Horses

Hi everyone:

Sorry this is a long time in coming - we have just been so busy- NOT.
Here it is 2 days before we depart and it is "horses on the beach weekend" there are supposed to be 1300 horses here in the campground and they ride 20 miles on Saturday on the beach - yeah we know we leave on Friday - as EllaMarie would say stupid head! We have been enjoying the horses that have already come in; these southerners know how to raise beautiful horses. Gus has not encountered any yet - that should be interesting to say the least.
We just finished watching some old guy get his million dollar Country Coach Bus stuck not just once, but twice. He was not a boy scout - you never drive thru someone else's site. Oh wait that was walking and it was the girl scouts. HA HA. We are not looking forward to coming back to PA the weather here has been magnificent. But we really do miss our kids and grandkids. So we will get our fix and be on the road again. Don't know to where but we will be on the move.

Sunday October 18,2009

Wow here it is the middle of October already.
Spent a great week with the McKinney family they are headed home today.
We are having such a great time we may never come back to PA especially after talking to everybody back home complaining about the weather.
It has been a little rainy and chilly (60s) here for a few days, but it is supposed to be back in the upper 70s this coming week.
Well let us tell all of you about the Holiday Rambler Rally - what a bunch of really snobby old and we mean OLD people. They won't even talk to anybody who is not "one of them" they won't even look at us and our camper is made by the same manufacturer.
They all left today yes all 140 of them and now we vacation alone again yippee; now the French Canadians come in to escape the cold. The campground now is pretty much deserted just the way we like it.
We have been exploring areas that we really never have seen in all the years we have been coming here. There are some amazing houses here and they are only in the 9 to 12 million dollar range.
The area has really built up in the 25 years we have been coming, but a lot of closed businesses are present too. They claim to have had 13.3 billion dollars in tourism in 2008 we think there are just too many of the same type stores in a small area.
We will be here for 12 more days then off to Allison's for the big birthday then on home - blah and the cold weather. Not looking forward to it, but home is calling - we may not answer. Hope everyone had fun at pasta night and we sure hope you used us as fodder - we are always good to talk about. Maybe we will be home for the one in December.
Blog to you all later

Thursday October 8, 2009

What a way to spend a day on our vacation - Dorothy had to get her very first root canal done.
Sunday morning she woke up with a mild toothache then by Wednesday morning it felt like an icepick was stuck in it. Found a great dentist who is from PA and younger than us; but then again who isn't. His daughter lives in Phoenixville and works for Vanguard. Small world. It wasn't as bad as she was expecting. Hopefully she will be able to enjoy a cup of tea in the morning.

There have been a few more people coming in to the campground; but still pretty empty - just like we like.
We also found out that on October 28th there will be a couple hundred horses and owners coming to the campground for "Horses on the Beach" they do it every year, but not the same week due to the tides - guess they need all the beach they can get. We are really looking forward to it - the woman in the office says it is a site to behold.

Robert is having his best night yet - he got to have a warm Krispy Kreme doughnut - now life may go on.

Tomorrow it is supposed to be around 90 degrees - so there will be a lot of time spent outside - hopefully on the beach.(some will be inside with the air conditioner on)

Tuesday October 6, 2009

Today our blog will be about the people camping in a Blue Bird Wonderlodge.

Grandma & Grandpa can't even get out of the motorhome without assistance grandpa uses a cane grandma just hangs onto whoever is closest.

The son and his wife stay outside all the time -even sleeping in a tent - I guess to get away from the oldsters.
They have 2 dogs 1 yellow lab 1 chocolate lab they never let them inside. Yesterday it was raining very hard and the wind was blowing and the dogs were outside in it. The day before they took the yellow dog for a golf cart ride and left the chocolate one behind - every time the dog mom walks by the dogs she pets the yellow dog and ignores the chocolate one. Something is wrong with those people. As EllaMarie would put it she is a MEANER. We are considering kidnapping chocolate dog - we think it will be a few days before they actually miss her.

Today the weather was cool and overcast - tomorrow it is supposed to be back to sunny and 80ish can't wait.

