TOUR AMERICA 2022, BROKEN ARROW CAMPGROUND, CUSTER, SD

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Temperature 65 Degrees, Overcast, Intermittent Rain

Broken Arrow Campground

Today was supposed to be a rather short travel day so we were in no rush to get out this morning. Short, like in no more than three hours which it would have been had we not zigged when we were supposed to zag. Meaning, the GPS got us lost. First time in years.

We left our last home headed west on Route 44. My first mistake. Had I checked more carefully we should have taken the loop road through the Badlands to Route 90 and headed west. Now, Route 44 was not a terrible road for the most part but it had its moments. There were several sections, though, where the road had significant bumps or humps that made you feel like you were riding a pogo stick. The only solution was to slow way down and take it easy. We also went through several rain showers as well.

We got to the end of Route 44 and headed southwest on Route 16. This is when we entered the Black Hills. Driving now reminded me of that song The Bear Went Over The Mountain. We went up, then down, then around, then back up and over another mountain. So it went for the next 30 minutes. We were almost there. And that’s when it went all wrong.

The GPS directed us to turn right – we should have gone left. After some twenty minutes and no signs for the campground we knew we were lost. We found an empty parking lot we could get into and out of without a problem so stopped to call for directions. No cell service. Time for Plan B. I unhooked the car and sent Ms. Barbara on her way to try and find the campground. A bit later she returned with instructions to follow her.

Soon enough she made a right turn, onto a dirt road and I’m thinking where in the world are you taking me. I’ve driving an RV not an ATV! I was not a happy camper. Well, as we found out once before dirt roads in these parts are considered major roads. I took it slow for the whole four miles and in due time we arrived at the entrance to the campground. Good thing it was four miles, it gave me time to calm down and be grateful that she had found it.

The office where we registered and got our site number.

We going down there, next to the class A with the car in front.

Another empty campground. We’re finding that things don’t really get going in these parts until around the beginning of June. That’s OK, let the rookies stay away and we’ll have all the major attractions to ourselves.

Home sweet home for two weeks and a day. Why an extra day? No idea why I did it that way. It’s a pull-through, gravel base, good site separation with lots of green grass between. But it is hardly level. Back to back is no issue, but side to side is another story. I’m so glad I had the leveling jacks repaired before we left because they make getting level oh so easy.

Well, after we got here I went out to set up electric, water, and sewer and was done in fifteen minutes. I got the wipers covered. I covered the tow bar on the back of the rig. Finished, I stepped inside and the heavens opened up! Thank you good Lord for the delay.

So here we are. Tomorrow we have to go into Rapid City to a LabCorp since Ms. Barbara has to have some routine blood work done. We’ll then go to a few attractions in town. We’ll pick up an order at WalMart and finally head back home. That should be a full day. After that, let the sightseeing begin!

Thanks again for spending the day with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before