My dad and I redid a 1987 VW Vanagon last year. We (well, mostly he) did quite a bit on it and continues to be a work in progress. He was itching to go on another road trip and I had to be in Utah for work. I think you can guess what happened next.

He started driving from CT to my place in Chicago. He stayed the night and we got up on Sunday, said goodbye to Emi and hit the open road.

We knew we wanted to see Jackson Hole and Yellowstone and he had a flight out of SLC on Saturday, but other than that we didn’t have much of a plan. This is my favorite way to travel and well, to live. To have just enough of an idea of where you are going and things you want to accomplish while leaving plenty of room for “things” to happen.

Day 1: Chicago to South Dakota

The flatlands. Illinois > Wisconsin > Minnesota > South Dakota

It’s normal to go on a road trip with your dad when you’re 31, ya?

Prairie lands

ISO mountains

My dad woke up early and started driving. I laid in bed for a while. Perks of van living.

Gotta stop at Wall Drug!

We have reached the Badlands

Hello South Dakota

Day 2: South Dakota to Cody, WY

Hello mountains! South Dakota > Wyoming

Going over the Big Horn Mountains

Stop and enjoy the view

Hello, Wyoming

Stopping along the river

Dinner spot

Stopped in Cody, WY for the night