The Black Hills

Left The Devil's Tower and entered South Dakota. The landscape was dotted by rolls and rolls of just cut hay.  Their livestock must have verocious appetites.   Drove through Sturgis (just missed Biker Week), Deadwood and onto the Rafter J Bar Ranch RV park for three nights.  We will rent a car and travel around the Black Hills (Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park) by car.  There are some tunnels that are too low for our coach to pass through.  Will send pictures tomorrow of our adventures.  It has finally cooled down a bit, thank goodness.  Love ya' all. 

South to Devil's Tower

What a busy day we had.  We left Sheridan, Wyoming and stopped at Ft. Kearney - a huge fort about 19 miles south of the Little Big Horn to protect traders and pioneers using the Oregon Trail.  They even had barracks for band members.  Wonder if they were gold members?  Then off to Buffalo, Wyoming and the Mountain Meadow Wool Mill.  How wonderful it was to see how they naturally process their wool.  Everything is naturally processed.  And then came the showroom.  Both the mill and showroom were small, but mighty.  I sure have been having fun gathering fibers made in the USA and Christmas Shopping.  Found some very interesting gifts and beautiful fibers.  Then it was on to the Devil's Tower.  We are staying at the KOA just outside of the park.  Sure is an impressive rock.  Tomorrow we travel to South Dakota for a few days to tour Custer country and then it will be head for home.  Love ya'll and the days are getting fewer when we can see ya'll.  Labor Day is not that far away. 

Sheridan, Wyoming

We are in Sheridan, Wyoming.  Hoping to beable to see the wool mill tomorrow in Buffalo.  We will be traveling to the Devil's Tower National Park for the night and then on to Southern part of South Dakota and Mt. Rushmore for a few days.  It is HOT!  Not used to the temps as the highest in Alaska and Canada was low 70's.  Congrats to young Red as he is now a gold member of the WCU Pride of the Mountains Marching Band.  Look forward to their first Pre-Show, Half time show and Post Show. 
Love ya'll. 

Billings, Montana

Well-Bozeman and Billings both had our favorite stores, sooo we took the day to visit these stores.  REI was in Bozeman and it has been so long since we were in an REI.  It was really nice to see the updated products for backpacking, water sports, etc.  Then it was on to Billings, Montana.  We have never been in a Cabela's store.  We have done everything by internet.  What a store.  If you could not find it in that store it was not made.  Every sport was represented in that store and then some.  We are staying at the Billings KOA.  The very first KOA ever.  Tomorrow we will head to Sheridan or Buffalo Wyoming.  I have not heard from Mountain Meadows Wool Mill as to whether we can tour the mill.  I will be very disappointed if I miss seeing the facility.  Oh well -- I shall live.  Love ya'll.  See you soon. 

Bozeman, Montana

Left Jackson Hole this morning and drove through the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks on our way to Bozeman. Did not do much stopping, but did stop and eat lunch at the Old Faithful Inn.  The Inn is on the Historic Registry and is as stately as always.  The new Visitor Center that was being built 3 years ago is finished and is really nice.  As we were traveling noth to the Mammoth Hot Springs - guess what was walking down the middle of the road?!  You guessed it - a very large buffalo.  It walked right by our coach.  Sure am glad it was not mad at anything or we may have been gored.  Drove into Mammoth and as usual the Elk were lazily napping on the lawn under trees.  Drove to the north entrance of Yellowstone into Garnier, Montana and on north to Bozeman.  Will leave in the morning for Billings, then Buffalo, on to Devil's Tower and down to South Dakota,  Our itinerary is closing fast and we probably will be home around the end of August -----  SOOOOOO we probably will be home for Labor Day.  Love ya'll and miss ya"ll and will see ya'll soon. 

On our way to Jackson

Started our of Great Falls this morning on our way to Twin Bridges.  Toured the Winston Rod Company and really learned alot.  Small Building, BUT large operation.  Jammer - you might enjoy their video on their website (http://www.winstonrods.com/).  Then on to Jackson Wyoming.  The wheat and potato fields in Idaho were amazing.  HUGE!!!  All you could see is field after field of potatoe blooms and wheat fields.  We kept seeing these sod roofed short, squat buildings - Guess what they were for??--  potato storage.  Really cool.  Followed along beside the mountains and knew we had to drive over them BUT we sure were not expecting what we received.  We have never driven a mountain with a 10% grade up and a 10% grade down in a total of 6 miles.  It was a beautiful drive and I sure am glad it had guard rails.  First gear was a must.   At the bottom of the mountain was Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  We are staying at the Virginian RV Park - right across the street from the Gun Barrel Restaurant.  YUM!YUM!  The buffalo steaks were awesome.  Tomorrow we take the shuttle into downtown Jackson for some walking and shopping.  Friday we will be leaving and driving through the Tetons and Yellowstone on our way to Billings and Bozeman, Montana.  I hope young Red and Chatterbox have been able to stay awake for their shoots.  Love ya'll.

Butte, Montana

Got the coach serviced.  Paw Paw said the oil was like sludge and the oil filter was so clogged from all the Alaska and Canada road dust that he is glad we were able to get this service work done.  Back on the road by noon and are at the Butte KOA.  Tomorrow we will go to Twin Bridges to tour the Winston Fly Rod company and then on to Jackson Hole Wyoming.  We are so close that we could not drive by it and the Gun Barrel Restaurant is calling.  We have not found a good restaurant for wild game yet.  Not only that, but the Pendleton and Coldwater Creek shops are calling me.  We will be staying at the Virginian RV park in Jackson Hole for 2 nights.  Twice at the Gun Barrel??!! Who Knows!!!!!  Then we will drive through the Tetons and Yellowstone on to Buffalo Wyoming to hopefully tour the Wool mill.   I now have great internet service, either by RV park or with my Verizon Air card.  YEA!!!  Pass a message on to young Red -  I am anxious to know how the new band director is ( go with an open mind) and that you made the cut for the band.  Have a great start of the college year and tell Your young lady friend that we look forward to seeing you both as soon as we return to North Carolina.  Glad GJ95 enjoyed his primitive hiking trip.  Will have to get the family together for a trip into the back country.  (That ought to be interesting)  Will post tomorrow evening and hopefully have pictures of how bamboo rods are made at the Windston Rod company.  Am assuming that the new Design Engineer is enjoying his new post and the little ones are ready for school.  Love ya'll.