Kentucky

We got up this morning got with our host. Made fun of him for not bringing our firewood last night. Then we walked over to pay our account when he told us about Barbara having a birthday so we sang Happy Birthday to her before we paid. After that we walked around the fort and watched the tug boats working in the river. 

We headed out taking the scenic drive down to TN and across the Northern part of the state. We stopped for lunch in Paris at their park which had its own Eiffel tower. We were looking for a campground after we left Clarksville and didn't find one until we got to Galleton. We stayed at Bledsoe Creek SP.  We ended up spending the evening talking with some people that had a fifth wheel Escape trailer.

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Arkansas

We got up Sunday and drove to Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. We took hwy 10 to 49 to 62 to 14. Pretty drive through the mountains of Arkansas. We entered the Buffalo National River and camped at Buffalo Point. Very nice campground along the river. During our walk through the campground we saw an Armadillo which is Lora's first. 

Monday we got up and hiked the 3.5 mile Indian Rockhouse Trail. Lots of stuff to see. Sinkhole Icebox, Waterfall, Old Zinc Mine, Natural Bathtub, Sculpied Bedrock, and the Rockhouse itself. After the hike we drove to Rush, an old ghost town. There are several structures there and some discriptions of others. We drove down to the canoe put in to see it. After lunch we hiked the campground trails including the overlook. Then we set up the hammock for a restful afternoon reading. We visited with the Rangers when they stopped by and took another short walk after dinner before getting our campfire going. First campfire in a while between the heat and the no fires allowed. We saw a turtle, deer, millipede, and butterflies.

Tuesday we got and headed East. We finished our drive around the Ozark National Forest and headed back to 62 which we followed out of Arkasas, through Missouri, and into Kentucky. As we crossed the Mississippi traffic came to a halt. Cars were turning around and heading back. One stopped by and told us that a wide load was coming through and they didn't close the bridge first. We had to back our camper back off the bridge and off to a side parking lot to let them through. A guy was vidioing me backing and was quite proud that I could back as fast as he was driving forward. Then there was construction on the bridge going over the Ohio River. We finally made it to our campground Columbus Belmont SP. This is a very nice campground with a good view of the Mississippi. It is also the site of an old fort. 

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New Mexico and Oklahoma

Wednesday we got some pictures and headed out. We decided to head into New Mexico and cross over to Oklahoma. We stopped in Trinidad for supplies and then took 25 south into New Mexico. There was construction on the way in with no welcome sign for Lora's picture. We got off 25 and took 72 to 456. We stopped at the Sugarite Canyon SP which had a sign stating if you are not from NM then don't come in. After driving out 456 past Folsom we found out that the road turned to dirt and gravel. Well we were getting low on fuel as well and continued on. Then we found the road was closed due to a bridge out and we ended up taking another dirt road out 35 miles to pavement heading toward Clayton. We made it to Clayton to get fuel and we did get to see a Roadrunner. Our camper was a little rearranged on the inside from all the jarring and everthing was covered in dust. We ate lunch in Clayton and then headed on to Oklahoma. We stayed in the Black Mesa SP for the night. We got there early enough to relax by the creek and cool down. We even got some laundry done. 

Thursday we got up and did a hike around the park and did their one trail, the Vista Trail. Short and sweet with views of the campground and lake. After that we headed East following Hwy 64. Not much in Oklahoma and no phone signal between towns. We camped at Great Salt Plains SP. When we got there we were the only ones. We checked to see if the electric and water were turned on before we set up. Later people started pulling in.

Friday we got up and drove to the Great Salt Plains where people dig for hour glass shaped gems. After that we toured our joining campgrounds with views of Great Salt Plains Lake and river. We spent the afternoon on the shore line. When I went for a swim, I found out that you can pretty much walk across the lake.  

Saturday morning we got up and headed East. We took 64 to 60. We stopped in Ponca City to see the Pioneer Woman Statue, Standing Bear Park, and the Marland Mansion. We made it to Copan Oklahoma and stayed at the Washington Cove campground. When we got to our campsite, someone else was still there. We decided to ask and of course they thought that they had another night, but would move out. Instead of waiting on them we moved to another site. This campground is very nice with it being on Copan Lake which was another of those shallow lakes, but pretty. We saw deer as we walked the many loops of the campsite.

