Crazy Horse and Needles Highway

After my post this morning we talked to Ann.  I didn't realize that my Abel was really sick.  I thought he was just depressed and missing me.  I am so grateful that Ann took him to the vet.  He is being treated for lyme disease.  I hate the fact that he is in pain!  We won't know for sure until his tests come back in a day or so, but he has all the classic symptoms!
Just after we heard from Ann, we heard from Seth that our tenants called him and let him know that last week during the heavy rains (17 inches) our basement flooded and they lost their furniture.  It seems we will need to replace the floors and maybe a foot or two of drywall up the walls.  I'm hoping the boiler and water heater can be saved.  My priority is to get the drywall out so that no mold grows.  They have been spraying things with bleach.

I am really glad to see that The Bardens posted!!  I would love to hear all about their honeymoon as well, (maybe not all)!

Well back to the rest of our day...
We went to see Crazy Horse, it was amazing.  I am awed by the vision and how it is taking shape.  I look forward to visiting again as it progresses.
We drove by Mt. Rushmore as well, we didn't go in because we did that the last trip.
After Crazy Horse we drove Needle Highway.  The pictures are posted below, absolutely beautiful.

 

 

In spite of the way the day started, Marty and I were able to have some fun and enjoy the views!

Not sure what is on the agenda for the next couple of days or whether we will have a wifi connection.
I will check back in as soon as I can.
Keep those comments coming...:)

Minnesota to South Dakota

We camped at a Kilen State Park in Minnesota.  Very nice, there were only like three campers there so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

The weather has been beautiful so far.  Almost feeling guilty, but not really!  Marty is always surprising me with nice gestures.  When I woke up he had picked some wild flowers and put them out on the table for me.

We packed up and headed for South Dakota.  I was driving so I stopped at a rest area/welcome center and I found an alternate route.  I found a road that ran along side of the highway so I decided that would be our route.  It took awhile to get to the Black Hills area, but it was worth it.  We ended up staying at a hotel/rv park for the night because it was easier.  Not a bad place, cheap.

Yesterday morning we headed to Custer State Park.  On the way we stopped at Bear Country USA.  I just love looking at the bears, I find them fascinating, as well as the other animals.

This fellow didn't seem to mind having his picture taken at all!



He didn't seem to mind either!

This fellow however had a real problem with me taking a picture of him!!

I know it isn't their natural habitat but what the heck?

When we left the park we headed to Custer State Park in South Dakota. Beautiful park. We drove around the park some and got some pictures of the animals in their home. The Bison are amazing, they are just so big! Here are some of the pictures I took yesterday



We are headed to see Crazy Horse now and will probably camp tonight as well. 

I miss my dog so much!  I heard he misses me a lot!  I think Ann is just saying that to make me feel good. 

I wish Sylvia and Kyla were with us they would love this.  Maybe we can bring them some time.  I am glad that I get to talk to them.  Poor kids have to settle for postcards.

I am typing this from a parking lot next to a lodge with wifi, however it is next to a dumpster and we have a problem with flies so I am signing off for now.

Please sign in and comment so I know there is life out there!!

TTFN



Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin

We camped Wednesday night in Cheboygen State Park. 

Not a lot of campers.  They had a couple of TeePee tents to rent.  One was empty so we checked it out.  Lots of room inside.

We were sitting around the campsite and I told Marty to get that chip off his shoulder and this is what I find:

He is such a joker!

The sunset was absolutely beautiful!

Yesterday we traveled to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. 

This is the bridge that separates the upper and lower peninsula of Michigan.  Mackinaw Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridges on the east coast. We drove the southern coast of the upper peninsula into Wisconsin.  Very relaxing day.  We kept seeing signs on restaurants advertising "pasties".  We finally stopped at a restaurant that specialized in pasties to try one.  We found out that the correct pronunciation is pass-tees.  They are kind of like a meat turnover of sorts.  It had beef (very little at that) and lots of potatoes.  Not really that good.

We found a casino (imagine that).  Marty can be such a poor sport so he waited in Ruby.  I was down to 3 credits from my $20 limit, and since Marty was out in the van, I slipped in a $10 and sat down at the "Wizard of Oz" machine, before I knew it I was cashing out for $93.!!!  Not bad for a penny machine.

Checked into a Holiday Inn express in Weston, WI.  Marty is checking into what we should today.  What ever it is I'm sure it will be fun.

I feel like I'm talking to myself.  Say hello if you are reading this!

Don't know when we will have a wifi but I will check back in with an update then.

It is cold in Michigan

We have been driving the last couple of days along the coastline of Lake Huron and it is absolutely beautiful.  The leaves are starting to change.
Yesterday we started out by making a detour to a casino!  I celebrated my not losing by buying a new purse.  I used the money that I planned on losing!  How is that for reasoning?
We stopped in Towas City and walked around, stopped at a market and had a nice picnic lunch on the lake.  Nice little town.

We drove around and found another park and took a drive deep into the forest.  So peaceful.  It reminded us of Dolly Sods.

Last night we set up camp.  Marty made a nice fire and we drank coffee and both of us played on our phones.

sunset Lake Huron

Marty looking cute as ever!

Our walk in the park

Today is a maintenance day.  Oil change and laundry in Cheboygen Michigan.

Beginning mileage

Marty, Scott and Uncle Bob

Anielle, Steph and Aunt Lynn

The Rocket car was a hit with the adults and the girls at the party!!

Candace and Marty enjoying the ride!  Before they got in trouble for rocking the car!

Our trip officially started on Thursday.  We drove to Cleveland and just hung out with the family.  Friday was Malcolm's birthday so we went out for a nice chinese dinner to celebrate.  (We kind of crashed his party).
Saturday-Wedding day was so hot humid and sticky, but we all managed to get through it and look wonderful doing so.  The wedding was absolutely beautiful.  St. Ann's church is magnificent.  The ceremony was really nice.  The priest didn't give the usual "love" talk.  His talk was real.
OMG  the reception was out of this world, I don't think that Emily forgot a single thing.  There was a photo booth and some funnies so the guests could get a picture to post in their scrap book.  Lots of fun.  None of my pictures from the reception turned out, I am bummed about that. 
I wish Emily and Elliot many many years of happiness!!

Bad Axe

Today was a nice start.  Left Cleveland headed west.  Only drove on the highway for about an hour until we had to "re-calculate", we prefer two-lanes.

The scenery was very nice.  Took Ohio Coastal scenic route along Lake Erie.  We traveled thru Detroit then got on a nice two lane and we are driving the perimeter of Lake Huron to the upper penninsula.
I forgot to bring in the camera cord (I'll post pictures tomorrow).  The sunset over Lake Huron was magnificent!

Our plan was to camp in a nice state park but since it was raining off and on we decided to stay in a hotel.  Not liking our new GPS.  Took us to what it said was a Holiday Inn Express, however it turned out to be a corn field.  Had to drive inland to find a hotel.  But we did are bedded down for the night in Bad Axe, MI.

Since it is Marty's birthday today, I got us a room with a jacuzzi tub (he is already missing the hot tub). 

Looking forward to a good nights sleep and another adventure tomorrow!