Monday October 5, 2009

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

It was a windy rainy day today - we just did a lot of nothing today. Well Dorothy was productive - crocheting, reading and deciding where to have dinner.
We went to a place called Crabby Mikes - fabulous stuff -lots of seafood and great desserts and all the crab legs you can eat - think we got our monies worth.
Old people really amuse us they go into a restaurant and immediately ask how much dinner costs then proceed to ask if it is cheaper if you don't get the crab legs. If you don't have enough money to go out to dinner have bologna at home. Then when they do seat you oh wait it is too close to the door no no no wait it is too close to the bathroom- finally seated announce that if you have to pay for the crab legs that is what you are going to eat. No duh!!!
Came back to the campground it is very quiet here many people left today going to be a little quieter now and the weather is supposed to be better tomorrow.

Sunday October 4, 2009

We have seem the mass exodus today - bikers just about all left the ones that were supposed to leave tomorrow have left today because it is supposed to be a little rainy tomorrow.

Last night we acted just like all the rest of the old people here we sat on our golf cart and listened to some guy sing and play his guitar on the beach. They have a little stage set up and pass out free popcorn and soda. The guy was actually really good.

Came across a very old school bus that people are camping in and they have a talking bible in the front window. And look at the top of it - there is a statue of Jesus - the creepy thing is when you go by them it looks like it follows you. There is a motorhome that even has three different ones - weird.

Dorothy decided that Robert should cook dinner tonight - guess that will involve a phone call.

Can't wait until Saturday Allison and family will be joining us for 8 days. We miss our little Aubrey Leigh she is just too far away from us. But it gives us another excuse to travel to warmer weather in the winter.

Well hope everyone has a great work week - and Annette a safe trip to foreign lands. We will keep you posted on all the exciting happenings.

Thursday October 1, 2009

We can't believe it is October - the weather here has been outstanding. Nearly 80 during the day with no humidity and in the 60s at night - doesn't get any better.

Today it is a little crazy at the campground the bikers are all out and about and making lots of noise - dog not happy.

We also learned that they have created dogs that don't walk - women carry them around like they are babies - totally weird. They carry them to the grass put them down for about 45 seconds and then immediately pick them back up - one women even dresses her dog (rat) in outfits that match hers every day. Get a life.

We decided that bikers are just trailer people with expensive toys - gee wonder why they live in trailers.

We have found the perfect time to go to the beach is around 4:00 the sun isn't so hot and the beach is pretty empty by then.

Had a delicious dinner of roast beef (crock pot) mashed potatoes and corn. Not bad for camping.

We are looking forward to Sunday when it seems 80 percent of the people here will be leaving.

Heard the weather at home is chilly - we feel really bad. NOT

We are just going to lay low for the rest of the week until all the craziness is over then may emerge from our site.

Monday September 28, 2009

Here we go:

Today we just enjoyed the 89 degree weather - because the COLD front is coming the cold front is coming it will only be 79 tomorrow. I guess we will need our mittens. The weather has been the top news story for the last 4 days. I guess they need some honor roll students here so they will have something else to report on.
We made our reservations for next year today, because if you don't you don't get the good sites next to the ocean.
We are a little scared today by the really OLD people that have come into the campground they should not be driving motorhomes - bad enough they are driving at all. Some of them must be in their 80's. The sides of some look like ours did after it was borrowed by someone.
The Holiday Rambler rally people have started coming in and every evening they spend sitting in a big circle of about 30 people playing ladder ball. We wonder what they are going to rally about since Holiday Rambler is no more - I guess they will exchange economic woe stories with each other.
The sport for today is if someone vacates a site the old guys with the metal detectors all but run to them to find treasures - we watched one guy today find a SPOON I guess it was a productive day.
Gus is really enjoying it here - not very happy about not being allowed on the beach but adjusting well. He is no longer limping at all - this is a very good thing.
Well we are off in search of parkas for the impending weather. HA HA HA

Sunday September 27, 2009

Wow here it is Sunday already.
Last night was so nice we just sat outside until 10:00 and watched people - the ones camping across from us made us think we were watching an ant farm. There were 9 people in a 1970 class C motorhome (cozy) and they just never stopped moving. They would pick stuff and move it and then pick it back up and put it in the original spot. We think they are all former prisoners.
We also now have the pleasure of camping next to a VERY large car trailer filled with a car and motorcycles, yes it is bike week. They have a dog (rat) that just yips all day and night thankfully they are only here for a week.
A lot of people have left today guess it is back to work for the common man.
We took a picture of this old dog for Steven he looks like the perfect camping dog.
Well we are going to go outside and enjoy the 85 degree weather - I know it's tough but somebody has to do it.
Blog ya later!!
PS There is a nice airport nearby if anyone cares to visit. Will provide free shuttle to campground!

