South Dakota - 4 presidents - 1 Indian - Custer State Park - Black Hills Park

After crossing through Wyoming, we went to KOA campground near Mt. Rushmore National Memorial for a few days. To see these four presidents (up close as they say) was impressive, and the movie about its creation and the sculptor, Glutzon Borglum is very educational. After many years, this is still a big tourist attractions among Americans and visitors worldwide.

sunrise in South Dakota

walkway of flags

Also nearby is the memorial for Crazy Horse, which is a work in progress (a nonprofit, educational and cultural project funded by donations) to preserve the heritage of North American Indians. Another fascinating tour.


work in progress

look when finished

  One day took a drive to Custer State Park to view wildlife - especially bison. Well we saw birds, a squirrel, a deer, and about a dozen donkeys (which were being feed by many humans)

, we started laughing at our inability to find the bison. Skip swears they take a day off. We decided to take a side tour  through the Needles area of the park. This route takes you up and down and lots of switchbacks through beautiful rock formations (some call cathedral sphires). On the way, guess what - resting on the side of the road was a bison - finally - we were not the only ones out taking pictures.

one of the tunnels you drive thorugh

Hope to see more when we reach Yellowstone. 

Pictograph Caves are outside Billings, MT. These caves contain writings (pictures) which was the form of communication. Two of the caves were closed due to repair. Pictures are difficult to see due to age and environmental conditions, but were interesting. One tourist offered to take our picture, and her son just wanted to be in photo. Afterwards we went into Billings for lunch. It being a Sunday, it seemed only restaurants and a few stores were open. Skip and I couldn't get over how quiet it was in town.

inside of cave

Skip, I, and new friend

one of the few drawings that can be seen

copies of imprints on walls in caves

one of caves (closed for repair)

walkway to cave




 

MONTANA - BIG AND BEAUTIFUL

Left Idaho and headed to Missoula, Montana for a few days.

We stayed at the Missoula KOA just outside of town. Beautiful area - lots of green, rolling mountains around us. The Bison National Refuge area is just outside of town. The drive through the reserve is about 19 miles with lots of switchbacks that bring you up 2,000 feet and back down. A challenging drive - on this day you also needed binoculars to see the bison. They were all up on the mountains - a great drive anyway.

Thumper on hunt for bison

part of Rocky Mountains

small dots - are bison

Later we took a ride out to one of the local wineries - Ten Spoons Vineyard and Winery.

  Rain passed so we spent went into Missoula. Skip needed to find a gun shop. Not to hard in these parts of the woods. We stopped for lunch at the Iron Horse Brewery and Pub. There were tables outside. Beautiful day after the past few of rain.  

  

We had planned to go to Glacier National Park but the main scenic road was still closed in parts due to snow. With the crazy weather in the northern states, Skip decided to head to South Dakota. Afterwards, we will head back towards Yellowstone National Park and Grand Tetons. We got on I-90 east and started heading east. Montana is one big state. We went through a thunderstorm which we could see 20 miles away, and areas of gusty winds hitting the motorhome.

leaving Missoula

heading east

heading into thundestorm

back into blue skies and clouds

After 6 hours, we stopped in Billings for a couple of days at Yellowstone River RV Park. 

Spent a few days in Idaho (panhandle area). In Coeur d'Alene there was a huge car show called Car d'Alene. Cars were parked all the way up Main Street and on the side streets. There had to have been at least 2,000 cars for everyone to view.

seaplane at dock near beach

beach area

There was also an auction tent with people sitting and standing all around to see what cars were up for sale. The town of Coeur d'Alene is beautiful. Great restaurants and lots of shops to browse around.











Afterwards, we head east to Kingston, Idaho and stayed at Country Lane B&B and RV Resort. The campground is located about 8 miles from the highway. We met Peggy Morris, the owner. We camped along the river and Peggy said we would probably have the campground to ourselves. It was great. Thumper could run all around. We saw elk down the road and horses in the field and also crossing the river. There is also a restaurant and Peggy is the cook. Excellent food. Rib eye steaks were awesome!!! Had a great time with lots of wine and laughs!!!!!

Highway 90 in Idaho

our campsite

our river

sunset

Peggy Morris - owner/chef

We were planning to go to Glacier National Park, but part of the main road (Going to the Sun Road) is stilled closed due to snow. They hope to have it cleared by next week according to their website; instead we headed to Missoula, Montana for a few days, then onto Yellowstone National Park. Beautiful country.

Met Sarah in downtown Seattle for the afternoon. I have known Sarah for many years since she is the daughter of my retired boss, John. It was great to catch up on what is going on in the Milici family.  We had a great day - We went on the Underground Tour of Seattle (a funny historic tour of subterranean Seattle before Seattle rebuilt itself after the fire of 1889). Afterwards had lunch at the Irish Pub and took a ride to view some of the houseboats in the city. 




Sarah and I just before tour

underground with guide

few of the houseboats

Following day Skip and I went to the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (Lake Washington Ship Canal).  There are beautiful gardens to walk through on you way to the locks (commonly known as the Ballard Locks. These locks allow boats from the freshwater lake to travel through to Puget Sound. It is fascinating to watch large tugs and small craft maneuver through the locks.

Skip and Thumper getting explanation of  locks

tug going through lock

tour boat going through locks

great place to spend an afternoon

On our final day - Skip and I went to Bainbridge - which is one of the many islands to visit by ferry. You get a great view of Seattle from the water. After lunch at Café Nola (Skip had his steamed clams and I had my Dungeness crab), we walked around a few shops and headed back to Seattle. We really enjoyed Seattle. There is so much to see and do.





view of downtown Seattle from ferry

homes on Bainbridge Island

 

 

 

 

Leaving Seattle and after 8 months of heading west and the motorhome doesn't do well in water, we are heading east towards Idaho, Montana and wherever!!!!!