We're At Cloud 9 Ranch

I'm going to get caught up on my blog!  We left Council Bluffs, IA on the 11th.  (We actually were in four states that day).  We entered Missouri and saw an exit for Watson, MO.  You know we had to check it out. It was a tiny town on the Missouri River.  We saw the Lewis and Clark historical marker arrow and were on our way down a gravel road between very tall fields of corn.  We ate our lunch there and then back onto the main highway, into Nebraska and then to Hiawatha, KS  We had read in Nick Russell's Gypsy Journal of a monument built by John Davis for his wife Sarah in the 1930's at Mt. Hope Cemetery.  There are several theories why he spent so much money on this monument.  They were childless and because Sarah's family disowned her when she married him, he did not want to leave any money to her family.  For whatever reason, it is an impressive monument.

We looked in our GPS for a state park and found one in Atchison, KS.  We learned there are two types of state parks in Kansas.  The one we found was a "Fishing Lake" state park.  We traveled over 3 to 4 miles of gravel roads to a lovely little lake.  There were no electric or water hookups, but there was also no fee. We parked on a little hill overlooking the lake, I sat outside and enjoyed the view and Gene took his exploring walk.  The next day we drove into Atchison and toured the Amelia Earhart Birthplace and Museum.  A beautiful home with period furnishings - I loved the wallpaper.

Amelia Earhart's childhood room

We were off again to Moon Marble Co. in Bonner Springs, KS.  Another place Nick had written about.  We watched Ernie make a marble with intricate designs of flowers and vines - amazing to watch.  After the demonstration, we browsed through the shop which had marbles and a myriad of other toys.  Gene found 5 large marbles that he really liked, so we have our memory of the tour.
We ended our day at USI RV Park in Wichita, KS.  A very nice park recommended by friends Kat and Paul who live in Wichita.  Gene met them on Facebook when he was playing Backyard Monster and we wanted to meet face to face since we were in the mid-West.  They treated us to a delicious meal at Piccadilly the next evening and it was a delight to get to know them. 

Thursday we left Wichita and headed for Independence, KS to see the site of Laura Ingalls Wilder's  house on the prairie.  It was the last of our Laura tour.  Now when I reread the books, it will be even more special as I have visited all these places where she lived.  That night we were in Bartlesville, OK - just over the Kansas stateline at Riverside RV Park. Another nice Passport America park, but I was now in the "go mode" to get to Cloud 9, so we only stayed one night.
Friday afternoon we were finally here.  On Saturday we put up the screen room, put out the awning, I put the tablecloth on the picnic table and sighed a sigh of relief.  Now I can get lazy and just sit and read.  We have been in touch with old friends, Scott and Rose, and made new friends, Ron and Carolyn. 
And with that, I am up to date.  Did you think I was ever going to make it?
Until my next post, God's blessings to all our friends, new and old, and our family.

Badlands and DeSmet, SD, into NE and IA

We left Arrow Campground on Monday, August 4th and drove the Badlands Loop road.  It was another one of those WOW moments as soon as we drove through the entrance and parked in the overlook section.  The incredible rock formations looked like we were on another planet!  There were buttes, jagged peaks, a stark barrenness and then beyond that lush grasslands.  It was another major picture taking day.  Each rock formation was different and I didn't want to miss any.  I did the same thing with fall leaves when we were in New England a few years ago.  Gene asked if I was going to take a picture of every tree from New England to Florida.  I tried to.  We took about four hours to travel about 40 miles, with many, many stops and then stopping at the Visitor Center to view their exhibits.

We traveled on to Ft. Pierre, SD and stayed at Oahe Recreation Area.  It used to be a COE, but is now managed by the State.  They had nice clean restrooms, which I always appreciate.  On previous trips, I have always wanted to know where I was going to spend the night and have a reservation, if possible.  This trip I have learned to relax more in that area.  There have been many times when we just arrived at a state park, county or city park or corps of engineers park without a reservation, paid our fee and settled in for the night.  It does reduce the stress of keeping to a schedule "have to be in such and such a place tonight".  So, I'm living proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Tuesday and Wednesday we stayed in DeSmet, SD - the "Little Town on the Prairie".  Laura Ingalls Wilder actually wrote four books about her time spent in DeSmet.  This is the town where Pa and Ma finally settled.  Pa had the homestead, but also owned several stores there at various times.  Laura and Almonzo Wilder met and married here, then later moved to Mansfield, MO.  We visited the cemetery and saw the graves of Charles, Caroline, Mary, Carrie, Grace and Laura and Almonzo's baby boy.  I normally don't visit cemeteries, but this was special.  Many of the buildings have placards in the window giving the history of the building in relation to Laura's books.  The streets were very wide.  When we asked one of the long time residents, she said, "They needed to be wide enough for the horse and wagons to pass". We met very friendly people there.  It has the wonderful small town, "everyone helps everyone" atmosphere.  Gene didn't want to leave.  Were it not for the dreadfully cold winters, it would be a lovely place to live.

