Catch up day. We need to get some things done today. As much as we would like to get the heck out of Salt Lake(not soon enough for me!) We have laundry to do, supplies to replenish, and the boys and Michael are going to get haircuts. So our morning is full and we’ll take off for southeastern Utah after lunch.
We ate dinner in Green River, UT. Which I thnk is one of the most fascinating places I ever seen. The huge red canyons that surrounded our Subway sandwich shp just don’t seem real in their colors and shapes. Our destination in Arches National PArl just outside of Moab, UT. We arrived just at sunset and got to just catch a glimpse of some of the giat red rocks perched precariously on the edges of cliffs before the sun went down.
Momma got to pick where we were staying tonight….SlickStone RV park, with full hook ups!!! The boys got scrubbed up and so did I! No worries about how much water or how full the tanks, we just let it pour!!!!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesady, July 29, 2008
We started driving with the destination of Salt Lake City in mind, but Michael while perusing the map noticed we’d be going right by Park City, Utah where they held the 2002 Winter Olympics. We decided that would be a fun detour. We drove up to the Olympic Sports center which sits up on one of the highest points in Park City, with a great view all around. We were able to watch Olympic ski freestylers practice their flips and turns into a swimming pool. We took a toboggan ride down the luge course, and we all got to take a wild zip line ride down the same course Olympic ski jumpers go. It was a fun day for us.
Salt Lake City still lies ahead of us, so after a late lunch at Panda Kitchen in Park City (Trenton’s new favorite place) we’re back on the road again. We arrive down town Salt Lake at about 4:00, ok so not the best time, but we think; “How bad can it be?” Michael had read about a campground on Antelope Island just north of the city right on the Great Salt Lake, which boasted white beaches and great swimming, so we deicide to camp there for the night. Pretty soon it’s clear we’re going no where fast. It seems like the entire town is immersed in grid-lock. There is construction everywhere and cars jammed in huge lines of traffic for as far the eye can see. Michael used his GPS with real-time traffic data and we tried every available route to no avail. We literally sat in the same spot for nearly 2 hours. (Later that night on the 10:00 news we found out a huge tanker had overturned and damaged the highway we were on and that’s why the massive gridlock, but all the construction couldn’t have helped either)
We finally reached Antelope Island after 7:00pm that night, the wind was just howling all around us, sand was blowing and we were not prepared for such a desolate, uninviting campground, but we decided to make the best of it. We tried our best to ignore the smell of the stale salt lake, ignore the bugs, and make our way down to the shore of the Great Salt Lake. Well, when we got there we weren’t any more impressed. The water was soooo thick with salt, it left a crust on the boys’ skin and the stench of water and bird was just too much. We quickly washed up at the back of the RV and called it a lost cause and stayed at WalMart that night. Even 5 miles away from the lake we had to sleep with the foul smell of it all night. Win some, lose some.
Salt Lake City still lies ahead of us, so after a late lunch at Panda Kitchen in Park City (Trenton’s new favorite place) we’re back on the road again. We arrive down town Salt Lake at about 4:00, ok so not the best time, but we think; “How bad can it be?” Michael had read about a campground on Antelope Island just north of the city right on the Great Salt Lake, which boasted white beaches and great swimming, so we deicide to camp there for the night. Pretty soon it’s clear we’re going no where fast. It seems like the entire town is immersed in grid-lock. There is construction everywhere and cars jammed in huge lines of traffic for as far the eye can see. Michael used his GPS with real-time traffic data and we tried every available route to no avail. We literally sat in the same spot for nearly 2 hours. (Later that night on the 10:00 news we found out a huge tanker had overturned and damaged the highway we were on and that’s why the massive gridlock, but all the construction couldn’t have helped either)
We finally reached Antelope Island after 7:00pm that night, the wind was just howling all around us, sand was blowing and we were not prepared for such a desolate, uninviting campground, but we decided to make the best of it. We tried our best to ignore the smell of the stale salt lake, ignore the bugs, and make our way down to the shore of the Great Salt Lake. Well, when we got there we weren’t any more impressed. The water was soooo thick with salt, it left a crust on the boys’ skin and the stench of water and bird was just too much. We quickly washed up at the back of the RV and called it a lost cause and stayed at WalMart that night. Even 5 miles away from the lake we had to sleep with the foul smell of it all night. Win some, lose some.
