August 25, 2012

Walmart, Billings Montana

After dinner last night we made our way along a lighted path to an amphitheatre and watched a great show performed by a husband and wife duo. 

 They played several instruments, sang and narrated the settling of the west.

  It got really windy and cold.  I kept waking up during the night because my toes were cold but I didn’t want to get out of bed to get socks.  We were up early because we wanted to get set to leave as soon as we returned from a special Ranger narrated hike that was planned.  

We set off to meet up with the group but when we got to the appointed place there wasn’t anyone there except the ranger.  We waited a few minutes to see if anyone else would show up but no one did so we had the great opportunity to have a personal hike with the ranger.  He is a botanist so we learned a great deal about the many different plants along the trail. 

We got back to our campsite at noon and left shortly after that.  We weren’t sure where we were going to stay.  I entered the town near the entrance to Yellowstone that we wanted to go to in the GPS and saw that we had 480 miles to go.  We planned on traveling to a half way point and start looking for a place to stay.  We ended up driving 300 to Billings, MT.  We called a couple of RV camps and were quoted prices as high as $47 so we decided to try our first night of Walmart camping.  After entering Walmart into the GPS we saw there was one only a couple of miles off the interstate.  When we arrived we went into the store and informed the manager we were going to be staying overnight.  We asked if it was alright for us to open our kitchen slide and she told us we could open all our slides, put out a welcome mat and make ourselves at home.  Awesome. 

 There was another Camper already settled in the area the manager directed us to so we picked out a spot and set up.  We took a ride to Home Depot and had a quick bite to eat at Wendy’s.  Back home, Monte plugged in our mini inverter and we were able to watch a little TV. 

August 24, 2012

Devils Tower, Wyoming

Last night we looked forward to watching the season finale of one of our favorite shows, BURN NOTICE.    We were able to get a very clear picture but there was a terrible hum so we ended up putting the volume on mute and reading the closed caption.

 We still didn’t know where we were going to stay as we got ready to leave Hearthland Campground.  We headed out with the town of Gillette, WY as our destination because we didn’t want to travel more than 180 miles.  When we crossed the border into Wy, we stopped at the visitor center and were quite impressed at how clean and nice it was.

  I took several booklets including one for Devil’s Tower.  Monte wanted to go there so I asked the greeter at the visitor center how far away it was and how far out of our way we would have to travel.  She told me it was 41 miles from the center’s location and only 20 miles out of our way.  So we decided to check it out.

The road we were on was very winding with a series of twists and turns bringing us up the mountain and then down the mountain.  My little car was straining and I couldn’t help wondering how Monte was making out with the truck and 5^th wheel.  He later told me it was a little hairy on some of the curves which signs had 25 mph as the speed limit.  There were also warnings for trucks to use lower gears.

 

As we approached the entrance to Devil’s Tower I called Monte to tell him that I probably should park at the restaurant that was located just before the entrance to the tower.  His admittance would be free because he has the America the Beautiful Senior pass but I would have to pay $10 if I drove into the park in my car.  So I hopped in the truck with him.  When he showed his pass I asked the ranger is there was any camping site available.  She said there were plenty and if we wanted to camp it would cost us $6 and we could pay her.  I mentioned my car and she said that as long as I was camping with Monte she wouldn’t charge me for my car.  So I got out of the truck and walked back to the restaurant parking lot and got my car.  We found the campground pretty quickly and after going around the circle a couple of times Monte picked out the site he wanted.

 

We quickly set up, got our gear together and headed up the mountain to the Visitors Center.( A quick history of Devils Tower: In 1906 President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower the first National Monument under the new Antiquities Act.  His action made Wyoming the home of both our first national park-Yellowstone in 1872- and our first national monument.  During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built road improvements, camping, picnicking facilities, and a museum.)  If found out that there was a program planned for the evening that would take place near our campsite.  The program was to consist of a concert and a storyteller.  It sounds interesting.  I think we will check it out.  Tomorrow also happens to be the anniversary of Devil’s Tower becoming a National Monument and there are festivities scheduled for that as well.  I am not sure if we will be staying for that.
After stamping my passport we picked the trail we wanted to take. 

 There are several trails of varying degrees difficulty and length. 

 We chose the Tower Trail, a meandering path that circles the tower for 1.3 miles.  I had to stop many times along the way to catch my breath.  I really hope that eventually, after regularly hiking trails, I will be able to do these kinds of hikes without breaking a sweat.  There were several climbers scaling the tower.  If you look closely at one of the pictures of the tower we took you might be able to make them out.

