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

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Temperature 75 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Light Winds

Hiking the Badlands

What an absolutely beautiful day we awoke to. The temperature was mild and the sun was shinning in a beautiful blue sky. Definitely not a day to stay home.

Thus after church we decided to finish the other two hikes we wanted to do in the badlands. Our first two hikes we completed on Friday. Now, understand when I say hikes I’m referring to the rather easy ones usually on a boardwalk. We’re not the type to go off hiking across the badlands themselves. Though there are hikes for those who are so inclined. So, come on, we’re going hiking. Unfortunately, I’m only going to be able to share just a bit of each hike but I hope you enjoy them.

One of four.

The Fossil Exhibit Trail is an easy 20 minutes that features fossil replicas and exhibits of now extinct creatures that once roamed the area.

Over the course of 75 million years some creatures that once lived here adapted to the changes taking place, some moved to new areas and others died and became extinct.

Two of Four.

This loop trail follows boardwalks and gravel paths and via stairs goes up approximately 300 feet in elevation. This was the most difficult for the two of us but also the most rewarding.

The current slump.

The way up – at least part of it.

The last final push to the top.

The view from the top.

Three of four.

This is a short 1/4 mile boardwalk trail that leads through a break in the Badlands Wall known as the door. At the end of the boardwalk the trail does continue but travel at this point is at your own risk.

The boardwalk leading to the door.

End of the boardwalk.

The view from the end, and yes you could go all the way out there if you wanted to.

Should I go? Or just play it safe?

I’m on my way!

Yup, that is as far as I made. To the second marker. I know my limits.

Four of four.

This is another short 20 minute walk that leads to a natural window in the Badlands Wall with a view of a severely eroded canyon.

So, a hiking we did go and we had an absolute blast. Now, remember our last two hikes were today and today was such a beautiful day we just didn’t want to go home. So where did we go?

Like a moth drawn to a flame, back we went to Wall Drug Store. I decided that I just had to try one of their famous roast beef sandwiches.

So to the Western Art Gallery Café we went. Only to be met by two bus loads of tourists that had just arrived! Time to find something to do for an hour or so. And we did!

And what did we find to do back here? All kinds of silly tourist stuff. Take a look.

We literally had the whole backyard to ourselves.

After wandering around a bit more we went back and found the line was gone.

The dining room is really a special place. The works of art on the wall are truly amazing.

A delicious roast beef sandwich with brown gravy. Yes, it was worth the wait. I once again became a member of the clean plate club.

Lunch over, heading out I spotted this and thought how beautiful it was

Ah, but wait I have a bonus picture to finish out this blog. Remember that poor pathetic picture I took the other day of a prairie dog? You know the one where the arrow was bigger than he was? Ah, now you remember!

At one point he actually came under the fence and up to the car!

Well, we finally had to come home and oh was Proton ever glad to see us. He would not leave my side for the next hour or so. In fact, when I began to do this blog I had to pull a chair up next to me so he could sit on it and be at my side.

So we continue to have a ball travelling down The Road of Retirement. We’ve absolutely enjoyed the time we’ve been able to spend here. And we’re leaving with a new appreciation and understanding of another part of this great country of ours. What more could one ask for.

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

Saturday, May 14, 2022

Temperature 72 Degrees, Sunny, Absolutely No Wind

Wall Drug Store

Today is just one weird day. The sun is shinning. The temperature is OK. But the wind, well actually there isn’t even a whisper of a wind. After all the days of high gusty winds and then today absolutely nothing. It’s like someone flipped the switch off on a big fan hidden somewhere. Like I said weird.

Today we’ve been just hanging out in Elvira. Reading. Doing laundry. Maintenance. However, the last several days we’ve been busy.

This is where we found ourselves this past Thursday morning. Before we left home I was sure I checked all four tires and thought that they would be OK for the summer trip. Imagine my surprise Wednesday when I checked the front tires and found them all the way down to the tread wear indicators. We were definitely on borrowed time. The back two were not even a year old so we knew they would be OK. Fortunately, we found this shop in Wall (which had great reviews) that would be able to replace the front two tires. The downside? Our appointment on Thursday morning was for 8 am! We’re now good to go for the rest of the summer.

Would you believe that this is the recommended go-to-place for breakfast in Wall? A Mexican food truck. A bit skeptical we decided, however, to give it a try. We both had all meat Mexican Burritos and boy oh boy they did not disappoint! They were huge and scrumptious. Yup, the place to go for breakfast.

Since we were already in Wall we just had to do the tourist thing. I don’t know what I was expecting but I soon discovered that it is just one big mall. But a mall with some really neat things to see.

We didn’t get our free ice water but we did get our 5 cent coffee. It was really quite good.

I seem to have a knack for finding T-shirt shops.

Yup, another new one to add to the collection. Someone we met along the way said a friend she knew had a husband who also used to also collect T-shirts as they traveled. However, when they stopped traveling she took all of them and made a quilt. Interesting Idea.

Well, we’re just about done with the Badlands. We have a few small, easy trails we want to walk and so we’ll do that in the next few days. Next Tuesday we move again and to be honest we’re so-so about moving. We’re going to Custer, SD and we’re definitely looking forward to all that there is to see in that area. But, can you believe the temperatures are supposed to be in the twenties and thirties at night! Isn’t this the month of May?

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

Friday, May 13, 2022

Temperature 75 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine

Ben Reifel Visitor Center Badlands National Park

It was time now for a trip to the Visitor Center with the intent of discovering just how the Badlands came to be. Yes, some internet sleuthing would accomplish the same thing but what fun would that be. Thus, a couple of days ago after a hearty breakfast we were on our way. Oh my, did we have to drive far to get there; I don’t even think it took us five minutes!

What we learned here was extremely interesting. For example,

The Badlands was once a shallow inland sea known as the Western Interior Seaway. This seaway stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Artic Ocean, covering most of the modern Great Plains in water.

Here is a timeline of this area.

For instance, how long we wondered before this novel rock formation will be no more? Every drop of water is working to change it and to reshape it.

What we found intriguing is that about forty million years ago the climate here was like that of Florida. Well, it sure isn’t today!

We still weren’t through learning

I asked a Park Ranger, are they bison or buffalo? He told me that the correct designation is bison. OK, again something new learned.

OK, how and why do we know so much about this area?

Teeth tell the tale. Now how about that!

Past, Present, Future

I wonder sometimes if we will ever really learn to live together in harmony? Respectful of each other? Willing to learn from one another? Just thinking out loud.

I give whoever wants to live in this area a lot of credit. It must take a really special sort of person. I know it is not me. Believe me, there are not many parts of our great country that I can think of where I would absolutely not want to live, but this is one such area. You could not pay me enough to live here – never, ever! Nice to visit but that’s it.

Our day at the Visitor Center was truly insightful and educational. I learned a great deal about this area which made it a great day. I’m always amazed at what we continue to discover about America as we move from place to place. Learning, to me, never grows old.

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