Monday, July 28,2008
Time to move on: We’ve decided to leave the Tetons and head towards Utah. We let the boys boys sleep in and got an early start before breakfast. We have to head back through Jackson Hole again, so I think Michael was kinda hoping for a McDonald’s breakfast.
We stumbled upon the most amazing place about 2:30 that afternoon. A place called Bear Lake, Idaho. Inbetween sagebrush mountains and rocky canyons appeared this sapphire colored lake surrounded by wide beaches of white sand. A beach? In Idaho? How comw we’ve never heard of this place. Michael and I were eager to get down to it and see if it was too good to be true. We finally found a public access spot and were able to drive our RV right up on the lake bed, close to where we wanted to swim. It was every bit as good as it looked. The water was warm and the sand was soft. We sat back and enjoyed it for next hour or so.
We stayed outside of Ogeden, Utah that night at Willard Bay, with full hook-ups! WooHoo! That’s only the second time that’s happened since we’ve started this adventure.
We stumbled upon the most amazing place about 2:30 that afternoon. A place called Bear Lake, Idaho. Inbetween sagebrush mountains and rocky canyons appeared this sapphire colored lake surrounded by wide beaches of white sand. A beach? In Idaho? How comw we’ve never heard of this place. Michael and I were eager to get down to it and see if it was too good to be true. We finally found a public access spot and were able to drive our RV right up on the lake bed, close to where we wanted to swim. It was every bit as good as it looked. The water was warm and the sand was soft. We sat back and enjoyed it for next hour or so.
We stayed outside of Ogeden, Utah that night at Willard Bay, with full hook-ups! WooHoo! That’s only the second time that’s happened since we’ve started this adventure.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
This camp site and park definitely deserved a second day. It was the first place where we thought it had it all. Splendid views at every turn, fresh mountain air, and we felt relaxed.
We had a RV breakfast and then headed off for Jenny Lake. We thought we’d check out some of the shorter hikes. We settled on a hike to the Hidden Falls. They have pontoon boats that take you across the lake to about a half a mile from the falls. The boys really like the boat ride and it made a very do-able hike, since it was all uphill on very rugged terrain. The falls was great; it was so cool and inviting. We stayed and rested and watched the falls for awhile. On our way back down the trail, we spotted a deer just off the trail. I got some really good pictures of it and we’re surprised it didn’t run off; must be used to us humans by now.
The boys had peanut butter sandwiches for lunch and Michael and I tried to have a nicer lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge. The food was mediocre and we probably should’ve just had peanut butter.
The boys were clamoring for the lake by the time we got back to our site, so I obliged. They took their goggles this time and Trenton was the first one in and tried them out. He declared it “weird” to see underwater at a lake. The sun was blazing hot and there were a lot of other swimmers in. They stayed in for almost an hour, before I made them get out because of cold and sunburn! (Which I didn’t want!)
Dinner was for the boys, since Michael and I had had a late lunch. We rode our bikes up to the village for ice cream and treats, and then came back to our site for a campfire. The boys had fun playing near our site with flashlights and lanterns. They invented new games and even talked another camper into playing with them.
We had a RV breakfast and then headed off for Jenny Lake. We thought we’d check out some of the shorter hikes. We settled on a hike to the Hidden Falls. They have pontoon boats that take you across the lake to about a half a mile from the falls. The boys really like the boat ride and it made a very do-able hike, since it was all uphill on very rugged terrain. The falls was great; it was so cool and inviting. We stayed and rested and watched the falls for awhile. On our way back down the trail, we spotted a deer just off the trail. I got some really good pictures of it and we’re surprised it didn’t run off; must be used to us humans by now.
The boys had peanut butter sandwiches for lunch and Michael and I tried to have a nicer lunch at Jackson Lake Lodge. The food was mediocre and we probably should’ve just had peanut butter.
