Naively Going North

Around the age of 23, I yearned deeply for a faraway vacation but had no idea where to begin. I worked as an entry level preschool teacher and shunned this desire to travel, pinning it as unattainable and illogical due to the fact that I would never make enough money for such pleasures.

Soon enough, I discovered the realm of landscape and travel photography on Instagram and was immediately hooked. I spent hours gazing and gawking at incredible scenes, particularly photographs of the Canadian Rockies.

One evening, out of pure curiosity, I decided pull up a map to see how long it would take to drive from Denver to Banff, Canada. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I underestimated the drive time—17.5 hours. I knew I would have to divide the trip to make it a thoroughly enjoyable journey...but how?

As I uncontrollably delved deeper into research and planning, my bank account continued to glare in my direction. My husband and I had a measly $800 budget for everything: gear and supplies, plus 10 days of campsites/lodging, park entries, gas, food, and drinks. This left absolutely no room for emergencies, such as car troubles (which were common in my whip at the time). Nevertheless, I was compelled to make this happen, and we were going for it. Part 1- Denver to Yellowstone Surreal eyes peek from the belly of a volcano. A picnic of color and steam And grandiose formations For the senses to tirelessly feast upon. Lest we forget the wild, wise beings Whose homes are impeded By stampedes of oblivious humans.

They simply hope to capture the moment.

Appreciation and destruction coincide Within this true gem of the earth. 1st Day: We began driving at 2:30 am (huh?!) in order to secure a first-come, first-served site at Lizard Creek Campground, located perfectly between the border of Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. Witnessing the towering Tetons made the 8 hour drive completely worth it, and we found a campsite near Jackson Lake by 11:00 am. A nap was necessary to function, so we allowed ourselves to rest into the late afternoon. We spent the evening exploring a little bit of each park, taking a nature-friendly bath in the frigid lake, watching the sun set over the Tetons, and eating cheap junk food.

2nd Day: Yellowstone and the Tetons are rich with adventuring possibilities. With only one day left in this area, we opted to spend it exploring the main geological attractions in Yellowstone. Nothing I researched prepared me for the magnificence and beauty of this park...

Grand Prismatic Spring. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Excelsior Geyser. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Old Faithful. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Dragon's Mouth Spring. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Part 2- Yellowstone to Glacier National Park 3rd Day: Our original plan was to leave for Glacier by 5:00 am and score a campsite around 2:00 pm. This, unfortunately, did not pan out. It was cold, and we were cozy (truth be told, I am not a morning person), so we narrowly began the drive at

7:00 am.

As we exited the town of West Yellowstone, MT, the roads became increasingly remote. I was overcome with this eerie yet exhilarating feeling. A slow-burning anxiety formed at the base of my spine. What if our car broke down amidst this nothingness? We had never driven so far from familiarity before...Thankfully, my awe of the pristine mountains and vast skies balanced these fears, and once the 9 1/2 hour scenic drive concluded, we were more than zealous to get camp set up.

However, much to our chagrin, there were zero available campsites in the park—aside from primitive sites off steep and rocky roads, upon which I was certain my car would die. We checked hotels in the area, which were also completely booked. As we prepared to sleep in the car (which would have only ruffled my perfectionist feathers a bit), a kind woman at a motel front desk found ONE option left in the entire area: a yurt in an RV park. Neither my husband nor I had been introduced to world of yurts prior, but the circumstances spurred my still-strong fascination with these simple and charming structures.

Basic, yet heavenly compared to a night in the car

4th Day: Considering the yurt was only a few miles from Glacier National Park, we were able to snag a site in Apgar Campground by 11:00 am. We were pleased with this location, as it offered relaxation in the trees, walking paths, a restaurant (splurge time), and close proximity to Lake McDonald. My husband thought I was insane for submerging in the lake as long as I did. (Notice below that he is bundled in a coat.) Swimming in this pure, numbing deep blue water gave me such a rush. Talk about a nature high.

Excuse the sub-par quality and lighting, but check out those mountains!

5th Day: Classic Glacier scenery. We took the free shuttle up Going-to-the-Sun Road, mainly because we were waiting on my paycheck to come through the next morning. (Major props to the park for offering this service.) We decided to stop at Logan Pass and check out Hidden Lake, which was STUNNING, for lack of a justifiable word.

Jagged, detailed battlements Lean upon one another, Forming a majesty for the glaciers Who created their essence. Sparkling white contrasts the summer scene. Altogether, these elements are served By an endless wonderland garden, Dancing in the breeze Welcoming the sheltering mist to come.

Logan Pass. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Wildflowers & Peak: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Hidden Lake. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Into the Mist. Copyright: Brittney Cunningham, 2015

Part 3- Glacier to Banff… TO BE CONTINUED. Stay tuned to find out why we almost didn’t make it across the border to Canada! Plus—camping misadventures, pretty pictures, and more poetry, of course. What is your dream road trip adventure? Or do you prefer flying? Are you a budget-conscious traveler, or do you like to go all-out on vacation? I would truly love to read about your goals and preferences.

Thanks for reading! 'Til next time...

-Brittney Cee