Putting Some Miles On

September 20 through 24, 2013

We start in South Dakota and end in Wisconsin.

Custer state park has a huge population of buffalo and we had fun driving through them.  We also drove the needles highway there and drove through two one way tunnels that were fun.

We stopped at Wall Drug on the way East in South Dakota.. Mark had to have a sticker for his garage lockers and I found this old lady playing cards and made friends.

Mark also found a little entertainment in the back lot.

Yes, that is the Missouri River behind our Motorhome.  We camped at the same campground that Blaine and Chris used in Ocanoa, S.D.  It had a great view.  The Missouri River is comparable to the Columbia River in size.

The Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. was a big yawn.  I won't even post a picture.  This guys was sitting outside the corn.  His sign reflected my mood.

We then traveled through Minnesota.  Our only stop that day was at Ahlmans Gun Store.  Mark was in heaven.  They had approx. 3,000 guns to look at.

South Dakota, Deadman's Hand, Aces and Eights!

September 17, 18, 19, 2013

First stop in South Dakota is Sturgis.  Normal looking town but the main street has many huge bars that are mostly closed because they are only open during the summer rally that brings thousands of bikers into town.  We stopped at the Full Throttle Saloon, the biggest outdoor Biker Bar in the US, to have lunch and a beer but they only served beer, no food, after Labor Day.  Good Bye Sturgis!

We spent the night at Deadwood.  Famous because Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane both died there.  Wild Bill was murdered there.  He was killed while playing poker.  The cards that fell out of his hand were two pair, aces and eights.  Since then two pair, aces and eights, have been known as the "dead man's hand".  Funny thing, I grew up playing poker with Mom and Dad and when someone would get that hand they would say, "Aces and Eights, Dead Man's Hand".  Now I know why.

We toured the graveyard to see old Wild Bill.  Calamity Jane was buried right next to him.
This town is filled with small casinos.  They were granted special permission because of the gambling history in the town, although the town was established because of the gold diggers during the gold rush years.  I made my donation to the local economy by playing the slots for a couple of hours.

Wednesday, September 18, Happy Birthday to me!  We went to Mount Rushmore!

As you can see, the weather is holding out beautifully.  Tank top on my birthday is a good thing.  I heard on the weather channel last night that there was hail the size of quarters in Eastern South Dakota so we better slow down til it's gone.

I did get to meet one of the original drillers.  I shook his hand and thanked him for his work.

Busy catching up with my stickers.  I was three states behind.  I have given up on golfing in every state to get my stickers.  Now all I have to do is show up!  Mark should have told me to comb my hair before  he took the picture.

North Dakota, Where the Buffalo Roam

Monday, September 16, 2013

We are staying in Madora, North Dakota, at the entrance of Teddy Roosevelt National Park.  This is the only National Park named for a real person.  The first thing we run into is a huge buffalo alongside the road as we drive the 31 mile loop road that goes around the park.

I loved the prairie dog homes with thousands of dogs that would make their little chirping sounds.

And they even had wild horses grazing.

Just a very beautiful park that I had never heard of before.

And this is the elusive MJ, sitting in a corner refinishing his "project" rifle.

Montana with Lewis and Clark

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Today we drove through Montana, stopping at a small town called Miles City.  We stopped on the way at a National Monument called Pompey Pillars, named by William Clark of the famous "Lewis and Clark duo.  Pompey was Sacajawea's son.  It is the only place where Clark actually carved his name into the rock right next to some Indian carvings to prove that the "white" man had been through there.  The place was a sacred place the Indians went to the top of for ceremonies.

Above me under the glass is the signature.

And this apparently was carved by my son, Jason, on his trip across country.  Wouldn't you know that he would sign right below Clark.

This is the view from the top of the Pillar.  It had 125 steps to the top of the rock so I was sitting on the bench while taking this picture of Mark enjoying the view.

Welcome to Cody, Wyoming

Saturday, September 15, 2013

Today we explore Cody, Wyoming.  Mark became good buddies with Buffalo Bill Cody, who established Cody.  We spent much time in their premier museum that had a firearms section featuring almost 3,000. firearms.  We finally found a museum where I was trailing Mark.

We took the trolly tour of Cody.  Mark was the big winner of the "Wooden Nickel"  They had a contest where they played theme music from old western shows.  They started some music which I had no idea what it went to and Mark shouted out, "The Rifleman"!  I guess I wasn't surprised that he would remember something that had "rifles" as it's central theme.  We will add the nickel to our retirement travel stash.

Sunday we head east and end up in Miles City, Montana.

Yellowstone or Bust!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Yes, here we are at the boiling mud pots in Yellowstone.

We arrived at Old Faithful just two minutes before it erupted.  What good luck we had in spite of the fact that is Friday the 13th.  Then we were off to search for Smokey the Bear....

And Yellowstone did not disappoint!  Now off to Cody, Wyoming in search of Buffalo Bill.

Just Hanging Around

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Lindsey wanted Dad to help Graham hang their new 55 inch tv while we are in Sun Valley.   Graham and Mark have been trying to figure out where the wall studs are for three days.  The "stud finders" have been less than adequate.  Lindsey finally borrowed another one and it seems to be doing the job.  Our last night found success as the guys got the tv, Lindsey's painting from China and the paper towel holder hung.

First the TV bracket.

Then the painting.

Lindsey spent most the time giving directions while drinking wine and eating chocolates.  She is sitting in her new (old) chair which she just purchased from a second hand store in Boise for $35.

Giving credit for a job well done.

The painting was given to her by the wife of a factory manager in China.  She had admired it while working there and the artist was gracious enough to give it to Lindsey.  Graham was the guy stuck with hauling it home but that is a whole other story for another day.

Snowbirds Again, 2013 Journey

Friday through Thursday, September 6 thru 12, 2013

We leave Friday in the late afternoon.  Headed to Pendleton casino where we will spend our first night. We have two days to get to Sun Valley as Lindsey and Graham will not be home until Sunday afternoon.

Saturday is beautiful, bright and sunny.  I didn't sleep all night. Too much adrenaline from gambling late or too much caffeine from diet cokes.  Anyway, we are up late this morning and are one of the last ones pulling out of the lineup of motorhomes and rv's.

Arrived in Sun Valley late Saturday night and parked in the River Run ski lot.  They have updated it since we were here two years ago.  There are signs saying "no overnight parking".  Hmmm.....I am sure they don't mean us.  We stayed one night and on to Lindsey's house on Sunday.

Lindsey and I had dinner in a local tavern, the Cellar, and played a little shuffleboard. I crushed her.  Her copper cup has a drink called a Moscow Mule.  She was drowning her sorrows.  Turns out I am not real athletic but I am pretty awesome at the simple games like shuffleboard and miniature golf.

Yes, I got a "hole in one" at the Sun Valley miniature golf course.  I beat Lindsey and Mark in a 18 hole miniature golf game.

Lindsey's new office at Smith.

Lindsey's old office at Smith.  It is now Graham's office but it looks like Lindsey is still trying to do her old job!

Mark and I out for dinner with Lindsey and Graham for my birthday.  Yes, that is a flight of tequila shots that Lindsey bought her father.