We wanted to experience the diverse landscapes and history of this country (we are in state number 8 now). The routes helpfully identify scenic overlooks, historical markers and lots of other things which we pull over to digest and click away. Lots of the "pull-overs" are linked with each other, telling a story as we drive with the result that we are learning an awful lot about this country.
Throughout Idaho, Montana and Wyoming we followed the story of the Nez Perce Tribe who did not want to give up their ancestral lands and move to a reservation. In 1877 they were pursued for over 1100 miles by the US army as they tried to get to sanctuary in Canada. After a 5 day battle they surrendered a mere 40 miles from the Canadian border.
We have also been following the adventures of Lewis and Clark (No not the one with Mr Cain). Captain Lewis and 2nd Lt Clark were commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson to take a group of Army volunteers to map and explore the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase. So map and explore they did for over 2 years and were the first Americans to see Yellowstone and Montana. It really brings home how "young" parts of this country are and how vastly different its history is to our own.
So, to demonstrate that driving is part of the adventure too:
And a few of the views from the overlooks or just the side of the road:
Incidentally, the longest we have gone without seeing another car is is 60 miles/50 minutes (and that was at 4 in the afternoon). It's a big place, that America.
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