On the Road Again.

Just like Willy Nelson, we couldn't wait to hit that long stretch of highway and find our next adventure.  First out of Spearfish SD we revisited the Bad Lands.  Now when you come from Detroit, the name just doesn't seem right.  Actually the Bad Lands has its own beauty and awesomeness that a Detroit ghetto (a real bad land ) can't compare.

The Bad Lands is a pristine wilderness with a rich heritage from prehistoric hunters, the Great Sioux Nation and later to homesteaders and ranchers.  We didn't have time to explore much of the 65 million years of erosion resulting in unreal formations and colors.  But always enjoy the jack in the box type-gophers and were surprised by mule deer crashing down a hill in front of our truck.

Travel Tidbits:
1.  Elroy is the best traveling dog in the world-sleeps 90% of the time.
2.  Gas in Missouri was less than $3.00/gallon-$2.92 to be exact.
3.  South bound I-29 in Iowa was still closed in September due to flood damage from the Missouri River.
4.  Some states have follow me-cars in construction zones, I guess they think the public isn't smart enough to obey signals.  Well waiting for one in Kansas, we meet Little Thunder holding a stop sign.  We found out about his wife (Navajo from New Mexico) and all the assorted details to pass the time.  I'm so proud of myself by not responding to the urge to ask who Big Thunder was.  Notice I can resist the temptation to be a smart ass sometimes.
5.  You know you're heading South when the crops change from corn and soybeans to cotton.
6.  I like small unincorporated towns with signs for tent revivals.
7.  What's the relationship to the number of churches in the South to the number of adult book stores often with arcades, videos and open 24 hours?
8.  Why did we cross the Mississippi river 3 times going East?
9.  Ron was right a couple times.
10.  You learn things like Casey Jones was a real person with a home and museum in West Tennessee-thought he was just in a song.
11.  Trouble at a gas station.  When you've had 3 different addresses in 3 different states in the last 2 years, which zip code do you use as credit card ID check?  Overloaded the gas pump computer and it took 2 BP guys help to buy gas.

After all of this, we finally end up close to our daughter in Fort Campbell military campground in TN.  This is a nice place just outside the gates but has changed since the last time we were here.  The ongoing military aggression has obviously heated up.  I felt like we were in a war zone.  Between 2 shooting ranges we heard
big booms, machines guns, and assorted rife fire all day long.  Not to mention the helicopters and plans overhead giving us interference on our cells and TV.  Oh lord, what I would of done for ear plugs.

The surprise.  Our 16 year old grandson, Kieron, has a new car-a 2006 red mustage GT that sounds like a souped up muscle car.  Now get this.  He doest have a drivers license or even a permit yet.  But his dad, remembering his youth I guess, has purchased it for him.  Kinda like buying a train set at Christmas for a 6 month old.  What do you think?

One of the best things when you travel is accidently coming upon something special.  In an Alabama campground we experienced a combination Blue Grass Festival and revival.

Music all night long with the good ol'boys.  Notice they sit in a circle and take turns picking a new song-just like the good old days.  Just bring your own lawn chair and sit down and enjoy the music and company.  But exhausted, we left early before we the revival started.  Maybe we can be saved next time.

 Enough already-time to say goodbye.  Next time I'll talk about Texas.

Sturgis after the rally

 

The guy that air brushed female nipples is gone (Sturgis requires some modesty-you see) but it still can be an adventure in sensory overload.  First of all we went to the motorcycle museum showcasing antique, classic, rare and unusual bikes from 1900 on.  It was hard for Ron to pick his favorite one but hely really was partial to the classic Indian brand.

                            
Originally Sturgis was built to supply near by Fort Mead with provisions and ladies of the night.  We didn't tour Poker Alice's House previously a poker room and brothel that separated many soldiers from their paychecks-but we rode on.  Fort Mead is an intact outpost built in 1878 to help control the gold rush when the Black Hills was still Indian land.  Lots of old buildings and a neat museum.  Can't stay long since Elroy's left in the warm truck-so we rode on.

This tme we stopped at Bear Butte rising 2000 feet above the high plains.  We should of guessed it was a special place when we spotted prayer cloths in the trees and heard drums beating and chanting from the top of the mountain.  Many tribes consider it a holy mountain even today.  Ron told me the Indians are probably getting ready to scalp yeller-haired women.  Don't tell him that I didn't believe him  Can you believe dogs are not permitted on the trails or mountain.  I was hoping when Elroy did his business in the weeds that the spirits weren't watching.  Then we rode on again-this time with fingers crossed.

