Welcome to Nick and Brad's travel journal. We have traveled around (and out of) the country over the last several years. Here are some of the more memorable trips we've taken - where we went, when we did it, what we saw, what we ate, what we drank, and maybe who we met. From each place we go, we buy magnets, hence the name of the blog.
Click photos for larger images; following links will teach you things and you might find cool stuff. You got to play to win.
MEM-DEN Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming July 12 - July 19, 2008
Made it back to Denver and checked into the Hampton Inn downtown. We got settled then made our way to the Denver Art Museum. The museum is home to a very large collection of Native American artwork, and has a collection of about 68,000 pieces.
After the museum, we headed to the Great Divide Brewery, had several beers and took a tour of the brewery. Sufficiently tipsy, we walked down to Coors Field for a Rockies game. After the game we walked (stumbled?) toward the hotel, hit up bar or two and ended up back at the hotel. Somehow. No one knows, and it is a mystery to this day, one that haunts the citizens of Denver.
The next day, seeing that we had survived the evening, we were proud of ourselves. And then left for the airport to go back to Memphis.
MEM-DEN Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming July 12 - July 19, 2008
Was very cold last night - mid to low 40s. We were up around 7 AM and headed back into the park. We hiked the Fern Lake Trail, about 4 miles. Very scenic hike along rushing stream.
Went to the Moraine Park Museum which schooled us on glaciers and moraines. Back through Estes Park to Estes Park Brewery for a tour, but they didn't have tours, so it was just for a bite (and a beer of course). We tried some samples and walked over to a miniature golf course next door. Brad won by a couple strokes (he calls it a slaughter).
Took Hwy 7 south to find camping - the first 3 places were full. Woman at the Pawnee Recreation Area told us we could camp off-road in Roosevelt National Forest, but we would be "roughing it". This is after we offended her by saying we didn't want to be near old people or RVs (she presumably belonged to the latter group, certainly to the former). We found a really nice, secluded spot about 1/4 mile down a (very) primitive dirt/rocky road. Tons of HUGE mosquitos, but they are less annoying than screaming children.
Tried to use the rest of the food and beer (tomorrow headed to Denver). Dinner consisted of chicken drumsticks, beans and grilled corn. BOD: Estes Park Pale Ale, Red, Raspberry Wheat; Bud Light, and misc remaining beers
MEM-DEN Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming July 12 - July 19, 2008
Departed camp around 10:30 via Hwy 230 toward Colorado. Stopped in Walden, CO for lunch, which was pretty shitty. Within 10 minutes of leaving town, we FINALLY saw a MOOSE! This was the first moose we had seen on any of our vacations, and to be able to finally know that they weren't really a myth was priceless. Unfortunately the camera was in the console, and the thing took off, like it had something to hide (hello, sasquatch). But it did look like all the other meese we'd seen in photos, so...
Went to Stanley, CO and entered Rocky Mountain National Park from the west. It was a really pretty drive, but no wildlife. HUGE mountains!! Did a one mile hike at the top of one peak through tundra. All the campgrounds in the park were full so we drove through the park and on to Long's Peak campground. By far, the crappiest spot this whole trip (perhaps ever?), but we were pretty tired anyway. It started raining as soon as we put up the tent and didn't appear to be stopping any time soon, so we drove back to Estes Park (~ 9 miles away) to eat. Ended up dining at a pizzeria (salad bar!).
Back at camp, and we were in bed by 8:30 (sad).
Elevation here is about 10,000 feet. Neither of us drank anything all day (!!!) so there was no BOD. This could be another first.
MEM-DEN Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming July 12 - July 19, 2008
Got up and ate the "continental breakfast" at the Showboat Motel. It was the kind of breakfast setup that would most likely house families of cockroaches. We ended up leaving Casper around 9:30.
Drove south through the Shirley Mountains and stopped in Hanna, WY to check out a museum. We ate lunch at Hanna's Wild Wonder Cafè. Both of us had the Janet chicken sandwich. The museum was actually closed so we headed south toward Medicine Bow National Forest.
We stopped in Saratoga, a nice little western town. We bought a few things at a couple gift shops and walked around the town a bit. On the way out of town, we stopped at the NFS office for camping ideas. We were told to head south to Encampment, WY.
We passed through the suggested campground and went farther into the Sierra Madre Mountains. There was a very secluded campground that we found called Lost Creek, where we set up camp. Elevation here is 9,ooo feet. There was snow on the side of the roads. There was lots of firewood in the campground due to a beetle infestation (the forest service had to cut them down).
BOD: Grand Teton IPA (Jackson Hole) and New Belgium Brewing Co Abbey Ale (Ft Collins), PBR
MEM-DEN Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming July 12 - July 19, 2008
Departed camp around 10 AM and headed north on 14 - very scenic drive up to I-9o.
Made our way to Devils Tower in northeast Wyoming. It's essentially a giant pillar of a rock, rising about 1200 feet off the ground. Sioux Indian folklore tells of a group of girls chased by bears. The Great Spirit felt sorry for them and raised the ground under them, saving their lives. The bears scratched at the side of the tower, creating the vertical marks on the side. Ate lunch here, which consisted of leftover chicken shoved into wraps.
Heading back on I-90, Nick got pulled over by the Wyoming state highway patrol going 88 in a 75. Shady cop took the ticket payment in cash, after following us to an ATM up the highway.
Took highway 50 south but turned the wrong way and ended up back on 59. Drove to Douglas, then on to Casper. We thought it would be a cool western town, but no, not so much. Downtown wasn't so bad, but there weren't any hotels. We found the LAST hotel. room in the city at the Showboat National 9 Motel - the sort of place of you would find a dead hooker - all for just $95 a night.
Dinner: some brewery/pub downtown Casper. Our waitress was fun and chatty. She told us all about Mormon crickets and prairie dogs.
BOD: wheat and pale ales from the brewery (they were so-so).
We got settled then made our way to the Denver Art Museum. 
The museum is home to a very large collection of Native American artwork, and has a collection of about 68,000 pieces.
After the game we walked (stumbled?) toward the hotel, hit up bar or two and ended up back at the hotel. Somehow. No one knows, and it is a mystery to this day, one that haunts the citizens of Denver. 
