JD's birthday in Chicago

Friday - July 23rd and we are off to Chicago to celebrate #31 with JD. We leave at 9:45 and stop for oil and water on this steamy,hot day. The drive is stressful because of all the construction- we are happy to see the employment but every 20 miles???? We also come into a Friday traffic jam on I90-94 and we do not get to the Super wal-mart in Niles until 4:30!!! So great to see a Wal-mart!! We are hot and tired and right away we turn on the generator and air-conditioner. Rick takes a shower and we head out to JD's. We avoid I90-94 and take Hyway 50- so at 6:00 we are finally out of a car!!! That translates to over 8 hours. We go with JD and Sarah to Leona's for Italian food (meeting Eric and Nicole) and then home to the motorhome for a restful nights sleep. But oh, no - that is not to be. Storms and rain, rain, rain pelting on the coach - All night long. We understand there was 7 inches of rain in our area and roads were closed. Hello Chicago. Add to this day the Cubs beat the Cards. wow

Now I'm 62!!

Back home in time to celebrate #62 with family. The daughters and granddaughters prepared a meal and made a 62 cake!!That's all you need in life- family and a little cake. We always miss JD but know he cannot just drive home anytime.

The granddaughters are fantastic. They keep everything lively.



Baby Chris will make his presence known next year, I am sure.

Brother Dale and kids Joe and Emily were here from Oregon, Mark, Ginnie and Lynsay, Bobby and Judy also helped celebrate. Such a wonderful birthday.

Back Home

And so our trip to the Black Hills has ended. We are back home in Illinois and after only a few days, we were ready to go again. The hot weather (90's) in S.D. is certainly different than the 90 with 105 index in Illinois. I never really felt hot in S. D.
On the way home we reviewed our trip and what the highlights were. We both agreed that the scenery met our expectations and more. Like the needles scenic view and this eye of the needle tunnel. Next, we loved Custer Park and being among the buffalo, burros, prairie dogs, deer, horses etc. We were both in awe of Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Stugis and Keystone were probably our favorite small towns with Deadwood close behind.
Another neat discussion centered around the campgrounds at the KOA in Rapid City. We enjoyed the neighbors who came and went during the four days we were there and hearing their travels and experiences. I had my best visit in the laundry with the nicest lady I have met in a long while and I really enjoyed the dad with 3 young kids in the showers. He had his hands full!!!
This was just such a great trip. You really meet special people in the RV parks.

Traveling

Sunday, Today is a day of travel. We are headed home. We left the hills, passed the badlands and watched the level scenery of SD pass as we made our way back to the KOA in Mitchell. We like the campground a lot, and have made friends with the staff. We learned a lot from the owners about taking care of the black and grey tanks and RVing in general. We visited with our neighbor campers and it seems that the conversations do not center around who you are or what you do but instead the questions are "where are you going?, where are you from?, where have you been, what are you driving?, mileage, interesting places, etc." It is so nice to have conversations about this great country and to see all the travelers. We stopped at a Flying J to get propane and gas, clean the windows, check the air pressure, have breakfast, go to the bathroom, etc. You should have seen the travelers - campers, motorhomes, 5th wheels, pop-ups, conversion vans, etc. Not to mention all the tow vehicles, different kinds and different ways of towing. It's really another world of adventure.
We ate in the RV- hamburgers on the griddle with hash browns, tomatoes, corn on the cob (steamer). So good. We enjoy the camping and I am including a picture of our hook-ups. I'm still having trouble with the videos.

The Badlands and more buffalo

Saturday - Today was great. We traveled to the Badlands and Rick's comment was "boy, this is as spectacular as the Rockies". What we really loved was the numerous colors- like a rainbow of sorts - that were evident in the landscape. Again, we took the top off the jeep so we could see up as we entered the loop with the high rock structures. There were rattlesnake signs and I was like many of the children - watching very carefully for the sound of a rattle. The grass waved in the wind and had it's own melody - and we understand the importance the wind plays in these hills. We went back to the RV for a nap - watched a storm come through- and then headed out to Keystone to get some gifts - for whom???? - and took another scenic route through Custer. More buffalo - this time the babes were frolicking and running around bothering all the others. Two young bulls were head to head and old buffalo were snorting and getting the kids back in order. It was storming and so all the buffalo were on the move and we watched for a long time. I loved it. In keystone we watched a 'gun-shoot out between a bartender and Wild Bill- and it was fun. The kids were scared at the sound of the guns but laughing at the actors.
Back at "home", we did the laundry and prepared for departure. We are sad to leave and yet happy to head back. I hate leaving the hills. This was a cycle/crossover that we thought would be a good ride. Rick thinks only around $40,000. Needless to say, there were many lookers whereever he went.

