The Land Is Enchanting, Scenery Like a Painting: Memories of a Self-Drive Tour on the Great Western Loop!

📍 Los Angeles · 👁 3 reads · ❤️ 42 likes

Time goes back to the summer of 2017, when Dou Niu finished three years of kindergarten. Dou Ba and Dou Ma decided that, before Dou Niu started school, the whole family would take a trip abroad so Dou Niu could see more of the world. Why the United States? First, the US is the most powerful country in the world; second, we had experience driving in the US; third, Dou Niu's uncle lives in the US. So, in the summer of 2017, a month-long, the longest road trip across the eastern and western US began.

On June 2, morning in Shenzhen, the sky was clear blue, with a gentle sea breeze. The beautiful weather added to our good mood for the trip. At 10 a.m., "Ladies and gentlemen, our flight is about to take off." With the flight attendant's pleasant voice, the plane shot into the sky like an arrow. Looking down at Shenzhen, Qianhai looked like two crescent moons hanging on the shore. The plane climbed higher, Shenzhen gradually faded from view, and our hearts grew farther from home.

After nearly three hours of flight, we landed at Beijing Capital Airport. We had a meal in the VIP lounge and rested for a while. At 15:40, amid the roar of the engines, we left Beijing and flew toward San Francisco, thousands of miles away.

After a 12-hour flight covering over 10,000 kilometers, we landed at San Francisco International Airport at 12:20 local time on June 2 (Beijing is 15 hours ahead of San Francisco). We got off the plane and went through customs. The customs officer asked a few simple questions: What are you doing in the US? Where do you work? ... We only understood the first question; the rest we had no clue, so we just shook our heads and grinned foolishly. The big customs officer probably thought we couldn't cause any trouble in the US, so with a wave of his hand, we swaggered into America.

Walking out of the airport, we waited at the exit for our Uber reservation, but the driver couldn't find us. When he called, I couldn't understand him, and he couldn't understand me. After half an hour of mutual frustration, the driver gave up on us. So we decided to take the subway to the hotel. At the ticket machine, as we stared blankly at it, a friendly American guy helped us buy tickets and told us to get off at Powell St station.

After a half-hour ride, we arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Union Square. After checking in, we officially began our trip to the US. Food is the priority, so we headed to Chinatown to fill our stomachs. On the way to Chinatown, we passed Union Square. The square is actually quite small, with the Goddess of Victory statue in the center, surrounded by department stores, luxury boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries. Even without buying anything, the dazzling window displays were a feast for the eyes.

After walking about 30 minutes, we arrived at the famous Yu Shi Yuan Sichuan Restaurant in Chinatown. This restaurant was highly recommended by Dou Niu's uncle, and many Chinese and foreign celebrities have visited. It is said that the head chef of this restaurant used to work at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco. When we arrived, there was a long line outside. After waiting about half an hour, we entered the restaurant. The strong Chinese atmosphere and the pleasant sound of Chinese language made us forget we were in a foreign land.

[Date]: June 3 – June 4

[Attractions]: Lombard Street, Little Italy, Fisherman's Wharf, Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco, a port city on the Pacific coast of California, is a world-famous tourist destination. When people mention the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, or Silicon Valley, they naturally think of San Francisco, but it has much more than that...

In 2013, Dou Ma and I had visited San Francisco before, as part of a tour group. We stayed half a day and symbolically visited the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts, and Fisherman's Wharf. At that time, we promised each other that next time we would experience San Francisco's temperature and enthusiasm properly, discovering its beauty on foot.

On June 3, the weather was sunny and the sky was clear blue. Although it was midsummer in San Francisco, the Pacific breeze was still cool. As Mark Twain said, "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco." We put on long-sleeved clothes and pants and set off for the first attraction—Lombard Street.

Lombard Street is a famous street at the top of Russian Hill in San Francisco. It is located between Hyde Street and Leavenworth Street, with eight sharp turns, making it the most crooked street in the world. Lombard Street is popular with tourists not only because of its many turns and steep slope but also because of the lush trees, colorful flowers, and distinctive villas along both sides.

After visiting Lombard Street, we walked a few minutes to North Beach. It's not actually a beach but the so-called Little Italy, with European-style romantic street cafes and restaurants. We strolled along, admiring the street scenery. Up ahead, we saw a community park full of children's play equipment. Little Dou's eyes lit up, and she dashed into the playground to have fun. Here, Dou Niu was truly a foreigner, but she wasn't shy. The Chinese and American kids soon got along well.

