Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
After visiting the pine-covered Black Hills in western South Dakota, we headed east through the grass-covered prairies to the Badlands. French fur traders called the area “les mauvaises terres à traverser,” meaning “the bad lands to traverse.” The Lakota knew it as “Mako Sica,” which likewise means “bad land.”
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
It was a five-hour drive from Colorado to the Black Hills of South Dakota. We rolled through the verdant, grass-covered hills of Colorado and Wyoming, with Jake on the lookout for antelope, prairie dogs, and cattle the whole way. As we crossed into South Dakota, the hills turned pine-covered and the roads grew curvy — prompting plenty of reminders from Sandy to slow down.
Last Updated: May 24, 2026
From Colorado Springs we headed to the Denver area to visit family and get some work done on our Freightliner chassis. While there, we made time for Rocky Mountain National Park to get up close to the snow-covered peaks, springtime-swollen rivers, and wildlife.
Last Updated: May 24, 2026
From the Great Sand Dunes we drove a couple of hours to Colorado Springs, Colorado. There were so many things to see and do in Colorado Springs, but we only had time for Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and Costco.
Last Updated: May 24, 2026
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve sits in south-central Colorado, nestled against the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. These are the tallest sand dunes in North America, covering a dunefield of about 30 square miles, with the highest dunes rising more than 740 feet from base to crest. It was only a two-hour drive from Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Last Updated: May 24, 2026
After visiting Mesa Verde National Park, we settled in at the western-slope towns of Durango and Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The area sits only about 35 miles from New Mexico, enjoys a milder climate than much of the state thanks to its 7,000-foot elevation, and is framed by a stunning Rocky Mountain backdrop. We split our stay between the two towns, soaking in hot springs, chasing snowmelt waterfalls, and wandering historic streets.
