Because we were in a hotel that password protected their network we had problems with our laptop hooking up to it. Vista and networks that are password protected are not always compatible. Enough said.
We drove from Cody to Keystone South Dakota which is about a mile from the sculptures of the presidents. We had some difficulty finding the hotel as neither my Garmin or the maps identified the street but the Roosevelt Inn was in plain sight if you were headed north and not south. The misery was worth it though as the hotel was comfortable and reasonably priced considering it was Biker Rally week in Sturgis. The number of bikes estimated to be around 500,000 for the week made our jaws drop. We drove by Sturgis to see way too many bikes for us to stop. The drive occupied 8/3.
Getting a late start on 8/4 we first went to Hill City to see a friends mother who runs the Dairy Queen. What a sight as we drove by the presidents on the way to Hill City. When we got to Hill City we were not able to go on the main street as it was reserved for the bikers. 3 or 4 blocks of solid bikes. We walked in from 2 blocks away to gaze and have lunch.
After lunch we drove to Custer State park. This park is huge and we spent at least 4 hours driving through several tunnels, going up mountains and traveling through the prairies. As we entered the park we asked if w could get off on the side roads and look for Buffalo and the told us OK. She told us what roads to check and imagine our joy when we popped over the hill to see a whole heard of Buffalo that we had to drive between. We also saw a mountain goat that we would not have seen if we had stayed on the main roads.
On 8/5 we had to start our trek home. We had decided to stop at Bear Country USA. Ainslie had been disappointed that she had not seen any bears on our trip but that was soon taken care of. Among other animals she also got to see wolves all in their habitat where you drive through in your car with your windows up tightly. After stopping at WalMart for a book that was released the day before we took off for home. At about 5:30 or 6:00 we were both interested in getting home so we kept driving getting home about midnight. The only regret on the last day that I have is that i did not see the turn off for the badlands so she really did not get to see those.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Route 66 8/2
Last night was completed with a visit to the Yellowstone Rodeo. If you have never seen one this would suffice but it was very low budget.
We got up early eating breakfast at The Timberline Cafe in West Yellowstone and it was good food with fast service at a reasonable price. What more could you ask for? We then gassed up as I did not know how many miles we would travel in the park but I knew it would be a fair amount. This mountain air must be enjoyed by the 4 Runner as the gauge says that I got over 30 miles to a gallon and only used less than a 1/4 tank from West Yellowstone and through the park to Cody WY. WOW what a good deal. Although I did see that gas is under $4 a gallon here in Cody.
Yellowstone was all I remembered and more. We saw Geysers and Old Faithful has not lost her charm. We saw two incredible waterfalls. Nice meadows and forests and Bison up close and personal. The streams running through the park and the big lake are beyond description. Then couple that with the drive to the east going to Cody and it appears that we saw the 2nd Grand Canyon. If you have not been here it should be a must do.
Only one down side that we saw today was a fire in Yellowstone and also a big fire in the mountains down close to where we were driving on our way to Cody. We could see the flames and that my friends is not comfortable.
After having supper we went to the Cody Rodeo which proved to be much better than the one we saw last night.
We got up early eating breakfast at The Timberline Cafe in West Yellowstone and it was good food with fast service at a reasonable price. What more could you ask for? We then gassed up as I did not know how many miles we would travel in the park but I knew it would be a fair amount. This mountain air must be enjoyed by the 4 Runner as the gauge says that I got over 30 miles to a gallon and only used less than a 1/4 tank from West Yellowstone and through the park to Cody WY. WOW what a good deal. Although I did see that gas is under $4 a gallon here in Cody.
Yellowstone was all I remembered and more. We saw Geysers and Old Faithful has not lost her charm. We saw two incredible waterfalls. Nice meadows and forests and Bison up close and personal. The streams running through the park and the big lake are beyond description. Then couple that with the drive to the east going to Cody and it appears that we saw the 2nd Grand Canyon. If you have not been here it should be a must do.
Only one down side that we saw today was a fire in Yellowstone and also a big fire in the mountains down close to where we were driving on our way to Cody. We could see the flames and that my friends is not comfortable.
After having supper we went to the Cody Rodeo which proved to be much better than the one we saw last night.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Route 66 8/1
It is hard to believe that it is August 1st already.
Today was a sad day as we left all our friends from the Jerome, Shoshone and Twin Falls area and drove to west Yellowstone. We went to Craters of the Moon National Park. A couple of my friends in the area really recommended that we stop and see. We are glad we did as the Park Center had a very informative display and the park was very different than what I imagined. There was the smoothness of the mountain where pea sized deposits of lava where, to piles of rocks that were sprayed into columns and everything in between. This should be a must see if you are in the area.
We hope to take in a rodeo tonight as Ainslie has not seen one and possibly the IMAX about the park before going to Yellowstone.
Today was a sad day as we left all our friends from the Jerome, Shoshone and Twin Falls area and drove to west Yellowstone. We went to Craters of the Moon National Park. A couple of my friends in the area really recommended that we stop and see. We are glad we did as the Park Center had a very informative display and the park was very different than what I imagined. There was the smoothness of the mountain where pea sized deposits of lava where, to piles of rocks that were sprayed into columns and everything in between. This should be a must see if you are in the area.
