Steve & April's Big Adventure: September 2006

Well, we have safely made it to Albuquerque. We arrived Wednesday about 2AM. We shortened the trip by two days due to truck problems, so we will be returning to southern CO and northern NM in a few weeks.

Before that, though, we had a great time in Windsor, Colorado visiting with Shane's parents. (Also, they have the best shower ever!) There was a Labor Day/Harvest Festival parade right in front of their house! We also got a super informative tour of northern CO. Thanks Don and Carolyn!

We also went to Devil's Tower in Wyoming. Due to time constraints, we just went on the 1.5 mile hike around the base of the tower. There were so many people climbing that thing--it was amazing. It just comes right out of the flat landscape around it.

Driving across Wyoming was as you might imagine-flat and you can see forever. There are antelope everywhere, practically like squirrels.

And, for those of you betting on this, April got the first speeding ticket of the trip in a teeny-tiny place in Wyoming. It sucks because the truck with airstream will not even get to the speed limit on the interstate, but it will go 45 in a 30 mph zone.

Good Morning from the Black Hills of South Dakota!

To recap how things are going:
We left Ely, MN last Wednesday and had a short detour at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN. Wow. It's like a 4 story Opry Mills with all the same stores. The most exciting part was the unexpected appearance of IKEA (my favorite store) and getting to meet the local auto repair guy since we locked our keys in the vehicles. That problem has been remedied, for those of you who are wondering how long it will be before we do it again.

Arrived in Sioux Falls, SD late Wednesday night and stayed at the Red Barn RV park, the best one we've been to. It was a small family business and had the cleanest bathrooms we've seen! Headed out to the Badlands on Thursday, with a small detour for a little mechanical problem with the Airstream. Don't worry, Steve fixed it in a parking lot. Camped at Badlands Ranch and Resort (more ranch than resort). The weather was beautiful when we went to bed and the rain that woke us up at 3am brought 40 degree weather with it. Rainy and cold en route to the Black Hills. The rain did not hinder our enjoyment of that tourist mecca WALL DRUG. What a riot that place is!

Currently staying at another very nice campground in Hill City, SD--Crooked Creek. The even have wifi. Very convenient. The first night we were here Kenny Johnston's mom, Vickie, invited us to dinner. We had a great time with her, Bob and Jon and Gail Crane. John is a watercolor artist with a gallery in Hill City. Visit his website at www.joncranewatercolors.com. The gallery also has beautiful Raku pottery by a local artist.

Yesterday we went to Wind Cave (it's no Carlsbad Caverns, but it was cool anyway) and Mount Rushmore. The best part of Mount Rushmore was the very patriotic ceremony they had before and after the lighting of the faces. At the end, they had every member of the audience who was a veteran, active duty or family member assist in the flag ceremony. Then each person introduced him/herself and told of their service branch and time and theater. Very moving.

We are very thankful for the prayers being offered on our behalf. We are having a very fun and safe trip. Steve is a mechanical genius and that helps.