Over the Independence Holiday, from June 28 through July 13, 2008, Kathy, Norah, and Steve traveled to Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado. The first week of vacation was spent in Gordon, Nebraska, visiting Kathy's parents. Steve did a three day side trip into South Dakota during the first week, while Kathy and Norah remained in Gordon. During the second week, time was spent hiking in both Wyoming and Colorado. In Wyoming, we stayed in Centennial, WY, which is adjacent to the Medicine Bow National Forest and the Snowy Mountains. Afterwards, in Colorado, we hiked in Rocky Mountain National Park based out of Estes Park.

It was a wonderful vacation, getting to spend time with family, and getting to see and hike in a part of the country we had not previously seen. We loved the contrast of the Nebraskan and South Dakotan prairie to the alpine environments of Wyoming and Colorado. Norah was a great traveler and enjoyed her first trip out west.