We hope to take in a rodeo tonight as Ainslie has not seen one and possibly the IMAX about the park before going to Yellowstone.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Route 66 - 7/31
Our first stop was to an open house for a Mormon Temple in Twin Falls. After a 20 min or so video we were given a tour of the Temple and explained what all the rooms are used for. I would suggest that if you have the opportunity to do so you should go visit.
Today we went to The Ice Cave and Mammoth Cave which are both north of Shoshone. Because of the number of steps Ainslie went into the Ice Cave by herself. 111 steps down and back up in case you are wondering. Ainslie was not impressed by the Mammoth Cave as it was a self guided tour and you carried your own light walking about 1/4 mile to the 1/2 way point where their trail ended.
We ended the day at a very good friends home for a BBQ with his family at Doc Davis's home in Shoshone. Cheeseburgers, Salmon and Hot Dogs with all the trimmings were quite delicious. We really enjoyed the visit with Keith and his family staying a little over 5 hours. My how time slips away. Doc and I have been friends for about 25 years now and I always enjoy seeing him.
Today we went to The Ice Cave and Mammoth Cave which are both north of Shoshone. Because of the number of steps Ainslie went into the Ice Cave by herself. 111 steps down and back up in case you are wondering. Ainslie was not impressed by the Mammoth Cave as it was a self guided tour and you carried your own light walking about 1/4 mile to the 1/2 way point where their trail ended.
We ended the day at a very good friends home for a BBQ with his family at Doc Davis's home in Shoshone. Cheeseburgers, Salmon and Hot Dogs with all the trimmings were quite delicious. We really enjoyed the visit with Keith and his family staying a little over 5 hours. My how time slips away. Doc and I have been friends for about 25 years now and I always enjoy seeing him.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Route 66 - 7/29 & 7/30
7/29
After driving from Dillon MT to Twin Falls ID we checked into the motel and called Tim Murphy. We went to see his shop Standard Printing in Twin Falls and then went to supper. It was great getting caught up with Tim.
7/30
Today started off with me driving from Twin Falls to Shoshone to have breakfast with a very good friend Doc Davis. After eating we went to his office so that I could see changes from the last time I visited his office. The morning flew by so very quickly. I drove to Jerome to visit with Carl Emerson at his print shop. It had been long enough that he did not recognize me immediately. In the afternoon Ainslie and I went to see the Snake River Canyon and Shoshone Falls. In the evening we were invited to Bob and Geri Hillman's for supper and were joined by Tim Murphy and his new wife and Linda and Wally Ekren. What a meal we had (wow). It was great seeing all these long time friends and catching up.
After driving from Dillon MT to Twin Falls ID we checked into the motel and called Tim Murphy. We went to see his shop Standard Printing in Twin Falls and then went to supper. It was great getting caught up with Tim.
7/30
Today started off with me driving from Twin Falls to Shoshone to have breakfast with a very good friend Doc Davis. After eating we went to his office so that I could see changes from the last time I visited his office. The morning flew by so very quickly. I drove to Jerome to visit with Carl Emerson at his print shop. It had been long enough that he did not recognize me immediately. In the afternoon Ainslie and I went to see the Snake River Canyon and Shoshone Falls. In the evening we were invited to Bob and Geri Hillman's for supper and were joined by Tim Murphy and his new wife and Linda and Wally Ekren. What a meal we had (wow). It was great seeing all these long time friends and catching up.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Route 66 - 7/28
Today we drove from Great Falls to Dillon MT. This is just a little under 1/2 way to Twin Falls ID. where we plan to see 4 friends. Nothing happened today that was exciting unless you are into doing laundry. Ainslie has been wanting to go to a Pizza Hut since we left so she could have their pasta. As luck would have it there is one right next door to the hotel that we dined at tonight. She had her pasta and I had a Pzone which were pretty good.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Route 66 - 7/26 & 7/27
While staying at Great Falls Mt the state fair was in town. Chad, Alison, Ainslie and I went to the fair. While walking in a magic show was just about to start so we watched that performance. It was two twins from Canada that were mediocre at best. It was time to check out the food booths as most of us had not eaten anything yet. We had heard that the Vikings were the things to try. For $5 you got a giant meatball with a deep fried coating that was on a stick. It was pretty good. Chad also recommended the BBQ from a certain vendor that passed my taste test. After walking the grounds Ainslie and I settled in to listen to some country music and then watch a hypnotist that was really quite good. Chad and Alison went off to see a pig catching contest and joined us for the hypnotist.
On Sunday we started with a good breakfast at a local eatery and then went to see a missile silo. We then went on the air force base and got a look around. After that we went to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center that proved very interesting. It was sad to say good bye tonight to Chad and Alyson and their dog Dakota.
On Sunday we started with a good breakfast at a local eatery and then went to see a missile silo. We then went on the air force base and got a look around. After that we went to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center that proved very interesting. It was sad to say good bye tonight to Chad and Alyson and their dog Dakota.
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