Prairie grass in the Big Slough

We headed south to Gavin Point Dam.  As we crossed over the dam, we entered Nebraska.  Usually when we enter a state I take a picture of the state sign.  As they were doing work on the road, there was no sign, so we didn't realize we were in a different state until we went to the Gavin Point Dam/Lewis and Clark Visitor Center.  They had an excellent history about the Army Corp of Engineers, which began back when George Washington was president.  They actually worked on the White House and Washington's Monument.  Off again the next morning heading for IA.  We stopped at Sioux City and visited the Sgt. Charles Floyd monument.  He was the only member of the Corps of Discovery (Lewis and Clark Expedition) who died on the trip.  (They think it was a ruptured appendix).

That evening we stayed at Lewis and Clark State Park at Onawa, IA.  There we met another Roadtrek couple, David and Sally, from SC.  One usually does not see many Roadtreks, so there is an instant bond when you cross paths.  After a nice visit, we went over to the campfire of another  group of  folks who meet together once a month at different campgrounds.  They are all from the Iowa area and we enjoyed spending time with them.  Off and running the next morning to Missouri Valley, IA, on the Loess Hills Scenic Byway where we stopped at the Lavender Farm.  The owners were visiting in Sequim, WA and saw the lavender fields there, came back, waited for land to become available and started their own farm in 2009.  This past year the winter was so hard that they lost 1200 plants.  They have replanted and the fields should be blooming again next year.  There was still the very relaxing fragrance of lavender in the store and we had to make a few purchases. 

While there, Deb told us of Watson Station in Missouri Valley.  Well, you know we had to go check it out.
There was a city park with electric hookups, so we decided to spend the night.  They have a little train you can ride and a museum relating to the railroad history in the area.  At that point I was rather weary from the constant pace we've kept, so a long nap was more appealing to me.  Gene took his usual "walk around and explore" jaunt.  We later learned that this is a hub for engine and engineer exchange.  The brochure said "70 trains pass in a day."  I can assure you they pass in the night too!  I understand they must blow the whistle for safety's sake when they come to a crossing, but that still doesn't make for a restful night.

The next morning, somewhat bleary eyed, we were on the move again.  We had a great breakfast at Penny's Diner (where Gene had wifi and could play his game and check Facebook) before going to the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.  In the 1800's the steamship Bertrand was headed for Wyoming when it struck a submerged log and sank there in the Missouri River.  In 1968 and 1969, they were able to retrieve the ship with over 200,00 items.  Many of these items are now on display at the Refuge.  It was a many varied collection of glassware, clothing, tools, mining equipment, etc.  We then went to Council Bluffs, IA.  There we found the Lewis and Clark monument where they had indeed had a council with the Oto Native Americans.  It has been intriguing to stop at so many places where Lewis and Clark also stopped.  It really makes history come alive.

That evening was our last night in Iowa at Lake Manawa State Park, Council Bluffs.  So, this is a good stopping place for now.  Until my next post, God's blessings to all our friends and family.
  

Devils Tower, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial

And I have wifi again!  We are currently in Wichita, KS, but we've been to and seen such wonderful sights that I just can't leave them out.  On the 29th of July we left North Dakota (after 21 days) and traveled into South Dakota to Belle Furche with a side trip to Devils Tower in WY.  Gene walked the trail around it while I viewed the exhibits.  When he came back, I walked with him to the first plateau - not a long walk, but up a little hill.  In the high altitude, it was enough to get me winded. 

The following day we drove down to Spearfish Canyon - such a diversity of canyon walls and timbered hills.  We pulled off many times at the overlooks to marvel at the beauty and take pictures.  This drive took us to Lead and on to Deadwood.  This happened to be the week before the Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis and many of the motorcyclists were also out enjoying the sights.  When we arrived in Deadwood, the streets were lined with cars and cycles and people everywhere.  I'm not fond of crowds,  so decided there wasn't really anything there I needed to see.  At least is anyone asks, I can say I've been there.

On the 31st we were able to meet our friends Mark and Sharleen in Rapid City at Applebee's.  We first met them at a Gypsy Journal Rally in Selina, Ohio in 2009.  It had been a couple years since we had seen them, so it was great to spend time with them.

.                                                                                                                                                                              Our next big event was the visit to Mt. Rushmore.  We drove up the winding road, around a corner and caught our first sight of it.  It was a breathtaking moment.  We thought we could be satisfied with a few pictures from a distance, but not so.  We gladly paid the parking fee of $11.00 and walked up to the viewing area.  I'm so glad we did.  It was one of those moments when you realize how blessed we are to be able to travel and see these marvelous places.   We rested up a couple of days at Country Charm near Custer, SD and then headed back north to Crazy Horse Memorial on Saturday.  They had wonderful displays of Native American items.  The highlight for me was the Native American dances done by Jumping Buffalo, a sixth generation descendent of Sitting Bull, his son and other family members.  It touched me deeply!

