Relaxing!

It's "Miller Time" here in SD. We just got back from a ride along the bike path. This time we drove the "upgrade" first, so coming home was the BEST !! One hardly had to pedal ! One thing about those rail beds they never have much more than a 6% grade, but you can certainly "feel it" when it's non stop uphill!

The scenic tour we did to Custer State Park this morning was AWESOME! It's called the "Needles Highway" and I don't think I've ever been on such a spectacular drive. Again your narrow twists and turns (we aren't pulling the trailer by the way. We are doing side tours from our campsite) plus all these narrow and pointed rock columns jutting to the sky (needles!) and then throw in a colored tree or two -- wow ! It's hard to describe and pictures don't do it justice!

Once at the State Park, we took in the pancake breakfast and wandered through all the craft exhibits (and we only spent $6. if you can believe it!). Everybody is really hyped up for the buffalo roundup and the crowds are picking up! We drove the wildlife loop and saw the buffalo but we won't stay for the roundup.The traffic & lineups will be unbearable and we don't have the patience!

We paid for an extra night - tomorrow but we have to move as this site was reserved. We will then go to Rapid City on Monday and *ahem* get the truck looked at AGAIN !! This is getting very frustrating, but the pulsating or power surges seem to be getting worse at low speeds. I did some research on the internet and think our truck computer needs an upgrade. One mechanic had mentioned this in passing, but we thought we could wait until home. I think the new throttle control that was put in has lead to this.  It solved one problem and created another!

Well enough computer time.... cheers!

It's FRIDAY!!

We had a busy and enjoyable day. Spent all morning at Mt. Rushmore "with the Presidents". Found the displays, videos and reading all so very interesting.

It's incredible how they ended up with those huge sculptures by setting off dynamite charges and drilling bits at a time. Just the logistics of working on the side of a mountain in the 1930's, poor funding etc. etc. It's AMAZING! and such likenesses!

We'd packed a lunch, so we sat in a park in Keystone and then did a tour of the Rushmore Cave -- stalactites & stalagmites. Ron REALLY enjoyed the tour. It took me a bit to overcome my claustrophobic feelings and "hear" what the guide was saying.  It was a different experience for sure!

We took in some of the shops in Keystone, but quickly found one was pretty much the same as the next one, so didn't spend too much time there! It was on to a scenic drive through Custer State Park. Very pretty with the colours! One section of the road has vehicle restrictions. It was very steep, narrow and winding. Some tunnels were single lane only and you had to blow your horn as you drove through. There were some great views and we stopped many times for a longer look. We saw the presidents & Mt. Rushmore from a distance.

The Fifth Head

This is the weekend of the big annual buffalo roundup at the park. The herd is corralled for testing, branding & sorting with some being auctioned off. We are undecided if we will stay. Last year there were 11,000 people in attendance!! We will, however, take in some of the festivities starting tomorrow - entertainment, craft booths etc....

We ended the day with a 17 km bike ride on the converted rail bed trail behind our campground. We drove in to Hill City and back. A nice ride on a great path. We'll try the other direction tomorrow.

as I said, it was a busy day.  We are now planning for tomorrow's activities.

Hill City, SD - Mt. Rushmore et al

Crooked Creek Campground
Site #56 - $27, p/w/s, Internet

We are now in the Dakota Black Hills, not too far from Mt. Rushmore. We had 2 campgrounds in mind near Keystone but they were closed so we continued along a county road which we knew would take us to Hill City. The road got quite narrow, winding and fairly steep.. It was not the best choice for pulling a big RV!

Anyway, we made it here and we did see some beautiful countryside!! We had to stop at a railway crossing for the old 1880 train that does public tours along that route, so that was cool to see. This train has been on several westerns over the years and for a week in August it becomes "Thomas" the beloved engine for the broadcasting of the kids TV program, "Thomas & Friends"!

So we have paid for 3 nights and will do a few tours, starting with Mt. Rushmore tomorrow.  We are excited to tour this area!

a P.S.

Farm Island Recreation State Park
Site #23 - $14 (with pass), p only

This past stretch felt like we were driving through Southern AB.  There is a lot of dry looking pastureland - lots of cattle. Also we drove through many Indian reservations! It's warmer with windmills on the horizon again.  So you guessed it.... Wind !! It was a bit of a tough drive with lots of fuel consumed.