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Rocky Mountains

We found a place to stay West of Berthoud through Hipcamp named "Farmland with Mt. Views". All parks and national forests were booked solid and one again no place to boondock. Sandra was extremely nice and had a really nice place. Marjorie and Zep got there about the same time as we did. We had lunch and then headed to Estes Park and hiked the Button Rock Preserve. A beautiful hike through the mountains to a reservoir. Lora provided entertainment by a snake encounter. A very large snake jumped off a rock and landed on the trail between Marjorie and Lora. There was an extremely high pitched scream, the thump of the snake hitting the ground, and then the slithering with hands over his ears under a rock. Lots of laughs for sure. Back at the camper we enjoyed dinner and visited under the stars.

Saturday we headed back to Estes. The Rocky Mountain National Park was doing a time release permit to get into the park. Should have looked ahead. So we desided to hike into the park to see it. So we started at the East Portal and hiked to Sprague Lake. We heard the Elk buggling and finally came up on five doe lying by the trail. At the lake we saw the bull coming out of the water and moving on. From Sprague Lake we continued on to Bear Lake. We ate lunch at the lake with a small chipmunk trying to steal our food. Then we had a bird join him sizing us up. Lots of people at the lakes, but few on the trails. On the way back we hiked the Wind River trail. Around 14 miles of hiking. We relaxed at the camper and had a good meal.

Sunday we got up and took the canoe to Carter Lake which is another reservoir and did some paddling. We did most of the length of the lake and then came back for lunch. After lunch Marjorie headed back home and Lora and I did the Peak to Peak drive along the Rockies. We started at Estes Park and went down to Black Hawk. Lots of mountains and pretty scenery but no wildlife. We ate dinner in Evergreen at a park and then drove back through Boulder on the way back. We did see some Elk on the way back.

Monday we got up and headed to Denver. Marjorie gave us a tour of the place she is staying and the area. It used to be the old Lowry AFB. They still have some old hangers there and a B-52 on a stick. It gave me flashbacks of working on them. Lora and I headed South after that. We stopped in Monument for lunch and then drove on to the Garden of Gods Park in Colorado Springs. Really cool place to visit. Lots of rock formations. From there we headed on to Divide by Pike's Peak to camp in the National Forest. 

Tuesday This morning we drove scenic Hwy 24. We saw several mountains: Thirty-Nine Mile 11,593, Saddle 10'794, Trout Pass, West Buffalo 13,340, and Past Pancha Springs Pass. Road construction kept us off Hwy 17. We were following Sangre De Christo Mts with 13-14 thousand foot Mts. In the valleys between the mountains we saw fields of campers and tiny houses. I guess this is the place to live off the grid, but I don't know why here. We got back on 17 after the 112 detour for the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Didn't want to ski the sand or hike up the dunes. It was hot and too much sand for us. They have the highest dunes in the US. We followed the scenic route with miles and miles of plains to Walsenburg. From there we drove to Aguilar to find SWA Spanish Peaks. Got on 41.7 following GPS and Phone. We took a wrong turn that led up a mountain with steep rough dirt roads. There was a gate at the top so we had to back down to a turn around spot. A little hairy for sure. We decided to leave out the other way when we came across what we were looking for. We had a good night out in a beautiful canyon. We had some hunters for neighbors that were from Arkansas and Texas. We watched a lighting storm in the distance and the stars.

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Wind River Mts.

Well we pulled into the Twin Pines campground and saw the horse camper trailer knowing that it had to be Mike and Wendy's. We got the site next to them and waited their arrival. Actually we did laundry and cleaned up the car and trailer. Anyways it was great to get with them. They took us to town for dinner and their daughter Katlin joined us.

Tuesday we got with our friends again and they took us to watch some horse training at the Wyoming Catholic College before heading out to explore the Sinks Canyon SP. Their big thing is the Popo Agie river that disappears into a large cavern, the Sinks, and reappears a half a mile down stream i   n a trout filled pool, the Rise. It was pretty cool. We got to see a muskrat that kept swimming accross the Rise. From there we hiked to the Popo Agie Falls which was a mile and a half up the Popo Agie Canyon. We ate lunch at the falls and then headed back. From there we did the Loop Road which is a sixty mile trip through the mountains and canyons with lakes and rock formations. Beautiful scenery. 

