Rapid City, South Dakota We see more of Rapid City this morning as we start our day's activities headed to the Black Hills. Rolling hills of different shapes, sizes, and colors blanket the countryside. It was nice to take a very relaxing morning morning before headeing out, though now running later than we had expected to get our tour stops in. No worries. We will see what we are able to see and leave the rest for other planning. Bear Country USA What a treat this was! For the most part, the animals here live in a pretty natural habitat [View Full Entry]

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Boring Drive? NOT!! We were expecting a rather boring drive leaving Sheridan and heading over to Rapid City. Our expectations were not met. It was an absolutely stunning drive and the little stops just called to us such that we had to take a look. Our quick three and a half hour drive to Rapid City took six but at least the extra time taken was under our own control - not because of mountain driving at 25 mph. It was the Bighorn Mountains with snow capped peaks that kept creeping out behind the lower, pine covered mountains that drew our [View Full Entry]

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Much Needed Rest Today we declared a down day. This last week has been constant on-the-go. Also, for the first time, we have significant rain in the forecast - both here in Sheridan and the next two days at Mt. Rushmore where we plan to head from here. So, for today, we decided to stay in Sheridan, Wyoming, watch the Packer game, try to get through some pictures to share while getting some much needed rest. Oh those Packers! We were so hopeful that the Packers would hold out for the win but alas, they just couldn't do it, much to [View Full Entry]

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Trip Checkpoint We start the day tired and somewhat tempted to stay put for a day. However, as we do an overall checkpoint on weather and timing for the remainder of the trip, we find that we need to get through the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument today if we have any chance of seeing it in anything other than the rain predicted for tomorrow. We think about bypassing it altogether only because it is further north than we really need to go but a colleague of Rita's (Tad) had highly recommended it and we know it is one of those [View Full Entry]

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Planning is Key We begin today with one of our more difficult planning sessions. We have only one day to play with given weather predictions of rain, cold and potential snow within another day or two. We have many options from which to choose but we need to plan wisely so that we don't end up in the same position as last night - driving in Yellowstone, in the dark, without adequate lodging facility in range. We settle on heading up toward Mammouth Springs and around, then down toward the East Entrance of Yellowstone, heading to Cody where lodging will be [View Full Entry]

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Leaving Idaho Falls, Idaho We asked the hotel staff as we left this morning if they had any insights for touring Grand Tetons or Yellowstone National Parks. One had just been there the weekend before and excitedly gave us the places we should be sure to see. In addition, she questioned how we were getting there. She recommended we reroute to a different highway in order to see the Tetons from the back, not just the more popular front side. We note that it really wouldn’t take us any longer and she confirms it is a much more scenic route. We [View Full Entry]

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What a difference a day makes! Jerry was breathing better this morning so he took to the map and suggested a new route to investigate an area off the expressway on our way to Jerome, Idaho. It was a great ride. Gone were the blind turns, 25 mph speeds, and endless climbs and descents. These were rolling hills (or mountains) with a more normal road that had a yellow center line and other very clear markings. It was like our Wisconsin treks of yester-year where we took this county road, than that one, and oh, let's turn here. We could see [View Full Entry]

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Breakfast - What a Treat! We are simple people but even we don't expect to find breakfast such a wonderful event. In the town of enterprise however, it really was. We were referred to the Rough Ranger bar/restaurant as where the locals go to breakfast. We like experiencing the local places so off we went to breakfast. It was like going back in time to what we've understood to be the older West. When we walked in, it was basically, what are you waiting for? ...find a seat. So we sat. We asked for decaf coffee which they didn't have so [View Full Entry]

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Packers We did not post yesterday as there really wasn't much to post. We wanted to watch the Packer game and needed a down day anyway. So, we stayed a second night in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It is just outside of Spokane, Washington. A local helped us with the town's pronunciation (think of apple core, then duh, then lean - altogether core dah lean). We found Paddy's with help from the hotel staff where every football game is guaranteed to be on one of their TVs. Upon arrival, we found the local packer contingent donned with Packer [View Full Entry]

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Today is all that matters The day started trying to figure out what day it was and what time it was. Rita thought it was Friday. Jerry thought it was Saturday. The motel had one time, Rita another, and Jerry yet another. At least for the moment, we decided we really didn't care. Having lost all sense of date and time, one realizes how relaxed and outside of reality we are hovering. It is an unbelievable place to be. We realize we are acting like we have not a care in the world. That in itself is worth millions! So, we [View Full Entry]

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