Grand Tetons

We have been in the Jackson Hole area for three days and have really enjoyed the beautiful setting. An extra special blessing was camping next to some fellow Sojourners, John and Linda Terry. It was fun to share a meal and get to know each other. They were at Camp Bee last October but it is hard to really get to know people when everyone is new. They are headed to the same sojourn in Longmont that we are, so it looks like we have three weeks together and are excited about meeting the other sojourners that are new to us.

The Grand Tetons are every bit as grand as people have expressed. The Lord has created a beautiful world and every day we can still be amazed. In the morning we are moving south to Bear Lake. Still haven’t seen any bears but after hearing about another man found in Yellowstone dead from a bear, I think I’m ok without seeing one in the wild!

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone Park is an amazing place to see. What we didn’t realize was the different landscapes that the park presents. We entered from the East and came through a pass that looked over Yellowstone Lake. There were lots of standing dead trees that we assumed was caused by the beetle. Then the green expanse of fields and pine trees took over as we came down the pass. Driving on the west side on our way to Old Faithful, was rolling hills with rivers and even a waterfall. Then the hot springs started showing up. Old Faithful is the most reliable geyser but there are many over the park area. When we drove the north loop it was more mountainous with beautiful valleys. The cliff sheep and bears are more in that area, but we didn’t see any. We got our fill of buffalo and did see a few elk. Also pronghorn antelope were numerous. We dry camped one night in Yellowstone park before moving the camper to a park outside near West Yellowstone.

Ten Sleep to Cody Wyoming

Drive through the passNear campsite in Ten Sleep

Cody
We left the area of Rushmore and Devils Tower and headed to Cody, Wyoming. The drive was so beautiful we decided to stop in a small town called Ten Sleep for the evening. We just missed a music festival that was ending that night. Next day we drove on into Cody where it still has a western town feel. Must be all that Wild Bill exhibits that are everywhere. The museum was worth the money and was very well done. The Irma hotel and restaurant was famous and named after his daughter.

Mt. Rushmore and Devils Tower

Sturgis
Mt. Rushmore
Devils Tower

Powder River Pass
We were glad to have stayed off the beaten path when we chose Hot Springs SD for our few days in this area. We did not look at the dates of Sturgis! Motorcycles everywhere. I did not realize that it involved the whole northwest corner of SD for this event. They were like ants, black ants, invading all the towns surrounding Sturgis. I don't think I ever have or ever will see as much chrome and black leather as I have the past few days. We enjoyed Mt. Rushmore and took the drive through the wildlife loop and saw lots of animals. The Crazy Horse memorial was interesting and will be amazing once completed. After moving to the parking lot of the Spearfish church of Christ in Spearfish, SD we drove over to Devils Tower and took that drive. We were blessed to share worship with the congregation in Spearfish. Evidently they had just returned from their week long bible camp in Deadwood and had a mountain top experience. One couple we met were inactive Sojourners. The Village church of Christ had helped fund the beginning of this work. It looks like the Lord is blessing them. We took off after services to drive to Cody WY but enjoyed the Powder River Pass so much that we stopped in Ten Sleeps to have a nights sleep before continuing on to Cody. So much beauty to see! gail

South Dakota

Badlands
Corn Palace (made from corn cobs)

We have spent the last few days in South Dakota. We spent a few days in Sioux Falls visiting the falls and some Sojourning friends. We had to do a few repairs to the RV but were on our way again Wed morning. We spent last night in a small Mom and Pop campground just outside of Badlands National Park. This morning we took several hours to slowly make a 35 mile loop through the park. It was awesome! Some scenes looked like they belonged on Pluto. Otherworldly appearance!

We also took a tour this morning of a Minute Man nuclear warhead launch site. Most have been decommissioned since the treaties signed with the USSR back in the early 90’s but we still have 450 pointed over the North pole at various spots. It was definitely a man thing but Gail was a good sport as always.

We are now in the Black Hills area and tomorrow will visit Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and several other scenic spots. They have a big herd of buffalo I am excited to see so will try to take photos for a future blog. This is also bike week in Sturgis so there are bikers everywhere! Didn’t plan on this one!

Catching up!

Sorry we have not posted blogs lately. Not sure who is really interested anyway but here goes! We were very active in Michigan with Rick's sister, Brenda, husband, Jim, and brother, Roger. We first went to a lake and took two days pontooning around while camping at the state park. We went fishing in Lake Michigan and caught enough for a wonderful fish fry that Jim cooked. Then Roger, Rick and I took off a weekend to train to Toronto from Detroit to ride bikes around the city and watch the Rangers play baseball. The last weekend we all went to the Detroit to cheer for both the Rangers and the Tigers, well all except Rick! Now we have traveled to Chicago, where I got to have a wonderful visit with my high school friend, Joni Snyder Bingham, and see the city by one of those hop on, hop off, bus tours. We left Chicago and stayed one night in Des Moines, Iowa and now we are in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Whew! We are having nice travels and no real problems. We did buy four new tires today with the help of Les Hawkey and his wife Dixie who are fellow sojourners. It was nice to share breakfast with them. Our plan now is to head to the Mt. Rushmore area in the Black Hills and see what is going over there. I will try to post pictures in a more timely manner! gail