Anyway, we arrived at our destination.  It was a bit of a letdown. It sounded so WONDERFUL in the book, but it's not as nice as the last stop. Oh well, we are on the Missouri River and there is a nice paved bike path in to Pierre. We'll check out what Pierre has to offer when we get fuel. We may only be here 1 night!

South Dakota

Lake Herman State Park
Site #? - $19 ($5. park fee, $14 camp) State Pass $23

So we are in South Dakota now.  It is probably about straight south of Winnipeg. I think I'm glad to be out of Minnesota. We passed mile after mile of windmill farms, so that tells you something.  It's a windy windy state! One also kind of wonders when you receive a campground map with the town's two "Storm Shelters" clearly marked on it!!? It was very hot while we were there however. It was the first time we left windows and vents open all night and we still found it too warm for sleeping.

The countryside looks very much like our Can. prairie's except here you see miles and miles of corn fields and beans (soy, maybe?) rather than the wheat & grain crops. Also, lots of silos.

Just before hitting the SD border we had another downpour. The temp dropped from 29C to 17C instantly.  And us in shorts and tank tops!

This State Park is near Madison. It's a beautiful park on a peninsula in to the lake. We decided it was worth a second night's stay. Glad we did as we got to watch a commercial fishing operation at work.  The nets were set up in front of our campsite when we woke up and after our morning bike ride we were able to watch them "tighten the nets", plus sort and count all the fish which took all afternoon. They ended up with 3300 carp (and buffalo fish I think they said??) which we assume they wanted 'cleaned out' of the lake and which will be shipped live to a canning plant. We didn't know anyone ate carp, but it's popular in the Jewish communities we were told. They didn't finish and the fish were "corralled" in 2 separate net/pens for the night, so they will be back this a.m. We were so disappointed they hadn't come back before we left at 9:15 as we would have liked to have seen the completion -- how they would "pack up" 3300 huge fish???  It was very interesting and cheap entertainment!

Today the sun is shining and it's a little warmer again. We aren't planning on going very far today. There is supposed to be a nice "camping & recreational area' near the state capitol of Pierre, SD, so that is our destination.  It is just a couple hrs. down the highway.  From there we will head to the Black Hills & do the "touristy" things there -- see Mt. Rushmore etc.

PS and oh yes, did I mention the new fuel pump didn't stop the pulsating. It seems to only happen when we are pulling at lower speeds.  It works fine on the hwy once we get passed the 50km.

later Monday

We are considering ditching the " I <3 my truck " license as the truck is still being a pain!! It started "pulsing" as we left the campground this morning, so we stopped at the local Chrysler dealership. 

Of course, we had to disconnect the 5th wheel so they could drive it in the shop. They talked like they only had to finish up 1 vehicle and they would then have a look at it.

However we sat for 1 1/2 hrs. before they even checked it. Of course it didn't pulse when they took it out without the 5th wheel. Anyway, they did change the fuel filter as "maybe' that was the problem and it hadn't been changed for 2 years! Definitely thinking it's time to retire that 10 yr. old beast!?

Kiesler's in Waseca, Minnesota

Kieslers Campground & RV

Site #K4 - $22, p/w/s, Internet $2., Temp 32 C

We stopped early at 2:30 p.m. Just passed Rochester (where we had stopped for lunch) and south of Minneapolis somewhere! We've been sticking to secondary highways rather than the interstates. We saw a spot that looked good pulled in. It was Kieslers Campground actually (!) and it was on a lake with a bike path around the lake. The temp was 30C, so where better stop than at a beach! It was a little bit windy, but we are loving the hot weather! It's hard to believe it's the first day of fall and curling has started in some communities back home!

We enjoyed the bike ride around the lake and a late supper (cooking by flashlight). I think it's getting darker earlier. (It's probably the reason we were in bed by 9 p.m two nights ago!! )

We opted for the cable TV and the 72 stations rather than the fire as it was still pretty windy when we were finished supper. Ron got his fill of channel surfing and we caught the highlights of the Green Bay Packer game that we missed live!! (Greg & Kim can't imagine our being there and not taking in a game, let alone some festivities or 'tailgating'!!) It would be nice to get some Can. news for a change though!

Internet was available at the campground for $2./day, but I didn't want to pay. (yes, I'm CHEAP) We haven't paid extra for it yet, and not about to start! I'll continue to do my emails sitting at a red light in some small town. Gotta love those unsecured sites!!

