unusual night

August 9-10
Shipshewana, Indiana

It was a night like none I've never experienced.  I just couldn't believe it.  Momma said I would just spend the day with them and be back in my 'home' by nighttime.  Well, let me tell you.  That's NOT what happened.

We went back to the factory to pick up our rig and the next thing I knew, Dad was loading up the back of the truck with a few bags of items Momma had packed in a hurry.  Then we wound up in this strange smelling room with a bed, TV and a bathroom.  I had to eat my dinner right there on the floor next to the sink.  I thought that was rather strange, but I sure was hungry so I filled my belly.  

Then the scary part took place.  Momma and Dad took off and left me there all by myself.  So I explored.  Well, I located my favorite rug that is usually in my home.  I checked out my surroundings and by that time, Momma and Dad had returned with a pretzel.  Come to find out, they went to Ben's just before closing and they were selling the leftovers at a reduced rate.  Okay Momma, let's rip into that soft, big pretzel.  Ahhh!!  delicious for sure!!  Hey, can you believe it?   She actually shared her pretzel with me! This is turning out to be a REALLY different night.

Are we staying here ALL night.  Yep, and then today I got to load up in truck again and tour more of the area today.  

Now it is evening and I am FINALLY back in my 'home'.  I must admit I feel much more comfortable in my own surroundings.  And I know Momma and Dad are feeling better too because we have a new floor on our slide.  It's better than new.  

We will actually be here at this campground for over a week.  Now that is unheard of for us.  We are always 'moving on'.  But we are expecting 140 other owners of Highland Ridge/Open Range RVs to arrive by Sunday night for a week of rally activities.  Sounds like lots of gabbing, hugging and laughing in the near future.

Hickory

......on the road again

Neighbors...the BEST

August 6- 8
Howe and Middlebury, In

Our last two campsites have had terrific neighbors.  They even enjoyed petting me.  No dog treats though...just pets.

At Grand View Bend, we were backed up to a corn field.  What a lush view from our window.

Our friendly neighbors called us 'The Shadow' because we are big enough to offer them shade.

Not only were they our neighbors in Indiana, but they reside fairly close to us in Florida.  Small world for sure!

We said good bye this morning, but who knows, we may cross paths again some day in Florida??  Nice couple!!

Tonight we are 'camped' in the factory repair parking lot.  Tomorrow morning at 6:30 am they will begin replacing our damaged slide floor.

Once again we have friendly neighbors who not only own an Open Range 5th wheel and a Dodge Ram, but they also like dogs.  I guess you can say they have great taste.

Speaking of taste, Dad has been enjoying Rise n Roll donuts since we arrived in the area.

OOOOhhh what a mouthful!!  He said he just had to eat it all because he was enjoying it for Colleen.  Today he had one for himself.  I suppose that means tomorrow he will be enjoying one for me .....and I won't even get a crumb 😕  Now tell me, does that sound fair?

Tomorrow I get to spend the whole day with M & D while my 'home' is in the shop bay.  I'll get to see more horse and buggies for sure. 

Hey, maybe I can talk Dad into sharing a pretzel from Ben's Pretzels with me.  I KNOW Momma won't share as she just LOVES Ben's goodies.

Hickory
.....on the road again

Green Thumb

August 3-4

Menomonie, WI

Momma has a cousin who lives in Wisconsin and seeing as we would be 'passing' by near the area, it made sense to drop in and catch up.  Her son graduated from high school and is gearing up for college this fall. 

Sounds like empty nest is on its way.  Thank goodness Murphy will be around to keep the nest from being totally empty.

Now Murphy sure has the life.  He has loads of land to explore and run on because it is farm land.

Cousin Missy loaded us up with farm fresh produce.  Yum!!

Check out the purple beans above and huge cabbage heads.

Don and Dad enjoyed the fresh air.

Missy's green thumb goes beyond the editable produce.  There are colorful flowers everywhere.  My lab cousin, Ciar tried to get in the middle of it all but he was told to mind his manners while visiting.  No dogs allowed in the gardens.  Hey, there certainly isn't any lack of land to romp in!! 

Wisconsin is known for its outstanding cheese so Cady's Cheese Shop was a 'must'.  Fresh, squeaky cheese curd and numerous flavored cheeses to choose from.

Before we departed the area, Momma hit a grocery store and about went into shock....especially after just experiencing some of the Alaskan food prices.  A dozen extra large eggs for 50 cents!!  She brought home 2 dozen.  How can you pass up a deal like that?  And a pound of butter was less than half what she had paid on the trip.  It's a good thing she only had a limited time to shop or she probably would have grabbed a cart full of items just because the prices were so low!!

Hickory

.....in the road again

Wild Times

July 30 - Aug 1
Custer, SD

Everywhere we look, we see bikes. Why you ask?  It's getting close to the time for the Rally in Sturgis.  There is a high saturation of bikes as you can see above.  This is the main street of Hill City, SD. Many have loaded their possessions on their bikes. Some are towing small trailers with their bikes. And there is huge presence of toy haulers.   Custer is also highly bike populated, but there is still room for us to enjoy the area and all it has to offer.

Our home for 3 nights will be Custer's Gulch RV Park located right outside the entrance to Custer State Park, near the wildlife loop.  We are a perfect position for daily wildlife viewing.

