Today I have posted a blog onto the site dated Thursday 21st May, so it could have been missed.
It was a record of the snow storm we had in Custer and evening views of Stockade Lake
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| We get snow |
Thursday, May 28, 2015
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Today I have posted a blog onto the site dated Thursday 21st May, so it could have been missed.
It was a record of the snow storm we had in Custer and evening views of Stockade Lake
Today I have posted a blog onto the site dated Thursday 21st May, so it could have been missed.
It was a record of the snow storm we had in Custer and evening views of Stockade Lake
The Badlands NP in South Dakota
Tuesday
At the entrance to the Badlands lies Wall, a town which has not raison d'etre for it's existence except for the famous drug store - Wall Drug, so of course we had to stop there to investigate it.
It is a very nice story. Back in 1929 a pharmacist and his wife felt it right to open a drug store in Wall, even though it was a dying community. They gave themselves five years to make a go of it. No chance. In the summer of their last year the wife put a notice out on the highway to offer free ice water. Tourists visiting the places to the West stopped off for the free water and the rest is history. Unfortunately, in the inimitable style of the Americans the place now resembles the Main Street of Disneyland - all just gift shops.
Anyway it had to be done!
From there we drove into the Badlands NP. This, we realised, is the last of the 'Big Desert Parks' that we shall see as we move East, not knowing if we will ever get back West again. So we were determined to enjoy it, which we did.
It is about a 25 mile drive through the park, with lots of stops for the overviews, so we made quite slow progress, in fact it took us most of the day to arrive at the Cedar Lodge Campground, where we were surprised to find that there was a walk in site available,with lovely views of The Badlands.
The weather has now, finally, warmed up.
Wednesday
Although it is warm, the sun is still not shining through. I got up early to take some sunrise pics (5.30!), but it was mostly cloudy, still there were some bright spots.
We planned to drive about 120 miles today to Pierre, however a lot of the road was on I90, with its speed limit of 80 m.p.h. so we took some time to visit the Fossil Trail, which, rather disappointingly was a boardwalk with just information about fossils, no actual fossils in the rocks there. Still it gave us a last look at The Badlands.
The weather took a hand again: Since sunrise we were watching a large rain cloud on the Wunderground.com radar, which was sitting to the East of us for several hours as we packed up left the campground, that was OK, except as we left it started to move North East, so as we hit the I90 and moved east it crossed us and we were in rain. We drove through and out the other side, just in time to turn North to Pierre and catch it as it continued North East. We drove through it again and reached the Farm Lake SP at Pierre, just in time for the rain cloud to catch up with us. So still not much luck with the weather, but at least it is now warm.
The campground here is very nice though and we are looking forward to better weather.
At the entrance to the Badlands lies Wall, a town which has not raison d'etre for it's existence except for the famous drug store - Wall Drug, so of course we had to stop there to investigate it.
It is a very nice story. Back in 1929 a pharmacist and his wife felt it right to open a drug store in Wall, even though it was a dying community. They gave themselves five years to make a go of it. No chance. In the summer of their last year the wife put a notice out on the highway to offer free ice water. Tourists visiting the places to the West stopped off for the free water and the rest is history. Unfortunately, in the inimitable style of the Americans the place now resembles the Main Street of Disneyland - all just gift shops.
Anyway it had to be done!
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| The Famous Wall Drug in Wall |
It is about a 25 mile drive through the park, with lots of stops for the overviews, so we made quite slow progress, in fact it took us most of the day to arrive at the Cedar Lodge Campground, where we were surprised to find that there was a walk in site available,with lovely views of The Badlands.
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In the evening I went for a run up into the rocky area, along Saddle and Castle Trail, which was fun. I got back in time to take a couple of sunset pics, though there wasn't a lot of sun in them.
Wednesday
Although it is warm, the sun is still not shining through. I got up early to take some sunrise pics (5.30!), but it was mostly cloudy, still there were some bright spots.
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions.
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions.