We were back on the road by 9:30 a.m. today with no planned destination in mind.

Another day . . .

and we continue on.  We will probably get through Wisconsin today and in to Minnesota - Rochester area.

Ron was back to the campground by 11 a.m. and we left Green Bay by noon yesterday. The fix took a little longer because when the mechanic opened the box it contained a used part. He was pretty upset and not sure how that happened. Anyway, they drove 1/2 hr to another town and got a "new" part. I am sure glad that one was available because in Toronto there were 123 on back order!!
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Roche-a-Cri State Park
Site #15 - $12, n/w (Park Fee $10), Temp 24C

We spent last night at a nice State Park "Roche a Cri" or Rock with crack near Friendship, Wisconsin. There is a large rock mound in the centre of the park where there apparently are Native American petroglyphs and pictographs, which we didn't see. People would climb this cliff for the view. Now it is accessible by stairs. 303 or them! I can't believe we actually climbed them all. I was going to quit 1/2 way but Ron continued on and I didn't want to miss out so up I went.



You certainly could see for hundreds of miles, but mainly just treetops which hadn't turned color yet. I'm not sure the climb was worth it. And going down was a real knee killer for me!

After supper we sat around the fire. We were both pretty tired after an early morning, long drive and stair climb.  We decided to have our showers and head to bed. We were laying there and Ron says "I wonder what time it is?" I looked at my clock and it was 9:10 !!! We had quite a chuckle.  Old folk.

Green Bay, WI Truck Repairs & Laundry

Apple Creek Campground (De Pere, WI)

Site #13 - $31, p/w, Internet

I'm sitting at the campground just out of Green Bay waiting on a couple of loads in the laundry. Ron is at the Dodge dealership hopefully getting the truck repaired. They were booked up, but said they'd slot us in if he had the truck there by 7:30, so Ron was on his way at 7 a.m. We did a trial run last night even though he insisted he 'knew the way"  Well, one wrong exit and a couple of turnarounds and we finally found the place!! So yes it was good we did the trial run!

I'll never understand him.  He WON'T ask for directions -- We sat at a Walmart for 1/2 hr. while he studied maps and tried to find a campground, but wouldn't ask anyone or call the dealership to find out where exactly THEY were located -- which exit to take etc., and if there was some camping in the area! And yet he asks the lady in our next camping spot if she has any extra Green Bay tickets and when she says "no", he says "couldn't you leave your husband at home?" Go figure -- we KNOW he's not shy!! What's with men and asking for DIRECTIONS!!??

After locating the dealership last night we stopped at a "super" Walmart and picked up a few supplies. It's open 24 hrs. We had considered 'camping' there for the night, but with no other units on the lot, we weren't sure. (Someone assured us later that it is quite acceptable in US - same as Canada) Oh well, I think I'd rather be sitting at the campground in the sun doing laundry.  

It was SO hot at 32C when we arrived, but we had huge winds and a big downpour in the evening. There were tornado warnings in some areas -- glad it didn't get THAT bad.

If Ron is finished early enough, we will leave Green Bay, this afternoon. I'm sure he will be busy checking out the NEW trucks as he waits. I know there were some 'long boxes' that caught his attention last night!

Back here at the campground, laundry is almost done.  Signing off . . 

Green Bay it is . . .

The fall colors were much more prominent leaving "the Soo" --- gorgeous!! Unfortunately it continued to pour buckets for the first hour of our trip. Visibility was not good! I can't remember the last time I saw it rain SO hard for SO long! Also, the truck "cut out" twice on us before we had even left the campground so that was a little nerve-racking. We wondered if we were going to be leaving after all, but it's been running good since. It is not fun having that issue hanging over our heads! One is afraid to pass in case you lose power when facing oncoming traffic !! Sure hope we can get it resolved soon!

Later: We originally planned to go 1/2 way to Green Bay and spend the weekend somewhere on Lake Michigan. Then to Green Bay on Monday regarding the truck. However we verified the truck part is available in Green Bay and they will slot us in at 7:30 a.m tomorrow - (Saturday)  Now we will "make tracks" and drive all the way. I'm hoping the fix is quick and it is indeed the cause of our problem!! It was very difficult to drive by all the nice campgrounds we saw on Lake Michigan !! I would have loved to have spent some time on the lake!