WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

  WEDNESDAY, MAY 29:  

     Rained all last night – a light rain, but constant.  Ditto this morning, until around noon or 1:00.  So some of our first up-close views of the Rockies as we drove thru them were misty and impressionistic. As the afternoon went on, the grey sky gave way to large stretches of blue and whiter cotton candy clouds, and the peaks now stood out more sharply against the greens and earth colors of the alpine forests.   Thankfully, no big stresses on this stretch of mountain driving.  Bill said that the truck did much better on the uphill grades than last year, thanks to the fine tuning and adjustments we had done.  Nice to feel that the $$ spent a few months ago is now paying off!  All in all, a beautiful enjoyable ride, as we listened to piano renditions of Elton John tunes.   

    When we’d periodically descend out of the mountains back into Plains valleys, we saw lots of lilac bushes in full bloom.  Actually, we’ve seen them all across South Dakota, Wyoming, & Montana.  In fact, there was a row of them at the edge of the RV park in Rapid City.  When we stepped out of the truck on Monday night after getting home from Rushmore, their fragrance was heavenly!  It brought to mind my mother saying how, when she was a girl in North Dakota, they’d always decorate the high school gym for graduation with fresh lilacs. Evidence of how Creator God hasn’t left any place bereft of beauty.,

     Stopped at the northernmost Montana town of any size, with an RV park, before we reached the Canadian border - Shelby.  When I asked over the phone if their WiFi connection was strong, he said yes, no problem.  Yeah, no problem if you take your laptop out onto the picnic table so that nothing interferes with the signal from the office!  Oh well . . . felt refreshing to be outside, even though pretty cool.  But at least I got a couple of entries to the Blog posted. 

     The name of this RV park is “Lewis and Clark RV Park.”  Lots of references to Lewis & Clark along our route.  Meaningful and humbling to see the actual terrain – and distance - they traversed.  An amazing accomplishment.  Especially when they crossed the Rockies by foot and horseback.  At our campsite, easy to see why the state’s nickname is Big Sky Country!      

    Ate dinner inside – leftover potato soup I’d made the week before we left so that Bill could bring some to Rich Sobel, our new Jewish brother in Christ who’s in the last stages of cancer.  He loves the soups I’ve made for him!  We really hope that he’s still among us when we return in Sept, but are prepared for that not to be the case.  It’s very sad to see him slowly but steadily decline,  but it’s very gratifying to know that he considers his new Twin Oaks friends and connections to be his family now, and that he won’t be alone when his final days here on earth come.     

TUESDAY, MAY 28

TUESDAY, MAY 28:   

     A beautiful sunny morning! 

 

On the road by 9:00.  Thankful for microwavable breakfast sandwiches – we nuked them just before leaving, and ate them on the road.

      Drove into eastern Wyoming, and then north into Montana.  Typical High Plains country – mostly flat, or rolling hills -  some scrub, some more hospitable grassland.  Hard to support many cattle.  We’d sometimes see a lone steer or two; occasionally, more cattle together.  Saw a couple of groups of antelope.  After maybe 150 miles or so, saw gorgeous snow-capped mountains ahead.  A foretaste of the Rockies! 

     We stopped after a little over 300 miles at Little Bighorn Battlefield.  AKA Custer’s Last Stand.   Got there just in time to hear a Ranger give a 45-minute talk.  He’d been a high school history teacher & football coach for over 30 years, and obviously loves history.  He tried his best to make the battle come alive for us!  After his talk, saw an outstanding film in the Visitors Center.  Again – everything was of the very highest quality. 

     Then we walked up to the knoll where Custer and his men made their last stand, surrounded by Indians, as well as a short path down to a ravine where some of his men were found killed as well.  Were they trying to escape their certain death on the hill behind them?  No one knows. Although all of the soldiers were re-buried in a mass grave underneath the Memorial a few years after the battle (Custer’s and other officers’ remains were shipped to other burial sites, per family wishes), it was very interesting how archeologists have re-constructed where they believe Custer’s men actually fell.  They’ve placed white headstones there.

 

      And just a few years ago, the Park Service made a concerted effort to locate where the Sioux warriors fell as well, and have erected red headstones there.  They have also built a memorial to the Sioux fighters in the battle. 