Wednesday Happy Birthday to Lora! We left the Twin Pines CG drove into Lander to the City Park and found a spot to set up. Free campsite, no amenities except a bathroom. The toilet starts flushing as soon as you close the door, and if you wiggle on the seat it flushes and flushes. Very wasteful and then NO water in the sink to wash your hands. Hmmm. Time for a sightseeing tour. Red Canyon has really beautiful walls with a creek running thru it. We saw antelope and cows. The valley in the winter is the feeding ground for hundreds of elk. We were too early for that. We drove from gravel road to red dirt road, some ruts, washboard rough in places. We just prayed the last gate out would be open. It was. From there we traveled to the Carissa Mine and Mill closed to tours. On to Atlantic City to see the old western town. Historical buildings, just drove thru. On to South Pass City where we got tickets to walk thru the old town. State Historic Site. It's a cool place to visit, homes, jail, dance hall. saloons. Then on to Miners Delight, a ghost town. The biuldings here are not being restored, but are being supported with cables and poles. Different way to preserve. On the way past the first cabin we heard weird noises, may have been ghosts after all!

Afterwards back to town for dinner. After we had the birthday dinner we had birthday cake. After that we had to walk it off except we spent more time talking to neighbor campers than we we did walking. We didn't get very far before dark.

Thursday we got up and headed Southwest through Wyoming. We had lunch at a rest stop, supplies in Rawlins and hunting campsite in Laramie. We camped off 210 on BLM land with the cows. We went back to Laramie to tour before dinner. 

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Grand Tetons NP

It's Friday and time to move on. We drove through Yellowstone again on our way South to the Grand Teton NP. We stopped to see Lewis and Moose Falls on our way out of Yellowstone. We found our campsite on Grassy Lake Road and set up in time for lunch. After lunch we drove further into the park stopping at overlooks and Colter Bay Visitor Center. We took a side road in Oxbow Bend to the river access and saw where they used to have a log bridge crossing Snake River. Then we drove out Pacific Creek Road and up to Two Ocean Lake. No wildlife. We drove on to Signal Mountain and drove to the top for the views. Beautiful. Time to head back to the camper for dinner. After dinner we drove down Grassy Lake road to the hot springs trailhead and looked for wildlife. No luck there but we did see some mule deer on the way back.

Saturday we decided to hike Cascade Canyon. We started at Jenny Lake hiking around the lake and then to Hidden Falls and up to Inspiration Point. Ended up with thirteen miles in. Lot's of people on this popular hike. After we got into the canyon we saw three moose, a bald eagle, pika, chipmunks, and squirrels. Poor moose had lots of people waiting on them to do something special. Paparazzi everywhere. After our hike we relaxed and swam in String Lake. A lady next to us ended up losing a Croc in the mud at the bottom. We helped search. On the way back to the camper we drove by Oxbow Bend to see the bears. Oh my, what a mess of people. We just headed back to the trailer and got dinner in. While we were eating we got a visit from the Flagg Ranch Guy. Said that where we were camping was private property of the Ranch and that we would need to move on. Out to the parking lot with the rest of the homeless for the night. At least we got one night there. We talked to another couple that couldn't find a place to stay either from Denver. Told us a few places to check out on our way there.

Sunday we got up and headed back to String lake and hiked to Holly Lake up Paintbrush Canyon. 12.4 mile day. Not nearly as crowded and it was a beautiful canyon. It is a strenous hike 9410 feet. The only wildlife we saw were Pika, Falcon, chipmunks, and squirrels. We were exhausted after the hike. A quick dip in the lake to cool and clean off, dinner in the parking lot, and search for a camping spot. No luck. Ended up spending the night at a pull over spot. 

Monday we got up, visited the Mormans Row and the Church of the Transfiguration. Then we headed out to Lander to catch up with friends before they left. We are going to spend some time checking out the Wind River Range.

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Yellowstone NP

Today we headed West again. This time we were heading for Cody WY where we had reservations at a real campground. They are calling for snow on Monday so we wanted to be prepared and over the mountains. On the way down off the Longhorn Mountains we came across Shell Falls which a wonderful water fall in a canyon. We saw lots of antilope on the way across the plains.

After we got set up at Parkway RV Campground we headed on West to Yellowstone because we just couldn't wait. We came in the East enterance checking out Yellowstone Lake and then turning North on the loop road to see the Mud Volcano, Sulphur Caldron, and Hayden Valley. We took the South Rim Drive to see the upper and lower falls. Then we took the North Rim Drive to the Grand View followed by dinner at the Eatery. By then it was getting late and we returned to our campground. We saw buffalo, Elk, Deer, Antelope, and all sorts of birds.

