (the closest entrance from Grand prismatic location) along highway 287 for about 45 minutes. 

At West Entrance of Yellowstone NP as a border with Montana State, USA

Plan of itinerary initially wanted to go to the South to the Salt Lake City, Utah, but my wife has "crazy" plan to go to the North actually want to go to the famous Glacier National Park in Montana because she wants to see first snow falling (weather forecast said there will be snow falling in Glacier NP) and great mountain ranges in North of USA :). After looking at GPS for calculating the distance and time, we decided to go to Glacier National Park, and stay a nite at a Hotel near to national park.

Heading to the North along HWY 287 to Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

What a careful driving, because when highway 287 met with Interstate 15 North, as our prediction, we got snow shower at the top of a hill near to Helena city :). I was just surprised and quite afraid because it needed to have more focus on driving to avoid slippery road :). After 4 hours total driving with about 2 hours in snow shower driving, I decided to stop and stay a night (8 PM) in Choteau city. It was a small and nice city, and we were lucky to find a comfort and clean hotel, Stage Stop Inn. It was still snow showering, when we checked in the hotel :). 

Day 8 :  Choteau (Montana) - Glacier National Park (Montana) - Wyoming 

It was freezing cold when I woke up in the morning and went outside hotel. Some snow showers were left in some areas. I was excited to tell my wife and my son, because this snow was going to be their first snow in their eyes and hands :). After having breakfast in the hotel, we continue our road trip to Glacier National Park. We drove a long highway 287 and stopped in some snow areas :). 
My wife and my son were excited to see and touch the first snow in their hands.

At some stop points for enjoying first snow fall in Montana

 
First stop when it begin to enter the National Park was always in entrance gate :). It took about 1 hour and 30 minutes driving to go to Glacier NP (entrance gate). 

What a beautiful view while driving near to Glacier National Park.

Second stop after having family pictures in the entrance gate, is Two Medicine Lake. Two Medicine is the collective name of a region located in the southeastern section of Glacier National Park, in the U.S. state of Montana.

Left : At Entrance Sign/Gate of Glacier National Park. Right : Two Medicine Lake view in the morning

After we parked our car, I could not wait to get closer to the Lake. Just taking a walk for 50 meters from parking lot to the Lake. OMG, what a wonderful and stunning view that we have ever seen in our life. Autumn leaves still remain colorful and first snow covered in some spots in the lake. The perfect glacier Sinopah Mountain was reflected in very calm lake water that makes like mirrors with blue sky with clouds dimensions inside.

At Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

We were really enjoying the view for about 1 hour. In term geology point of view, the lakes-the clear blue waters that give the region its name-were also formed when the glacier retreated, from huge chunks of ice left behind as the glacier melted away.   When the ice chunks themselves melted and the land around them slumped in, they left large round holes that later filled with water. 

At side of the road in Two Medicine Valley as the background when heading to St. Mary Lake. 

Just 15 miles to the North, we stopped by at the left side of the road for enjoying center views of Two Medicine Valley, and from this spot you can see the upper lake bed of Lower Two Medicine Lake. Then we continue to other interest point in Glacier NP which was St. Mary Lakes. We just spent about 30 minutes here for taking self potraits :), it was a quite cold outside. One of other main destination is driving along the "sun going down" Road. This road is connecting from west part to east part of Glacier National Park. Unfortunately, We could not drive along the road, because it was closed due to snow. 

Left: at St. Mary Lake, Galcier NP. Right: My wife and my son were posing at Glacier National Park Visitor Center that is located in border between USA and Canada.

From the weather forecast, at the time we visit Glacier, it said that it will be heavy snow showering in the afternoon. It will be quite scary if you drive in the snow condition without any good preparation. Our car was not prepared to drive in snow condition. That was why, I decided for not continuing our road trip in this Park. I did not want to take any risks in our road trip even though this was great experience to visit one of magnificent park in the world. Before we leave this park, we stopped by in the St. Mary Lake visitor center to buy some souvenirs and to see other point of interests. Hopefully, we can visit this park in the future (summer is the best time). After visiting this visitor center, then we continue to next destination which was Mount Rushmore in South Dakota state country :).

Stopped by at somewhere in border of Montana and Wyoming states for taking this beautiful  landscape view. Snow clouds covered the hills. 