Ooops!  This painted bison isn't the wildlife I was referring to...nor are the 'wild' two legged pictured above.

This is definitely a wild looking purple pig, but his job is just a greeter for the Purple Pie Place offering up home baked pies and ice cream along with lunch and dinner.

 Now here is the TRUE wildlife, as viewed in their natural environment in Custer State Park.

I guess I need to tell you that I am glad I wasn't with Momma and Dad when they finally made it to the place that they had been anticipating and dreaming about.  It seems the menu has changed and probably the chef is different as well.  Alpine Haus used to serve fantastic prime rib at a very reasonable price along with other German selections.  No longer the case...and the meal they had was disappointing.  DON'T bother to eat at Alpine Haus in Hill City.  There are much better, tastier places for sure!!  I didn't even ask about a doggie bag from this place.

Hickory

....on the road again

Royal Greeting

July 28
Deadwood, SD

Back in the lower 48, but not in a good WiFi area so no pictures here. Lots of catching up to do when we get better technology.

What a welcome we had in Deadwood, SD today.  They were lined up on the streets....well, not to welcome us...but to get the best spot for the parade scheduled to start shortly.  Whew!  We just managed to get through before they closed off the street for the parade.  Now that was good timing for sure!!

Lots of prong horn in the pastures today as we traveled south on the highway.  Even saw some sheep, but they were the domestic variety.  Hoping to enjoy a sighting or two of long horn sheep at our next stop in Custer, SD.

Enjoying the Badlands and Black Hills areas.

Hickory
......on the road again

Back in the lower 48

July 26- 27, 2017

Weyburn, SK to Medora, ND

River Park is a city park that once again has unusual hook up locations.  Our cable and hose went under the rig for our power and water connections, but it worked.  It is a nice park and well-manicured. A team of 3 girls and 1 guy manned their weed whackers the morning we departed and went to town!   July 26^th  was our last day in Canada. 

On July 27^th  we crossed the border in North Dakota and once again we were in the lower 48 states. 

Momma got a text informing her that their International cell charges were up to $50 with International usage.  Huh????  I know she was on the phone for a long time back in the middle of July when we departed Alaska and headed back into Canada talking with the Verizon rep.  She added a $25 Canada and Mexico plan to see them through the days in Canada so…….????  What’s up with this?  Another LONG phone conversation to discover that the wrong plan had be attached to her phone.  Where do they find these incompetent workers?  But the gal was helpful and could see what we had set up going TO Alaska and she back dated the proper plan and assured us we would have no issues.  Right!  That’s what the last representative said.

The customs stop was brief and painless.  Nice agent who sent us on our way to enjoy our next adventure.  I must admit, I was a bit put out as he didn’t even ask to see MY papers.  Just passports for Momma and Dad.  I only had to show my papers for one crossing… when entering Alaska.  I guess the back seat doesn't count for anything.

Momma said she wished I had been with them when they went into Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, ND.  She thought I might be able to translate for her.  She didn't quite understand the verbal grunts of this bison, but the body language was saying, "Get that camera out of my face and move along!  NOW"

Momma and Dad had a very successful 'hunt' in the National Park.

Lots of wildlife to view as you can see by this sampling.

As well as great views of Mother Nature's Creations.

Medora has lots to offer, including a very entertaining musical held in an open, amphitheater in the Badlands.  Awesome setting and fantastic country music show.

 The stage was impressive.  The 'buildings' on the set slid to the sides on rails and the band stand slid forward and back on rails as needed for changing scenery of the show.

 And the Badlands filled the background behind the stage.  In one scene, they even had horses and riders come on stage, riding in from the hillside.

Now, I really didn't mind missing out on the show, but I DID mind missing out on the buffet at the Pitchfork Steak Fondue that they enjoyed before the show in the open air seating surrounded by the picturesque Badlands of North Dakota.  You KNOW how much I LOVE food! 

Hickory

.....on the road again

Where's that pie?

July 25, 2017

Saskatoon, SK

Do you think you might be looking at a blueberry?  Close, but not quite.  It’s a Saskatoon Berry. 

While we were in Battleford, Momma and Dad went to the visitor’s center.  The gal was sharing info and mentioned the Berry Barn in Saskatoon where you can pick berries…and she said they were in season right now…..raspberries, strawberries and Saskatoon berries.  Well, you can’t pick raspberries at the Berry Barn, but you can find raspberries on the bush at Rhode’s Berry Farm. 

The plan was formed.  An early departure from Battleford so we could get set up in Saskatoon and have time in the afternoon for berry picking. 

The Berry Barn has a restaurant so after a session of picking, the Berry Barn would be the next stop for a late lunch/early dinner.

I was rather excited when Momma got back to the rig.  She had the bowls and the pie pan out.  Just check out those lovely berries that would soon become a pie.

 I’m READY!   But all I see is an empty cooling rack.  Come on pie…finish baking!

Well, I’ll be.  With Uncle Robin, Aunt Janice, Momma and Dad ALL eating pie, I was sure I would hit the big pay load.  But alas, one lousy bite of crust was all that was offered…..and I had my best sad, brown eyes on too.  Am I losing my touch or was the pie too good to share?  I’m just hoping that pie doesn’t go in the refrigerator so I can sneak my own HUGE piece.

Hickory

…..on the road again