Friday - September 25,2009

Here we are in lovely Myrtle Beach
Today we just enjoyed the day and the weather
The big news here is Oh my God the fall weather is coming the temperature is only going to be in the 80s what ever will we do.
Our lesson for the day is if you are shaped like Robert and weigh just as much and are female please do not wear a 2 piece bathing suit. EWWWWW
We rented a golf cart because you can get anywhere in the campground you need to go ie groceries, pool, mini golf, bikes and rental boats.(None of which involve us)
The campground is really full- guess for the weekend
We took a ride through the whole campground and there are houses that cost $400,000 to buy and $6700 yearly fee for something that costs that much.
On our golf cart ride we also saw goats - odd for a campground.
We have enjoyed brother Tom's favorite sport today - people watching - they can really make you stop and shake your head.
Gus is enjoying barking at all the little dogs - he really doesn't like anything that is smaller than a pot roast.
Well off to enjoy the sunset - blog y'all tomorrow

Good morning to all who follow us:



Last night we were too lazy to cook dinner so off we went in search of food.

Dorothy remembered seeing a little Italian place on Dick Pond Road - yes that is really the name; but couldn't really remember where it was so off we went. It was closer than we thought - it is a really small place called Maggie D's. Not very Italian sounding, but the food was awesome. Steven would be so proud of Robert, by the time we were finishing dinner the owner was sitting with us and telling us his life story - he was born in the Bronx moved to Jersey when he was 14 and eventually owned a trucking company (wink wink say no more) he and his wife had enough money and were bored so they decided to move to Myrtle Beach and open a Italian restaurant and deli. He is now Robert's new best friend. The food was to die for and the service impeccable. The atmosphere was interesting - black vinyl table covers and church basement chairs and copies of posters taped on the walls. All this aside I think we found our dinner place for our normal Wednesday night out. Today we are off to the grocery store.
We drove through the old Air Force Base which was decommissioned in the late 90s and it has been turned into a whole little town of homes and shops - it is really something to see if you haven't been here to see the changes take place over the years. Since we are here at least once a year it isn't suprising to us; but we like to see the progress and what stores they have incorporated in the village. They have really kept the center of it all natural with fountains and walking trails and have now added a dog park.
We decided to go to Costco for our grocery adventure and let me tell you what an adventure - we both decided if you are 110 years old and Costco is giving away free samples you will be there; and in a big hurry - guess they want to get all the freebies before they close the lid.
It is really hot here today - but the weather is beautiful.

Here we go again!!!

Hi all of you loyal followers -

We departed lovely downtown Plymouth Meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 and have safely arrived in Myrtle Beach South Carolina on Wednesday, September 23.
We had a very uneventful trip here - all but the rain that we hit in Virginia and North Carolina, but we cannot travel without it so we were very prepared.
Gus is doing extremely well with his injured leg getting in and out of the motorhome.
It is 87 degrees here at the beach and we are in the first site next to the beach.
The economy doesn't seem to be effecting the campground industry here in SC the campground is about 70% booked. The one we are at has 1900 sites. At $900 for a month they aren't doing too bad. Seasonal rates are at $6600.
As we entered the area the traffic is very heavy; we are hoping most of the people will be leaving the end of September.
We will keep you posted as to our adventures - who knows what we will be doing.

