Road Trip!!!

Had every intention of going on one more camping trip before cold weather hit. Had a change of plans when government shut down many of parks we would have visited. New plans were then to visit many of the sights listed in our "Roadside Americana" book.

First night out however was to go to the Ogallala-Gothenburg Freshman/Sophomore football game ... Ogallala won 32 to 8 --- Jake scored 24 points, had several good punts, awesome interceptions, outstanding tackles and, of course, his touchdowns! It was cold and windy, but we still had a great time.

Stayed overnight in Gothenburg ... heading out to Cawker City KS to see our first roadside attraction. Enroute we changed course to check out Harlan County Reservoir. Being an Army Corps facility it had just re-opened so we were able to enter the campground area. Very nice, we will be going back. The history of the facility and intended use for agricultural purposes was most interesting.

Next stop - Cawker City, KS - site of the "World's Largest Ball of Twine" -

interesting, now I can say "been there, done that" ...

Next on the list was "Garden of Eden" in Lucas, KS ... unfortunately it was rainy and overcast so had to snag a photo off their website ... a much better shot ...

With stop for the night as McPherson, KS we headed toward I-70. Outside of Lucas the route took us around Lake Wilson where we experienced the remnants of the first snowfall! Talk about a reality check! I mean ... really?

Now, I'm more than happy that we didn't bring the camper, who knows what kind of weather we will be experiencing! Look at that cloud bank ... fortunately we didn't have bad road conditions, just cold temps and winds. Brrrrrrr.

Ten Days ...

So we were out  --  together -- for ten days ... 24/7 ... and we made it home without hurting one another AND we were still talking! It was really a lot of fun and we had forgotten how much we really enjoyed each other's company. Our camper is only two rooms ... a bathroom and the "living unit". Just enough room for the two of us, and yet enough room to give each of us our own space ... if you can believe that!

Plans are now to clean it up, pack it up and head south toward Lubbock later this month for one last outing of the season ...

... homeward bound ...

Rains and flooding in Colorado were sending water to the Platte River in Nebraska. Our original plans were to make one more night of it camping on Lake Ogallala and hanging out with the Van clan. Instead Michelle suggested we stay on Hwy 385 to Sidney, get on I-80 and head on home. This photo was taken as we crossed Platte River at Big Springs NE. The water had arrived, river was being monitored regularly at key spots. The crews were here, bridge was one lane, but water was not running across the highway. Saw a lot of low land flooding along interstate to Brule area ... we were ahead of the water ... phew.

It was a long day ... while we prefer the 4-6 hour drive ... that day's decision to forge ahead home was necessary to get there safe and sound. As it turned out flood waters were moving slowly, doing minimal damage along the way. The state, so far, has faired well.

Sightseeing in the Black Hills ...

Between lunch at Sugar Shack and dinner at Sanford's, we had a few hours to fill. Larry had never seen the Crazy Horse monument ...

... and because we were in the "neighborhood" we also visited Mount Rushmore.

NOTE: We did not pay to go into either site, but viewed from a distance. I, of course, didn't have my camera with me AND cell phone photo wasn't clear enough. So I "borrowed" these photos from the internet.

 

It was a beautiful drive and we saw another one of the sights from Larry's roadside book!

Rapid City ...

Our drive west to Rapid City was "white knuckle" time for Lars, as there was a lot of wind and semi traffic. It was a slow go keeping speed at 65-70. We passed up the opportunity to cruise through Wall and Wall Drug ... we never intended to stop - to many tourists ... still! (even though it was listed in his Roadside book, but had visited previously) While the east end of the state was cool when we left, by the time we hit Rapid City it had warmed up to the high 80's-low 90's. We were both a tad over dressed in our jeans and long sleeves!

Gary and Judi gave us a tour of their property in the hills. While it felt as though we had walked the entire perimeter I don't think we did one-third of it! Did spook several white tail deer as we plodded along. Joplin (Pati's dog) went in hot pursuit ... don't know what she was going to do if she caught one. They have a cozy little setting ... camper pad, fire ring and necessary firewood for a pleasant camp out.

There is also a very large clearing up top suitable for a large Morton style building "one day".

Gary celebrated his birthday the next day which required lunch out at "Sugar Shack" near Deadwood. The restaurant is reminiscent of your typical "out of the way" highway diner with a small inside dining room and an outside covered deck with picnic tables. The atmosphere is friendly and the hamburgers are huge and oh so delicious...

the "world's largest rocking chair" (AND not listed in roadside book!) is also located near the Sugar Shack ...

 The birthday celebration continued through the evening meal at Sanford's with the Schmidt/Gonzalez family ...

... where Ms. Avalen "worked" the camera!

What a cutie.

 



"Happy"?

After spending several hours "touring" in Mitchell ... we departed for Chamberlain SD to camp that night. The appeal to that night's campground was the "full hook-ups, bath house and full laundry facilities" listing. Happy Campers Campground had recently added fifteen new full hook-up pads ... which was our choice that night. New area was pretty much out in the open, no new plantings, etc., but having the luxury of full hook-ups offset the surroundings. It had become very windy and had begun to look stormy ... but we stayed toasty warm in our "humble" abode.

The next morning Larry whipped up a "breakfast skillet" (minus the skillet) for each of us using the rest of our eggs, potatoes, sausage ... yummy ...

The "Corn Palace"

 

When Larry retired "the last time" he received a gift of a book - America's Roadside Attractions. It's become as important as the atlas when packing up a vehicle for a road trip. As we progressed through this trip we referred to it for important stuff we needed to see along the way. We discovered the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD! So ... into Mitchell we went ... lucky us they had designated parking for RV's and campers!

My first and only previous visit was with my mother when the girls were very young, I don't think Melissa had even started school yet! (that's a "couple" of years ago!)

I don't believe that on my previous visit that we went into gym area or if there was even a gym. But this was way cool ... gym with a stage! Good use of space ...

 

I loved the corn murals on the walls. I think that this area was just a big open area when I last visited?

There was a looping video being shown in concourse/gift shop/food court area that explained how corn was planted, selected and adhered to wall. Most interesting...don't think it will be anything I will try anytime soon. As we left building heading back to vehicle we noticed bins outside where sorting and cutting (with a table saw) was happening. They are always replacing corn that refuses to stay adhered to the building. Talk about job security!