After playing for a while, we continued forward and soon reached Fisherman's Wharf. With a strong sea breeze and bustling crowds, Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most popular tourist attractions in San Francisco. Of course, what interested Dou Niu most were the street performers and the sea lions on the rafts. These creatures, accustomed to big crowds, were quite obliging: they frolicked with each other, then confronted one another; they jumped out of the water and elegantly slid back in, as if this were their kingdom.

After spending more than two hours at Fisherman's Wharf, we took a taxi to the Golden Gate Bridge. The Golden Gate Bridge is a symbol of San Francisco. Its orange-red bridge body gives it an extraordinary appearance. It is widely considered a model of beauty by the international bridge community and is one of the most photographed bridges in the world. The wind at the Golden Gate Bridge is usually strong. The cold sea breeze not only tousles your hair but also makes your head ache.

A fifteen-minute walk from the Golden Gate Bridge brought us to the Palace of Fine Arts. The Palace of Fine Arts is actually a main building abandoned after the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. It wasn't until 1962 that renowned architect Bernard Maybeck redesigned and renovated it, giving it today's splendor. In front of the Palace of Fine Arts is a pond where white swans and a group of wild geese and ducks chase each other in the water. We strolled on the grassy bank, and wild geese and ducks occasionally appeared nearby. Dou Niu was so scared that she hid behind her mother. The large white goose was indeed quite fierce, always chasing people, as if trying to drive us "invaders" out of its territory. We ended the day's itinerary at sunset and returned to Chinatown to satisfy our taste buds.

On the morning of June 4, we walked west along Geary Street. On both sides of the street, we occasionally saw some ragged homeless people. Although they didn't actively beg, it gave us, as foreigners, an uneasy feeling.

After walking about ten minutes, we arrived at St. Mary's Cathedral. We chose to visit this cathedral out of admiration for the Chinese architectural master I.M. Pei. Approaching St. Mary's Cathedral, it indeed gives a non-traditional church feel. It is neither Gothic nor heavy with history. The cathedral is very modern in design, with a huge cross on top. We are not believers, so we could only glance at the masterpiece.

After visiting the cathedral, a 15-minute walk brought us to the famous City Hall. It is famous because San Francisco City Hall is considered one of the most beautiful public buildings in the United States. Its tall golden dome is higher than the U.S. Capitol. It is said that when the city hall was rebuilt in 1915, the budget was a staggering $300 million, which was opposed by all citizens. To convince the public, officials promised that after completion, citizens could visit freely.

Opposite City Hall are the War Memorial Opera House and the San Francisco Performing Arts Library, both historic buildings. When we went, Van Ness Avenue was under renovation, with many traffic cones placed. We could only admire them regretfully from outside.

Behind City Hall is the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Entering the exhibition hall, we were shocked by the large number of Chinese cultural relics (over 2,000 pieces of Chinese ceramics, over 1,200 pieces of jade, and over 800 pieces of bronze). Seeing so many Chinese artifacts on the other side of the Pacific filled us with both pride and heaviness—pride in China's splendid historical civilization, but heaviness wondering how so many Chinese artifacts ended up here.

After visiting the Asian Art Museum, we went to the Painted Ladies of San Francisco. Located opposite Alamo Square, these six interconnected Victorian houses of different colors are known as the Painted Ladies. They are famous because they survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake intact.

[Date]: June 5

[Location]: Highway 1

On June 5, the weather was clear, with clouds occupying half the sky. At 9 a.m., we picked up our rental car from the office opposite the hotel (we chose the Hilton for its convenient car rental access). After half an hour of queuing, we finally got into the imposing "Big White" and headed for our first destination—Stanford University.

We chose to visit Stanford University not only for its prestigious reputation but also because Dou Niu's uncle graduated from this prestigious school. Walking through the Stanford campus, the green lawns were peaceful and beautiful. The rustic Mediterranean-style buildings were solid and solemn. The sculptures by Master Rodin were simple and artistic. The campus was filled not only with the fragrance of books but also with a strong artistic atmosphere. On the Stanford campus, many Chinese sons and daughters with yellow skin and black hair were striving for themselves and their country. We hope they will succeed and contribute to their motherland.

We arrived at The Oval Park, the central square of the school. The square seemed to be covered with a dark green carpet, with neat rows of palm trees on both sides. Dou Niu was overjoyed, running around on the lawn. Our two-hour visit passed quickly, and we didn't even get to go up the Hoover Tower for a panoramic view of the campus.