June 30, 2009

Nashville, Tennessee
We had a pretty lazy day - went to Music Row just to see it.
Saw the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium.
The traffic here is unbearable; you can only get to places by using Route 40 - it is awful.
The campground here offers a whole host of Grayline Tours - but we are not bus people. HA HA!
Today is the final day of our great escape - then we are on to other things.
We hope everyone has enjoyed our ramblings on of our adventures and hopefully next year we will be doing something just as fun - already have some ideas.
See everyone when we get home - somewhere around the 9th or 10th.
Happy 4th of July to all.

June 29, 2009

Well here we go again.

Another day of driving; but we are staying in Nashville a couple of days.

There really isn't anything interesting in Arkansas except it is the home of the plant for Remington's sporting ammunition.

Arrived in Tennessee late afternoon we drove past Memphis and the Mississippi River. Got to the campground about 6:00 PM. We also realized that Tennessee must have a lot of perverts - there is an adult book store at every exit.

Of course Nashville is the home of country music.
Tomorrow we are going to drive around and look for some interesting things to do - according to the brochures that the campground gave us there is plenty to do.

We also have hit the 1,000 song on our ipod. We only have about 985 more to go.

June 28, 2009

Texas heading into Oklahoma.

We drove on Route 66 for a little while, just to say that we did.

In Texas we passed the largest cross in the western hemisphere.(picture)It is 19 stories high and 110 ft wide. It took 25 million tons of steel and aluminum to construct. It was built by the Cross of Our Lord Ministries.

We were only in Texas for a short time then on to OK.

When you hit Oklahoma you will be amazed how many country stars were either born here or now live here-Garth Brooks lives here Carrie Underwood lives in Cheecotah and Reba McIntyre, Vince Gill, Toby Keith and many others have been born here. Toby Keith even has his own restaurant.

Woody Guthrie lives in the town of Okemah.

Troy Aikman lives in the town of Henryetta.

We crossed over the North Canadian River - WHAT?

We even saw an armidillo on the side of the road.

We passed Tinker Air Force base; which houses a retired Air Force One Jet - the base is so big it has 3 of their own exits on Route 40.

We have also realized that there is a Subway sandwich shop at every other exit.

We past many Indian Nations.(Navajo,Kickapoo,Sioux,Fox,Powawaton,Seminole,Muskogee)

We have seen many cattle ranches, stock yards and feed mills.

We even crossed the Chisholm Trail.

Oklahoma is also the home to the National Shrine of the Infant of Prague.

Who knew that Oklahoma had so much to offer.

June 27, 2009

We drove out of New Mexico this morning.
We were headed to Texas the weather in New Mexico was awesome in the 50's and not humid.
Here in Texas it is HOT HOT HOT and humid.
There are some thunder storms in the area; we thought about going out to dinner but it started to rain so we just stayed in.
These campgrounds are a joke - the are just a parking lot some paved - some not. This one here in Texas is not paved and it has an airport on one side and an airport on the other; boy is that interesting. (Neither one is very far - you can read the writing on the airplanes)
There is a steakhouse in town that offers a free limo (picture attached) if you can eat a seventy something steak. (Ewwwww) Even their golf carts have horns and not the kind you beep on them.
Passed a lot of ranches with no grass and wonder what the poor cattle eat.
Today we also passed the United States irrigation research center - exactly what do you think they do there.
We aren't here for anything in particular just a stopover.
Tomorrow we head to Oklahoma.

June 26, 2009

First we want to wish Allison a Happy Happy Birthday!!
Left Las Vegas in the morning headed to New Mexico - decided to make it a long day of driving.
Drove a total of 480 miles today; decided it is too long - yes we are getting old.
The trip was pretty uneventful-never seen so many trains in our lives and long doesn't even start to describe them. The train crosses the Rio Grande and is the longest East/West route in the U.S.
The scenery along the way is just amazing - we have been this way before (Route 40) but we were still in awe of it all.
Once again we have had a time change and we are totally confused, I guess one of these days we will arrive back in the right time zone.
We are staying in the little town of Grants, New Mexico about 30 miles west of Albuquerque; going to try get there in the morning.
The view from the motorhome is just something.(Picture on the left)

June 25, 2009

Here we are in Las Vegas.
Went to dinner last night at the Bellagio; boy was it good.
We don't think we are Vegas people - never saw so many people gambling away money they obviously can't afford to loose. We lost $60 and think we are nuts. Visitors here are all very rude.
We went for a ride today - that was exciting - just drive, don't stop, don't look, just drive.
We are staying at a KOA at Circus Circus - it really is only a parking lot with hook ups. Not the nicest campground we have ever been to. Also, not the cheapest either it cost $85.00 per night where most have cost around $38 per night. It served it's purpose for 1 day.
Tomorrow we head to New Mexico.

