The West to East Coast road trip continues!!! We left the sand dunes of southern Idaho for a sweet dinosaur museum near Salt Lake City, Utah.  We'd been by the Museum of Ancient Life in Lehi, Utah before, but to be honest, I kinda thought it might be a religious dinosaur museum (if there is such a thing)…I mean, the name, the location (Mormon country).

   Well, after a great visit we can say that the museum is science to max - tons of plant and dinosaur fossils, skeletons, and more. An impressive collection.

   Our first brachiosaurus skeleton (above)!!! And a highlight of the museum - a supersaurus pelvis (pictured below) and accompanying skeleton.

All in all, one of the best dino-museums we've ever been to. We highly recommend a visit!!! Grrrrrrr.
   ~Paul & Amber   ETC

Museum of Ancient Life

   Oh yeah...you heard it here first! The most beautiful sand dunes in the USA exist in Idaho. I know right? Who would of thought? Idaho! (please feel free to debate this sandy claim in the comment section!)

   After a quick Columbia River stop in our last post, ETC's epic road trip continues as we travel to Bruneau Dunes State Park. We pulled into our car camp site on a weekday in the summer. There were only about 2 other campers on the grounds that night - perfect - empty campsites are the best.

   As Amber relaxed tent-side with the feline, I set off on a golden-hour sand dune hike. I had the whole place to myself - it was epic.

     I would highly, highly, highly recommend exploring this area if you live close or are passing through. Sand hiking and sand boarding is encouraged and vehicles on the dunes are a no-no. There is an observatory on the grounds with several telescopes open to the public on various nights. The lack of light pollution and big sky is perfect for stargazing. I'm telling you: Bruneau Dunes State Park the best kept state park secret in the West! The most beautiful dunes in the country!!!
   ~Paul, Amber    ETC

  Welcome back road trip followers!!! We've already taken you with us on a road trip warm-up to Zion National Park and Las Vegas…now for the real deal. An epic cross-country adventure from our old home in Seattle to our new home in coastal North Carolina. This 4000 mile-ish trip started earlier this summer, around the beginning of July. Husband, wife, & our horrible cat-daughter in a Toyota compact car (in need of a new clutch…), completely over-flowing with stuff.

  We decided to stop early on in the trip because the stress of leaving is, well, stressful. We chose a campsite in Crow Butte Park - an island park on the Columbia River (map below).

   We didn't see any rattlesnakes:) We did, however, end up in a really sunny tent site. It's dry and hot here in the summer. We arrived in the heat of the day and got roasted while setting up camp! Many sites had shade…almost all except ours - #18. Avoid campsite #18.

All and all the park is pretty cool  - with trails and lots of access to the water.

   Our only complaints? Besides the sun (not a huge deal), we noticed a really smelly smell in the morning. Was it the river? A plant? Our neighbors? Who knows! Our only regrets are we didn't have a little more time to explore this section of the river via kayak or hike to a few secret beaches on the island.

   Next stop: An amazing campground near some of the largest sand dunes in the country!!!! Check back Monday!!!!

   ~Paul, Amber, Kali     ETC

Details:
Crow Butte Park
Reservations can be made here.
Park opens March 15th and closes on October 31st
The 275 acre park is on an island located in the majestic Columbia River at the very southwest section of Benton County in Washington State. It is accessible by motor and river traffic. There are 50 full service camping sites, three boat launches and a boat basin.
Crow Butte Park is primarily a water-sports park with three boat launches and a sheltered bay for temporary moorage. Activities include:

• Boating
• Fishing
• Personal Watercraft
• Swimming
• Camping
• Hiking
• Wildlife Watching
• Sail Boarding
• Horseshoe Pits