 

 So we now have a much more balanced presentation of the battle and the people involved.  Of course, this may be the classic case of winning the battle, losing the war. Only a year later, the Sioux people were nearly decimated, forced back onto the reservation by a Congress outraged by what had happened.  Chief Sitting Bull and some of his people had fled to Canada after the battle, but he returned a few years later to the U.S. to surrender, and died on the reservation. 

     When we realized that we’d spent 3 hours at the Little Bighorn site, we realized that we wouldn’t make it to Bozeman as we’d planned.  (But we don’t regret the time spent at the Battlefield at all).  So drove 100 miles to the little town of Columbus, about halfway between Billings & Bozeman.  Found a nice RV park there.  (Grabbed a Subway to eat in the truck shortly after leaving Little Bighorn.)  Felt cool when we stepped out of the truck.  We’re definitely approaching the true Rockies now – had lots of uphill grades after leaving the Battlefield site, and terrain & vegetation are becoming distinctly more alpine than earlier in the day.  Tomorrow we’ll truly be in the Rockies . . . excited, but wonder what kind of time we’ll  make once we’re driving in them.

     As I’m typing this on Tuesday nite, the rain’s been coming down for about an hour now.  Glad it’s at night, and not when we were travelling or at Little Bighorn.  It feels so cozy and snug to be inside in our home on wheels, and to hear the rain on the roof.      

MONDAY, MAY 27

MONDAY, MAY 27      MEMORIAL DAY!!

     Heard it rain last night.  And still raining this morning, off and on – sometimes quite hard.  So we postponed driving in to Mt. Rushmore.  Took the time to make a nice breakfast – waffles, bacon, & melon.  Then Bill drove to Rapid City (only about 10 min away) to get a filter for his camera, and I read.  Started Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand (who also wrote Seabiscuit).   This is my book club selection for this month.  It’s the true story of a young American bombardier who was captured by the Japanese during WWII. 

     By about 1:00, it looked like the worst of the rain had stopped and the sun was trying to come out, so we drove to the Monument.  A lovely drive  in, thru some of the Black Hills – so named because of the thick growth of Ponderosa Pines, which makes the hills appear black from a distance.    And it was a thrill to first glimpse the Four Faces while still on the road.

     Even more of a thrill when we actually were in the park itself.  The entire design of the grounds is classically simple.  Only 1 entrance, which leads through the Avenue of Flags (all 50 state flags), which frames the carved faces.

  The path leads to a wonderful terrace, where you have stunning views of the sculpture.  So easy to just stand and gaze for a long time, wondering how this marvel was achieved. 

We learned the answers to how, as well as why, thru a short film, exhibits, and ranger talks.  As has always been our experience in our National Parks, the education you can receive in these national treasures is top-notch; every medium & technique they use is done with excellence.  We so appreciate what our Park Service has done throughout the years to really enhance our experience at each place we visit!  

     What we really took away from Mt. Rushmore is that the concept was both patriotic and artistic.  The sculptor, Gutzon Borglum, was passionate about the uniquely American ideas of liberty and democracy.  We learned why he chose each of these particular four Presidents and what they represented for him.  We also learned how he guided and oversaw the execution of his dream (he died just before it was completed) – he made a model, and used state-of-the-art engineering, blasting, and drilling techniques to replicate the model on the mountain.  What really impressed us was that, as the workers (over 400 were employed over the 14-year period) progressed, and as unexpected features of the granite materialized, Borglum would modify his model to accommodate the rock when needed.  He actually changed the model 9 times – but always with an artist’s eye.  For instance, when the face of Washington was nearly completed, Borglum thought that he looked too lifeless.  So he adjusted and turned one shoulder just a small degree, and it changed Washington’s entire look.

 

 

      We strolled to the Sculptor’s Studio, where Borglum’s original model is kept, and where we learned a lot of the above. 

 

 

After that, it was a delightful walk on the Presidential Trail, where we could view the faces from different perspectives.