Devils Tower - Wyoming

Friday - Today we traveled 100 miles to Wyoming (a state I knew I would love) to see Devil's Tower, which is really Bear Tower to the Native Am but was changed by a white man, and again, the sacredness of the Black Hills surrounds us. We hiked around the mountain (1.3 miles) and it was up and down and scary and fun. Rick and I had to stop and sit now and then but we trudged along. At various places there are prayer bundles tied to the trees and bushes. We had nothing to tie so Rick plucked one of my hairs and we left that with a prayer for our family and friends. Toward the end of the trail and after going UP another time, I let out an expletive and Rick is not sure if my consecrated prayer will stand. Sorry. Thoughout the trail you were told to stay on the track because the ground was considered sacred by the Native Americans and so, even the small children stayed on the trail. It was neat. We also watched climbers- Rick was fascinated. I guess there was a conflict between climbers, hikers and the Native Am because of the holes put in the tower to climb and the chance of littering and going off trails by the visitors. There is a sort of compromise going on now. At the top of the trail the wind is soothing and the world is so still and quiet. I can see how the tower is a national monument and why the Native Americans return each year in June to celebrate their rituals. We loved this trip and seeing the red rock of Wyoming. You can go to http://www.devilstower.net/ to see the monument. On a side note, Rick and I were walking, holding hands (as support) and he stumbled on a rock and I grabbed his hand to help and we had to stop because he thought I broke his thumb!!!! It was so funny and I had a hard time catching my breath for the laughing. Again, not so much laughter from Rick. Ha. At the base of the tower were prairie dogs - so many of them - I took a video for the girls - but cannot get it to load. I will do that tonight. Love you all.

Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse

Today Thursday, was the day I was waiting for. To see the buffalo at Custer State Park. We loaded up, took the top off the jeep, and headed to the park. I said to Rick, "if I don't see a buffalo today can we come back tomorrow?" Around the next curve was a herd of over 200 buffalo snorting, rolling in the dirt, excreting and eyeing the cars. I loved it. They were crossing the road whenever they wanted and we watched for a long time. They were close enough for my comfort level. We also saw burros who came right up to the cars to get a bite to eat. We saw deer and prairie dogs and the prettiest country ever. Hills and hairpin curves, lookouts, rock structures,trees, burned forest areas, lakes, horses, cabins, rv's, etc. We traveled the needle eye scenic view and were breathless. No radio or noise, just the sounds of the birds, wind and nature. It was so still sometimes that we would whisper. We think God did a good job here in South Dakota's black hills. Next, we stopped at Crazy Horse. I loved this place. It was so sacred. The lives of the past were everywhere. One statement that Crazy Horse made was "Each person is a spiritual being living a human experience". I thought that was the perfect quote for how we should live. We absolutely loved this spot and wonder if our kids will visit there when it is complete, since it might not be in our lifetime. Next to Mt Rushmore which is all they say it is. We were not disappointed. But now we are tired and we travel home to the rv, cook out porky burgers, corn and carrots, have a salad and a drink by the fire and retire. Rick says we have to be up early. A funny. I am driving the jeep and go over a curb where I think it is a drive - Rick is like 'my God' and I start laughing and almost wet my pants and have to pull over because I can't see or drive because I am laughing and coughing - he is like holding on to the dash and thinks nothing is at all funny - which makes me laugh more and this goes on for over 5 minutes. Then he says 'what the hell is wrong with you' and I start all over again. I finally get under control. The reason I laugh is his face - utter disbelief - so funny.
I have links if you click on the titles of the blogs. Love you all. Mary

Rapid City

Wednesday- rain last night and the back camera monitor is not working bringing us a little stress. We need to see the jeep behind us. We have our first meal out at a Pilot truck stop and hit the road to Rapid City. I use the internet and phone during travel to conduct work issues. About an hour into the trip, the camera and fans begin working - we think the wires got wet in the storm.
We stop to eat in Wall, SD, at this big Wall-Drug-and join the tourist looking at junk. We love watching the young families with kids and remember the good times with ours and then hear the crying, and bickering, and laugh thinking we really don't miss that part. In one store, a young dad was buying 3 very young boys pop-guns-with lots of popping and shooting from the kids. We wondered how long they would have those guns.
We are at the KOA- another really nice, really big, campground. Breakfast every morning - really cheap- and clean facilities. We sat up and then went for a ride to a nearby chuckwagon/antique mall and had such fun. Rick could remember the cream separator, corn pickers, a real"ice-box", and old coffins. We saw where Dancing with Wolves was filmed and decided the surroundings were perfect for that. Then we went to Keystone for more tourism - and watched the steam engine set for travel. We will travel on that, for sure.
Back home and we eat a balogna sandwich and go to bed. So tired. Tonight I missed my family, said a prayer for them and went to sleep.