June 24, 2009

What a difference a day makes yesterday it was 30 in the AM today it was 75.

Headed out of Utah heading toward Las Vegas.

We have officially logged 4500 miles as of today.

The drive today was exciting - not so much about the scenery; but the roads - Oh My God!!

The hills were really something - Dorothy had white knuckles and she wasn't even driving.

We did pass a lavender farm which we have never seen - Robert wanted to know if there was any money in it - of course there is if you think of how many things have lavender in them.

Arizona is still the most beautiful place we have ever been - it has been quite a few years since we have been there; but it is still awesome.

Arrived in Nevada and lost another hour; Dorothy is having a really hard time dealing with it - don't know what time to go to bed - don't know what time to get up.

The time change was really hard in Montana and Utah it never got completely dark in Montana and in Utah it didn't get dark until about 11:30 PM.

We are staying at a campground attached to the casino Circus Circus.

Arrived here at 4:00 their time whatever that is EST DST MST who the H*ll knows,

Going out to dinner somewhere tonight and are going to do the strip after dark - who knows when that will be.

Staying here tomorrow and then leaving for parts unknown. Let you know when we get there.

June 23, 2009

WOW! We woke to a 30 degree cold morning - our last in West Yellowstone, Montana.
It was pack up and hit the road by 9 AM.
Left Montana and crossed over into Idaho; we weren't far from the border. We drove through the town of Ashton, Idaho which is the largest producer of seed potatoes in the US.
We noticed a great number of farms for sale - sign of the times unfortunately.
We then pass the town of Rexburg and a very impressive golf course.
We drove by hundreds and hundreds of acres of potato fields.
We also passed the town of Rigby "The Birthplace of Television".
The terrain changed from farms and fields and totally flat to rocky (lava formations) and forest in less than 1 mile; then after 6 miles of this it was back to flat and farms.

We then crossed over into Utah; there are still snow capped mountain ranges. A whole lot of nothing until Ogden and Salt Lake City. We decided everybody there is in a really big hurry and they drive like nuts.
Stopped for the night in the little town of Springville.
We are at the base of a mountain range and what a view.
We are just glad to be off the road for the day.

Look closely at the mountain on the right - guess they knew we were coming. HAHA!!
Tomorrow we head for Las Vegas.

June 22, 2009

Well here it is the last day here in West Yellowstone, Montana. We woke to 36 degrees and sleet.
So we decided to take one last trip into the park. It was around 42 when we got there.
We drove through some of the off shoot roads that we had missed, what a good choice. We saw some very interesting things along the way - these fireholes and the geysers that we saw were really worth the trip.
In total we have driven around 800 miles in Yellowstone and Grand Teton. I am sure we haven't seen it all, but we sure put a big dent in it.
Tomorrow we leave for Utah.

June 21, 2009

Today we headed to The Grand Teton National Park.
But first we had to drive back through Yellowstone to get to the entrance which included another 60 miles.
Upon entering Yellowstone we were fortunate enough to see a coyote; he was a little too far for our camera to catch so no pictures.
When we arrived in Grand Teton the sight of the mountains is breathtakingly beautiful - they really are larger than life. The bear activity there must be something; because on every building, bathroom, entrance to campground, entrance to lodges, and entrances to stores there are BEAR warnings. No we didn't get to see one - we were a little disappointed.
Robert decided to drive down a side road - finding out it was a dirt road did not deter him in the least; but to our enjoyment there were Buffalo right next to the road.
We drove around for about 150 miles and decided to start heading back - when low and behold a MOOSE walked right in front of us. We then proceeded back down the same road and about 18 miles later we saw a BULL MOOSE in the weeds, only got a glimpse of him - but quick with the camera we got a couple of head shots. He was huge.
We didn't realize the time when we were leaving the park it was already 8:00-so we decided to try a little (we mean little) Italian place we saw when we first got here. What a great choice food was amazing, it is family owned.
Then it was back to the motorhome and some much needed R&R.