Next to the largest biker bar in the world, Full Throttle (heard location of a TV program).  You can't miss this if you're ever in the area.  Hugh outdoor arena with some of the most unusal items used as sculptures.  The guy at the bar told us it's the best job he ever had.  I can imagine why-he's proanably seen more female body parts than an obgyn.  We were greeted by the bar mascot-a donkey named Emmett.  While I was petting and sweet talking him, Ron nugged me to look down.  My eyes got big-very BIG.  You won't believe it was giant and long.  And thank goodness it went down when I took this picture.

and then we all rode on. . . .

Sturgis Rally---OH MY!

You just won't believe it!  Bikers everywhere.  Doing stuff-sometimes naughty-but always in a difinite party mode.  Motorcycles almost outnumber cars and the low rumble is constantly changing volume.  Like wolves, they're usually in packs prowling the beautiful scenic drives and chasing from one venue to the next.  Seems like millions of them-an envasion in the Black Hills for the last 71 years.

Our campground is loaded-sometimes the park and sometimes the occupants.  Unbeliveably they have squeezed more campers that ride in here before-numbers are down this year.  There are million dollar rigs here to people sleeping in vans, tents and utility trailers.  We've been told this is the quietest campground around and a police car sits at the entrance all night to keep it that way.

We see some tricked out bikes.  But I wonder if this guy just couldn't make up his mind what he wanted to drive.  What do you think?  Elroy and I were passing a similar crazy mock cycle, The Pink Elephant, on one of our many walks when he decides to tinkle on the front tire.  OMG! The leather clad and bearded  tough looking owner is just over there as I'm tugging on the leash to escape with thoughts of bodily harm and or humilation.  (you know their reputation)  In fear of consequences, I gratefully noticed that he is busy talking to a friend and didn't even notice us.  So if you ever see a really wierd looking motorcycle named The Pink Elephant, tell him Elroy sends his regards.

People watching is great.  Can't believe how many trikes, 3 wheeled motorcycles, there are here and how many women are driving big machines.  They come in all sizes but generally in the plump mature set.  Activities last for 3 weeks-didn't know they are still partying 1 week before and after the official dates.  Well if you could take advantage of entertainment at the famous Buffalo Chip, bikini cycle wash, bras for charity, pitchfork fondue, full throttle saloon, wall of death, bloody mary biker buffet breakfast, drag compeitions, get loud party, demos, displays, tours, beer belly contest, daisy duke contest, hangover contest, exhibits, stunt riders, burnout contest, motorcycle jump and world record attempts, machine gun shooting, and half naked girls and shameless old  women. . . .you'd be tempted too.

Some of the campgrounds charge up to $150 a night and the local restaurants and stores all raise their prices.  Even the local TV stations daily list the emergency room visits, deaths and DUI's.  Got to show you a couple more pictures and then have to make sure Ron's heart isn't beating too fast.

Looking for Robert Redford and finding something else. . .

 I've always been in love with Robert Redford since I've seen his movie, The Great Gatsby, and he was laying face down on an air mattress in his wonderful swimming pool.  Visualize this!  His little cheekies like molded perfection-my vote for the world's best butt.  So now you can understand my excitment when we planned a trip through his town of Sundance.  Now this is where the Sundance Film Festival is held and maybe if I keep my eyes open and cross my fingers, I can get a glimpse of his wonderful ass.  NOT TO BE!
I got educated and disappointed all at the same time.  There are supposedly lots of towns by the name of Sundance and R.R. lives in Sundance Arizona not Sundance Wyoming.  But what I found on this trip is something else.  One of the world's largest natural phallic symbols - Devils Tower.

 

Rising up against the sky out of the rolling plains grassland, this behemoth stands alone and is awsome.  Did you know it is the offical first national momument and the core of an ancient volcano?  Also Devils Tower is a sacred Indian site and brave climbers reguarily scale the vertical rock face.  When we were there, these climbers looked like ants going up a tree trunk.

Jody and Kiel while visiting from Tennessee seemed to enjoy the prairie dog village here too almost as much as Devils Tower.  Of course we had to take them to Mt. Rushmore.

and Crazy Horse

plus Custer State Park

Then what do you do out West when Kiel buys a cowboy hat but go to a chuckwagon supper where they could pan for gold

and put Jody in jail

Have to admit the place is awfully quiet since they've gone home and I couldn't find Robert Redford.  But wait!  Is that a rumble of a Harley I hear?  Yes, it won't be quiet long.  Found out the Sturgis Rally is really for 3 weeks not one as I expected.  And they've started their engines and are a coming. . .later

South Dakota is our new home state-are we traitors?