Awning mistake

So we get the new awning - but it is RED!!!! We got a call today that our new awning is here - that it is brown - the color of our coach.
We have yet to watch tv. There has been no antenna signal and we have not been in a campsite with cable. Can't even check out the tv's. But we have had good conversation and the radio - cannot complain one bit.

Mitchell, SD

This is Tuesday and Rick's first official day of vacation. I did not get a breakfast on a grill - but instead - an oatmeal/raisin breakfast bar!! So far, we have not bought any food, we are eating all of our meals in the camper. Traveled another 5 hours today and arrived in a neat KOA park in Mitchell, SD around 2. Took a nap and then went to see the corn palace, got some popcorn, washed the filthy jeep, and came back for pork steaks and corn on the grill. A tornado warning was issued and we were told where to go for protection. Of course, Rick sat outside to watch the sky. We have missed the storm so far - more is predicted tonight. Probably, an RV is NOT the place to be in a severe storm. Into Rapid City tomorrow. Can't wait.

On to the Black Hills

Our summer trip and first long-time trek in the RV began today as we drove from llinois to Nebraska City, Ne. The trip was uneventful -thank you Lord - and took a little over 5 hours. Scenery was a little like Illinois but the panoramic view in the RV makes the sky look bigger and bluer and the clouds more colorful than usual.
We are staying at the Victorian Acres - a nice campground for 24 dollars. Tonight we had our first barbeque - used the smokey joe and had hamburgers, steamed potatos, carrots and corn on the cob with slaw, tomatoes and onions. Sooooo good. No wine or candles but we pretended with a small light, beer and soda.
We have turned in early tonight - got to get going early tomorrow - says Rick. But I am hoping for a cookout breakfast. We'll see.

TOO Much WIND!!!

April 30th, a Friday, and we are off to St. Louis to stay at the Casino Queen RV Campgrounds and see a Cardinal game.  Within 3 miles of our house, we turn off the highway, catch a 45 mph windgust and the awning starts banging around.  It had come unattached.  What was scary was that Rick was on the roof of the coach in the high winds, with semi’s roaring by.  Patrick met us and we turned the coach around and came home to tie the awning as securely as we could.  We went to the game in the Honda – got a Cardinal snuggly- and left in the 6th inning because of torential rain and a tornado warning.  Two hours later and we watched the end of the game on the tv in the living room. 

Just another ‘thing’ – TV viewing

So now that we have our new tires on the Allegro bus, we are ready for summer trips. Well not quite.  We thought a simple task would be setting up the King dome satellite to the new TV in the bedroom and older TV up front.   First bit of bad news - the DISH receiver installer tells us there is no  module in our bus - it has been stripped.  So we go to see Jim, at  Coleman.  He has a little more news, that the old TV is analog so we will need a digital to analog tv converter box and then we need to install the control module (on order) and then we will be ready to watch tv on our travels.   We have decided to forgo the DISH at this time and rely on cable and digital antenna services.    It will be nice to have the option.  We delivered the converter box on Sat. and will wait for a call this week about the process and the dreaded bill.

New Tires – Peace of Mind

Our Allegro bus now has new tires.   We had a hard time finding the date on our tires but the one we did find read ‘05-00’.  So we knew some of the tires were too old.  Neal Tire put the new Michelin tires on and told us the inside tires were either ‘00 or 02’ and some were cracked.   We are much relieved to know we will be touring America on new tires. 

Our First Campsite

So our first 'campsite' experience was on April 2nd - a Friday. We left J'ville at 3:30 and traveled to Pittsfield before the rain started. It poured on us from Pittsfield - over the narrow bridge at the Missouri line - into Osage Beach in the Ozarks. We pulled into the campsite, plugged in the motorhome, called Bob Farmer, changed out of wet clothes and went to bed - tired, cold and wet!!
We got up the next morning and plugged in all the necessary hook-ups - went for breakfast with new friends - David and Mary Brown from Iowa - and traveled over the beautiful hills and lake of the Ozarks.
We came home on Sunday so we could be here when our new grandson made his appearance.
We now know how to set up and take down a campsite. We are experienced RV'ers!!!!

Finally - our motorhome

After many years of discussion, searching and planning for our travel adventures and checking out the advantages of many types of rv's - we decided on the Allegro bus. We also decided to start simply - basic needs with basic comfort - and discover if this is the life for us. So, we bought a 1998 Allegro bus and had it recarpeted, an old couch and headboard removed, and a new flat screen tv installed in the bedroom.

Our purchase was made in Atlanta, Georgia and our first trip was a drive home to Illinois in March of 2010. The fun begins.