Monday we walked the Paul Stock Nature Trail by the Shoshone River. We didn't see any bears that the sign said we should watch out for. Then we drove about 20 miles east of Cody to hunt for the wild horses. We found them at the McCullough Peaks Wild Horse Management Area. It's 110,000 acres and home to about 120 horses, said to have ties to the horses from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Tests have shown the horses may have a bloodline from the Cleveland Bay Breed, established by England's royal family. We saw four at one entrance road, then a herd of 23. Camera didn't do as well as the binoculars. What a sight to see! Driving back to Cody, the incoming storm wind gusts kept blowing the canoe loose on top of the Jeep. Had to stop a couple of times to tighten the straps. Then some shopping in Cody at Sierra Trading Post where Lora got her birthday present. Got back to camp in time for the rain/snow mix, some big flakes, mostly rain and cold wind gusts.

Tuesday we got up and hiked the Sheep Mountain Trail. It was a steep climb, started out a little muddy so our boots got heavier. There was a lot of snow on the trees and hillsides. The cliff walls were beatiful with snow on top. We were following someone's tracks with dog tracks too. In the meadow we met the Fish and Game officer with 6 dogs that were a little too happy to see us. He said he only went to the sheep herder's cabin, but we could go further into a bowl or hike up to the top of the mountain. After stopping at the cabin we hiked into the bowl but with all the snow, we couldn't see the trail. Lots of beautiful views. On the way down we had lunch at the campsite on the side of the mountain. Then we hiked another draw for some more beautiful views. On the way back into Cody we walked the Colter's Hell Trail, interpretive self guided. The Old Cody city was here but there was no room to grow and the sulfer spring stank, no easy way to cross the river. So they moved it. 

Went into Cody to see the Murals but the church was closed due to COVID. (eye roll). On to the Irma Hotel for the Wild Bunch gunfight. Got to watch Wyatt Earp, Butch and Sundance have a shootout. Very entertaining.

Wednesday we had to move campsites but the one we were moving to was still occupied so we parked out of the way, packed up for a day in Yellowstone. On the way in on the East Entrance Road we saw a grizzly. Further along the way just before West Thumb we saw a bull elk with a huge rack. We drove counterclockwise around the loop to see the big geysers. Old Faithful really put on a show. The others blew a lot of steam and some water but we missed their erruptions. In the Biscuit Basin we hiked to Mystic Falls. On the way back I heard a thump behind me, turned and found Craig on the ground. He just keeps falling for me. We drove the Firehole Lake Drive, lots of steam coming from the lake. Saw a coyote here. Then drove the Firehole Canyon Drive, following the narrow road along a canyon. Had a very small area to pull off to see Firehole Falls which was incredible. Then on to Gibbon Falls, Virginia Cascade, then to a picnic area called Otter Creek on the Yellowstone River for dinner. Hamburgers on the grill, and a nice couple from Californina to talk to. On the way back we saw herds of buffalo, some swimming across Yellowstone River (with lots of people standing on the riverside with cameras...) Saw a beaver in the river, lots of deer, one really nice one with a big rack at the entrance gate. Then saw a bear jam and stopped to see what everyone was looking at. Another grizzly, a big one, and a motorcycle got his attention and he stood on his hind legs to see it. Awesome site. We got to camp, hooked up our camper, moving into our new site.  

Thursday we went back to Yellowstone for some hiking. Elephant Back Trail was beautiful, a climb thru the forest to the top for views of Yellowstone Lake. Lots of switchbacks on this trail. Still no moose, or an elephant. Then on to Pelican Valley where the Grizzlys supposedly hang out in the valley. We saw none, but followed a couple with some bear spray. We did find currants and they were delicious. Lots of dusty walking in this meadow of wide open spaces. We did see some bison and some ducks on the creek.  

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Tongue River Canyon

We headed West this morning. We drove to the Devils Tower to check that out. We did the hike around the tower which was pretty impressive. We saw three different groups of climbers on the walls of the tower. I tried climbing just a little bit, but Lora told me to get down. From the there we continued West on 90 and made it to Tongue River Canyon just outside of Dayton WY. It is a beautiful canyon with about 6 campsites. We got one. After dinner we walked the road up the canyon and we also got to talk to the man that lives right across from our campsite. He has a house on the other side of the river. 