We traveled from there to Wall, SD and stayed at Arrow Campground for two nights.  On Sunday, we ate a delicious breakfast at Wall Drug,  attended First United Methodist Church and then browsed through the shops.  That was the last time I had wifi, so will continue to play the "catch up" game. 

Until the next post, God's blessings to all our friends and family.

Painted Canyon & Enchanted Highway

Sunday we were on the road again.  We stopped at Painted Canyon Visitor Center, also in T.R.Nat'l Park. Even though it was overcast, the scene was still spectacular.  We had read in Nick Russell's Gypsy Journal about the Enchanted Highway that goes from Gladstone to Regent, ND on Hwy 4531.  The sculpturer, Gary Greff, has made seven larger than life sculptures from old farm machinery and other scrap metal, beginning in 1991.  His purpose was to bring tourists into his town, Regent.  We traveled the Highway taking pictures and enjoying the pastoral sights along the way.  The wheat was rippling in the breeze, "amber waves of grain",  horses were silhouetted on the top of a hill, and the canola fields were bright yellow.  When we arrived at Regent, we stopped at the Ice Cream/Gift Shop.  When Gene asked the fellow who was dipping up ice cream what Gary did when he wasn't sculpturing, he answered, "I work here."  He has several more sculptures planned.  The next one will be "Spider Web" 

Painted Canyon

Geese in Flight

Pheasants on the Prairie

Deer Crossing

Teddy Rides Again

Largest Tin Family

Grasshoppers in the Field

Fisherman's Dream

We traveled on to Bowman Haley Rec.Area near Scranton to spend a couple days and on Tuesday we left North Dakota and into South Dakota.  So, this is a good stopping place for now.  I have high hopes of having wifi again wherever we end up tomorrow and can continue this saga. God's blessings to all.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

We've seen so much in the last two weeks!  This may be a "series" instead of just one post.  When we left Lewis and Clark State Park, we drove up through Williston, ND.  There were a lot of  trucks on the road, as we had been told - trucks carrying oil, gravel, and who knows what.  There was also a lot of construction on Hwy 85.  Gene gets a little antsy driving for 25 mph for any distance, so after we stopped for a picnic lunch in Alexander, we took the scenic route 68 through the Little Missouri Grasslands Area to Beach, ND, then over to Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit, Medora, where we spent three nights.  As we are over 62 (most definitely) we have the Senior Access Pass that gives us free entry to National Parks and Monuments and half price camping.  The only drawback is that camping is usually without electric.  There are always several places to get water, though.  If necessary, we can run the generator, but we were out and about during the day and it had cooled down when we returned to our campsite.  We met another Roadtrek couple, Marlene and Buddy from MN.  Since this was their first trip out in it, Gene was able to help with info and suggestions.  The next day we traveled the 5 miles back to Medora and ate lunch at the Chuckwagon Buffet.  It was a very good selection, reasonably priced and delicious.  While in line, a lady spoke to us and when we turned around, we were surprised to see she was in period costume.  It was Mrs. Edith Roosevelt. When we met later on the street, she introduced us to her husband, President Theodore Roosevelt and we had quite an interesting conversation.

That same day we toured the Harold Schaefer Heritage Center (Gold Seal products - Glass Wax, Liquid Floor Wax and Mr. Bubble bubble bath).  He contributed majorly to the restoring of the Rough Riders Hotel and promoted the town of Medora.  The buttes and cliffs with different hues make it a beautiful place.  We could see why he loved it so.

The next day we went to the Visitor Center, saw the Maltese Cross cabin where Theodore Roosevelt spent a lot of time, and then over to the Chateau de Mores.  The Marquis de Mores started the town of Medora in the mid 1800's.  His idea was to butcher the cattle there and send the meat to the East rather than ship live cattle.  It must have been an idea before it's time, as it didn't prove to be profitable.  On the porch of the Chateau, we enjoyed an interpretation of Felix Gottnick, a German immigrant to this area, presented by Don.
He is a very talented actor who made the life of Felix come alive.  The information he presented was gleaned from letters given to him by Felix's great grand niece. It was a step back into history and much enjoyed.

We finished our day by driving the scenic loop - and it truly was - the variety of grasslands, prairie and cliffs are amazing.  Pictures just don't do it justice.  We even saw a few buffalo - not the main herd, but  we were able to get a few pictures.

S

On Sunday we headed out to new adventures, which I'll cover in my next blog.   Until then, God's blessings to all our friends and family.