Leaving Stanford University, we soon entered Highway 1. Highway 1 is known as one of the most beautiful self-driving roads in the world, with the vast Pacific Ocean on one side and the towering Rocky Mountains on the other. The scenery on both sides of the road is rich and varied, with both magnificent winding coastlines, green pastures, and charming small towns; with both lazy sea lions and seals, lively squirrels and seagulls, and fearless surfers.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse was our first stop on Highway 1. This lighthouse is a California State Historic Landmark, built in 1871, with a history of over 140 years. It is still used by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is one of the tallest lighthouses in the United States and one of the most photographed spots along the California coast.

After visiting the lighthouse, we continued along Highway 1. After a while, suddenly the sea ahead was very lively, with surfers and paragliders. These ocean enthusiasts decorated the sky with colorful parachutes. We stopped the car, admiring their grace and praising their courage.

After watching the water performances for a while, we drove to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the West Coast, a paradise for surfers and beach volleyball enthusiasts. At dusk, the beautiful sunset dyed the sky and the sea red. We rushed onto the beach, and Dou Niu finally found her joy—playing with sand. Standing on the beach, the sea water was deep blue, with waves rising one after another. We were a bit worried, closely watching Dou Niu's every move, but the foreigners still plunged into the water.

After playing for a while, the sun was about to set. We washed Dou Niu's feet, changed her clothes, and set off for Monterey. When we arrived at Monterey, it was already dark. There was a Chinese restaurant next to the hotel. Great! We rushed in without hesitation for a happy meal.

The next day, June 6, was the highlight of Highway 1: Monterey, 17-Mile Drive, Carmel, Bixby Creek Bridge, Big Sur. Early that morning, we drove to the Monterey Wharf. Due to time constraints, we could only take a quick look at the town's tranquility and leisure.

After a brief stop at Monterey, we drove to 17-Mile Drive, a spectacular stretch of coastline. Blue sea and sky, colorful flowers and reefs, cliffs and precipices, green golf courses, ancient pines and cypresses, coastal villas, and squirrels, seabirds, and seals everywhere—all painted a noble and charming picture.

Exiting 17-Mile Drive, we soon arrived at the artistic town of Carmel. This is a peaceful paradise known for its refinement and artistry. Builder Hugh Comstock created a fairy-tale aesthetic style in the 1920s. Every shop in the town is decorated like a work of art, each with its own unique charm. Every household has flowers, and every store has greenery. If we had time, we would have liked to stay here for two nights to fully experience it.

Leaving Carmel, we arrived at the famous Bixby Creek Bridge. Construction began in 1931 and was completed and opened to traffic in 1932. The bridge is 218 meters long, 7 meters wide, and 85 meters high. Upon completion, it was the largest single-arch concrete bridge in the world. Spanning a huge deep gorge, it looks spectacular and steep from a distance. The arched bridge opening looks very graceful against the blue sea. It is one of the most photographed bridges on the U.S. West Coast and has even been printed on U.S. postage stamps, making it very popular with tourists.

After visiting Bixby Creek Bridge, although we knew the road ahead was closed due to the damaged Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge, we continued forward, hoping to catch a glimpse of the purple sand at Pfeiffer Beach in Big Sur. After half an hour, huge roadblocks stopped our progress. But we didn't feel any regret, because the coastline we had just traveled was stunningly beautiful.

So we turned around, detoured onto Highway 101, and arrived at White Water Inn in Cambria at 8 p.m. Our stomachs were growling. We finally found a Chinese restaurant, but when we drove up, it was about to close. The Chinese boss, understanding our situation, quickly told the chef to prepare us some dishes to take away. At that moment, we were overwhelmed with emotion, tears welling up, feeling like we had met an old friend in a foreign land. This dinner was incredibly satisfying.

On the morning of June 7, we drove 15 minutes from the hotel to the Elephant Seal Beach, where thousands of elephant seals were gathered—some sleeping, some playing, some barking. Although the seal kingdom emitted a strong fishy smell, it still attracted many tourists.

Leaving Cambria, we headed to Solvang. Solvang is located in Santa Barbara County in central California. The town's buildings are all built in Danish style, and the residents maintain traditional Danish lifestyles, customs, and culture. Solvang enjoys sunshine about 340 days a year, with beautiful scenery all year round. Sunset magazine once named it one of the ten most beautiful small towns in the American West.

After strolling around Solvang for about two hours, we drove 50 minutes to the University of California, Santa Barbara. Walking through the campus, with its azure sea, lush green lawns, and tidy campus, we were captivated by the beautiful environment. As one of the Public Ivy league schools, UCSB boasts outstanding academic achievements and a beautiful campus.