     It was starting to rain again by the time we finished our walk, and we were hungry anyway, so ducked inside the café.  A very simple cafeteria-style eatery, with a very simple but appealing menu, and simple but appealing décor.   Kind of continued the tone of the park.  We both got a chili dog.  Can’t remember the last time I had an old-fashioned chili dog – it tasted delicious!  Lingered there for a long time, waiting for the rain to stop.  Interesting to see the rain leave marks on the faces (you can view the sculpture through the glassed front of the restaurant), and turn colors as the sun went down. 

     We wanted to stay for the 9:00 p.m. lighting ceremony held in the amphitheater just below the terrace..  The rain had stopped, but was very chilly now!  Glad we had our jackets in the truck – went to retrieve them.  But even then, we both were very cool!  So was everyone else coming in for the lighting – folks were carrying blankets, had woolen caps on, etc!  But it was so worth it!  Was a 45-minute program:  the 1^st 10 minutes, a Ranger gave a talk on our Constitution, followed by a 20-minute inspiring film.  Then the lights came up gradually over the 4 faces.  Absolutely lovely. 

 

 

 Then, a singing of our National Anthem, followed by an invitation to all the Veterans in the audience to come on stage.  I don’t believe this is part of the normal evening ceremony – I think this last part is done only on Memorial Day.  They participated in the flag-lowering ceremony, and then introduced themselves and mentioned which branch of the Armed Services they served in. There were probably about 2 dozen vets there.  Everyone in the audience showed their appreciation with lots of applause.  I thought of my dad, and others of “the Greatest Generation,” and what they left for us.  What a wonderful and appropriate way to spend Memorial Day!   And we hadn’t even intentionally planned it this way!  I choose to deem this as one of God’s little gifts of abundance!

 

SUNDAY, MAY 26

SUNDAY, MAY 26: 

      Heard it rain hard last night as we lay in bed.    Awoke to sodden clouds this morning.  Enjoyed a more relaxed morning – for bkfst, had melon and delicious lemon poppy seed bread that Jim & Mary so graciously sent with us.  Yummy! 

     Then set out west.  Rained off and on, sometimes hard, most of the morning.  Even though it’s an inconvenience for us, the local population must be thankful for the rain, as they’re still recovering from last year’s drought.  You could see how dry and cracked the earth was. 

     Drove about 200 miles til came to the cut-off for the Badlands.  Even though it was overcast, we decided to take the loop tour through the area.  First, though, we came to a preserved pioneer sod dwelling, manned by the South Dakota Historical Society.  It was built by a pioneer homesteading couple and their bachelor son in the 1^st decade of the 20^th century.  A great visual picture of how this western part of the Dakota Plains was settled – under the Homestead Act, for an $18 filing fee, you were given 160 acres, with the stipulation that you build a home and plow up at least 5 acres of the prairie grassland sod for crops.  The homes were dug right out of the sod against a hill or bank; and plowed-up strips of sod were turned into bricks for the upper walls.  The literature said that this part of South Dakota was dotted nearly every 160 acres with depressions on the side of a hill or edge of a bank, where pioneering sodbusters had hopefully begun a new life.   Was amazing to see how hard their life looked.  And it was hard – we heard that by 1915, the majority of homesteaders had given up and returned to whence they came.  But not this couple . . . the wife stayed, with her son, for many years after her husband died.  She loved it here, and when moved to California by her daughter, wished to be back in her South Dakota homestead.  This visit evoked memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Willa Cather.    

      We continued on to the Badlands.  Starkly scenic.  But honestly, having spent last summer in the southwest U.S., this landscape didn’t strike us as much as it would have had we not experienced so many fantastic geologic landforms there.  But still, a nice drive with some viewing points. 

 

 Saw several prairie dogs, as well as big-horned sheep.  (in lower right hand portion of this photo)

                                               

     Then drove the rest of the highway to Rapid City and turned south for our campground and Mt. Rushmore.   The campground is very, very nice.  A big operation – over 100 RV sites, plus a small motel.  Most sites have a covered  picnic table – that’s a first!  You can park your RV on one side of the picnic areas, and your vehicle on the other.  Too bad that the wind made it too cool to eat outside – maybe tomorrow.  By the time we ate dinner, the wind had died down and we took Pappy for a long walk around the park. Was very pleasant temperature – probably in mid-high 60’s. Saw lots of out of state license plates – the furthest away being from New Mexico.   

