WE HAVE ARRIVED AT OUR FIRST WORKAMPER JOB

We arrived Thursday afternoon, got parked and started settling in. Had a get together with the managers and fellow workampers at the senior (3 summers here) workamper's rig. We have a very friendly crew and the managers are great people. On Friday we went right to work as the resorts in the area are hosting the Governors Fishing Derby on May 15th and our managers are in charge of the whole thing. So because the weather has been so nice we are doing as much of the outside work as possible. However the Lake needs more water so we are hoping for some rain soon.

WE HAVE ARRIVED 

RICK HAS CAUGHT HIS FIRST FISH ALREADY

THE RESORT ENTRANCE

HOME SWEET HOME

For pictures of the rest of the Resort click on the link below:

NORTHERN LIGHTS RESORT

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Today we visited the Mississippi River right next to downtown St. Paul, MN. It is as everyone says, muddy. We scooped up a jar of water for a neighbor back home, went over to Herriot Island and walked along the river front.

Looking across the river from the city side.

St. Paul Cathedral from Herriot Island 

St. Paul downtown skyline

The Minnesota State Capital

The rest of the pictures are at the link below:

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

MALL OF AMERICA

Well we spent the day at MALL OF AMERICA and got away with out spending all our savings. We had lunch at Famous Dave's BBQ and desert at Magic Pan, crepe with Nutella. Tomorrow I am going back to try the NASCAR simulator.

The amusement area

LEGO LAND A GREAT PLACES TO TAKE THE KIDS

EVERYTHING YOU SEE IS MADE WITH LEGOS

MISSOURI RIVER - CHAMBERLAIN, SD

We have left the Black Hills of South Dakota and are headed to Minnesota. Out first stop in Minnesota will be at the MALL OF AMERICA. They say it will take us a minimum of two days to see it. On our way we crossed the Missouri River at a spot Lewis & Clark camped during their expedition. 

Bridges to Chamberlain, SD

I-90 Bridge

Virg enjoying the Missouri River

CUSTER STATE PARK, SD

Today was a great day, the weather was great and the wildlife was plentiful.

We took the Norbeck Scenic Byway - Lone Mountain Road & the Needles Hwy.
These photos are for my NDOT friends

Before entering one of these tunnels I had to fold in the mirrors on my truck.

Every corner was like this, both up and down.

For other pictures of our Day trip, Mt Rushmore framed by a tunnel, Wildlife and the Happy Retired couple click on the link below:

CUSTER STATE PARK

ELLSWORTH AIR MUSEUM

This one is for Jerry, SR & Jerry, JR.

B1-B Bomber

AWESOME !!!!!!

To see the rest go to the following link:

ELLSWORTH AIR & SPACE MUSEUM

BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK & WALL DRUG

Today we went to Badlands National Park only to find out the road thru the park was closed due to construction. However we did make it to the Visitor Center and got some history on the park. We were also trying to beat a thunder and lighting storm which you will see in some of the photos.

As the storm came in it really got very windy.

You can see the incoming storm in this shot.

Just turn to the right and the sky's are clear.

Then in major storm we drove to "WALL DRUG" in Wall, SD

We did some souvenir shopping here and had a cup of their 5 cent coffee. 

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MONUMENT

Today we went to the MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MONUMENT

VIRG AT THE ENTRANCE

RICK ON THE PLAZA

CLICK BELOW FOR MORE PICTURES

MORE MT RUSHMORE PICTURES

Today was a Great Day to visit the Monument. The weather was great as you can see. We walked the Presidential Trail that goes below the monument, only 250 stairs up and down. We certainly got our exercise. How great to see this in person. We hope to Workamp near here next summer as most attractions are not open until May 1st or later. Hope you all enjoy the pictures.

TRAVELLING TO THE MT RUSHMORE AREA

We woke up to 2 inches of snow this morning in Lusk, WY requiring me to scrape the snow off the slideouts before we could retract them so they wouldn't melt on the carpet while we traveled. Such fun first thing in the morning. Sorry no picture to busy scraping snow.


We left Lusk and head towards Rapid City, SD our 5th State in 5 days.


For all you NDOT people we got to follow this for a mile.

As we traveled we saw many Prong Horn Antelope, but it was hard to get a good picture. The cattle ranchers have helped increase their numbers by maintaining good grazing for their cattle and providing watering holes.

The weather was cloudy but we did not encounter any rain or wind.

And then we passed into South Dakota.

We are now snug at Happy Holiday RV Resort just outside of Rapid City, SD. We have decided to stay here a week, check out the sites and look for a gig for next summer.
Sunday we are headed to see Mt. Rushmore.


Oh by the way if you click on the pictures you can look at them in a larger format and maybe see those Prong Horn better.


Catch you tomorrow.

INDEPENDENCE ROCK

As we did not have WiFi or Cell Service this is yesterdays post.


Our first stop after leaving Rawlins, WY was 

We then stopped and visited Independence Rock on the Oregon/California Trail in Wyoming. It is where pioneers meet on July 4th knowing they would make their destination before bad weather. While camped here they carved their names in the rock. There are over 5,000 names carved into this rock.

                                                                        Trail Head

                                                                 Calvary person

                                                                         

                                                                    J W CROSBY

                                                                        H L CHAPIN

Then guess who decided he could climb the rock as we walked all the way around it.

We then traveled to Lusk, WY for the night.

EASTER OUR FIRST STOP

So we made it over the Sierra's on Saturday and pulled into the Marenco Family Easter Gathering. 


The sister-in-law provides us all a place to park and hook up our RV's.

Front Yard RV Park

Back yard RV Park with swimming pool on left

After church it's time for snacks and games.

Games or Nap time for Grandpa

Mexican Train

Coffee to keep the Gamers going

Food table if you get hungry

So we enjoyed a rainy Easter Day with all, just grazing and playing games.
Oh, Oh got a water leak around the AC and it is dripping inside the trailer so off I go to diagnose and fix the problem. 


Hope every one had an Enjoyable Easter