Leaving UCSB, we drove a short while to the town of Santa Barbara. This is a small coastal town full of Mediterranean elements: white walls, red tiles, blue sky, white clouds. The afternoon sun slanted down on the town, making it look like a golden castle.

After a quick visit to Santa Barbara, the sun was almost setting, so we drove to Los Angeles. On the way, Dou Ma and I chatted, saying how friendly Americans were, always someone offering to take pictures for us. Suddenly, it stung Dou Niu's feelings. She declared loudly, "Chinese people are friendly. I love China. I want to go back to Shenzhen." Dou Ba and Dou Ma were bewildered as Dou Niu gave us an impromptu patriotic education lesson.

Entering Los Angeles, it was already dark. The wide freeway was filled with flowing cars, like red ribbons in the night. Driving on such roads at night in the US, where right-of-way rules are strict, is no easy task. Cars move fast, and no one yields easily. Fortunately, we arrived safely in Los Angeles. The Highway 1 road trip came to an end. Joyful Los Angeles, here we come!

Los Angeles, located in southwestern California, is the second-largest city in the United States and the largest city in the American West, often called the "City of Angels." When people mention "Los Angeles," they naturally think of Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, Disneyland, the Lakers...

[Date]: June 8 – June 10

[Location]: Los Angeles

[Attractions]: Walk of Fame, Griffith Observatory, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica Beach, Disneyland

On the morning of June 8, we walked to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The first thing that caught our eyes were the stars embedded in the sidewalk. This is a boulevard of honor, a dream path for countless artists. Each star represents an artist and their great contribution to the entertainment industry. Along the Walk of Fame is also a unique building—the TCL Chinese Theatre, the venue for the annual Oscar ceremony. Walking down this street, we saw various costumed actors posing for photos with tourists for tips. Occasionally, luxury cars and supercars would pass by, perhaps carrying a Hollywood superstar.

Leaving the Walk of Fame, we drove to Griffith Observatory, a favorite for children. Griffith Observatory is one of the world-famous observatories, located on a hill northwest of Los Angeles, opposite the Hollywood Hills. Inside, there are not only rich astronomical exhibits but also various astronomical instruments and models. Dou Niu was very happy, looking at how solar and lunar eclipses occur, touching models of the eight planets, and eagerly explaining to us how day and night happen. Perched on a hilltop, the observatory also offers the best views of Los Angeles. From here, we could see the white Hollywood sign on the opposite hill and overlook the entire "big village" of Los Angeles.

Coming down from Griffith Observatory, we drove to Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is known as the "most prestigious residential area in the world," a symbol of wealth and fame, a dream place for global tycoons. However, when we arrived, we didn't feel anything special. There were no huge signs, no tight security, and no fleets of top luxury cars. All we saw were neatly trimmed gardens in front of every villa.

Leaving Beverly Hills, we came to our last stop of the day—Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica Beach is one of the most famous and popular beaches in the Los Angeles area. It is also the endpoint of the famous Route 66. There is a pier here, which is the symbol of Santa Monica. Nearby is Pacific Park, an amusement park. Many American movies and TV shows have been filmed here. By the time we reached Santa Monica Beach, it was already afternoon. Unfortunately, we didn't have time for Dou Niu to enjoy the amusement park. The three of us could only feel the Pacific breeze on the beach and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the ocean.

After the sun set, we left Santa Monica Beach and drove an hour to our hotel near Disneyland. Tomorrow would be all about Disneyland.

Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is the first Disney theme park in the world, opened on July 17, 1955. In 1955, the imaginative and creative American animation master Walt Disney founded the first modern amusement park in California, named Disneyland (officially Disneyland Park).

On the morning of June 9, the weather was sunny. We walked 15 minutes from the hotel to Disneyland. After a strict security check (selfie sticks were not allowed), we stepped into the joyful land of Disney. For a child, no matter how many times they've been to Disneyland, each time feels like the first, wanting to try every ride. So, our family of three went in at 10 a.m. and didn't come out until 9 p.m., letting Dou Niu have plenty of fun and see everything.

[Date]: June 10 – June 11

[Location]: Las Vegas

[Attractions]: Barstow Outlets, Las Vegas

On June 10, we drove from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. "Big White" soon entered Interstate 15. Speeding along Highway 15, the view outside the windows was endless desert, revealing the vastness and desolation of the West. After two hours, we arrived at the famous Barstow Outlets in the West, which had many first- and second-tier brand discount stores, including the popular COACH store.