     We’ll drive to Mt. Rushmore tomorrow morning.  Also plan to be back for the 9:00 p.m. lighting ceremony held nightly . . . briefly considered doing it tonite, but felt too tired.  Even though the trailer pulls very well, because of its width, Bill has to constantly make sure that he’s driving straight down the middle of the road.  And that gets tiring.  Bill’s already in bed as I type this, and I’ll join him as soon as I finish.  Even though I don’t have the physical drain of driving, being a passenger for long distances always makes me sleepy as well.   In a pleasant way.

SATURDAY, MAY 25

JUST IN CASE YOU WANT TO COMMENT, YOU’RE ABLE TO DO THAT NOW J

SATURDAY, MAY 25:

     At 6:30, we had lift-off – left home for our North to Alaskan adventure.  Was a lovely morning – cool, mostly clear – almost gave me second thoughts about leaving!  Well, not exactly . . . However, if St Louis did have mornings & weather like this 350 days a year, we might not be so anxious to flee the summers!

 

     Of course, did all but the very last minute packing yesterday and earlier.  We’re packing for 3 seasons this trip - warm summer, “shoulder” seasonal weather, and downright cool/cold conditions.  Plus rain gear for both temperate and colder days.   So we had a lot  to pack.  So thankful for our roomy RV – everything fit in the closets and drawers, with a little room to spare.  This is the kind of trip we had in mind when we bought this RV, with all of its storage capacity – now it’s being played out for real! 

     Stopped down the road a couple of hours at Columbia for McDonald’s bkfst.  Then only made a couple more stops for gas as we turned north at Kansas City on I-29, and kept on this road all the way thru Iowa  (hugging Nebraska border) till reaching the southeast corner of South Dakota, where  we turned west onto I-90.   The roads were very good almost all of the way, and Bill said the RV was pulling easily.   Ran into a couple of patches of rain, but the rest of the time was just mildly overcast and in the 60’s or 70’s.  

     We stopped at one rest stop in Iowa to walk & water Pappy.  Was very nice & pleasant.  Even advertised free Wi-Fi access.  That’s a first – a sign of keeping up with the times.  A guy was manning a table offering free snack goodies – brownies, cookies, etc, plus cold water & lemonade.  He represented the Lions Club.  Had a donation jar out, but he made it clear that there was no expectation nor obligation to contribute.  Talked a little about the projects the Lions Club supports – especially distributing eye glasses to those who need  them.   Just made me happy he was there doing that – giving up a Saturday, especially Memorial weekend Saturday, to help others.  That has to be one of the best things about the USA – its volunteer impulse.   Makes me proud.

     Stopped just outside of Mitchell, SD,  about 7:00.  Drove 650 miles!  Mitchell is home of the Corn Palace.  Made a heart-rending decision to skip that (sarcasm here).  Will we have the fortitude to do the same with Wall Drug tomorrow??   Located a nice RV park thru the Good Sam trailer directory.  Nice size park, family-oriented, very quiet &  peaceful .  Got set up very quickly & easily.  Ate left-over spaghetti from last night, and enjoyed some wine which dear neighbors Jim & Mary gifted us with last night.  Then took Pappy for a little walk around the park.  Typed this, both read some, and went to bed before 10:00!   The wind is blowing as I’m typing this – may be bringing in some rain and a storm.  But feel cozy and snug in our little home. 

    Almost seems a little surreal that we’re really on a trip which will end up thousands of miles from here.  But seems very comfortable and familiar to settle into our home on wheels again, the first time in a little over 7 months. 

      Thank you, Lord, for a good and uneventful first day.      

PRACTICE SESSION

     Seeing that it's been 7 months since I've done this, thought I'd better do a practice session.
Let's see if I remember how to load a photo.   UPDATE:  A computer guru (Thanks, Julie !) figured out how to post Comments.  So now, everyone should be able to comment if you want.  Just click on the Comments link below the most recent post. 

Christmas morning 2012.  Already thinking about our upcoming 2013 trip!!