BACK WHERE I BELONG.....CALIFORNIA!

Ahhh what an epic 3 weeks it has been. Camping every night in all kinds of weather was definitely an experience i will never forget. From Chicago we carried on west through Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and finally California. The best day of my life was obviously getting to Mount Rushmore which i have dreamed about for as long as i can remember. The national parks such as Yosemite (CA) and Yellowstone (Wyoming) were amazing. We had to put all scented items (toiletries, food etc) into special bear boxes so that if at night a pair strolls into your camp ground, he cannot access them. I was told AFTER staying in Yellowstone for 3 nights that last year 4 people got eaten alive by a lady bear because she hadn't eaten for a month and those silly people left food out and therefore got chewed at! Staying in the national parks was hard, there were no showers which i was not aware of, that was traumatising as you can imagine. The nights were cold (-1degrees) and often we camped on snow. However it was part of the whole experience and i loved it. Saw lots of beautiful scenery and wildlife such geysers, snowy mountains and frozen over lakes, erupting volcanic waterfalls, hot springs, 5grizlies, a pack of wolves and so many more to mention. One morning i got out of my tent to be greeted by a herd of buffalo strolling along like they do, that was cool. One night i was petrified as i lay awake listening to something sniffing outside my tent. Seriously scared i was going to get killed by cute looking animals but all was fine, i clearly didnt smell too appealing after not showering for a couple of days. Who woulda thought it, Sophie Spence camping in the wilderness, definitely not me!
Last night was top, it was our last night so we drank lots of tequila around the campfire with the beatbox blasting out into the forest until the early hours of the morning. The campfire was going, the snow was pouring by the bucket load but it was a great way to end the trip. This morning however WAS NOT! I was putting my tent away when i suddenly passed out, legs went shakey, everything went black and i ended up being carried to the van and wrapped in a sleeping bag, hyperthermia or altitude sickness, i'm not sure. Either way i've never felt so bad in my life but after warming up i was fine.
Went white water rafting on Snake River in Jackson, Wyoming which was so much fun, got soaked and nearly fell out into the rapids but it was great.
Done lots of hiking trails as well as alot of driving in order to get across the country. I can safely say i will not be camping for a while and i have never been happier to be in a hostel. Whats even better is that the weather in San Fran is perfect and i fly out to Hawaii tomorrow where its hot hot hot. 10 days of paradise.
2 weeks until i get home and i'm dreading the thought. As much as i miss you all i'm having the time of my life and it definitely does not feel like i've been away for 3 months.

Favourite state on camping travels: South Dakota, in the middle of nowhere, the stars/moon were so clear and the weather was great. Full on cowboys strolling around everywhere and you could drive for miles without seeing traffic lights or civilisation.

Times running out....will write again to make you all jealous of my Hawaiian adventure.
Loves xxxxx