After a brief stop, we continued toward Las Vegas. After nearly seven hours of driving (including rest stops, shopping, and meals), we arrived at the glamorous Las Vegas. Known as the "Entertainment Capital of the World" and the "Wedding Capital of the World," Las Vegas is truly a paradise in the desert. All the hotels are super luxurious and surprisingly affordable. During the day, Las Vegas is very hot, with few pedestrians on the streets. The real Las Vegas belongs to the night.

As the lights came on, we walked along both sides of the Las Vegas Strip. The scenes on both sides were stunning: fairy-tale castles, Egyptian pharaohs, huge fountains, volcanic eruptions... Every hotel had its own unique design, a feast for the eyes.

When planning, we had intended to go to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas the next day, but the steep cliffs there have no safety railings. Worried about our child's safety, we had to skip it.

[Date]: June 11 – June 12

[Location]: Salt Lake City

[Attractions]: Temple Square, Utah State Capitol

Due to our schedule, we only stayed one night in Las Vegas. Reluctantly, we left the gambling city on the morning of June 11 and headed for Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City is the capital and largest city of Utah, named for its proximity to the Great Salt Lake. It was founded in 1847 by Brigham Young, leading a group of followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Since then, the church's headquarters have been in Salt Lake City. Today, more than half of the local population are members of the church. After nearly eight hours of driving (including rest stops), we arrived in Salt Lake City at sunset.

On the morning of June 12, we visited the famous Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The entire square was quiet and solemn. Temple Square is located in downtown Salt Lake City, a group of buildings belonging to the headquarters of the Mormon Church, including the Salt Lake Temple, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, the Seagull Monument, and two visitor centers, covering 10 acres, surrounded by walls.

After visiting Temple Square, we also paid a visit to the Utah State Capitol. Then we turned the car and headed toward West Yellowstone. As we sped along the highway, the scenery on both sides became richer. In the distance were majestic snow-capped mountains, and on both sides were vast grasslands and forests. However, the temperature outside the car dropped sharply. Although it was midsummer, we had to put on thick coats.

[Date]: June 13 – June 14

[Location]: Yellowstone National Park

[Attractions]: Lower Geyser Basin, Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone Canyon, Upper and Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone Lake

After a five-hour drive, we arrived in the town of West Yellowstone. After checking into the hotel, we quickly drove into Yellowstone National Park to see the "true face" of the world's first and largest national park.

Yellowstone National Park is the first and largest national park in the world, proudly called by Americans "the most unique and magical paradise on Earth." Yellowstone is so attractive because it is incredibly diverse: lakes, streams, hot springs, snow-capped mountains, canyons, waterfalls, grasslands, flower fields, snow, birds, and animals...

Yellowstone is divided into five regions: the Mammoth Hot Springs area in the northwest features limestone terraces, so it's also called the Hot Terraces area; the northeast is the Roosevelt area, preserving the old Western landscape; the central part is the Canyon area, where you can see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and waterfalls; the southeast is the Yellowstone Lake area, mainly lake and mountain scenery; and the west and southwest are the geyser basins, full of geysers, hot springs, steam vents, hot pools, mud pots, and fumaroles. The park has convenient roads, with a 500-kilometer loop road connecting the main attractions.

The attractions in Yellowstone are distributed in a "figure 8" pattern, requiring a full two days to visit completely. Considering the changeable weather, we arrived at West Yellowstone in the afternoon. Taking advantage of the good weather, we hurried to visit some attractions on the lower half of the "8." Shortly after entering the park, we saw a pastoral scene of green grass and flowing streams; a bit further, it turned into a colorful oil painting of lush trees and blooming flowers. As we drove, the scenery outside the window changed step by step, captivating us.

After an hour's drive, we arrived at the Fountain Paint Pot, which is the Lower Geyser Basin, the largest geyser basin in Yellowstone. The Fountain Paint Pot is also called the "soy milk pot" because mud continuously erupts from underground, resembling soy milk. The area is accessed by an 800-meter boardwalk loop, all flat, taking about half an hour to complete.

During our visit, snowflakes suddenly flew in the sky. This abnormal weather of snow in June was something we had never seen before. Snow and rain danced in the air, and the temperature dropped to 7°C, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm. We drove to another famous attraction—the Grand Prismatic Spring.

The Grand Prismatic Spring is one of the most famous geysers in Yellowstone, the largest hot spring in the United States and the third largest in the world. Named for its vivid colors, it displays blue, green, yellow, orange, and red from the inside out, earning it the reputation of "the most beautiful surface on Earth." A boardwalk surrounds the spring, and a full loop takes about 40 minutes. On the third day, when the weather was good, we revisited it.

