Flying the 2 flags proudly. The 10th anniversary of 9/11/2001 is tomorrow.

Redmond Oregon

We actually got back to Redmond around 5PM on Monday night. The traffic was so light on the holiday weekend, we made very good time. We parked the coach, but didn't hook up the water or sewer. Just electric so that we could take it to the car wash and get 4000 miles of road grime and dirt off it as well as 4000 miles of bug splatters. $20 worth of quarters and it is relatively clean. We're now parked for the month and enjoying the Oregon late summer and early fall weather.

Pictures of the journey will be loaded soon.

This Is A Catch-up Blog

After leaving Spearfish, we headed towards Yellowstone for 3 days. On our way to Riverton, Wy - both Pete's and my motorhome overheated. Mine wasn't as bad as Pete's. His fuel actually shut off so there wouldn't be any motor damage. He stopped in Casper while we went on to Riverton. 3 hours later, they showed up and the problem was the rear radiator was plugged with road debris and wouldn't cool. So, before we left for West Yellowstone, we stopped at a car wash and $21 later, we had a clean radiator and was cooling just fine.

The resort we stayed at was just outside the boundry of Yellowstone, so it was easy to get into the park whenever we wanted. As saw Buffalo and Elk, bug never did see Moose or Bear while we were there. Naturally, we visited Old Faithful and toured the Old Faithful Inn. I can remember being there when I was just a wee lad and it was great to see it with a different outlook.

Since we were in the park, I just had to do some geocaching and pick up another state in my geocaching experience.

West Yellowstone is a really neat little town. Most of the building are rustic or a "log cabin" look. Many cute little pokey shops to go in. Of course, more t shirts and sweatshirts for me, so will have to weed out some that were in the coach when we get back to Redmond.

I've got many pictures to post, but will hold off and create separate blog entries for the Black Hills and Yellowstone.

We left West Yellowstone this morning and are on our way back to Oregon and will be "home" on Tuesday. Tonight we are in Twin Falls, Idaho and tomorrow we will spend the night in Burns. That way, we can arrive in Redmond early enough in the day so that we can take this dirty filthy road grime and bug splattered motorhome to the car wash and get it cleaned before we check in at the RV park.

Stay tuned for pictures and updates.

Heading To Spearfish SD

We're leaving this morning for a short drive up to Spearfish and will spend 2 days there touring Lead and Deadwood. It's not enough time but, we are running out of time and need to be back in Redmond on the 6th of September and still need to see Yellowstone (and that's even going to be cut short a couple of days).
Yesterday, Cheryl and I just poked around in the little "pokey places" in Hill City and then in Keystone. Just a relaxing day with nothing else going on. I've been waiting to see the deer in the meadow in front of the motorhome, but they have been elusive and haven't come out during the day.
After a solid 2 months of wearing shorts, today will have to be a "Long Pants" day. The weather has turned a mite cool, but only for the day and back warm again tomorrow.
I've got a lot of pictures to post, but will put all of them in a separate blog entry later.
Later-------------

Mount Rushmore

We visited Mount Rushmore this morning to see it in the morning light. What an impressive sight. So much has changed since I was last here 55+ years ago. The National Park Service has done a remarkable job on preserving and improving it.

The 1st picture was taken this morning.

The 2nd picture was taken after the evening lighting ceremony.

The last picture was taken by a friend of ours using his phone. I'll explain. They invited all veterans to come down to the stage for the lowering of the flag ceremony. Then after the ceremony was over, the Ranger asked those of us who served during the Vietnam era to step forward since we were despised and looked down upon at that time. The applause and a standing ovation from the crowd choked both Cheryl and I up. 47 years and finally the appreciation was shown. As we walked back up the steps we actually had people ask to shake our hands.

I'll post more of the pictures of our day tomorrow. This blog deserved it's own space.

Hill City South Dakota

This was a short days drive. Only 65 miles from Wall to here. We're parked at the Rafter J RV Resort for the next 4 days. After getting set up, we wandered around a bit and found a quilt shop for Cheryl and Debbie. Right next to it was a small winery and just had to go in and do a little tasting and buying. Red Ass Rhubarb wine. Now, I'm not a wine drinker, but I did like this one. We then went out in search of wildlife and found some and I'm sure we'll see more while in the Black Hills and then Yellowstone. Not much else to post right now, but will be off to see Mount Rushmore later.

South Dakota Badlands

We took a drive thru the South Dakota Badlands yesterday. What an amazing area. One side of the road could be prairie and the other side towering rock formations or deep canyons. It's hard to describe, but on most of the rocks and canyons as you get close to them, look like they are covered in clay. If you have ever seen a birdsnest that is made out of clay, that is what they look like up close. The wildlife was abundant. We saw a herd of wild buffalo out in the distance and hoped they would come closer. As we drove along the road, we kept seeing more and more and finally, they were right off the road. The herd in the Badlands is estimated around 800 strong.

The little prairie dogs were fun to watch as they scampered around and issued their warning chirps when you got too close. As we exited the park on the south end and headed back to the interstate, we came across a little store that had hundreds of the little critters around. Unsalted peanuts were their favorite food and for 50 cents, you could buy a bag and walk out into their little colony and hand feed them. Funny little things.

Our last stop before heading back to Wall, was to an abandoned Minute Man rocket silo from the Cold War Era. It's decomissioned now, but under the protection of the National Park Service. We were'nt able to get the underground tour, but could look down thru the glass cover and see the missle replica. I always thought the command center for the missle was where the missle was, but it is several miles away. According to the information that was given to us, even though these are decomissioned, there are still hundreds that are active throughout the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas,Wyoming and New Mexico.

Off today to the Black Hills for 4 days (give or take).