ROAD TRIP

August 25
ROAD TRIP vs. road trip
Our Road Trip was delayed a week due to a medical issue. This time it was my turn and not Jerry’s arm. Nothing major just a nuisance. So for Jerry’s birthday we decided to take a day trip. We headed to Yellow Springs OH. A place we have heard about for a long time but never had the opportunity to visit. The ride up was a long one, mostly back roads. We had a nifty little book that directed us to a Nature Preserve in Yellow Springs. That was our first stop. We stopped in at the bookstore to ask about the trails. The lady recommended one that lead down to the yellow spring – what an idea. Except part of the trail was closed and we had to back track. Oh, no, a Von Handorf going back the way they came! After the hike we headed in to town in search of some lunch. Town consisted of a lot of little shops, just like any trail town. We ate at Peaches Grille and then headed back home. It was good to get away for a day road trip.

August 28 – ROAD TRIP
Headed out of Dodge, aka Covington, about 6:45. We were aiming for 5:00 but someone had a late night out with his brothers and decided to ‘sleep in’ until 5:30. By the time we gassed up and got someone’s coffee and donuts it was about 6:45. We took the road more traveled and passed through OH, IN, IL, IA. The end of the 13 hour drive found us in western IA. In looking for a place to pitch our tent we discovered that most of the state parks in that area were still closed due to the flooding of a couple months ago. The road we were on was still sand bagged in places. The fields were still under water. We finally found Lewis and Clark State Park which has just opened three weeks ago. Still a major part of the campground was closed because of water in the sites. The campground was next to a lake full of water lilies (?). Sleeping was good but the best part was waking up at night and going out to see the stars, and the stars, and the stars. Hadn’t seen the Milky Way in a long time. How wonder-full. It was a good place to be even if we were in only little tent in RV City.

August 28 – Quickly we crossed over in to ND. Took a little jaunt to Sioux Falls. Another beautiful spot. I even went up on the observation tower, folks! A lot of water, a lot of falls, a good place to stretch our legs after becoming one with the van. We ended up in The Badland National Park for the night. We drove through a little rain late evening but resisted the temptation to spend the night in a motel. The sleep was again good. Many stars early on interrupted by a shower and a little thunder. This morning the stars were back. I woke up the guy in my tent and talked him in to getting up and going somewhere to watch the sunrise. If you never been to the Badlands put it on you Bucket List. It is indescribable. The sun coming up over the pinnacles was magnificent. After breakfast we took in two ranger talks. Anyone want to guess the topics? Geology and fossils – that’s right, folks. Talk about a rocky relationship…. We did have our first argument of the trip today. I thought it was Monday, Jerry tried to convince me it was Tuesday. Of course…he was right-again – but we did have to check our cell phones to be sure. Clair has asked us to stay in touch with the kids as much as we could. So today I called … Clair in Antarctica. From a high spot in the Badlands to The Ice. How about that! We left the Badlands and headed west again for a couple of hours. Our goal was Custard State Park. And we made it. Turns out you need reservations to camp anywhere in the park. So we had to call from the gate and take the site they gave us. Our first impression was not a good one. Kind of crazy looking spot. But we worked with it and now our tent is set up, there is a fire in the fire place, Jerry is munching on a mett and I’m getting chilly. Saw mountain goats – in our campsite today and a great horned owl in a tree within a stone’s throw – which we will not do. Heard that buffalo frequently walk right through our campground – not just one or two but sometimes a whole herd. Good sleep tonight? – I doubt it.