Yes, we changed our drivers licenses and mailing address to a state that has their local baseball team known as the Pheasants.  Sounds kinda wimpy when you're used to the Tigers and the Lions.  But here in South Dakota the cowboy mystic is still almost as huge as in Texas and its best to giggle in private.

We're adjusting.  The Black Hills is in the eastern edge of mountain time zone.  Which means the sun shines before the roasters crow around 5 :00.  My eyes are on the same schedule and if you know me, I don't do well with less sleep since I like to stay up late.  Ron solves this problem by sleeping on the job at the museum when its slow.  I can't.  Heavy sigh!

Another thing the siren from the very close fire department always blasts at 3 minutes before 7:00, 12:00 and 6:00.  Why can't they correct their mistake?  Don't they know it should let loose exactly on the hour?   They can't be that dumb.  Should I tell them?

Also trying to adjust to the crazy weather here in the northern plains.  Some weeks the storms are projected every-I said-every day.  Temps of 80 or 90 is fine but those black clouds come in fast with heavy down pours almost drowning the proverbial cats and dogs and sometimes pelts them with hail.  Then-get this-the sun comes out and says oooops-sorry.

Have to admit they have beautiful trails and parks here along the Spearfish creek which in Michigan we would call a river and in Texas today called a miracle.  Elroy likes his walks.  First we have to go to the hatchery above to scarf up the spilled fish food.  And then into the park where he's looking for strangers to give him more petting.  Kinda like going to the singles bars for humans except he sometimes gets his drinks from mud puddles

Can you believe I've started walking on these trails for 4 miles several times a week with "the" girls who I think used to be Army drill instructors.  Now I'm accustomed to a leisurely stroll with Elroy stopping at various trees to water and brown piles to smell.  But its changed.  The thoughts of the Batan death march (slight exaggeration when temps and humidity are high) go through my mind and some of my body parts are starting to talk to me 24 hours a day.  So far the results are only increased hunger and aching bug bite and salve-encrusted legs.  Got to go and try to stretch out that cramp again.  But first want to show you some scenery.

Can't hold wild horses or even Elroy

As soon as Elroy was leashed and let out of the truck at the Wild Horse Santuary, something made his senses go crazy.  I could barely keep hold of his leash as something in the air seemed to want him to run and run fast.  Was it the sense of the place to be wild and have freedoom or the pungent smell of horses or both-I don't know.

As I'm writing this (have to admit I'm old school and hand write stuff to compose), I was interrupted to give a guided tour of this grand old 1905 neo-classical house.  A party of 9 from MN.  I enjoy asking the kids a trick question in the kitchen-where's the microwave.  Even adults start looking around!

 Visitors ususally get a tour from Ron at the railcar before me and he is known to have them ask me a question-like where's the ghost or did I take my meds today.  Funny when it was reversed recently and strange females were giving him a kiss because it was his birthday.  A tradition he's decided that should be continued often.  I wonder what our leader will think if they overhear one of his stories to the public.  "If you have a question please ask and if I don't know the answer, I'll lie so good you won't tell."  etc. etc.

Back to the horses.  This 11,000 acre ranch is home to hundreds of unwanted and over populated mustangs primarily from state and federal lands across the country.  It's their last chance of a home instead of a glue factory or such.  The old school bus brings us close to them in the fields and all of the cameras inside start clicking.  Most of my pictures are of horses butts with heads down chomping on grass.  But they are absolutely beautiful and so many different colors and sizes.  Recently they phased out the Horses Helping Horses program where gentled yearlings were sold to help the bottom line in this non-profit.  The poor economy stopped the sale of new foals and also the stallions fun at the same time.  But they still have a few yearlings and 2 year olds for sale if your interested.

Behind the horses on the cliff are pictographs some hundreds of thousands years old.  Both Indians and settlers carved their mark here in the canyon by the Cheyenne River.

When we finally got back to the truck, what do we see but Elroy sitting in the trucks front seat behind the steering wheel ready to go.  I just don't know if he wanted out of there or wanted to join the horses.  But I do know one thing, he doesn't drive.

Elroy meets big buffalo & other things

Here is the big 2000 lb brute.  They roam wherever they want to in Custer State Park.  Elroy sometimes acts dumb.  Can you believe he had the audacity to bark at this huge creature?  Maybe he thought being in a truck was safe.  But it doesn't matter, the bison or buffalo (whichever) didn't even raise an eyebrow-just kept on chomping on grass and pretended he didn't notice.  I wonder if Elroy's dog macho-ness was slighted. . .Perhaps Elroy should of been forewarned on a walk when he spotted a big buffalo dung pile and sniffed.  Doesn't dogs sense of smell analyze poop samples?:  The size of the dung pile should of been a tip off - much bigger than a cow pie or even a doggie left over.