The boys were clamoring for the lake by the time we got back to our site, so I obliged. They took their goggles this time and Trenton was the first one in and tried them out. He declared it “weird” to see underwater at a lake. The sun was blazing hot and there were a lot of other swimmers in. They stayed in for almost an hour, before I made them get out because of cold and sunburn! (Which I didn’t want!)
Dinner was for the boys, since Michael and I had had a late lunch. We rode our bikes up to the village for ice cream and treats, and then came back to our site for a campfire. The boys had fun playing near our site with flashlights and lanterns. They invented new games and even talked another camper into playing with them.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
We have arrived at Grand Teton National Park. Our campground is Coulter Bay and is right on Jackson Lake. The view is amazing. Michael summed it up best by commenting: “How many times do you get it all in one view? Steel mountains, blue lake, forest, and cloudless blue sky?” After a quick RV lunch, the boys were dying to get down and go swimming in the lake. Jackson Lake, that is. I humored them and put on their suits, thinking to myself, it will be way tooooo cold to even put a foot in, but t hey proved me wrong. They both went in. Trenton absolutely loved it. They played for about an hour, before they both came out of the water shivering. The thing they loved best was all the river rock. There was no sand or mud in the lake, just smooth river rock. They collected all shapes and colors. They built walls, they skipped stones, but mostly they just plunked stones into the crystal clear water. Plunk! Plunk! Plunk!
I got to take a nap that afternoon…Thank you Michael! He took the boys on a bike ride up to Coulter Village. They went in all the shops and had a treat.
We grilled fillets for dinner and they were good! I was hungry for veggies, so I opened a can of corn and Trenton and I devoured it!
We trooped back up to the village after dinner to look at the marina and go to the amphitheater for a Ranger encounter. This ranger talk was about photography in the woods, but we just enjoyed all the photos.
I got to take a nap that afternoon…Thank you Michael! He took the boys on a bike ride up to Coulter Village. They went in all the shops and had a treat.
We grilled fillets for dinner and they were good! I was hungry for veggies, so I opened a can of corn and Trenton and I devoured it!
We trooped back up to the village after dinner to look at the marina and go to the amphitheater for a Ranger encounter. This ranger talk was about photography in the woods, but we just enjoyed all the photos.
Friday July 25, 2008
Day 2 in Jackson Hole. Breakfast at McDonald’s, laundry at a very questionable laundry mat, playtime at the local park, lunch, DVD’s in the RV (courtesy of McDonald’s). It was one of those days just to catch up on stuff and not really sight-see or be too structured. We ended up having dinner on the historic town square at a place called “Billy’s Best Burgers” and they were. I got to do a little bit of shopping while Michael and the boys hoofed it back to the RV.
When we arrived back at camp, the boys donned their swim trunks and crocs and set off for the river right behind our site. The water was cold, but not too cold to keep them out of it. There was a lot do hoping and hollering while they splashed and learned hoe negotiate the river rock in their crocs. Why shower? We’ve been playing in a mountain stream and we’re tired.
When we arrived back at camp, the boys donned their swim trunks and crocs and set off for the river right behind our site. The water was cold, but not too cold to keep them out of it. There was a lot do hoping and hollering while they splashed and learned hoe negotiate the river rock in their crocs. Why shower? We’ve been playing in a mountain stream and we’re tired.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
We weren’t that impressed with the North side of Yellowstone and we were in desperate need of some civilization, so we decided it was time to head to Jackson, WY. The thought was to pass the Tetons by, but turn around after a day or two in Jackson and spend some time in the mountains. We left camp early and caught some spectacular views of the Tetons on our way to Jackson Hole. We ate lunch along Jackson lake with the majestic grey peaks out our RV window, what a treat. We arrived Jackson, probably a little too late, right around 4:30. The first RV park we pulled into wanted $68 a night. We found one instead for $18 at Gross Ventre, about 5 miles north of town. With our $50 savings in our pockets we decided to eat out. We ate at Mile High Pizza Pie and it was really good or we were just really hungry. We then high-tailed it to McDonald’s to return our Red Box movies and take advantage of their free WiFi. We also stopped at an Albertson’s and stocked up on the basics (e.g.: milk and Eggos). We then returned to camp where we all fell into bed exhausted.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Good-bye Canyon Village, we’re off to Mammoth Hot Springs. After breakfast and dumping tanks one last time, we’re off to a new campground and side of Yellowstone. On the way we stopped at Tower Falls. It was a really pretty waterfall with an ice green-blue river below it. We hiked down as far as the trail let us, but we couldn’t catch a glimpse of the base of the falls. The trails were closed due to a wash-out. Also on the road tot tower we had another animal sighting: coyote walking along the road not more than 6 feet form our RV. The boys really thought he was cute, but were shocked how small he was.
