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

WE ARE ON OUR WAY

We left today Friday afternoon to only get to the bottom of the Sierra's as chains were required to get over the pass on I-80. We are staying at Terribles Casino RV Park for the night and if the weather cooperates will get over Donner Pass on Saturday morning. We are headed to Virg's sister's for a family Easter celebration. We will be there until Tuesday and then head back East to Winnemucca. On Monday we are having dinner with Tworootless (WKN Handle), a workamping couple who are working at a lake resort in Grass Valley. 

Got to pick there minds on all the info on workamping. They have been full timing for 11 yrs. No cell coverage in Loma Rica at the sister's so our next post may not be until Tuesday night when we get to Winnemucca.

CHRISTMAS WITH THE GRANDKIDS

So on Dec 23rd we left Gardnerville, NV headed for Utah to celebrate Christmas and New Years with the grand kids.

The holidays are always enjoyed much more through the eyes of children. The first night we spend in Elko, NV and since we were not taking the fiver we stayed in a motel. Virg got into the slot tournament finals and took second place. Just before the finals she won enough to pay for our stay including meals. Lucky women. Were we happy we were in a motel room when the temperature went to -11 degrees over night. This Hotel Casino also has places for RVers, looks awfully cold to me, especially with low temperatures.

Next day we headed for Salt Lake City. The landscape was beautiful with snow everywhere. Fortunately for us the roads were clear.

The Ruby Mountains were lovely in there snow blanket.

The Bonneville Salt Flats in winter, no snowmobile speed trials this day, plus a short stop for the driver.

How's this one for "Where's Good Sam"

Check out the reflection in the Great Salt Lake.

We landed at the kids house in time for Christmas Eve dinner and festivities.

The Grand Kids got to open one present. Ahh, new PJ's.

Christmas morning say more presents being opened. Of course Grandma got something special.

We had to try out the Pogo Sticks although it was very cold outside.

During our visit we took time to go snow shoeing in the Uintas. It was a beautiful day and the kids did great.

Yes Grandma & Grandpa both snow shoe.

New Years Day was laid back as all rang in the New Year the night before and decided activities should be limited on this day.

Of course we did have one who wanted to try the fresh snow.

We had a great visit and a long one day drive home that was again blessed with good weather.