USY on Wheels,
Mission: Mitzvah

*The pictures below are links; clicking on them will take you to a larger version of that picture.

Sunday, August 1st:
This morning Mission Mitzvah began their drive to Yellowstone National Park. Before leaving Idaho the group stopped at the Idaho Potato Expo Museum where they took pictures with the giant potato outside. The group then drove through Bear World where they got to see a large variety of bears through their bus windows. At Bear World the group also stopped off at the petting zoo and saw some other types of animals up close. When the group arrived in Yellowstone they took a brief walk in the park, had dinner and then did a bonding program outdoors.

    





    

Monday, August 2nd:
This morning Bus H drove out to the waterfall at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and took in this amazing sight. After a hike, Bus H then continued on to Old Faithful, which was true to its name and erupted to the wheelnik’s delight. The group then left the park and drove to Cody. When they arrived they had their last sicha and dinner before heading out to see the Cody Rodeo.

    

    

    

    

    

    

Tuesday, August 3rd:
On Tuesday Bus H left Cody headed for Sheridan, WY. When they arrived they visited the YMCA of Sheridan where they participated in an interfaith project. First the group had a dialogue with local teens and then they volunteered and painted a house. In the afternoon they had time to relax at the hotel before having dinner. The group finished the day with a program on Tikkun Olam and a scavenger hunt.

    

    

    

    

    

    

Wednesday, August 4th:
This morning Mission Mitzvah enjoyed a musical shacharit where the bus members played guitar and other instruments to complement the prayers. The group then hit the road and stopped for a tour of a gold mine outside Rapid City. Bus H then spent some time with some of America's most famous Presidents as they visited Mount Rushmore. After taking plenty of pictures the group headed into the city and checked into their hotel. In the evening they had dinner and free time at the pool.

    

    

    

    

Thursday, August 5th:
This morning Bus H continued their travels in South Dakota. Their first stop was in Wall, SD where they spent time at a wheels favorite, Wall Drug. Wall Drug is a local drug store famous for providing any and all visitors with free ice water on their travels. Next the group stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. The Corn Palace is an old High School gym that has been converted into a museum and a store where one can buy anything they ever wanted associated with corn. Later Mission Mitzvah volunteered in a soup kitchen where they helped serve over 500 individuals in need. In the evening they checked into their hotel, ate dinner and then had an evening activity.

    

    

    

Friday, August 6th:
Today Bus H made their way to Minnesota. On the way the group stopped at the SPAM Museum in Austin, MN. At the museum they learned about the role SPAM played in WWII and also got to view the 4,752 cans of SPAM that are present inside the museum. The group spent the remainder of their ride meeting in committees that are planning various things for the end of the summer. Later on the group began to prepare for their final Shabbat together. This week the group has chosen Candyland as their theme for shabbat. The wheelniks are looking forward to one more Shabbat filled with the enthusiasm, ruach and friendship they have shared these past few weeks. Shabbat Shalom!