Road trips through the northern U. S. portions of the Rockies and Great Plains was made in August and September, 2007 and, for western National Parks, in June, 2008. It had been many years since I've visited some of these areas and was a first visit to others. In fact, the first trip resulted in my now having visited all of the 50 United States. The only one I was lacking was North Dakota, having picked up Rhode Island and Connecticut earlier in 2007. Weather was, for the most part good, if a little hotter than I had expected. ... (more)