We were on our way! The first night going to South Dakota, we actually boon docked in a Cracker Barrel parking lot. This was the summer of rioting, not the summer of love as espoused by some Democrats. We always travel prepared; we were more prepared this time and wanted to get past St Louis Missouri at a bare minimum. We did and we sought out campsites, but we were tired. We landed in the nearest Cracker Barrel lot we could find; they usually welcome overnighters. Did I mention it was summer? I remember we grabbed fast food that night, maybe Wendy’s, I just remember ” the night was moist “, uncomfortably so. We weren’t plugged in, so, the night was moist. We actually slept with the main door open, and the screen was the only thing protecting us from the public and the giant owl we had seen in the field behind the camper. Would we be murdered in the night? WHO would save us, surely not the giant owl who was eyeing us as his next meal, no Cracker Barrel breakfast for us. We awoke to clatter from the restaurant, I use the team awoke very loosely, as it was not a restful night. Except for the fact we do have a comfy, mattress, it was not a restful night. Did I mention the owl and the fear of being murdered with nothing but a screen and a sleeping husband between me and the world? And the firearm he swears he could retrieve quickly…the same riot shotgun cleverly mounted to the dashboard with his sturdy command strip. It did the trick, perfect for any sticky situation.

Camping Necessities

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Next morning, we were off to Spearfish, we had reservations and a plan to get there. It was a long straight drive there, except for a left turn and an exit to get a train spike. You see, my husband collects train spikes, we have settled on collect because stealing sounds like thievery and tactfully acquiring was already taken by his process of obtaining hotel toiletries. We collected a spike in western Iowa, we have one from every state we have visited, we don’t mark these on our giant map of travel, because that may be looked at as marking the scene of the crime.

We did make a stop along the way, at the famous Wall Drugs, it’s the hugest drug store in the world. You know how I know, because there is a billboard every mile on I90 from Sioux Falls South Dakota to the Black Hills. It was a cool place, we walked through the many various stores and played in the playground. Bought a souvenir or two and played in the playground. Because we’re grown, kids. I think they’re really large sculptures you’re not supposed to climb on, so we did, and we left.

I have to admit, growing up in my America, I had never seen buffalo, bison, wooly mammoths, unless you include that trip to the Smithsonian one time in DC. I saw creatures there that were scary! I’m pretty sure it was a wooly mammoth and its kinfolk, long tusks, enough to scare the hide off a water buffalo. Anyway, I wanted to see one up close, but, not too close! Did you ever see Lonesome Dove where Robert Duvall was out roaming the plains and he says to Pete, ” let’s chase em, you want to” ? One of my all-time favorite mini-series, one of my favorite actors. You’ll be a slow walker if a buffalo hooks you! This trip, I meant to see buffalo.

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the local restaurant , we set out to see the sites. We were to start the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. It had been a dream to go there, the reverence for those who founded, directed and served our great country. George Washington, our first official President, General and natural leader; Thomas Jefferson, eloquent writer and creator of the Declaration of Independence, farmer and architect; Theodore Roosevelt ( whom I am convinced my favorite uncle was name after ) statesman, conservationist and soldier and Abraham Lincoln, layer, politician and a humble man. All well deserving predecessors to our cuurent state of politicians. That’s another subject entirely.

We realized on our less than an hour trip to the monument, we were in close proximity to many other places, again, location , location , location! Choose your site wisely, we did and we were glad of it. We could go to the monument, circle through Needles highway and visit Custer State Park, all the same area , make it happen all in one day. So, we set out to Mount Rushmore first, traveling west to east on I90, then south on highway 16. I don’t remember whose nose I saw first, I can only say I was in awe of the large granite facial structure of our leaders. I will also admit, I teared up, I was emotional, I am patriotic as is David, my entire family in fact, it meant a great deal to see this monument.

I was so excited, because, I had purchased the National Park Pass, this was to allow us into numerous National Parks, we have goals you know, after reading ” Dear Bob and Sue ” the year before . If you haven’t read their book, or listened to the podcasts, I highly recommend them. About the National Park Pass, is it a good deal? Even though it is an annual pass for most citizens, if you are in an area that has many parks close by, such as South Dakota or Utah, it pays for itself easily. Based on cost of admission alone it is valuable, however, you may still have parking fees.

Ok, we’re now at the monument of giant granite faces. I have dried my eyes, found adequate parking and are now walking through tons of people. I laughed at the people exiting trying to use the parking pay kiosk. More on this later.

We had no pre arranged plan on time, walking or what to see here, we were here that’s all that mattered. We walked through the Avenue of the Flags, then went to the main terrace to view the faces. I had my camera, we people watched, saw construction and areas blocked off from walkers, we were certain it was for safety. We briefly talked to a park ranger, who although very nice, could give us no information as to why we could not view the monument closer. We took lots of photos within the park and on the drive out, we also visited the extensive visitors gift, shop, I bought the obligatory tee shirts, which I wear often. Also, an odd occurrence of a woman chatting up a couple for an extended length of time. I was certain they needed saved from her, she invited them to her condo, commented on the ladies beautiful, braided hair and I wondered who she came with, where is this dog of whom she spoke, I had lots of questions as I listened. I really wanted to save them from her, David said no. We later learned she was a scammer, just kidding, I have no idea, I was just glad we didn’t get regaled with her stories. About a week later, we did learn that President Trump was going to be at Mount Rushmore on July 4th, to celebrate the nation’s birthday. hence all the construction, sad we missed that event live. We settle for the television broadcast; we were home by then.

After our what we considered adequate time to visit the monument, we decided, time to go somewhere else. Time to pay for the parking so we could exit. We watched a group in front of us, attempt to pay, remember earlier where I said I would revisit this, I laughed at others, this kiosk was hard as hell to figure out, we finally escaped.

Our trip after the monument was through Needles highway, a beautifully scenic drive to the west, more photos, more unique rock formations and a western view of George. There were a few pull off places for photography, we found one that suited us.

It was still early in the day, so we decided to go to Bear Country, USA, because, as normal humans, who doesn’t want to see wild animals roaming around inside a large, fenced area? We were those people, we love nature, from a distance, especially if they are larger than us. It’s quite a drive through the park, where at the first bear section, there was one ” guarding ” the road, nervously pacing across the cattle gate.

The highlight of our visit to the Country Bear Jamboree was the fenced area with all the baby bears.” Let us near the fence, we want to see too” I could hear the cries, I realized it was coming from the two adults trying to work their way amongst the kids. We could have stayed for hours, except for the bunches of unattended human children, who by this point were making the visit un BEAR able.

I remember being there until the sun was high in the sky, it was nearly time to eat, and it was an hour or more drive back to the camper. Rest assured; we would be comfy though. I want to tell you just how comfy our camper is.

Comfy life, comfy wife, or so the saying goes. I tell you, if you have a camper, and you don’t have anything but the standard RV mattress, you are wrong! It is a must have to get a gel mattress or memory foam mattress, it will change your life. And this fan, is a special item, when you don’t have hook ups or air, this will do the trick. We wished we had the fan when we hit that Cracker Barrel, I wouldn’t have heard the owl or the snoring husband sleeping next to me.

The next day awaits our rested bodies, ready to see Crazy Horse and hopefully buffalo.