He also wasn't too smart in sleeping through some magnificent scenery of purple mountain majesty.  I doubt though if he would of appreciated the view of the dead presidents heads on Mt. Rushmore framed by the end of a tunnel.  The scenic drives with hairpin curves and few guardrails up and down rocky mountains afforded worth while views.  Even though Ron has a tendency to drive on the yellow line while on the outside of a sharp curve.  Many quick prayers and Holy Crap!  I was saved again.

From the above picture, I think he was still holding on even out of the truck.

Almost out of the park, seeing Sylvan Lake was almost as much a treat as finally having lunch at one of the park lodges.  We didn't tell Elroy that we had buffalo burgers for lunch.  So, when we got back home, he could sleep peacefully on MY chair.

 

The prior Coming to Spearfish

This is a repeat for some of you of a previous email but gives some info to my new friends on where we are and what we do.  Promise to include more pictures later.  Got to figure out all this new stuff.

It seems like we've been very busy since we've got here-training and sightseeing and getting settled.  I'm very impressed with this area-it's absolutely beautiful.  Spearfish is a  canyon surrounded by mountains and a fast flowing creek that runs through the campground and city  (used for fishing, kayaking and fishing).  We didn't see this place last time we were in the Black Hills.  We couldn't believe the Spearfish canyon above that goes through the cliffs-reminded us of Alaska-that good with waterfalls and many ooooh spots.  Also, there's lot of stuff close for sightseeing, history and local activities.  Julie and Jody are planning on coming for a visit.

There's going to be 10 couples here as volunteers.  Campground has wifi and cable plus we have our own firepit and gathering area.  The hatchery is across the street and up a hill  (over 3500 feet high here-Ron's breathing slowly adjusting).  It's nestled in a bowl with cliffs on 3 sides and the creek running through.  The women take care of the gift shop and do tours of the first superintendents historic home.  While the guys do tours of the museum which used to be the hatchery and the reconditioned railroad car that used to carry fish to Yellowstone and elsewhere.  There is a museum curator who taught us how to dust antiques (using white cotton gloves only once) and takes care of the archive collection of fishery history.

 Everyone told us that it's their favorite spot and the pictures above of the campground give you some idea.  The hatchery is on Face Book if you want to check it.  DCBooth Historic Hatchery.

Got to tell you a cute story.  Poor Elroy, our dog, has sinned bad!  Yes, I'm afraid he might be dammed.  While we were on our trip here, I took him for a walk down a town street and he stopped by a front yard statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by pretty daffodils.  He sniffed and lifted his leg and before I could do anything, he peed on the Virgin Mary.  Can he be saved?  Very concerned, Gloria

Coming to Spearfish SD

Elroy (out hairy dog) is a better traveler than us.  He doesn't complain or ask are we there yet and argue with me.-he just mainly sleeps.  Now I ask you, isn't that the travel cure if you don't need to keep your eyes open.  Dogs are smart.  But sometimes they think they're human-that's the rub.  We can't say the word walk because he'll be at the door wagging his tail.  So we talk in abbreviations like I'm going to take E for a W after L.  Reminds me of grade school-how far have I progressed.  Not too far, because he reminds me of my worst nightmare.  Waking up in the morning with a hairy face with bad breath on my pillow.  Yes, he sneaks up between Ron and I sometime at night and plops on my pillow.  Spoiled baby!  Recurring nightmares!

 Ron's favorite son (Elroy of course) loves it here in the Black Hills.  Cold weather and lots of walking trails.  We have a different opinion since we've left the warmth of Texas.  Can you believe we have snow not only on top of the mountains but yesterday it snowed 12 inches in higher elevations.  Ron has complained that the cold makes all of this body stiff except one important part.

For me, the thing that pisses me off the most is that I'm enjoying my allergy season twice this year.  The trees here have just barely started budding pollen for my second bout.  Please send kleenex.

 What also pisses me off (believe me I really don't really complain) is all those skinny-ass joggers here on last Sunday running a 5K race.  They make me feel bad.  They ran up and down a mountain and still had smiles on their faces AND were not breathing hard running behind our rv to the finish.  Are they human?  What kind of drugs do they take?  Well, I'll stay with alcohol.  Here's to you.  As I'm drinking my favorite beer, Mousse Drool.  Take care and be assured I don't usually drink and write.