Friday morning we drove down to the end of the road and hiked the Tongue River Canyon Trail No. 002. It is a four mile one way trail that climbed out the far end of the canyon an into a large meadow where the animals feed during the winter. It was amazingly beautiful trail. After we got back, we ate lunch, did laundry, and then enjoyed the river for the afternoon. While sitting on the rocks in the river, Lora let out a scream. An otter was sneaking up on her. This is a wonderful place to camp for sure.

Saturday we loaded up and headed up the mountain to spend the day at Sibley Lake Recreation Area. While driving down Tongue River Road we saw a ring neck phesant. We climbed the mountain and found our lake. It was cooler on the top so we hiked the Prune Creek Loop looking for wildlife. After not seeing any we took the canoe out on the lake and ate lunch on the lake side. After a relaxing paddle, we went in search of the moose that we were told about. We found him laying down in the woods. 

We traveled a little farther West and explored Prune Creek off 193 hiking the trail off the end of the road. We saw a ranger on the trail and visited with him. Then we headed back to camp where we found that it was too hot, 100 degrees, so down to the river we went to cool down. We saw a mink along side of the river. It was a good wildlife day!

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Spearfish, SD

We got up this morning and decided to head North. This is the start of September and we are into our seventh week on the road. We took 385 up through the National Forest checking out sights along the way. We ended up driving into Deadwood to play tourist. We walked the town, the grave yard, and the streets. We watched the gunfight "The strange tale of David Lunt" in the street show and had an icecream to finish it off. If you have a camper park in the Welcome Center on the North side of town.

From Deadwood we drove through Lead which isn't really much. We did check out the ore mine museum and then on to Spearfish. The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is AWSOME! Cliff walls and waterfalls. We checked out the city park campground but $$$$ We headed up Forest Service Road 134 Tinton Road and found us a nice campsite not far in. We are at trail 8002 which we hiked this evening.

Wednesday we got up and did part of the bike trail 55 which is across the road from us. We drove on to Sturgis to check it out. I can see that they survive on the rallies. We walked the streets and then drove out to Bear Butte State Park. We checked out the lake and did a hike up the Butte. We saw Buffalo, a rabbit, and birds. We came back down and had lunch at the lake campground. 

On the way back to Sturgis we stopped for fuel. I heard music playing and sure enough they were having a Mustang rally next door. We had to check that out. Live band and lots of Mustangs. After watching the driving practice rounds we headed out, but didn't make it very far. We came across a creek next to the road with parking. The afternoon was spent enjoying the sun, the water, and scenery. We got some book reading time in too. Dinner back at camp.

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Black Hills

Sunday started out with saying goodbye to our neighbors who survived the storm with us at the Badlands. We headed West and found us a camping spot West of Custer off Forest Service Road 661K Wabash Spring Road. We drove up two miles to a clearing on the left in some pines. We set up and ate lunch. After lunch we drove back through Custer and into the park. We saw Buffalo, deer, and antilope. We drove up 16A to Mt. Rushmore and did the tour. Had a great time and enjoyed the park. 

On the way back we took 244 to 87 to Needles Hwy. Wow, if you ever come out here take the Needles Hwy. The Needles are a rock formation that they take you through including a few tunnels. Absolutly beautiful! We stopped at Legion Lake campground for a shower, Custer for some groceries, and headed back to camp. We enjoyed a walk after dinner as the temps dropped down in the 40's. Rain set in.

Monday morning we headed to Hell Canyon for a 5.8 mile loop trail. This is a really beautiful hike which I would recommend. The trail takes you through the bottom of the canyon to the far end and then you climb up the side and follow the top on the way back. Beautiful scenery. We got to see mountain goats.

After the hike we drove to see Crazy Horse without going in to the park. We stopped by the Stockade by the park with a very nice ranger that served in the Airforce. We ate lunch at the Stockade. After lunch we checked out a few lakes in Custer State Park before taking the Wildlife loop drive around the park. Part of the drive included going to the viewing tower on Mt. Coolidge where we have views for miles. We could see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, the Needles, the Badlands, and everything for miles. Durning our drive we saw Buffalo, Mountain goats, Longhorn sheep, donkeys, and deer. Then we walked the streets of Custer and caught dinner before heading back to the camper.

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