We reached our new campsite at Mammoth at about 1:30. The roads up here were rough, so we all took a much needed break, especially Michael our fearless driver.
We reached our new campsite at Mammoth at about 1:30. The roads up here were rough, so we all took a much needed break, especially Michael our fearless driver.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Dusty was pestering again at 6:30am, so up I got and took her on a 30 min. walk. When I got back everyone was still sound asleep, so I crawled back into bed too. Ahhhh!
We had a reservation to stay in the same campground, but knew we might have to change spaces. So before breakfast, we drove down to the registration office and got our new lot. So back we went to our old site, to throw the chairs and stuff in the back of the RV and the boys and I rode our bikes with Michael following in the RV to our new spot.
Breakfast was Eggos and Michael and I both stopped in for a great hot, hot, hot, shower at the Registration office. We were off to see the lower falls. On our way there we dove back by the same location where we had seen our first bison and lo and behold they were still there. One had even moved about 10 feet from the road. We stopped for a photo-op from the RV and were amazed a how many people were walking almost right up to it to get a picture with it. The park has signs everywhere saying how dangerous they are and many people are gored each year, because they don’t heed the warnings. Onward to the falls, the lower falls is such a treat in Yellowstone: beautiful emerald water thundering over sand-colored canyon walls; white clouds that spawn rainbow–colored mist from the bottom of the canyon. Devin and Trenton really enjoyed their first true waterfalls.
This was one of our first hikes in the area. We started at the south rim and then took “Uncle Tom’s” trail to a great overlook. It had 328 steps (that’s up and back, mind you!} and various bridges and paths. Needless to say we were all quite winded after that trek and made our way back to camp for a rest.
I did 2 loads of laundry while the boys played game-boy and rode bikes. I did talk both of them to ride down with me to the laundry building the last time I went to retrieve the wash.
We grilled chicken for dinner, and then rode our bikes down to Canyon Village for groceries. It started raining again as soon was we had our fire going, we retired to the RV for a game of dominoes and bed.
We had a reservation to stay in the same campground, but knew we might have to change spaces. So before breakfast, we drove down to the registration office and got our new lot. So back we went to our old site, to throw the chairs and stuff in the back of the RV and the boys and I rode our bikes with Michael following in the RV to our new spot.
Breakfast was Eggos and Michael and I both stopped in for a great hot, hot, hot, shower at the Registration office. We were off to see the lower falls. On our way there we dove back by the same location where we had seen our first bison and lo and behold they were still there. One had even moved about 10 feet from the road. We stopped for a photo-op from the RV and were amazed a how many people were walking almost right up to it to get a picture with it. The park has signs everywhere saying how dangerous they are and many people are gored each year, because they don’t heed the warnings. Onward to the falls, the lower falls is such a treat in Yellowstone: beautiful emerald water thundering over sand-colored canyon walls; white clouds that spawn rainbow–colored mist from the bottom of the canyon. Devin and Trenton really enjoyed their first true waterfalls.
This was one of our first hikes in the area. We started at the south rim and then took “Uncle Tom’s” trail to a great overlook. It had 328 steps (that’s up and back, mind you!} and various bridges and paths. Needless to say we were all quite winded after that trek and made our way back to camp for a rest.
I did 2 loads of laundry while the boys played game-boy and rode bikes. I did talk both of them to ride down with me to the laundry building the last time I went to retrieve the wash.
We grilled chicken for dinner, and then rode our bikes down to Canyon Village for groceries. It started raining again as soon was we had our fire going, we retired to the RV for a game of dominoes and bed.
