June 28th

Badlands, South Dakota

Hi all.  We got away a little earlier this morning as we wanted to drive through the Badlands of South Dakota.  Very interesting landscape.  I can't imagine what the pioneers thought when they had to maneuver   through that.  It is a very windy day today, so a little harder work for Chris.  Stopped for a little break at the Missouri River in Chamberlain.  Found a great campsite in Mitchell, SD.  Chris says, "I think they have the biggest grove of trees east of the Black Hills".  They have the "Corn Palace" here.  We will stop in to see that in the morning on route to St. cloud, Mn.

June 27th

We are enjoying this campsite.  The weather has been fabulous here.  Sunny and the high 80's but dry, so comfortable.  I have been thinking of Bob P., Leen V., Tyler P because there are a lot of motorcycles around. Every town has at least one Harley D. dealership. They have a huge Motorcycle Rally in August at a town called Sturgis.  400,000 people come.  The roads here are windy so the riders love it.  So pack up your bikes and head to South Dakota!   We went for another scenic drive today around the Black Hills.  Saw the town of Deadwood, Where Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back in a saloon!  The area around here is where they filmed the movie, Dances With Wolves.
We leave for points East tomorrow.  So long for now.

Deadwood, S. D.

June 26th



Mt. Rushmore

Hello all,  We are happy to announce that we are "on the road again".  all fixed.  Just an O2 sensor so was fixed quickly by our new friends at "I 90 RV and Auto" in Rapid City, S. D.    we are in a campsite in Hill City, S D, in the trees for shade and on grass etc.  (it was 88 degrees today)Nice enough spot.  We saw the presidents at Mt. Rushmore today, and did the Needles Highway in the Black Hills, very picturesque.  We got the call at Noon that the RV was fixed, so we cut the tour short to go and get our baby and get set up in time for dinner.  we are here for two more nights, to see the area.   All is well.  Good night.

Needles Highway, Black Hills

leaving Yellowstone

Hi all.  We didn't have internet connections in Yellowstone park, and very spotty cel phone service as well, so I don't know how the world managed without us.  But I guess we missed some terrible storms in Alberta and other places.  We were in our own little world and didn't even know they were happening.  Hope everyone is OK.
Yellowstone was amazing.  Alpine meadows, pine forests, wild animals on the roadside, old forrest fires, as well as it being the top of an active volcano, with geysers, steam vents, mud pots, etc.  very interesting indeed.  If it was not on your bucket list, put it on!  We had a very busy time trying to see it all.  Lots of tourists around, so you don't do anything in a hurry.  Glad it wasn't July or Aug. as it would have been even busier.  The altitude is above 7500 ft. Most of the time, so cooler than most places and almost frost at night.  We had one small time of driving in the falling snow, going over a high pass while a large black cloud was overhead.  We had some rain and clouds, but generally not bad weather while there.  I'm not going to try to send pictures tonight, I'll explain later.

We met an old family friend for lunch yesterday in Cody, Wy.  It was great to see Glen Broste again.  He drove all the way from Billings to have a visit with us.  Then we continued on to Sheridan for the night.  We had to pass the Bighorn Mountains.  Wow, what a pass.  9200 ft.  The last 11 miles at 8 percent decline.  Very steep, long climbs and descents.  It was rainy and blowing like crazy.  I'm sure glad Chris was driving.  Took some pictures as the hillsides were blue.  it was sage brush and purple lupins in bloom.  gorgeous, but the pictures don't do it justice. Then we arrived in Sheridan, elevation 3700 ft., and it was 80 degrees and kids were in the pool.  We sat outside for happy hour, feeling like summer has arrived.
Today we drove to the Black Hills, got within an hour of our destination, and very loud roaring sound happening from the RV.  Did not sound healthy.  We think we know what it is and aren't too worried, but pulled into a service station and called for a tow.  They can't even look at us until Thursday, so we are parked at "I 90 RV and Auto" in Rapid City South Dakota. When we got here, parked right beside us is another RV with BC plates, on their way across Canada as well.  Go figure.  Anyway, it's all part of the adventure.

day 2

Hi all.  We are in Garrison, Montana.  It seems that this blogsite is impossible to send pictures when you have limited wifi.  We have tried many times, and spent hours on it, so there will be no pictures until we have a strong wifi site.  Sorry.

It rained much of today, as it seems it is doing at home as well.  We head for Yellowstone tomorrow, and it looks like it will be cool and damp.  But maybe that means the animals will be out and visible! We can always hope.  This is "ranch country" with rolling hills and we did manage to see some snow capped mountains in the distance, towards where we are headed.  Hoping for better weather ahead for all of us.

Day one.

Well,  we made it to Spokane tonight in spite of starting much later than we hoped.  Chris looked quite at home behind the wheel and said he was quite pleased with how it handled.  We found a nice quiet campsite on a golf course in Deer Park.  The day was cloudy with occasional light showers.  This blog thing is not easy with limited service.  We have worked on getting this one little picture in here since last night.  Won't be spending this much time in places like Yellowstone.  Ha ha.  Very frustrating exercise.  Raining this am.  Spokane is in a very flat area with hills in distance.  Lots of fields.

Chris looks quite at home behind the wheel

Here we go.  This is a new thing.  I've never blogged before.  But I thought I would share our travel diary with my dear friends and family.  My way of keeping in touch while away.  We don't leave until tomorrow, so this is a "test blog".  We will be frantically packing the rig soon.  I'll try to keep you in the loop.  More later.