Update from South Sioux City, NE

Nacho here, just wanting to let you know that after much nagging from me, Mom has finally gotten around to loading some pictures from our last day in the Black Hills.  So without much input from me, (because I didn't get to go) here is her report.   I promise to do a better job on making sure Mom is making blog posts on a more timely basis.  She's gotten lazy now that she's retired.  :)

Also, since she hasn't posted a picture of me lately, here I am making sure the Bison do not get too close to our truck. 

Candy here taking over from the Bossy Boy!! :) 

On the 4th of July, Dave surprised me by reserving an ATV for 1/2 day exploring the National Forest in the Black Hills.  (He is so NOT into ATVs or motorcycles).  So bright and early on the 4th we drove over to a campground, about 13 miles away, to arrive by 8 a.m. to get outfitted and prepared with a side by side Polaris. I was extremely apprehensive, not about ATVing itself, but doing it for the first time in a very HILLY area instead of in a flat area.  So after getting fitted with helmets and direction on how to use the ATV, we set off on a county road.  The outfitter had told us this was a good route for a first timer and that their ATVs were licensed for road use.  They had directed us to a lake about 4 miles away that we could drive around a bit and get used to the ATV.  After about 45 minutes, I was feeling a bit more confident (I was driving), so we headed back to the camp where we could access the trails into the National Forest.  As we headed back it started to rain, so when we arrived back we went inside to dry off a bit and have some breakfast.  The lady at the campground, makes huge cinnamon rolls and sells, so we helped ourselves to one each.  Very good!!! After consuming those and coffee, drying out a bit and getting additional advice on where to go, we headed out again. 

The trails ranged from gravel road to barely discernible tracks through grassy pastures to steep, very rocky uneven dirt.  We traveled about 58 miles round trip.  The scary part wasn't the trails, but due to the rain we experienced on and off for about 2 1/2 hours was that our National Forest map with all the trails completely fell apart!  28 miles out and not sure how to get back!!!   Luckily and with good foresight, Dave had brought along his Garmin.  Now, I don't always trust the Garmin as it has led us astray a few times, but it recognized the trails!!!!  So with guidance from it and the compass on my phone we found our way back.   It was an awesome experience and we were able to view some areas we would never have had the opportunity to see otherwise.  I think I could enjoy ATVing and Dave agreed!!! 

Up a steep hill

Drenched and map too!

Nice gravel portion

Steep trail down, though not too rough

Hmmm, not sure about doing this in the rain.  :(



 

 

Dave is enjoying himself!  

 

Getting gas before returning it.

 

 

After returning to the trailer, resting for a while, having some lunch and walking around the Rafter J Bar campground to exercise the pups, we headed back into Rapid City.  Dave had promised me, since all my wedding rings were cut off of me this last year, that he would replace them with a wedding band of Black Hills gold.  So off we went to shop for a new ring.  I found one we both liked and I love it!!!  Thanks Honey!!!!!  Now I am legal again!! :)

 

 

 

Later, after a bite to eat, we drove to Mount Rushmore to observe their 4th of July ceremony.  Fireworks are not allowed due to the extreme drought.  The ranger gave a very emotional and thought provoking talk on the history of the four presidents, their contributions to our Country and how our Country is affected today.  I was quite moved by the talk.  A young group of high school students traveling across country from SC to CA for a music festival were seated in the rows in front of us.  All of them were dressed in various versions and extremes of Red, White and Blue.  It was heartening to listen to them and watch them; they were very PRO-American!!!  Hurray!!!!

 

 

As the skies darkened the Presidents were lighted, the Flag was waving and the Ranger invited all the present and former Military to the stage to participate in the Flag lowering ceremony and to be recognized.  All the comments made were so encouraging for Love of our Country; in today's political climate it was refreshing to hear.

 

 

 

The next morning after our usual chores, we started back to Iowa, arriving the next day at Saylorville Lake near Des Moines.  Staying there for a couple days allowed us to see Mary, Steph and Dan and celebrate Mary and Dave's birthdays together.   I am so looking forward to living closer to all of them and having the chance, we hope, to see them more than once every couple months or so.

 

Here's a view of our campsite at Prairie Flower on Saylorville Lake. 

 

 

 

And so ends our 5 week adventure!!!  It was enjoyable and reconfirmed that we love traveling, exploring this beautiful Country, meeting new people along the way and loving our Airstream!!!  We are blessed!!!