After visiting the Grand Prismatic Spring, it was getting late, so we retreated back. On the way back to the hotel, we saw all kinds of wild animals on both sides of the road. These creatures, accustomed to tourists, showed no fear of us. On the contrary, we were afraid they might run onto the road and attack our car. Fortunately, we coexisted peacefully—you forage in your kingdom, I go back to my hotel to rest.

On the morning of June 13, although it was cold, the weather was good. Our task today was to visit all the attractions on the upper half of the "8." There weren't many attractions, but the driving distance was relatively long.

First, we arrived at Norris Geyser Basin. Located on the west side of Yellowstone, it is the most unstable series of geysers in the park, with very rich colors, including clear blue-green and milky blue-white, as well as orange or green channels formed by algae. The scenery was very beautiful. At this spot, we met a foreign family—a couple with three children, the youngest still in a stroller. Seeing these blond, blue-eyed kids eating cold sandwiches in the cold wind, we really admired their "iron stomachs."

Leaving Norris, we drove to another famous attraction—Mammoth Hot Springs. Located in the northwest of Yellowstone, it is the largest known carbonate-depositing hot spring in the world. Here is the headquarters of Yellowstone National Park, so service facilities are relatively complete. The landscape is dominated by limestone terraces. They were once colorful, but now most hot springs have dried up, causing the death of microorganisms and loss of color. Dead bacteria leave grayish-white powder on the dry large terraces, creating a peculiar landform.

After a simple lunch at Mammoth Hot Springs, we drove to the next attractions—Upper and Lower Falls and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Since it snowed in the park the previous night, we passed through large snowfields along the way. The ground was covered in white, as if we had stepped from summer into winter. Little Dou Niu even got out of the car to play in the snow for a while.

After driving over two hours, we arrived at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, one of the most famous landscapes in Yellowstone. Here you can see both the deep canyon and the plunging waterfalls. In good weather, a rainbow may span the canyon. The canyon has two waterfalls: Upper Fall and Lower Fall. Lower Fall is larger and more spectacular. Long-term river erosion has created colorful rock walls in yellow, orange, brown, etc., which the Native Americans called "Yellowstone."

After visiting the canyon, we continued forward. Soon we reached Hayden Valley. This is a grassland wetland with many bison grazing on the grass—a classic prairie scene.

After finishing Hayden Valley, we originally planned to continue to Yellowstone Lake. After half an hour of driving, we encountered a fork. With very weak cell signal in the park, the navigation stopped working. We didn't dare to continue, so we turned back. Once we got a signal, we quickly navigated back to the hotel. Taking the middle road of the "8," it took only 1 hour and 15 minutes from Hayden Valley back to the hotel. The day's scenic tour ended perfectly.

On the morning of June 14, the sky was blue with white clouds, and the weather was clear. After checking out, we set off immediately. Today we continued along the lower half of the "8." Since the weather was mediocre on the first afternoon, we revisited the Fountain Paint Pot and Grand Prismatic Spring to take better photos. After visiting the same spots as the first day, we drove for nearly two hours to reach Old Faithful.

Old Faithful is named for its consistent and regular eruptions. Currently, it erupts approximately every 93 minutes. At the beginning, there is a rumbling sound from underground, followed by the sound of water hitting the ground, and finally a powerful eruption. Each eruption lasts four to five minutes, shooting a column of water over 40 meters high—a spectacular and unceasing display.

After visiting Old Faithful, we continued to our final planned attractions in Yellowstone—West Thumb Geyser Basin and Yellowstone Lake. Located in the southeastern part of the park, the hot springs in the lake are a unique feature here. Vents bubble up from the lake bottom in colors of dark black, transparent green, and gem blue. Besides the colorful geysers, the nearby Yellowstone Lake and distant snow-capped mountains complement each other. If the weather is clear, it's a wonderful sight. Yellowstone Lake is as vast as an ocean, the largest high-altitude lake in the United States. The water is clear, the lake and mountains are beautiful, and the lake surface reflects the distant snowy peaks—extremely picturesque.

After visiting Yellowstone Lake, we had basically covered the main attractions of Yellowstone. A full day plus two half-days was still rushed. Yellowstone is truly huge with too many attractions. To visit slowly and thoroughly, four days would be more reasonable.

