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Take Me Home, Country Roads

I made it! Overall, I visited sixteen new states and eight national parks, monuments, and forests. I also met a lot of furry friends along the way.

America is a great land, and a beautiful country. I hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures. While, it is almost time to say goodbye to my blog, please stay tuned for a bloopers reel to come in the next few days.

P.S. Say hello to my first California friends Molly (of West Covina) and Zeke (of boondocks Northern California).

VEGAS!

Four Empire State Buildings...

...that's how deep the Grand Canyon is. I wanted to take a friendly mule ride down to the bottom, but Nick and Adriane were afraid one would eat me. So we hiked down on foot a few miles. Whew. What a work out.

Grand Canyon was my last night of camping. I love to roast marshmallows. You can see that our tent bit the dust. On to Vegas. hippee.

Iron...Like Lion (or Panda)...in Zion

Next stop was a quick drive through Zion National Park. Everything about it is really big and red. My cousins, the red pandas, would have fit in well. We only had a couple hours here before we needed to get to the Canyon of all Canyons, the Grand Canyon.

Hoodoo Voodoo

We spent two nights in Bryce Canyon, and it was spectacular. Hoodoos are the colorful pointy things sticking out of the canyon that make Bryce so cool. Nick got up to the rim of the canyon and declared it the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. However, at that exact moment, a thunder storm sent us running for shelter. Our Target tent keeps out only 75% of rain unfortunately.

Here are some pictures from our hike down to the bottom of the canyon. I found some great panda-sized caves to play in.

The Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole

The Grand Tetons are giant and beautiful! We took a boat ride at the foot of the peaks and went on a hike through one of the canyons. Nick flexed his muscles when we reached Inspiration Point.

I woke up this morning in a cute, mountain town known as Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If you've never been, think Aspen, but very cowboy. Nick and Adriane put me to bed early and went out for an adult night. They visited the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, which had live country music and horse saddles as bar stools. Adriane looks ready to roam on the range.

I am where?

That's right. I visited Gillette, WY. You can credit this town with the upbringing of Erin. I enjoyed it. They had my favorite guava-flavored rockstar at the gas station. Adriane thinks she lost her cell phone here. oh well.

The First

I visited Yellowstone National Park. It is the world's first National Park. The wildlife is spectacular, and a bison greeted me in the street. There was a baby bison, too. I named it Bubby. I also saw some thermal activity, including Old Faithful. Did you know that the ph of geysers is close to battery acid? I really wanted to take a dip in the geyser water and my ear got a little close and it fell off. Luckily it was recovered and crazy glued back on.

Mount Rushmore and Deadwood

The heads are just as big and glorious as I expected. I am now in a saloon in Deadwood. It is close to the spot where Wild Bill was killed. Nick might be losing our life savings now at the black jack table. Hopefully he isn't holding dead man's hand. Off to Yellowstone. bye bye.

Sheridan Lake, Black Hills, South Dakota

They are called the Black Hills because they look black from a distance. But, up close, they are so green. I enjoyed my first night of camping a lot. It was fun to just hang out and smell the flowers. I met a golden squirrel, but he made chirping sounds that I couldn't understand. Nick and Adriane jumped off a big rock, but I was too scared.

300 Miles to Wall Drug

If you are ever lucky enough to travel to the Badlands, you will understand the title of this post. Wall Drug is amazing. I had so many adventures at this festive, trinket-selling wonderland.

The Badlands

You gotta live 'em everyday, so says the Boss. I made my way to the Badlands, and boy was it windy. Adriane almost lost hold of me a couple times. There is nothing like these rock formations in my native land. I met some friendly prairie dogs and shared stories about my prairie dog friends at the National Zoo. Also, thanks to the Senate Appropriations Interior Subcommittee staff, as well as Ryan and Ben, for their work to make these National Parks so panda friendly.

The Dakotas

We spent the night at Aunt Sharon and Uncle Joe's house. They introduced us to carmel rolls, coogan, and a special type of apple cider. I am now in the the capital of South Dakota, Pierre (pronounced Pier). The capitol building reminds me of home. But, Nick and I shared a special moment and my adventurous spirit was renewed. On the way to the Black Hills National Forest.

Minneapolis

As an American-raised panda, the Mall of America has always called to me. It has roller coasters, movie theaters, and of course three floors of shopping. I also ran into my cousin, Marvin, a bear of the great plains. If you are ever in the land of 10,000 lakes, I highly recommend Matt's Bar, where you will find the Jucy Lucy burger.

Spaldii

I am in Minneapolis. Stopped in to see an old JUD friend of mine. We met when I was first discovered by Adriane, Caitlin, and Jason. Those were the days. Thank you Jeff! I hope to see you soon.

If you build it, Peeps will come.

Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa.