SallyT

The Black Hills of South Dakota are completely different from what I expected. They are green, full of flowers and water -- I thought dry and not so green. Mount Rushmore is really inspirational -- and Crazy Horse is so HUGE that all four heads from Mt. Rushmore would fit in just his hair. Crazy House monument is being constructed by one family -- for the past 50 years! No federal funding. Went on to Deadwood and Stergis -- Thank GOD, I'm not going to be here 2nd week of August with 500,000 motorcyclists -- yes, I said FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND -- it is the 70th anuual reunion and there are cycles already coming in to get camping space. The hotel in Rapid City (26 miles away) said EVERY HOTEL in a 50 mile radius and ... read more

July 15th - July 16th Wow, many impressions of the "GREAT EMPTYNESS" that I had heard Northern NV called -- greener than I thought it would be (rabbit brush very green and sage brush gray green), more mountains that I thought -- not flat at all actually very pretty but no trees as far as you can see. N.Utah the same type of landscape until you get to SLC -- now you have trees for about 20 miles. Wyoming -- let me tell you, more empty than N. NV ever was. I actually think I saw more train cars that real cars-especially in WY. Boy, are there alot of freight trains (and LONG) in WY. No planted crops or signs of real civilization until almost the NB border and we get alfalpha and corn. I-80 is ... read more

Well, got up early this AM (thinking to beat the heat) and it was already 75 degrees at 6:30. Started out over Sonora Pass (9300 feet) and it was BEAUTIFUL. Lower elevations on the western side started with the rolling golden hills dotted with live oak (probably valley oaks). At higher elevations, started seeing huge lodge pole pines, redwoods and a few patches of aspen and purple lupine at about 4000 feet still in bloom. Fast and furious water filled creeks and waterfalls rushing down the rocks along the side of the road -- and of course bright blue, BLUE skies. Temperature was a respectable 65 - 75 degrees. And NO cars! Saw only three other cars the entire 60+ miles over the crest. And Kennedy Meadow -- wow, what a wonderful place to camp or ... read more

I never realized how BIG the central portion of the US really is. Driving 8 hours a day, it will take me 6 days to drive from Virginia City, NV to Zionsville, IN. Initially, I am planning on stopping in Salt Lake City, Cheyenne, WY, spend some time in the Bad Lands of South Dakota (Mt. Rushmore, Crazyhorse Monument, Deadwood, and the Dinesaur National Park. My Friends Simon and Patti Bretherton may fly in to meet me for this leg. We'll stay in Rapid City, SD.... read more