June 19, 2009

Today was a trip back into Yellowstone Park.
We decided to try Old Faithful first and boy did we get lucky.
We got a parking space that was really close and there weren't many people - Dorothy got right up to the front to take pictures and Robert found a cool log chair to sit in (air here is very hard on him) and it erupted about 15 minutes after we got there; it was something.
The rangers said it has not been shooting very high in the cool weather they have been having here.
After that we drove to the northern part of the park and yes there was plenty of snow and it was pretty cold too.
Saw a petrified tree and a lot of remains of forest fires.
We have never seen so many fly fisherman in our lives.
In total it was a 200 mile day of driving round trip.
Saturday is supposed to be rainy so we are just going into the little town to check it out.
Once again we are having an awesome time.
P.S. Jeremy if you read this we found the perfect job for you - a park ranger who sits in a boat all day and fishes for non-native fish.

June 18, 2009

What a long day we had.
We spent 10 hours in Yellowstone National Park - didn't even make a dent in it.
We have seen a few things to cross off our "list" bald eagle, mule deer, bison, and red cranes.
One of us climbed to the top of the "Upper Falls" on the yellowstone river. It was 1/8 of a mile than about 75 steps - boy did Dorothy put that new knee to a test.
We also saw the grand canyon of yellowstone - one of us wouldn't get to close "he" was chicken. Probably because he saw the news and saw that a 20 year old fell in on Monday. We saw mud volcano's and geo thermal basins - and words can't describe them. Tried to get to Old Faithful, but the parking lot was full so we will try another day.
Everything here is so green and clean it is just amazing that we come from a place where there is not a square inch without something built on it.
Tomorrow we will go back to the park and try to see another section of it - We don't think in the 6 days we are here we will see all of it.

June 17, 2009

Today was spent driving West toward Yellowstone.
We drove about 350 miles - some of the roads we took ran next to (very close) the Gallatin River. We followed the river for a very long time and saw many white water rafters in our opinion crazy people. The river was really running fast, because the snow here is still melting.
We arrived late afternoon and shortly after had a wonderful hail storm. According to the local weather that is a common occurrence - wind, rain, hail and strong winds seem to happen just about every day.
In the information that the campground gave us they tell you to be prepared for drastic changes in weather, and to put your grill and all food away at night because they have bears.
Tomorrow we will head into Yellowstone Park.
Keep you all posted

June 16, 2009

Today was a day of doing absolutely nothing.
Went for a ride through Billings - quite interesting, that just sums it up.
Found a Cabella's - never been to the one in PA so we decided to check it out.
Pretty cool store - I don't think it would be worth the 2450 miles to see it, but I might go to the one at home.
Just going to read a book and look at the scenery for the rest of the day.
Tomorrow we leave for Yellowstone, Montana; should be about 325 miles - that seems to be the daily total. So far it has been a comfortable amount to do in a day and get to the campgrounds early.

June 15, 2009

Well here we are starting week three already - time has flown by so fast.
We left South Dakota early after filling the motorhome with propane; never thought we would need heat just about every night.
We headed West toward Wyoming - today's final destination was Billings, Montana.
The scenery along the way has been nothing short of spectacular.
Each state is more beautiful than the last.
Montana is a lot of "nothing"mountains, cattle, oil wells and green; when we arrived the first rest stop in the state was 60 miles from the border of Wyoming.
We drove to Billings and are staying at a very nice KOA campground.
Tomorrow we will be checking out what is around here to see.

June 14, 2009

Well here it is the last day in South Dakota.
We are just sitting around the campground today; we are a little tired from trying to fit everything in; but I think we did it.
We have had a great time here and the campground is just wonderful; couldn't ask for any more amenities.
Well hopefully you will hear from us tomorrow from Montana.

June 12, 2009

Today started with doing laundry and I think it is going to end the same way.