Monday, July 21, 2008
We awoke bright and early. Dusty was pestering me at about 6:30 am for a walk, so I obliged. We walked up to the registration circle and back(about 30min.) I kept my eyes peeled for deer or elk, but all I could see and hear were squirrels hollering at me and Dusty. Michael was up early and ready to go, so with Devin still asleep, we went up to the dump station and Michael also checked in with a mechanic about a “Check Engine” light that came on. The mechanic couldn’t read the entire code after he hooked up our engine to his computer. (It has to be read in full at a Ford dealership…ugh!).He also said it looked like it had something to do with the emissions and it could probably wait. Since we’re not having any issues like hot temps or low fluids, we’ve decide to carry on.
We made our way to our next camp ground called “Canyon”.On the way we stopped at the Black sands geysers. We really enjoyed those, most all were bubbling and puffing steam away. We ate lunch with one geyser spouting off continually in front of our RV. My new favorite was called “Spouting Geyser” appropriately enough; it never stopped spewing hot water and steam, and it was a beautiful light blue color.
We made camp at Canyon at about 12:00 noon. We ate hotdogs and soup. Michael tried to nap while the boys and I bike down to the Canon Village stores. I bought them both a Yellowstone jeep as a souvenir and we ate some ice cream. Micahel came looking for us and we decided to go see the falls.
We packed in the RV and took off. Michael spotted our first glimpse of buffalo since we’ve been out west. We joined the people traffic jam and took pictures. We made the brink of the upper falls first with skies rumbling and lightning. We got to walk down and admire it for about 10 minutes before the skies opened up and we ran for cover. We drove back to the Canyon Village stores where we ate dinner in the cafeteria. It was still raining when we returned to camp, so we had a bit of cabin-fever, so we went for a little drive. We spotted a small herd of elk grazing in a meadow and we saw bison lying down and grazing as well. We stopped for gas and pops and also decided to pop our microwave popcorn in their oven. We ate it on our way back to camp.
We made our way to our next camp ground called “Canyon”.On the way we stopped at the Black sands geysers. We really enjoyed those, most all were bubbling and puffing steam away. We ate lunch with one geyser spouting off continually in front of our RV. My new favorite was called “Spouting Geyser” appropriately enough; it never stopped spewing hot water and steam, and it was a beautiful light blue color.
We made camp at Canyon at about 12:00 noon. We ate hotdogs and soup. Michael tried to nap while the boys and I bike down to the Canon Village stores. I bought them both a Yellowstone jeep as a souvenir and we ate some ice cream. Micahel came looking for us and we decided to go see the falls.
We packed in the RV and took off. Michael spotted our first glimpse of buffalo since we’ve been out west. We joined the people traffic jam and took pictures. We made the brink of the upper falls first with skies rumbling and lightning. We got to walk down and admire it for about 10 minutes before the skies opened up and we ran for cover. We drove back to the Canyon Village stores where we ate dinner in the cafeteria. It was still raining when we returned to camp, so we had a bit of cabin-fever, so we went for a little drive. We spotted a small herd of elk grazing in a meadow and we saw bison lying down and grazing as well. We stopped for gas and pops and also decided to pop our microwave popcorn in their oven. We ate it on our way back to camp.
Sunday, July 21, 2008
Everyone slept in again. The boys stayed cuddled up and watched their Pokemon movie while dad and I tried to catch a few extra ZZZZZZ’s. We dumped tanks and added fresh water. We traveled up a short distance from our campground to the West Thumb area and toured a small area of geysers. We all picked out new favorites at this pretty little site along the Yellowstone Lake. Matching pools called the the “Black Pool” and the “Abyss” were full of great colors and lots of steam.
We shopped for some souveniers at a tourist trap nearby and then returned to camp for more bike riding and a few loads of laundry. We dropped off our laundry on our way back to our campsite. Devin and I rode our bikes back twice. The first time we fed the dryers with quarters, then we went back again to fold and pack it into a bag. I carried it back to the RV on my back on my bike.
We grilled fillets for dinner and both boys declared that camp food tasted better than other kind of food. They argued that it was the grill, the meat, the RV, but I know its because they are working up huge appetites everyday with all the biking and hiking!
