Week One on the Road

The first week of our trip has been a whirlwind of campsites, climbing, cornfields, and unexpected adventures. Here’s the recap:

John Bryan State Park, Ohio

We kicked things off at John Bryan State Park, just outside of Yellow Springs. The campground had all the accommodations and the trails were beautiful, but it was pricier than we’d like. Still, it was the only option close to Mad River Gorge, our climbing spot for the next day.

Climbing at Mad River Gorge

The next day we rolled into Mad River Gorge. It was completely empty when we arrived—our own private crag. We warmed up at the Eastern Slabs, ticking off a few fun, easy sport routes. My climbing shoes felt about two sizes too small after such a long break, which didn’t help the enjoyment level, but we powered through.

After lunch, we hiked over to Dad’s Wall, thinking we’d get on some easy trad. Instead, it looked sketchy and crumbly, so we changed plans and hopped on Excellent Ella, a classic sport route on the arete. The route was super fun, with cool pocket holds that made it the highlight of the day.

Through Iowa: Corn, Heat, and Campsite Woes

The next leg took us through Iowa—where the views consisted almost entirely of corn. Miles and miles of it. We attempted a campsite and climbing spot that didn’t pan out, so we pushed on to Hickory Hills Campground. Online it looked like $5, but we were charged $18. To make things worse, the host made us switch campsites because we “didn’t need electricity.” The day was unbearably hot, making it impossible to nap in the tent, so we bailed to town for ice cream and cold drinks until the sun went down.

We woke up at sunrise the next day, eager to escape the heat and get back on the road.

South Dakota: Waterfalls, Rocks, and Bugs

Our first South Dakota stop was Falls Park in Sioux Falls. The waterfalls were stunning, but the mist was the real gift—it was the perfect way to cool down. From there we headed to Palisades State Park, just 30 minutes away. At first, Shawn wasn’t thrilled about paying $10 just to enter what looked like a giant field, but he quickly changed his mind once we found the incredible rock formations along the river.

That evening, we camped at Oacoma Flats City Park, right on the Missouri River. The sunset was unreal, and there were hardly any other people around. Unfortunately, the bugs were relentless.

Goats, Dinosaurs, and the Badlands

On the way to the Badlands, we made a detour to see the quirky roadside attraction: the Skeleton Man Walking Skeleton Dinosaur. Sadly, we could only see it from the highway. But the disappointment was quickly forgotten when we pulled into a gas station where goats were blocking the pumps. We ended up feeding them, and one clever goat even knew how to open the dispenser when we put coins in. Their slimy tongues were a weird surprise.

Then came the Badlands National Park. Everyone told us it was epic, and they weren’t wrong. This was Shawn’s first national park, and it did not disappoint. We hiked the Old Northeast Road—one of the few dog-friendly trails inside the park—and then drove the scenic loop, stopping at nearly every overlook.

That night, finding a campsite was a challenge. The GPS coordinates I had saved turned out to lead us to someone’s farm. With almost no service, we scrambled to find another spot, but ended up with a hidden gem: a quiet site with a giant rock wall and space to string up the hammock. Whether it was actually off the ground or not is debatable, but it worked.

Mt. Rushmore & Burgers in the Rain

The next morning we headed straight for Mount Rushmore. The best surprise? A dog-friendly trail with a clear view of the monument. The pups even got their first Bark Ranger keychains, which were adorable. The not-so-great surprise? They didn’t accept our annual National Park Pass.

From there, the skies opened up. In Hot Springs, SD, rain came down so hard that streets filled with ankle-deep water. We ducked into 2 Cows Café for lunch, and I swear we had the best burgers ever. Maybe it was the hunger talking, but we’d give them a solid 10/10.

We ended the night camping in the Black Hills National Forest, where the ground was scattered with cow patties, bullet casings, and the occasional strange animal noise. Not exactly glamorous, but it made for a memorable night.

And that wraps up Week One! From sleepless nights and burrs to waterfalls, goats, and epic landscapes, this trip has already been full of surprises. Can’t wait to see what Week Two has in store.