We got out of the hotel at 8:45 this morning. A record departure time for the trip. Just more proof that this group is ready to get home. Today is Marissa’s 3rd birthday, so we took her out to…
2006.07.15 Across Wyoming and Nebraska
We started our day with much thicker smoke from the forest fire. The fire has now consumed 6,000 acres, and we are told it is only 10% contained. Part of the road to the south was closed, but the…
2006.07.14 Black Hills, Sturgis and Devil’s Tower
Today was our first day with some travel challenges, but in the end, we were all extremely happy with the results. There was a lot on our plate today, so we had hoped to shove off by 8:00 from…
2006.07.13 Caving, Sliding and Riding
We started our day today at Jewel Cave National Monument. We had high hopes to be at the Cave in time for the 9:20 tour, but the quickest we could make it out there was in time for the…
2006.07.12 Mount Rushmore National Memorial
We were all very excited to get up and at ‘em this morning since the Mt. Rushmore visit was finally here. However, we started our day at the Rockin’ R Trail Rides for some horseback riding. This was event…
2006.07.11 From the Badlands to the Black Hills
Yesterday, Steph and I were privately complaining because we never saw the sun the whole day. However, Mr. Sun was out this morning, and by 10:00, when I was packing the van, it was hotter than it ever thought about…
2006.07.10 Badlands and Wall Drug
Steph and I set the alarm for 4:30 and we actually got up. We had time to make a pot of coffee and grab the lawnchairs, and we were in place at 4:45. It was already plenty light at…
2006.07.09 Nebraska to South Dakota
We had breakfast at Pryors Heritage House down the street from the Sunset Motel. People in Alliance Nebraska do not seem to be in much of a hurry. The wait staff at dinner last night and at breakfast this…
2006.07.08 Driving Across Kansas and Nebraska
We have survived Day 2 of our journey. We chewed up about 500 miles of highway today. We must have three of the best traveling kids in the world! They have been exceptionally interested in the things we have…
2006.07.07 Oklahoma to Salina
We hit the road at the crack of 11:00 a.m. Our first stop was the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve northwest of Pawhuska, OK. On the way, we drove past Skiatook Lake, which was a first for us. The water was…