We recently attended a family wedding three states away in Wisconsin. We discussed whether to fly or drive.

Not for long though. You see our bucket lists contain a visit to all fifty states. Driving would help tick off two states … if we took a northern route back home to Colorado.

Family and friends cautioned about the possibility of adverse weather if we traveled by car in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. We listened and then decided to take our chances.

With our two four-legged children loaded in the car, we headed north.

(Note: Their advice would have been so correct if we had made the trip last week during the deep freeze and snow of the early winter storm in those states. We didn't. We were nestled all snug in our cabin in Colorado watching Casper, Wyoming with temperatures of -35 degrees on the evening news.)

As it worked out, we were so glad we drove.

[caption id="attachment_5369" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/custer.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-5369" src="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/custer.jpg?w=150" alt="Little Bighorn National Cemetery" width="150" height="112" /></a> Little Bighorn National Cemetery[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_5371" align="alignright" width="109"]<a href="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/scenery.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-5371" src="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/scenery.jpg?w=109" alt="Teddy Roosevelt National Park" width="109" height="150" /></a> Teddy Roosevelt National Park[/caption]

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The beauty of the landscape was breathtaking.

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The people we met  friendly and interesting.

[caption id="attachment_5373" align="aligncenter" width="150"]<a href="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/pub.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-5373" src="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/pub.jpg?w=150" alt="Lunch in Portage, WI" width="150" height="112" /></a> Lunch in Portage, WI Pub[/caption]
<p style="text-align:left;">The wedding inspiring.</p>


[caption id="attachment_5370" align="aligncenter" width="112"]<a href="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/km.jpg"><img class="wp-image-5370 size-thumbnail" src="https://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/km.jpg?w=112" alt="k&amp;m" width="112" height="150" /></a> Congratulations, Abram &amp; Becca[/caption]

This Thursday many of us will be gathering to eat turkey and all the trimmings with family and friends.

In 1621, the Plymouth the Pilgrims and Indians celebrated survival and the hopes of future good fortune on the first Thanksgiving.

Our trip of over 3,500 miles reminded me of the awesome things we have to celebrate this Thanksgiving Day.
<p style="text-align:center;">Majestic mountains</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Fields ripe with grain to harvest</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Moonlight on lakes</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">Water rushing in streams and cascading down waterfalls</p>
<p style="text-align:center;">And, most of all the fellowship of family and friends</p>

<h1 style="text-align:center;"><span style="color:#ff9900;">Happy Thanksgiving!</span></h1>