[Date]: June 14

[Location]: Grand Teton National Park

[Attractions]: Jackson Lake, Oxbow Bend Turnout

Starting from Yellowstone Lake, we exited the south gate of Yellowstone and entered Grand Teton National Park. The road into Grand Teton was excellent, with beautiful scenery on both sides: clear lakes, towering snowy mountains, lush pine forests, and blooming wildflowers... The scenery in Grand Teton is actually very beautiful, but because it is adjacent to Yellowstone, it is somewhat overshadowed in tourists' minds.

After about an hour's drive, we arrived at Jackson Lake, a representative attraction of Grand Teton. The wide lake sparkled, and the distant snow-capped mountains appeared even whiter under the sun. However, due to backlight in the afternoon, we didn't see beautiful reflections of the snowy peaks.

Leaving Jackson Lake, we continued forward. Little Dou Niu started her broadcast, adapting the story of the hippopotamus dentist into a series, vividly telling each episode. Her two loyal listeners were deeply absorbed.

After about an hour, we arrived at another famous spot in Grand Teton—Oxbow Bend Turnout. Located near Jackson Junction, it is considered the best viewing point for photographing Mount Moran. Here, the Snake River makes a big bend, creating a wetland area. The wetland is densely vegetated, and the calm Snake River reflects the distant Mount Moran on the water surface—a very beautiful scene.

After enjoying the scenery for a while, the sun began to sink to the west. Due to time constraints, we needed to move on to today's destination—Idaho Falls. Exiting Grand Teton, we passed through Jackson Town, a town with strong Western character, famous for cowboy culture. It has the famous Elk Antler Arch Park and traces of cowboy activities. Regretfully, we couldn't stop.

[Date]: June 14 – June 15

[Location]: Idaho Falls

[Attractions]: Snake River Banks

After driving through mountains for three hours, we arrived in Idaho Falls. After settling our luggage, we went to a nearby Walmart to restock supplies.

Idaho Falls, named after its waterfalls, is the third-largest city in Idaho. Although the town is beautiful, we couldn't really see any waterfall grandeur. However, there were many ducks on the Snake River, and their droppings were everywhere along the banks. Walking along the river, we had to watch our steps to avoid stepping on them.

[Date]: June 15 – June 16

[Location]: Twin Falls, Elko

[Attractions]: Shoshone Falls at Twin Falls

On June 15, early in the morning, we went to the Snake River banks in Idaho Falls to see the falls. We didn't see any falls, only the Snake River Dam. So we quickly drove to our next destination—Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls.

The magnificent Shoshone Falls, located on the Snake River in Twin Falls, Idaho, is often called the "Niagara of the West" because of its comparable grandeur. It is one of the most photographed waterfalls in the United States and listed among the world's top ten waterfalls. Shoshone Falls is 64.7 meters high—14 meters higher than Niagara Falls—and over 300 meters wide. It is a must-see attraction in Twin Falls, Idaho, and even the United States.

Just before reaching Shoshone Falls, we passed the Perrine Bridge, a bridge with a historical story. At the head of the bridge, there is information about its construction. Our small family of three saw a golden field here and decided to get out and stretch. Below the bridge was a deep canyon, but fortunately, there was a wire fence, so we could safely look.

Leaving the bridge, we passed many farms and saw herds of dairy cows. We arrived at Shoshone Falls. There were few tourists, and almost no Asian faces. We were very lucky: the water flow of Shoshone Falls was huge, with a powerful, overwhelming force. The scene was breathtaking. The park also had a large green lawn for visitors to rest.

After resting on the lawn, we continued to a very niche attraction—Thousand Falls. After a bumpy dirt road with no cell signal, we finally found it after some effort. However, in my view, it wasn't a thousand falls; it was just a few small streams. Still, the scenery was passable.

After visiting the main attractions of the day, we drove to today's destination—Elko, Nevada, also known as the "Gold Town." We arrived in Elko as the sun was setting. The evening glow dyed half the sky red, and Elko under the sunset was quiet and charming.

[Date]: June 16 – June 17

[Location]: South Lake Tahoe

[Attractions]: Mount Rose Highway, Crystal Bay, Emerald Bay

On the morning of June 16, the weather was still fine. We set out from Elko, speeding along Interstate 80. After 4.5 hours, we arrived in Reno. We exited Reno and were driving slowly when suddenly there was a loud crash from behind. A foreigner's car had rear-ended "Big White." I thought, oh no, the Lake Tahoe trip is going to be ruined. We got out and checked. "Big White" was sturdy—its rear showed no sign of anything. Dou Ma was still worried about returning the car, so she drove to the McDonald's parking lot to inspect thoroughly. Confirming it was fine, we had a quick lunch at McDonald's and continued toward Lake Tahoe.

