By: Luke Baum
Above: The Colorado River from Bond, Colorado. 2021 by Luke Baum
It was December, 2021, and I was so excited to venture to Colorado! Hayley had moved to Aurora a month previously, so visiting my best friend gave me a reason to travel to Denver. I had never been to Colorado -- let alone the Rocky Mountains -- and was excited to explore this mile-high state. In Aurora, however, things took an unexpected turn, and Hayley told me she was moving back home to Michigan! It was a week-or-so before my flight to Denver when our Colorado tour turned into a wintry western roadtrip.
Above: Hayley posing with Chevy in Aurora, Colorado before embarking home. 2021 by Luke Baum
I got on the plane and threw my return ticket to the wind. It's road trip time! We had a couple days for Hayley to put her final pieces in order and to experience Denver's city/nightlife. Denver weirded me out, though. Maybe it's the fact it's so close to the sky? Whatever the reason, we stuck to a brief night out devouring calzones Hayley saw on social media before retreating back to Hayley's room.
The next day, we waited around while mechanics repaired the heating in Chevy. There's no way we could face this mid-December weather with no heating inside the car! In the meantime, we purchased Legos to commemorate our road trip.
Above: Our LEGO creations primed for adventure in Aurora, Colorado. 2021 by Luke Baum.
Hayley and I were ready to embark on our impromptu journey, and so were our dashboard decorations -- symbols of "Jet" and "Skywalker". Who knew, years later, we would adopt these trail names on the Pacific Crest Trail?!
Above: A view of traintracks along the Colorado River from Radium Hot Springs Trail in Bond, Colorado. 2021 by Luke Baum
Our first stop was at natural hot spring Hayley discovered -- Radium Hot Springs. The directions to the trailhead led us on a slight goosechase, but we still found the beginning in good time. It was less than a two-mile hike from the car to the hot springs. The only sign of life was a set of traintracks guided by the Colorado River (above).
Above: The Colorado River, Bond, Colorado. 2021 by Luke Baum
Above: The view from Radium Hot Springs in Bond, Colorado. 2021 by Luke Baum
Thankfully, we were the only people enjoying the hotsprings on this chilly December afternoon. We packed out sub sandwiches and ate those in the pools; Hayley flew her drone over the river; then we lounged into the early evening. It was the perfect addition of relaxation to our road trip.
Above: Sunset on the road in Parshall, Colorado. 2021 by Luke Baum
A perk of roadtrips are the impressive sunsets. There's something special about the changing scenery along winding roads that makes both sunrises+sunsets so serene. The perk of being passenger meant I could safely capture these moments (above).
Above: Ski-slopes above the village of Winter Park, Colorado. 2021 by Luke Baum
Neither of us had much skill or funds to ski, but our next destination gave us comfortable lodging and a pretty village to explore along our trip. The hotel was cozy, and the wintry theme was rounded out by the addition of snow.
We ordered a pizza for dinner from the village that night -- cheese and tomato. I went to get the pizza right after sunset, and dusk had fallen quickly. People were still bustling down the mountain and around the square, grabbing a table for dinner with their friends and families. I was content in only catching a glimpse at Winter Park before running back to the hotel room with our boon.
Above: Landscape in Douglas, Wyoming after devouring grilled cheese. 2021 by Luke Baum
Hayley and I devoured the best grilled cheese either of us ever had -- or ever had since -- in Casper, Wyoming during this roadtrip. Thankfully, we chose to go north from Colorado to Wyoming rather than immediately starting east toward Michigan! Otherwise, we would have missed the creation we still fantasize over to this day: (known to us as) "The Casper Grilled Cheese".
On the off-chance we could get a quick meal before hitting the road out from Casper, Hayley and I decided to pit stop at the bakery in town. The aroma was mouth-watering. The grilled cheese was $5, made on large sourdough loaf, and outstanding. To accompany the sandwich, we took a sample of locally-sourced, sun-dried tomato oil. The flavor combination was indescribable.
I wish we had a picture... we ate them far too quickly.
Above: Mesa off the interstate in Hot Springs, South Dakota. 2021 by Luke Baum
The day rolled on, and we made good time on the dry pavement. All we could talk about was that grilled cheese. When we stopped off for the night, little did we expect the total winter wonderland that awaited us outside Super 8 the following morning...
Above: Navigating a snowstorm in South Dakota. 2021 by Luke Baum
Braving these roads was no casual task. The highways in this storm were scary, so Hayley took them slowly. All along the highway, Hayley and I saw sign after sign advertising a pitstop called "Wall Drug" over several hundreds of miles. We both knew this was our respite from the storm and made for Wall, South Dakota, filled with growing anticipation, sign after sign.
Above: Wall Drug dining hall in Wall, South Dakota. 2021 by Luke Baum
When we got to Wall Drug, it was not very busy; it seemed we were the only people crazy enough to roadtrip here. On one side of the road were large stores filled with unique, finely crafted boots, hats, belts, and jewelry. Of course, Hayley talked herself into getting an authentic, affordable turquoise, silver, and leather belt. "You can't pass up this kind of deal!"
On the other side of the road was the main attraction -- the indoor village. Built in 1908, Wall Drug takes you on a tour through a timeless, authentic American-Western marketplace. The main streets are cobbled and brick walls separate one section from another. It's quite the experience to walk seamlessly from one store to the next! I was so enamored by this charming indoor village that I also forgot to take any pictures besides the one captured from a video (above)!
Let's just say: I've dug Wall Drug.
Above: Braving the roads in Box Elder, South Dakota. 2021 by Luke Baum
Even though we could tour Wall Drug in a blizzard, it would've been a hard trek climbing up the snowy slopes to see Mount Rushmore. Still on my bucket-list to see this apparently underwhelming monument to American history, we drove through the Black Hills and right by Mount Rushmore.
It's probably best to go during summertime as to enjoy the hikes and scenery! Seriously, who knows if I'd have even been able to see it anyway, considering the low visibility.
Above: On our way home outside Alpha, Minnesota. 2021 by Luke Baum
The next day, the roads were cleared, so we swiftly continued on. Once we reached Wisconsin, I felt so close to home -- just a jump over Lake Michigan! We decided to drive south through the Wisconsin Dells instead of through Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Later, we stopped in Madison for the night.
Of course, we had to get Culver's for dinner! Did the cheese curds taste creamier because of the illusion of authentic Wisconsin cheese?
Above: Hayley running an obstacle course in Madison, Wisconsin. 2021 by Luke Baum
We both were itching for a city-excursion, and it so-happened to be Hayley's half-birthday, so we ventured to an indoor trampoline park! Granted, Hayley was still only 20 and 1/2 years old, so that left bar-hopping out of the question. Besides, would you look at that smile on Hayley's face (above)? You've gotta love a good trampoline park.
Above: Hayley and I on our cross-country roadtrip, USA. 2021 by Luke Baum
The road trip came to a close the following day. It was a familiar journey once we reached Chicago. From there, until we got home, Hayley and I reminisced on our past journeys and planned out what laid ahead for us. After loving every second of this 10 day trip together, it was clear we were thick travel buddies -- we knew this was just the beginning of our many future travels together!
Afterward
Shortly after into 2022, we created Life Packs together with the idea that life "packs" anything from fun adventures to intense trials. Through it all, I'm so glad to have Hayley by my side and grateful for those who also support me along the way. I know it's a little cheesy, but what's life without good cheese?!
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