 

We came across one area with an overlook and I took a rest on the bench and tried to figure out what was different about this spot than any other spot I had been to.  Then it dawned on me-it was the utter quiet.  Other than the sound of the birds swooping by or the chipmunks chattering, I didn’t hear a thing.  It was great. 

As I sat there and looked out over the mountain I was filled with a total calmness I hadn’t felt in a long time.  It had been a stressful few months leading up to our departure and moments like I was experiencing made it all worth it.

I also felt this tremendous feeling of gratitude sitting there.  I was grateful to have been born in a beautiful country.  I was grateful to have been blessed with amazing parents.  I was grateful and proud to have a son serving this country.  I was grateful to have such a wonderful daughter who I am very proud of and who has given me two wonderful granddaughters and brought Deb into my life whom I consider a daughter.  I was grateful for having a wonderful big brother and “Sister”-in –law.  And looking at Monte taking pictures I was very grateful to God for sending me someone who cherishes me and has a heart of gold.  As a bonus through Monte I have three adorable grandsons and two “daughters”.  As I sat there thanking God for all my blessings I began to cry.  It felt wonderful to cry tears of joy and finally I was so very grateful to just be alive and to be in a position to be experiencing moments like this.

 

August 23, 2012

Heartland RV Resort & Campground, Hermosa, SD

We got a little bit of a late start because I was trying to find someplace to stay tomorrow night.  It is approximately 560 miles from here to Yellowstone and we wanted to find someplace to stay that was about half way.  I called several places and they did not have any openings and the couple that did have openings, were over $50 a night.  We would stay in a rest area before paying $50 a night.  This will be the first time that we will start out in the morning and not have an exact destination. 

We departed at around 11am and headed for Custer State Park.

 We paid our $15 entrance fee and took the scenic route around Needles Hwy.  We came across a Bison roadblock and then traveled on until the visitor center.  There was an abundance of stuffed animals.  YUK.  It really creeps me out to see animals that were once alive and are now stuffed and mounted.  Continuing along the scenic route we came across a bunch of burros that were looking for a hand out.

  Some people were feeding them carrots even though there are plenty of signs that advise against feeding the wildlife. 

When we finally got around the burros we came across another bison roadblock.  We were stopped for 20 minutes for construction delays so we decided to eat our lunch in the car while we waited for the ok to move on.  We stopped at Stockade Lake to stretch our legs. 

Our next stop was at Gordon Stockade.  The Gordon Stockade is located just of Hwy 14A right before you reach the west entrance of Custer State Park. The original stockade was built by the Gordon Party in December of 1874.

Twenty-eight people left Sioux City, Iowa in October of 1874 headed to the Black Hills in search of gold. They reached the Black Hills in December. Being in the Black Hills at that time was illegal, as it violated the Fort Laramie Treaty. They spent the first three weeks building the stockade for protection.

The stockade was discovered by the US Cavalry in 1875 and the party members were taken to Fort Laramie. They were not charged with any crimes and many of them ended up back in the Black Hills searching for gold.

As we were leaving the Gordon Stockade, Monte noticed a dirt road and couldn’t resist going down it to see where it would lead.  It led around Stockade Lake.  It was quite beautiful. 

 

We moved onto Crazy Horse Mountain. 

 

 

 After paying our $20 admittance fee we went into the visitor’s center and watched a film showing the making of the Crazy Horse Monument.  After the film we “tagged” along on a private tour led by a guide so we got detailed info about the different artifacts on display. 

 

 

We shared an ice cream sundae and started back home on a long and winding road where we encountered some white tailed deer.  Back home Monte did some outside chores and I took a dip in what was supposed to be a heated pool.  It wasn’t.  But the showers had plenty of hot water.    Tomorrow should be interesting.

August 22, 2012

Heartland RV Resort and Campground, Hermosa, SD

We had a leisurely morning before getting ready to leave.  The cats are starting to adjust as we get into a routine preparing to move.  I have learned that it is best to bring in the slides before Monte starts the truck engine because as soon as the cats hear the engine they run for cover and sometimes they hide in places that are hard for us to reach them.