I even managed to take a video of the drive from the Fossil Trail to the Campground, which, while not as boring as the train passing by at Fort Laramie, is probably only of interest if you want to see lots of rocks and hear our idle banter in the van.The weather took a hand again: Since sunrise we were watching a large rain cloud on the Wunderground.com radar, which was sitting to the East of us for several hours as we packed up left the campground, that was OK, except as we left it started to move North East, so as we hit the I90 and moved east it crossed us and we were in rain. We drove through and out the other side, just in time to turn North to Pierre and catch it as it continued North East. We drove through it again and reached the Farm Lake SP at Pierre, just in time for the rain cloud to catch up with us. So still not much luck with the weather, but at least it is now warm.
The campground here is very nice though and we are looking forward to better weather.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Overnight in Box Elder
Our mailbox is in Box Elder, so since we had to pass close we decided to pick up our mail direct. There being no suitable campground nearby we stayed in the car park of Celebas, a sports outfitters. This is the first time we have stayed on a car park. It was really quite easy and we felt quite safe. Dropping the trailer meant that we could pop out to Golden Corral for a meal and then spend some time in Walmart. Came out to pouring rain.
Tuesday morning we were up and away early to pick up our mail at Americas Mailbox, before driving on to The Badlands of South Dakota.
Tuesday morning we were up and away early to pick up our mail at Americas Mailbox, before driving on to The Badlands of South Dakota.
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| Forgot to put card in camera, so this is a street view cheat pic of Americas Mailbox |
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Deadly Dreadwood
Sunday
Oh what a disappointment!
We approached Deadwood with visions of the Deadwood Stage and Calamity Jame, sunny skies and lots of happy dancing people.
It turns out that when when the mines closed down at the turn of the century Deadwood died. Around the eighties some astute person somehow got the State to legalise gambling in Deadwood, because that is what had made it famous, along with gold, drinking and prostitution, so like almost every other town west of Boston. This enabled Dreadwood to 'renovate' and 'restore' its old buildings and turn them into casinos, so now the City Center looks like a disney theme area.
Arriving here yesterday we did not feel comfortable at all, though we did have a very nice steak in the Legends Restaurant in the newly re-opened Franklin Hotel. The theme park environment was extended by having Main street as a no parking area, almost a pedestrian precinct, which made the public car parks a nightmare.
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Today was raining, all day, though we did go back to Dreadwood it was still very miserable with loads of small casinos and 'kiss me quick' establishments.
We made a detour up the hill to the cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried, however a combination of pouring rain and charging (albeit only a dollar) to go into the cemetery made Sally see red when, having taken our money, she could not actually access their graves. So by the time she had finished with the dear lady in the box office we were able to leave with our two dollars firmly back in our pocket.
So we spent this afternoon doing the laundry and watching the trickling stream that runs through the campsite turn into a raging torrent.
Oh what a disappointment!
We approached Deadwood with visions of the Deadwood Stage and Calamity Jame, sunny skies and lots of happy dancing people.
It turns out that when when the mines closed down at the turn of the century Deadwood died. Around the eighties some astute person somehow got the State to legalise gambling in Deadwood, because that is what had made it famous, along with gold, drinking and prostitution, so like almost every other town west of Boston. This enabled Dreadwood to 'renovate' and 'restore' its old buildings and turn them into casinos, so now the City Center looks like a disney theme area.
Arriving here yesterday we did not feel comfortable at all, though we did have a very nice steak in the Legends Restaurant in the newly re-opened Franklin Hotel. The theme park environment was extended by having Main street as a no parking area, almost a pedestrian precinct, which made the public car parks a nightmare.
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions.
We made a detour up the hill to the cemetery where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried, however a combination of pouring rain and charging (albeit only a dollar) to go into the cemetery made Sally see red when, having taken our money, she could not actually access their graves. So by the time she had finished with the dear lady in the box office we were able to leave with our two dollars firmly back in our pocket.
So we spent this afternoon doing the laundry and watching the trickling stream that runs through the campsite turn into a raging torrent.
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions.
