Photos – Journeys with Eileen Diane

Addendum: The Well~Read Moose Bookshop, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

June 17, 2019June 12, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

The last stop on my road trip (Western Washington to Mt Rushmore) was a favorite spot: Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I’ve visited several times and each time I enjoy re-visiting favorite places plus discovering new spots to explore.

I visited my favorite bookstore several times. What a great way to start the day: sipping a delicious latte while browsing their marvelous selection of books, cards, coasters, socks, stuffed animals, etc. I always find a book that is intriguing and which I know I will enjoy.

The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Visiting this bookstore is like seeing a dear friend after a year’s absence.

A special treat is returning in the afternoon to enjoy a glass of Prosecco while deciding which books to purchase. Could not resist several books and I look forward to my next visit.

Savor your journeys.

Afternoon break

Look to be great reads

Great coffee, wraps, etc

terrific selections …

super collection of coasters

Marvelous Coasters ..

Two Favorite Bookstores ~ Idaho

https://www.wellreadmoose.com/

Favorite Bookstores: Missoula, Montana

June 14, 2019June 13, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

On my road trip from western Washington to Mt. Rushmore, I stopped in Missoula for several days. I love browsing and supporting local, independent bookstores, and found two bookstores to add to my “favorite bookstore” list.

In addition to a fabulous book selection, Shakespeare & Company has cards, t-shirts, journals and gifts plus very friendly, helpful staff. Check out the “staff picks” for ideas. I bought two books that look fascinating (one a staff pick).

As you peruse the titles, you will discover many books to whet your appetite. There is a small sitting area, music playing in the background and it is well worth a visit.

Link http://www.shakespeareandco.com/

How could I resist “The Guest Cat”

neat bookmark

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Another terrific independent bookstore to explore is Fact and Fiction. They have a terrific selection in their small shop plus very friendly, knowledgeable staff. Located in the downtown area, they specialize in local authors and will gladly order books for you. I found a mystery by a local author which looks to be a good read.

Both stores also have readings and special events.

Savor your journeys.

https://www.factandfictionbooks.com/

South Dakota Air & Space Museum – Interior Exhibits

June 10, 2019June 10, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

While you are exploring the Mt Rushmore / Black Hills / Badlands area, make certain to visit the SD Air & Space Museum. Located next to Ellsworth Air Force Base, this museum is a must see.

Interior exhibits will take you from the early beginnings of aviation to aerospace displays, including “Exploring Mars” information. The fascinating exhibits include The Doolittle Raiders, the Berlin War Memorial, the Korean War, B-1B cockpit display, gorgeous “Earth as Art” photos, photos of aircraft flying near Mt. Rushmore and so much more.

You can easily spend several hours inspecting the outstanding interior and exterior exhibits. Take your time as you walk about to read the descriptions and feel the magnificence of aviation history.

Savor your journeys.

B-1B Cockpit Display

Bomb Disposal Suit

The Doolittle Raiders

The Doolittle Raid

Doolittle Raid info

Flying over Mt Rushmore

Air Force 1, flying over Mt Rushmore

US Air Force Thunderbirds at Mt Rushmore

B-52 Stratofortress over Mt Rushmore

Flying over Mt. Rushmore

1919 US Army Air Services

Berlin Wall Memorial ~ Pres Kennedy

Berlin Wall Memorial ~ Pres Reagan

South Dakota Air & Space Museum – Exterior Exhibits

June 7, 2019June 5, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

Located 7 miles east of Rapid City, SD, next to Ellsworth Air Force Base, this museum is a must see as you explore the Mt Rushmore area.

There are over 30 outdoor exhibits, including B-1B Lancer, B-29 Superfortress, B-52 Stratofortress, B-25 Mitchell (Eisenhower’s personal WWII transport) plus 3 missiles. There is detailed information about each aircraft.

It was a terrific experience, to walk about the aircraft, absorbing the history, amidst the beauty of the Black Hills.

Next post will be the terrific interior exhibits.

Savor your journeys.

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Badlands National Park, South Dakota

June 3, 2019May 31, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

The Badlands, located 70 miles east of Rapid City, SD are phenomenal, mysterious rock formations.

You can opt to take a bus through the area (check out bus departures from nearby Wall) or do as I did and drive about the Badlands Loop Road with incredible scenic overlooks and trails.

It was cloudy on the day I went, but even still, I observed the marvelous different colors and imagined their distinct beauty in sunlight. Around each curve of the winding loop road there are extraordinary unique vistas. There are numerous places to stop and take in the wonder and majesty of this very distinctive place.

Savor your journeys.

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Mt Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, South Dakota

May 31, 2019May 30, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

Mt Rushmore is awesome! It is an incredible experience to gaze at the magnificent sculptures of four notable United States Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

Located approximately 20 miles from Rapid City (where I stayed), it’s a beautiful drive into the Black Hills, past the town of Keystone (elevation 4,331’) to Mt Rushmore. After parking my car, I walked towards the Avenue of Flags, which opened in 1978. The 50 states are represented plus the District of Columbia and territories (total 56) offering a beautiful first impression of Mt. Rushmore.

There are several trails to explore plus the Sculptor’s Studio (unfortunately, closed on the day I visited). Each year, over 3 million people visit this monument. If you have not visited, I recommend that you add it to your “bucket list.” It is well worth the drive.

Savor your journeys.

State Flags

Mount Rushmore

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana

May 28, 2019May 25, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

Sixty-five miles east of Billings, heading toward Mt Rushmore, a terrific stop is Little Bighorn Battlefield. Park rangers at the Visitor Center readily answer your questions. The Museum has very informative exhibits and a very good collection of books, including Stephen Ambrose’s “Crazy Horse and Custer”.

Leaving the visitor center, as you walk toward Last Stand Hill and the 7^th Cavalry Memorial and then the Indian Memorial, you can feel the history all about you. Gaze about and sense what happened here in June, 1876. Think of what victory and defeat meant. Drive about Battlefield Road, following the map from the visitor center to get an idea of the size of the battlefield, stopping at Memorial Markers.

Savor your journeys.

Visitor Center

National Cemetery

Indian Memorial

Last Stand Hill

7th Cavalry Memorial

7th Cavalry Memorial

Indian Memorial

Road Trip: Western Washington to Mt Rushmore ….. Missoula, Montana

May 26, 2019May 25, 2019Journeys with EileenDiane

I’ve always wanted to visit Mt Rushmore and recently thought why not visit now? I planned to travel prior to Memorial Weekend (as both road trip travel and Mt Rushmore will be very crowded in the summer months) and waited until the snow season was over (or almost over) in South Dakota and Wyoming.

My route from western Washington was very direct, via the I-90 interstate. First stop: Missoula, Montana. Very glad I decided to break up my trip here. It’s a beautiful area, the weather was sunny, nice parks, and two super book stores to explore (a future post). There is a fabulous coffee stand (Copper Mountain Coffee) and a great restaurant (The Stone of Accord) near the hotel (a future post). Yes, I would definitely return to further explore this gorgeous “Big Sky” area.

Savor your journeys.