We stopped at the dump station on our way out of Sleepy Hollow RV Campground.  Each place we stay is different as far as the facilities go.  Some have total hook-ups which include electric, water and dump station right at the sight.  Some places you get the electric and water but have to dump on the way out.  Some places have pools and public showers.  Although we have a great shower in our rig if the showers in a camp are clean we will use them.  Because the dump station at Sleepy Hollow was at the exit, Monte put out one of his traffic cones behind the rig and forgot to get it when we left.  He was upset about it because it was a fairly new one.  It is easy to forget things when there are so many things to do.  We do have a checklist but have gotten a little lazy about using it.  The other day I forgot to put a rubber band around our paper towel holder and when we got to our next destination we discovered the entire roll had unraveled.

We had a short drive (65 miles) which I was grateful for as my back is still bothering me and sitting for long hours in the car doesn’t help.  I knew we were going to be near a fairly big town so I plugged in Walmart because we needed some supplies and after seeing the prices in the small town of Wall I wanted to shop someplace that wouldn’t bankrupt us.  Sure enough there was not only Walmart but a Sam’s Club as well.  We parked in Walmart and Monte jumped into my car and we drove the half mile to Sam’s Club.  After stowing our groceries in the rig we went across the street and treated ourselves to Scholotzsky’s Deli.  I had pastrami and swiss and Monte had roast beef.  We ordered large sandwiches but only ate half.  We brought the other half with us for dinner.  After lunch we went into Walmart and stocked up on more groceries.  It was a challenge finding room in the fridge but I managed.

The Heartland RV Campground was only 20 miles away.  We got settled in quickly and set out for MT. Rushmore.  We had a couple of different options on how to get there and chose to take 16A which turned out to be a very winding road.  There were several one vehicle tunnels that required beeping the horn to alert on-coming cars that you were entering the tunnel. 

 

We came across a herd of bison. 

 So we pulled over to the side of the road where there were other cars already parked.  Several people were out of their cars taking pictures so we got out also.  We were as close as 10 feet away.  Then this lady drives right up to us and informs us that these animals have been known to charge people and we could not possibly out-run them.  Needless to say to rushed right back to the car.  As we started to pull away the bison started to move across the road in front of us.  Even though it took us about 30 minutes to go less than a mile because they kept crisscrossing in front of us, it was pretty neat.

We finally were able to get going and came across a scenic outlook and got our first glimpse of MT. Rushmore across the valley.

  It was breathtaking.  We kept looking out for more wildlife but only came across some wild turkeys and some chipmunks. 

They were really cute as they darted away from us.  They are tiny and can really move fast.

We arrived at the entrance to MT Rushmore and paid our $11 parking fee.

  Monte has the America the Beautiful Senior pass but it was not accepted at this park.

  But the price was well worth the spectacular scenery.  We walked through the exhibits and watched a film about the erecting of Mt. Rushmore at the visitor center.  I also stamped my Passport.

  Back in Mammoth Caves I purchased a “Passport” which is a book that is broken down in regions.  Every time you visit a National Park you stamp the date and the name of the park in the book.

At around 7 we made our way to the amphitheatre and sat down.

  We chose to sit at the very top because it was the only row of seats that had a wall in back to lean on.  With the way my back has been feeling I needed some support.  I ate my other half of sandwich from lunch while Monte took some more pictures.  Then as Monte started to eat his sandwich, a wasp came to share his dinner. 

Then another, then another, until there was a swarm of at least 20 wasps surrounding Monte’s sandwich.  He cleared the seats around him with people running away.  Me included!  He bravely continued eating and with only two bites left had to give up.  The wasps finally left as it got darker. 

At 8 a Park Ranger gave a very informational speech about the Presidents of MT. Rushmore and the reason they were chosen.  We watched another film and when it was over the Ranger invited all the Vets to come down and join her on stage. 

 The audience applauded the entire time the Vets were making their way down.  It was wonderful but I couldn’t help thinking about how the attitude in this country has changed regarding Vets.  I can remember watching new clips of Vets being spit on as they returned from Nam.   What a shame.  After all the Vets were lined up, the Ranger asked each one for their name, branch of service and rank.  The flag was lowered and we all sang the National Anthem.  I couldn’t help being overwhelmed by the patriotism and the beauty of the faces of the Presidents as the mountain was lit up.

 

After the program we made our way back to our car and started the drive home.  We opted to take the highway.  It was pitch black and had some sharp turns.  Back home we watched a little TV and went to bed.  All in all it was an outstanding day.  Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.