Around Devil's Tower WY
Friday
We rose at a leisurely pace today, knowing that the only thing we had to do all day was to go and take close look at the Devil's Tower. I guess we were savouring that for as long as possible. Once we were up and had breakfast we went out of the to the Trading Post to buy a coff/T, which was truly awful.
We drove up the roadway to Visitor Center, which runs quite close to the DT. Having sampled all the information available there we then took the path that goes right round the base of the DT. This was the highlight of the day, seeing the DT up close, looking up at those columns, picking out the climbers, so small against the mass of the DT. We took the opportunity to call the kids, we got through to JP on Facetime and we had an exciting Facetime conversation as we showed him and his family the wonderful view, almost from the spot where Richard Dreyfuss slipped back down the rock face, of the DT. The we Facetimed Andy, who was slightly more busy making tea for the kids. Unfortunately we couldn't get hold of Helen, so they must have been busy elsewhere.
We then continued round the base of the DT. The track is 1.2 miles long and has an asphalt surface, so Sally was able to tackle it in her power chair, though there were some speed bumps, which I think were to help with drainage. rather than to reduce speed.
We watched a number of climbers, we saw about a dozen altogether, though I think there were probably some we did not see.
We constantly marvelled at this amazing phenomena as we travelled round it's base. By the time we had watched climbers, taken pics and talked to various people on the way round it actually took us about two hours to circle the Tower, but is was so impressive.
We drove back down to the campground, from which we could see the tower very clearly and relaxed in its memory.
That left one more activity, in the evening we watched Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, which only enhanced the magic of the place, as only Spielberg can do. After this I went out for a quick wander, only to see lights way up on the top of the DT. Even though it was nearly nine o clock in the evening and dark there were still climbers up there. So I can at least say that I saw the lights in the sky over Devil's Tower.
We rose at a leisurely pace today, knowing that the only thing we had to do all day was to go and take close look at the Devil's Tower. I guess we were savouring that for as long as possible. Once we were up and had breakfast we went out of the to the Trading Post to buy a coff/T, which was truly awful.
We drove up the roadway to Visitor Center, which runs quite close to the DT. Having sampled all the information available there we then took the path that goes right round the base of the DT. This was the highlight of the day, seeing the DT up close, looking up at those columns, picking out the climbers, so small against the mass of the DT. We took the opportunity to call the kids, we got through to JP on Facetime and we had an exciting Facetime conversation as we showed him and his family the wonderful view, almost from the spot where Richard Dreyfuss slipped back down the rock face, of the DT. The we Facetimed Andy, who was slightly more busy making tea for the kids. Unfortunately we couldn't get hold of Helen, so they must have been busy elsewhere.
We then continued round the base of the DT. The track is 1.2 miles long and has an asphalt surface, so Sally was able to tackle it in her power chair, though there were some speed bumps, which I think were to help with drainage. rather than to reduce speed.
We watched a number of climbers, we saw about a dozen altogether, though I think there were probably some we did not see.
We constantly marvelled at this amazing phenomena as we travelled round it's base. By the time we had watched climbers, taken pics and talked to various people on the way round it actually took us about two hours to circle the Tower, but is was so impressive.
We drove back down to the campground, from which we could see the tower very clearly and relaxed in its memory.
That left one more activity, in the evening we watched Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, which only enhanced the magic of the place, as only Spielberg can do. After this I went out for a quick wander, only to see lights way up on the top of the DT. Even though it was nearly nine o clock in the evening and dark there were still climbers up there. So I can at least say that I saw the lights in the sky over Devil's Tower.
Click to view on Ipad
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Friday, May 22, 2015
To The Devil's Tower, WY
Thursday
Well the weather has finally turned (for how long?), clear blue sky welcomed us as we packed up the trailer to move on to our most North Westerly location on this trip. Back into Wyoming, to the Devil's Tower, a huge lump of rock made famous in the film 'Close Encounters Of The Third Kind'. This has been one of the most looked forward to places for me, but is not a well known landmark to many.