Shortly after leaving Reno, we turned onto the Mount Rose Highway, known as a "National Scenic Byway." This mountain road is extremely winding, with a steep uphill slope from Nevada toward Lake Tahoe. Although the scenery on both sides was beautiful—snowy mountains and forests—we had to focus on driving. Dou Ma kept reminding me to go slow. Carefully, we climbed to the top. At the top, although it was scorching hot below, there was still snow on the ground. We stopped to relax and catch our breath.

After resting, we descended and arrived at Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe sits on the border between California and Nevada. It is the largest alpine lake in North America, with a depth of 501 meters, making it the second deepest lake in the United States. Surrounded by peaks, the lake is incredibly clear and blue. It is a heavenly alpine lake, so beautiful it seems unreal. Mark Twain once called it one of the most beautiful places in the world. As he said, "If you want to breathe the air of angels, go to Lake Tahoe. Touch the sky and touch your heart at the same time."

Our first stop was Crystal Bay. At this time, the afternoon sun was warm, and the lake breeze was gentle. The lakeside was very comfortable and relaxing. It is a recreational area for locals, with a large parking lot and a sand pit for children. Many residents were either sunbathing or engaging in various water sports.

After playing for a while, Dou Niu took off her shoes and started having fun by the lake, playing with sand, splashing in the water, teasing the ducks, and throwing stones into the water... When the sun was about to set, we packed up and headed to our hotel in South Lake Tahoe. On the way, the sunset over Lake Tahoe was incredibly beautiful—rays of golden light, purple clouds in the sky. Dou Ma kept taking photos with her phone.

After checking in, we quickly looked for a restaurant. According to Google food recommendations, we found a Thai restaurant. On the way to the restaurant, there was an intersection where we needed to make a left turn. We waited at the intersection for several traffic cycles, but there was never a left-turn arrow. And there was a camera at the intersection. What could we do? As law-abiding citizens, we just turned anyway. Fortunately, we later found out we didn't get a ticket.

On the morning of June 17, we checked out and continued driving slowly along the shore of South Lake Tahoe. We came to a yacht club, where the lake was filled with boats, and speedboats left white wakes.

Continuing forward, we arrived at the most famous scenic spot of Lake Tahoe—Emerald Bay. Emerald Bay gets its name from the deep green color of the water, caused by algae. Originally, Emerald Bay was not connected to Lake Tahoe, but over thousands of years, water flow between the two lakes carved through the shore, making it part of Lake Tahoe. The scenery here is stunning, and many tourists take photos.

[Date]: June 17 – June 18

[Location]: San Francisco

[Attractions]: Mount Rose Highway, Crystal Bay, Emerald Bay (Note: This section seems to repeat the previous day's attractions; we will translate as given)

We took countless photos at Emerald Bay, wanting to capture all these beautiful scenes in our camera and imprint them in our minds. Lake Tahoe is truly beautiful. Due to time constraints, we only stayed one day. Hopefully, we can come again.

Departing from Emerald Bay, we continued driving along the shore of Lake Tahoe for a while. The blue lake gradually disappeared from view. We got back on Interstate 80 and headed toward San Francisco International Airport. During the drive, the sun was blazing hot and glaring, and the temperature outside reached 40°C. OMG, we had planned to make a quick stop at the California state capital—Sacramento, but time didn't allow, and it was too hot, so we had to skip it and go straight to San Francisco.

Around 5 p.m., we arrived safely at the Courtyard by Marriott near San Francisco International Airport. After checking in and settling our luggage, we refueled the car, found a Chinese restaurant nearby, and enjoyed familiar sounds and flavors. The wonderful Great Western Loop trip came to a perfect end.

On the morning of June 18, we drove to San Francisco International Airport. Following the rental car return signs, we smoothly drove to the return area. The staff checked the fuel gauge and printed a return receipt with a handheld device. Returning the car was that simple—done in 5 minutes.

As the plane lifted into the sky, goodbye beautiful San Francisco, goodbye stunning Great Western Loop! We will continue our journey to the eastern United States, starting the next leg of our road trip—the next stop: New York, the world's capital!

Travelogue Table of Contents

1. Why America?

2. Chilly San Francisco

3. Azure Highway 1

4. Joyful Los Angeles

5. Sleepless Las Vegas

6. Quiet Salt Lake City

7. Colorful Yellowstone Park

8. Deputy Captain: Grand Teton National Park

9. Overrated Idaho Falls

10. Gold Town Elko

11. Heavenly Lake Tahoe