We rented an ATV (believe it or not) and went through miles and miles of unpaved forest service roads.
Needless to say we had a blast; the only mistake was Robert asking Dorothy if she wanted to drive. He ended up full of mud and she ended up with a full load of muddy laundry. But let me tell you it was so worth it.

Tonight we are going to the lighting of Mount Rushmore. Every night they do a program dedicated to the military and civil service. At the end they shine huge spotlights on the mountain; it has been too cloudy all week to do it so tonight's the night. (We hope)

June 11, 2009

We started the day off early again with a trip to Wyoming.

We decided to go to see the monument Devils Tower - another breathtaking experience.

Anybody who doesn't know the story it is about 7 Indian girls that were playing and a bear began to chase the girls; when the bear was about to catch them they jumped upon a rock about three feet high and they began to pray for the rock to save them. The rock heard their prayers and began to ascend upward. The bear then clawed and jumped at the sides of the rock. The bear continued until the girls were pushed up into the sky, where they are to this day as a group of seven little stars the (Pleiades).

The drive was around 250 miles round trip - our poor little jeep is going to need a nap.

In the late afternoon the sky was somewhat clear so we decided to try seeing Crazy Horse again.

We got there and it was a little foggy - but the fog lifted just enough for us to see it. The entire story and facility were so interesting.

Again another successful day of being tourists - you never know what tomorrow will bring.

June 10, 2009

Today the weather here was just awful - rainy and cold - it never got out of the 40s.
We decided to do something inside.
Found a winery called Prairie Berry. They have produced wines that have received 225 international awards.
Dorothy had to sample many, many wines. Then we decided to purchase the ones with the best names. 3Rednecks - Red Ass Rhubarb the names were good, but the wines were better - can't wait to share them.
The thing we have found the most interesting in such a tourist area is the lack of restaurants.
Sorry no pictures today.

June 9, 2009

Today we tried to see the Crazy Horse Monument, but it was too foggy so we will try that again another day.
In the afternoon we decided to take a train ride on a restored steam train. We rode upon engine #7. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1919. It was sold to and operated by the Caddo and Choctaw Railroad years later. The "seven" was sold to the Prescott and Northwestern in Northern Arkansas in 1938, and was acquired by the Black Hill Central Railroad in 1962.
We traveled through the Black Hills through several mining areas and viewed some unbelievable private homes. One home took 12 years to build. The train took us from Hill City to Keystone and back again the whole trip took 2 1/2 hours; it was a great last minute decision trip.

June 8, 2009

This morning we woke to 30 degrees.

Today we were up early and out to the Mount Rushmore National Monument; thank goodness we were. By 9:00 it was packed; we got there at 8:15 (yes even Dorothy was up and functional). It is just amazing - it really does take your breath away and to learn the story behind it and how the workers carved it was just something. We can't imagine workers today doing what they did and not complain - talk about just being glad you have a job. Picture sitting on a swing, hung by ratty looking ropes 4000 feet up and chiseling and blasting into a mountain. If anyone ever has a chance to come to South Dakota you must do it. After the monument we headed to the Presidential wax museum. It was pretty interesting; we learned a lot about the early presidents that we had forgotten. Then we headed back to the campground and just sat around the fire.

June 7, 2009

Today we just took a ride into Rapid City to go to wal mart; yes it is 50 miles to the nearest one.

The weather here is very unpredictable - we have had fog and rain today. Yesterday it was sunny and raining.

Caught a double rainbow at the campground.

It does get chilly (for Dorothy) at night; down around 40.

June 6, 2009

Today we visited Custer National Park - yes there are really buffalo in the streets; drove 100 miles through the park and didn't see it all - the park has the largest herd of buffalo anywhere at neraly 1600 - they roam free in the 7100 acre park.

Did you know that Belle Fourche, SD is the geographic center point of the nation.

Did you know that in the Black Hills there are 18 peaks that exceed 7,000 feet in elevation.

Did you know that of the 72 known calcite crystal caves in the world, 68 are in South Dakota.

Did you know that Sturgis, SD has the worlds largest motorcycle rally in August with 500,000 cycles.

We are having the time of our lives - we think we will need a vacation from our vacation.