We left Custer behind and set off West, passing through the Jewel Cave National Monument (tick that one off) and stopped for coff/T in a place called Newcastle, at Donna's Diner. Interesting but not outstanding. From there we travelled north across the foothills of the Black Hills until the Devil's Tower hove into sight. At first it does not seem too grand, but then it was about 15 miles away, as we approached we started to realize just how big it is.
We have decided to stay in the campground which is in the National Monument Park, called Belle Fourche, after the river that runs round the edge of the campground. This is the first time for a long time that we have felt confident enough of the weather to camp without electricity. The campground is beautiful, we have already seen Orieles, Northern Flicker, tree creepers, a family of hawks as well as the usual Robbins flying in and out of the Cottonwaood trees that are in the campground.
From our window we can see the Devil's Tower, towering over us. We plan to set out tomorrow to explore it. Tonight we will have a campfire and look for lights in the sky.
Well the weather has finally turned (for how long?), clear blue sky welcomed us as we packed up the trailer to move on to our most North Westerly location on this trip. Back into Wyoming, to the Devil's Tower, a huge lump of rock made famous in the film 'Close Encounters Of The Third Kind'. This has been one of the most looked forward to places for me, but is not a well known landmark to many.
We left Custer behind and set off West, passing through the Jewel Cave National Monument (tick that one off) and stopped for coff/T in a place called Newcastle, at Donna's Diner. Interesting but not outstanding. From there we travelled north across the foothills of the Black Hills until the Devil's Tower hove into sight. At first it does not seem too grand, but then it was about 15 miles away, as we approached we started to realize just how big it is.
We have decided to stay in the campground which is in the National Monument Park, called Belle Fourche, after the river that runs round the edge of the campground. This is the first time for a long time that we have felt confident enough of the weather to camp without electricity. The campground is beautiful, we have already seen Orieles, Northern Flicker, tree creepers, a family of hawks as well as the usual Robbins flying in and out of the Cottonwaood trees that are in the campground.
From our window we can see the Devil's Tower, towering over us. We plan to set out tomorrow to explore it. Tonight we will have a campfire and look for lights in the sky.
Click here to view pics with an Ipad
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions.
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Weather
Tuesday
Well today the expected snow arrived, it started as rain, but turned to snow in the afternoon, not before we had been to Bakers the Bakers, well known for its buns. The sign says to ask the waitress to show you her buns.
We stuck to donuts and sticky things with our Coff/T
We returned to the trailer and waited out the storm.
Wednesday
Today saw about three inches of snow lying around us when we woke up, however the sun was shining and the sky was blue, the temperature was climbing, so we knew that the snow would not last long. We got up had breakfast and then went for Coff/T at Bakers fairly early, on the way we took a ride round the local lake in the chevy to take some snowy pics, which were very nice.
By the afternoon the snow had just about gone and we were thinking about wearing shorts. It just shows how quickly the weather can change in this part of the world at this time of the year.
In the evening we again drove round the lake and saw a fairly gentle sunset and several of the deer that frequent the area.
Well today the expected snow arrived, it started as rain, but turned to snow in the afternoon, not before we had been to Bakers the Bakers, well known for its buns. The sign says to ask the waitress to show you her buns.
We stuck to donuts and sticky things with our Coff/T
We returned to the trailer and waited out the storm.
Wednesday
Today saw about three inches of snow lying around us when we woke up, however the sun was shining and the sky was blue, the temperature was climbing, so we knew that the snow would not last long. We got up had breakfast and then went for Coff/T at Bakers fairly early, on the way we took a ride round the local lake in the chevy to take some snowy pics, which were very nice.
By the afternoon the snow had just about gone and we were thinking about wearing shorts. It just shows how quickly the weather can change in this part of the world at this time of the year.
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions
If you don't want ads then click on the 'Start Slideshow' button, bottom left and then the 'Full Screen' button, bottom right. Then select 'Show Info', top right to see captions
Tomorrow we will be ready to move on to Devil's Tower.
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