As we approached Shoshone National Forest, which was adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, the sun was getting low on the horizon. Our goal was to set up in daylight so we didn’t stop much for photos. The road followed a river with mountains on both sides. We finally arrived at the east entrance to the … Continue reading
We finished checking out Mount Rushmore in mid-morning and started the long dash to Yellowstone National Park, almost 500 miles to the west. As soon as we started the descent to Highway 244 then Highway 16 eastward through Black Hills National Forest, I called to reserve a camp site at Bridge Bay, about 20 plus … Continue reading
Day 4: Rapid City, SD to Yellowstone National Park, WY via Mt. Rushmore and Bighorn National Forest Mileage: 486 miles The thunderstorms of the previous evening had cleared the way for a gorgeous, sunny, warm morning in Rapid City. We had a quick breakfast at the Econo Lodge in this second-largest city in the state … Continue reading
After over 500 miles of numbing flatness on Interstate 90, we finally turned on Highway 240 to enter Badlands. The changes in elevation were greatly welcome. Instead of the $15 park entry fee, we decided to opt for the $80 pass that would allow us access to all national parks. A great deal! Badlands National … Continue reading
Day 3: La Crosse, WI to Rapid City, SD via Badlands National Park Mileage: 654 miles This is going to be my first picture-intensive post. We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning in La Crosse, Wisconsin and decided to check out downtown La Crosse, which turned out to be a peaceful small town by … Continue reading
Day 2: Ann Arbor, MI – La Crosse, WI Mileage: 525 miles Our original plan was to take a short drive to Chicago where we would spend the evening checking out Mayor Emanuel’s city. I had already contacted one of my college roommates to arrange a meet-up. However, after a phone call to my parents … Continue reading
Day 1: Boston, MA to Ann Arbor, MI Mileage: about 800 miles We had intended to leave early in the morning to get a head start and arrive in Michigan before sunset. But last minute preparations took the whole morning. My brother and Anh-Hoa’s sister and brother-in-law were at our house to help us pack. … Continue reading
Thank you for the past thirteen years. I have lived here longer than any other city in my life. You have been a wonderful home, readily welcoming me when I first arrived alone at Logan airport, struggling to navigate the unfamiliar T with two small suitcases, emerging from the Harvard Square stop and shocked to … Continue reading
Today, June 5, 2011, thousands of people took to the streets of Saigon and Hanoi in Vietnam to protest China’s ongoing invasion of Vietnamese sea territory. The demonstrations were notable because (a) they were probably the largest demonstrations in tightly controlled Vietnam since the end of war, (b) they openly defied the Vietnamese government’s threats … Continue reading