As we continue our trip, we drove along Interstate 51E from Montana to Wyoming. We stopped by in some interesting views just for taking some landscape pictures. You will be amazed by nature moments everytime you have road trip. You will not expect what you will see along the road whether the weather condition or beautiful scenery. Sometime, the nature will show an amazing moments to be captured :). As a photographer, I need to be ready every time you see any interesting moments or views. :).  
  

What an amazing snow clouds captured somewhere in North of Wyoming

We plan to stay overnight in north Wyoming before we continue our trip. It was almost 6 hours driving from Montana to our Hotel. We stay a night at Days inn hotel.  

Day 9 :  Wyoming - Mount Rushmore National Monument, South Dakota - Chardon Park, Nebraska - Kansas

Morning was broken by snow in Wyoming including in our hotel area :). It was first snow fallen in Wyoming. I was a quite worrying and wondering when I look at snow condition, did we can continue our trip because our car was not prepared in snow condition ?. After having breakfast, I went outside Hotel, and Thank God, the sunlight was coming fully.This was good sign that we can continue our trip because I believed that snow will be melted by sun along the road.    

Road along Interstate 51E covered by thin layer of snow

We continue our trip to South Dakota driving along interstate 51E directly. It took 4 hours driving, it was quite slow to drive, because the road was still covered by thin layer of snow. I was just careful to avoid slippery because our car's wheels were not for snow condition.
Ahead to South Dakota state border with Wyoming state (1 more hour to Mount Rushmore), the road was not covered by snow anymore. It makes our driving trip going faster to the National Memorial. This is my second time to this National Memorial, but first time to my family. They were amazed by the sculptures of United States first Presidents carved in the rocks of the hill.

Grand View Terrace overlook entrance in Mount Rushmore, Keystone, South Dakota

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a sculpture carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore (Lakota Sioux name: Six Grandfathers) near Keystone, South Dakota, in the United States. Sculpted by Danish-American Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln Borglum, Mount Rushmore features 60-foot (18 m) sculptures of the heads of four United States presidents: George Washington (1732–1799), Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), and Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865).

At Mount Rushmore National Memorial Entrance (Left) and Grand View Terrace (Right)

We just spent about 1 and half hours in this location, because it was freezing cold and the heavy clouds were appeared in the sky. This was the sign that snow will fall :) and yes, my prediction was right, the small amount of snow started to fall.  This is going to our last interesting spot to visit in our second road trip. Then we continue our road trip heading to our home in Houston from South Dakota across 3 states which are Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. 
While I was driving along HWY 385 in Nebraska, I spotted an interesting park to stop by. It was a small park but the reason why we need to spent our time in here, is because the beautiful of colorful trees. I was just surprised because the trees were still showing amazing colorful their fall foliage. 

My wife and my son were at Chardon Park, Nebraska. The fall foliage of the trees were beautiful

I tried to find the name of the park, and the park name is Chardon park. What a beautiful moment of fall foliage we'd enjoyed in this park. Some small amount of snows were covered the grass and bridge of the park, make the park lokked more beautiful :). It was so quiet, just 3 people I spotted in this park. They went fishing in the lake in the middle of park.

Beauty of Fall Foliage in Chardon Park, Nebraska

One hour we spent in this park to enjoy the colorful of trees. Then we continued our driving headed to our hotel in Salina, Kansas for taking a rest and staying a night. It was a lovely and amazing trip we had. We enjoyed the beauty of HIS creations in Fall Foliage, Mountains, Snows etc :) Thank GOD for giving me this amazing moment for our life journey.

Day 10 :  Kansas - Oklahoma - Houston, Texas

In 10th day, we were heading to our home in Houston, TX. It took 12 hours driving using Interstate 45N  from Salina, Kansas to Houston, Texas across Oklahoma state. We just stopped by for having lunch and fill the gas in the fuel station somewhere in Oklahoma No interesting point to stop, because mostly the view were quite flat and they were dominated with farms and ranch.

Somewhere in Kansas, showing farm with many color layers. It made me to stop our driving just for capturing this interesting spot.

What a amazing trip we had in our second trip and shared to you all because we saw many wonderful moment of nature such as fall foliage, first snow falling, and national parks and monuments as dream places to be visited :)

To be continued to our 3rd road trip to the North East of United States with main destinations are Great Smoky Mountain, Tennessee - Babcock State Park, Virginia - Pittsburg, Pennsylvania - Niagara Falls, New York - Washington DC :)