After dinner, we rode our bikes up to the Ranger station for a visit with the rangers. We saw a great talk on the preditors of Yellowstone.We tried to get another fire going, when we got back to camp, but it started to rain, so we called it a night. Note: the last two nights we have been using our shower to wash the boys and ourselves off. We have been pleasantly surprised how much we like it. We all like the feeling of climbing into bed fresh, washed clean of bug spray and sun block.
Our tanks are full, so we will be dumping and refilling fresh water first thing tomorrow morning.
We shopped for some souveniers at a tourist trap nearby and then returned to camp for more bike riding and a few loads of laundry. We dropped off our laundry on our way back to our campsite. Devin and I rode our bikes back twice. The first time we fed the dryers with quarters, then we went back again to fold and pack it into a bag. I carried it back to the RV on my back on my bike.
We grilled fillets for dinner and both boys declared that camp food tasted better than other kind of food. They argued that it was the grill, the meat, the RV, but I know its because they are working up huge appetites everyday with all the biking and hiking!
After dinner, we rode our bikes up to the Ranger station for a visit with the rangers. We saw a great talk on the preditors of Yellowstone.We tried to get another fire going, when we got back to camp, but it started to rain, so we called it a night. Note: the last two nights we have been using our shower to wash the boys and ourselves off. We have been pleasantly surprised how much we like it. We all like the feeling of climbing into bed fresh, washed clean of bug spray and sun block.
Our tanks are full, so we will be dumping and refilling fresh water first thing tomorrow morning.
Saturday, July 21, 2008:
Yippeeee! We’re at Yellowstone! First thing on the massive to-do list is to go visit “Old Faithful”. We got to that geyser basin around lunch time and started our walk around all the various pools and geysers. We were lucky enough to catch the “River Geyser” with its eruption (it lasted about 22 minutes) and then at the end of our tour we saw “Old Faithful” spout from the balcony of the Old Faithful Inn. We walked well over 3 miles in all, and everyone needed a rest so after a quick lunch in the RV of sandwiches; we headed to our new camp for the next to nights at Grant Village. When we arrived at our reserved camp site, there was a man in a Speedo grilling steaks at where we were supposed to stay. So after we greeted him and discovered he spoke no English, only French. (My Spanish was no help here! LOL) Michael quickly took off for the registration office and secured us another spot.
After a rest, the boys really enjoyed riding their bikes around our loop. There were also plenty of other boys and girls out riding and playing too. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner and then took off on a short hike next to the lake (Yellowstone Lake). We saw a little muskrat swimming along the shore as we walked. After we returned to camp for more bike riding and get ready for our camp fire, Michael was on the phone to his parents for their anniversary and who should walk up about 20 feet from our campsite, a deer! He took one look at us and the campsite next to us and took off pretty quick.
Our campfire was a pretty big success. We toasted marshmallows and made s’mores. Lights out at about 10:30pm.
After a rest, the boys really enjoyed riding their bikes around our loop. There were also plenty of other boys and girls out riding and playing too. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for dinner and then took off on a short hike next to the lake (Yellowstone Lake). We saw a little muskrat swimming along the shore as we walked. After we returned to camp for more bike riding and get ready for our camp fire, Michael was on the phone to his parents for their anniversary and who should walk up about 20 feet from our campsite, a deer! He took one look at us and the campsite next to us and took off pretty quick.
Our campfire was a pretty big success. We toasted marshmallows and made s’mores. Lights out at about 10:30pm.
Friday, July 18, 2008
We had planned on staying at the tower for another night, but we were so refreshed after our KOA stay, that we decided to move on. Destination: Yellowstone? We had eaten breakfast in the RV, the boys rode their bikes around the campground, Michael dumped tanks, and we all showered. We ate lunch in the General Store and Trenton got the “juiciest” corn dog he had ever eaten. Onward we forge. We arrived Gillette, WY sometime around 2:00pm and decided to run a few errands. I hit up Wal-Mart for pop, treats, milk, paper towels, and DVDs. Michael washed the RV, checked the air in the tires, and traded “Redbox” movies. Now we’re ready to go again. We were really in the heart of Wyoming now. Beautiful mountains and bluffs at every turn, and not a stitch of civilization around. We stopped for dinner in Sheridan at a Perkins. Everone ate up!
