Earlier this summer, we set out on a two-week maiden voyage in our (now beloved) Winnebago, Bernadette, with our sights set on checking Mount Rushmore off our travel bucket lists.
At first we were like “What did we do?” Now we’re wondering, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?!” It was so much fun exploring different parts of America than we’ve seen before.
Here are some snaps from our travels.
By George, this was unexpectedly my favorite shot of Mount Rushmore. If you drive just past it, there’s a little turn-off on the road where few stop to see America’s #1.At Custer State Park in South Dakota, the views along the Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway scenic drives are as stunning as these adorable, one-lane mini-tunnels carved through the granite.We let the kids pick what we’d do one day. They chose the Alpine-style rollercoaster at Rush Mountain Adventure Park, which we rode at least ten times. Basically, it pull you up to the top of the mountain, and then gravity brings you down. My extra poundage meant that I was the speediest. 🙂Bennie & Pippa are having a great time hanging with us.Silliness while binging Glee. The kids are obsessed with this show, and I’m there for it.
Also, did you know that the largest sand dune in North America is in Colorado of all places? Tucked in the bosom of two mountains, the wind sheds its desert sands to make it over the range…for everyone to surf, sled and climb. It’s insane.
Back in South Dakota, Sylvan Lake is a very different, equally other-worldly scene. If you’ve watched ”National Treasure 2” (I love all of those movies), you’ve seen this lake.The one above, taken by Todd, is one of my faves. Bernadette’s windshield is so big that you can see everything…and in a state like Wyoming (my favorite on this trip), you can see for what seems like 100 miles.If this isn’t the perfect ad for Winnebago, I don’t know what is!Watching family-favorite “The Devil Wears Prada” at a campsite in rural Oklahoma, as typical families do.Claire is obsessed with draining the tanks. She’s Todd’s right-hand woman when it comes to ridding our rig of…poop.We stopped at Billy The Kid’s grave in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. My advice: if you ever want to see it yourself, just look at this picture. This is about as exciting as it gets. It’s hot, dusty and down a long rough road. Consider our sacrifice your gain.Many evenings on this journey, we’ve been blessed with rainbows. This one, taken at the adorable, pint-sized Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne, Wyoming, was a fave.Gone fishing – Claire especially enjoyed slowing down and casting a line. (Lake Anita State Park, Iowa)No drive through South Dakota is complete without a stop at Wall Drug. If you’re wondering where it is, you’ll know when you’re getting closer by the incessant roadside ads for it. (It’s like a Buccee’s, but with 100 rooms and shops under one roof.)Our enormous circularly route, as planned using RV Trip Wizard, included stops in Lubbock (TX), Santa Fe (NM), La Veta (CO), Cheyenne (WY), Louis & Clark Lake (SD), Lake Anita (IA), Kansas City (MO) & Broken Arrow (OK).
I'm a (gay) husband, a dad, adoption advocate, Texan, founder of two businesses (PR firm Cooper Smith Agency & online mag He Said Magazine), wannabe comedian/Martha Stewart and just generally a mess who drinks and cusses too much. Read More
Cooper
@imcoopedup on Instagram
by imcoopedup1 week ago It’s not a tux or bow tie (and no spanx), but this is how we do @blacktiedinner this year! So proud of our community for still coming together. #blacktielive
by imcoopedup2 weeks ago How do you like my butch new toy? Our new RV lifestyle is getting expensive! What should we name him? (Our Winnebago is named Bernadette.)
by imcoopedup2 weeks ago I may have been smiling (through a mouth full of metal), but this teenage Cooper was so unhappy. Growing up in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, along the Mexican border, was brutal for what I now joke about as "the tallest, gayest, whitest thing in three counties." . Fortunately, a high school guidance counselor encouraged me to apply for a State Department scholarship to travel abroad as a student diplomat, which opened my eyes to the bigger world of possibilities and a life that I hadn't ever previously dared to dream about. But I still didn't know what to
by imcoopedup2 months ago When in doubt, choose kind.
by imcoopedup2 months ago First day of school looks and feels a little different this year. Masks, mandatory daily health surveys, temp checks at the car door, separate entrances for each of grade cluster, no parents allowed to leave cars. (Also the first day in months that any of us has gotten out of bed before 8.) . Can you believe that Mason is now in Middle School?! . #backtoschool
by imcoopedup3 months ago Our grand plan was to spend most of the summer in Paris. We still managed to get there.
by imcoopedup3 months ago It’s always Happy Hour at the lake. Put me on a slow-moving pontoon and I’m set! . Follow me in the @LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content! #liketkit#LTKswim#ltkmens@liketoknow .it http://liketk.it/2U2uF
by imcoopedup3 months ago Add zip lining over the Blue Ridge Mountains and rappelling from a 75-ft high platform to the list of things I didn’t see coming in 2020! . The kids and I, along with my brother-in-law Pieter, spent half the day (over 4 hours!) zip lining above and through the trees of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains at @thegorgezipline . It was a fun, and occasionally terrifying, adventure involving 11 zip lines, 3 rapels (one over 75 feet down) and a wobbly suspension bridge. . Now, every joint and muscle in my body hurts...but it was well-worth it. So proud of the
by imcoopedup3 months ago When you’re in the mountains and internet doesn’t work for shit for your daily Facebook Live show...but the hair is Siegfried and Roy fabulous. . I’m not going to lie, I’m seriously digging the big hair. I just wish for a little clean up. And maybe a little color.
by imcoopedup4 months ago How many times a day can you say, “OMG, that’s so gorgeous?” Because the Black Hills of South Dakota have pushed me to that limit! The scenery is magnificent, the vistas stunning and the lakes other-worldly. . Mason and I climbed up the rocks surrounding Sylvan Lake - easily one of the most beautiful in North America - this afternoon for one last look before we start making our way back to Dallas. . Also, don't forget to go to coopedup.com to sign up for my email updates. I'm planning to send out some photos soon!
by imcoopedup4 months ago Four fabulous faces with four fabulous faces. Travel bucket list item checked!
by imcoopedup4 months ago Super fun day riding the dunes! Even with my epic wipeout (swipe to see the “after.”). An hour later, I still feel the grit of sand between my teeth. On the plus side, it’s a great exfoliatant. . Also, in the remake of Spaceballs, the role of Princess Vespa will be played by Claire. So much drama! . (PS - thanks @bombas for the snazzy #Pride socks. I got many compliments!)
by imcoopedup4 months ago When you’re in Santa Fe, but you wanna be stylishly safe. Love this new mask I picked up in a little shop there. Already kicking myself for not buying all of them! . I need to figure out where to get these wholesale to sell to my friends. I’ve already gotten so many compliments from strangers!
by imcoopedup4 months ago Everyone say hi to Bernadette! Just like her name, this gal is huge and fun-loving. She’s about to lead our family on all kinds of adventures!
by imcoopedup4 months ago Why do kids get to have all the fun? Daddy got a new toy for summer! Now I just need to figure out how to record my rides on my Apple Watch to keep tabs in my weekly fitness competition against @foodsparks .