Michael called and got us a reservation for a camp spot at Yellowstone that night, so it was do or die. We arrived at our campsite in Yellowstone at about 1:00am. The boys were already sacked out for the night, so Michael and I just crawled into our bed and called it quits for the night too.
Michael called and got us a reservation for a camp spot at Yellowstone that night, so it was do or die. We arrived at our campsite in Yellowstone at about 1:00am. The boys were already sacked out for the night, so Michael and I just crawled into our bed and called it quits for the night too.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
We had a great night of sleep in Custer State Park, with the windows open; we actually all covered up snuggly in our “Trava-Saks”. Trenton also recieved the first "boo-boos" of the trip. He tripped over the same log twice at our Center Lake camp. Oh well, probably the first of many.
10:00am, gas near Custer, SD, 90580, mi, 24.073gl, $ 98.68, $4.09, ?mpg.
We ate a quick breakfast of cereal in the RV and took off for the Crazy Horse Monument. Thanks to my great map reading skills, we missed the turn for the monument and went about 64 miles out of the way. (Great views of the Black Hills though.) Michael even figured out that this little mishap cost us about $24 in gasoline.
We ate lunch with the Crazy Horse Monument outside the RV windows and then decided to make our way towards Devil’s Tower, WY. We weren’t planning on heading straight through, but both boys fell asleep, so we just kept on trucking and arrived at the tower by about 3:30pm.
We pulled into a KOA right at the base of the tower. What a great view. Our space had the tower in our ”backyard”.
Both boys immediately eyed the pool as we drove in so we headed up to the pool while dad set up camp.
I fixed a spaghetti dinner in my new RV kitchen and everything checked out like a dream. I had already browned the hamburger (Thanks Pat!) and had frozen it so all I had to do was to add sauce and boil the pasta. Yum! Everyone ate really well. All appetites have been great since we’ve started this trip.
After dinner we decided to take a hike around Devil’s Tower. What a great hike. It was a little more than a mile and the weather was just perfect. We had spectacular views of the tower and the bluffs below. It was almost dark when we got back to camp.
Michael and the boys had ice cream from the camp’s general store and the movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was playing on their outside TV, we watched for a little while, but it started to sprinkle so we went of to bed.
Crazy Horse admission $27.00
Stayed at Devils Tower KOA $38.00
Devils tower admission $10.00
Devin fell on the trail.
Boys and Michael had ice cream at the KOA shop $7.00
10:00am, gas near Custer, SD, 90580, mi, 24.073gl, $ 98.68, $4.09, ?mpg.
We ate a quick breakfast of cereal in the RV and took off for the Crazy Horse Monument. Thanks to my great map reading skills, we missed the turn for the monument and went about 64 miles out of the way. (Great views of the Black Hills though.) Michael even figured out that this little mishap cost us about $24 in gasoline.
We ate lunch with the Crazy Horse Monument outside the RV windows and then decided to make our way towards Devil’s Tower, WY. We weren’t planning on heading straight through, but both boys fell asleep, so we just kept on trucking and arrived at the tower by about 3:30pm.
We pulled into a KOA right at the base of the tower. What a great view. Our space had the tower in our ”backyard”.
Both boys immediately eyed the pool as we drove in so we headed up to the pool while dad set up camp.
I fixed a spaghetti dinner in my new RV kitchen and everything checked out like a dream. I had already browned the hamburger (Thanks Pat!) and had frozen it so all I had to do was to add sauce and boil the pasta. Yum! Everyone ate really well. All appetites have been great since we’ve started this trip.
After dinner we decided to take a hike around Devil’s Tower. What a great hike. It was a little more than a mile and the weather was just perfect. We had spectacular views of the tower and the bluffs below. It was almost dark when we got back to camp.
Michael and the boys had ice cream from the camp’s general store and the movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was playing on their outside TV, we watched for a little while, but it started to sprinkle so we went of to bed.
Crazy Horse admission $27.00
Stayed at Devils Tower KOA $38.00
Devils tower admission $10.00
Devin fell on the trail.
Boys and Michael had ice cream at the KOA shop $7.00
Wednesday, July 16,2008
We set up camp at Wall Drug store in Wall, SD.(Not really a campground, mind you, we didn’t pull into Wall until about 12:30 am on Wed. morning, so we just slept in the parking lot and waited for them to open.)
Breakfast was in the RV, cereal and stuff, then we set off to explore the world famous Wall Drug Store. Michael had visited it as a child and his mom reported that he had loved it. We bought some of their homemade donuts, watched the T-Rex do its thing, bought souvenirs and were on our way. Next stop the Badlands. This was just a short jaunt from Wall. We all marveled at the odd-looking eroded formations and even spotted mountain goats on some of the peaks. Next destination: Mt Rushmore; the faces on the mountain.
We arrived in Rapid City, SD around lunch time and ate Red Lobster. Then onward to the faces. Trenton and Devin both fell fast asleep on the way up those winding Black Hills roads to Mt. Rushmore. Devin woke up in time and caught the first glimpses of the sculptures. We let Trenton sleep awhile longer and then set off to explore the monument.
Breakfast was in the RV, cereal and stuff, then we set off to explore the world famous Wall Drug Store. Michael had visited it as a child and his mom reported that he had loved it. We bought some of their homemade donuts, watched the T-Rex do its thing, bought souvenirs and were on our way. Next stop the Badlands. This was just a short jaunt from Wall. We all marveled at the odd-looking eroded formations and even spotted mountain goats on some of the peaks. Next destination: Mt Rushmore; the faces on the mountain.
We arrived in Rapid City, SD around lunch time and ate Red Lobster. Then onward to the faces. Trenton and Devin both fell fast asleep on the way up those winding Black Hills roads to Mt. Rushmore. Devin woke up in time and caught the first glimpses of the sculptures. We let Trenton sleep awhile longer and then set off to explore the monument.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Off at last!
We left bright and early about 9:30am but had a ton of things to do before we could really get under way: McDonald for breakfast,stopped and told Austen & Taylor goodbye, LPG fill up,got dog records, Best Buy for camcorder tape, and finally Kohls for shorts.(For Michael). Yippeee! On our way!
Mileage:90058 gas 5:15 pm 31.768gl 10.64mpg
Started letting Dusty on the dinnig set bench seat with a blanket, she freaks when we hit rumble strips.
Boys watched Alvin and the Chipmunks, Michael tried to get a nap on the folded down dinng set to prepare for night drive to Wall Drug(SD) area for the night.
Mixed reults.Boys are still hyper, both have had to use the potty in the rv while moving, novelty!
7:00pm Ate steak dinner at hartford steak house 2 6oz fielits for $11. Locals said it was 102 but didn't feel like it, thought our temperature gauge was wrong. Ran generator and AC during dinner for Dusty.
Mileage:90058 gas 5:15 pm 31.768gl 10.64mpg
Started letting Dusty on the dinnig set bench seat with a blanket, she freaks when we hit rumble strips.
Boys watched Alvin and the Chipmunks, Michael tried to get a nap on the folded down dinng set to prepare for night drive to Wall Drug(SD) area for the night.
Mixed reults.Boys are still hyper, both have had to use the potty in the rv while moving, novelty!
7:00pm Ate steak dinner at hartford steak house 2 6oz fielits for $11. Locals said it was 102 but didn't feel like it, thought our temperature gauge was wrong. Ran generator and AC during dinner for Dusty.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Plan
Ok, here is the plan: Travel from Overland Park, Kansas on July 15th, 2008 to Yellowstone Park, Wyoming.
We plan to traverse through the states of Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and probably Colorado. The major stops along the way we would like to stop at include the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Devil's tower, Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, and whatever or wherever looks fun or a good place to set up camp. I hope to keep a rough record of where we are and what we are doing in this blog. I also hope to post pictures too. Wish us luck.
We plan to traverse through the states of Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and probably Colorado. The major stops along the way we would like to stop at include the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Devil's tower, Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, and whatever or wherever looks fun or a good place to set up camp. I hope to keep a rough record of where we are and what we are doing in this blog. I also hope to post pictures too. Wish us luck.
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