Our Next Stop

Hill City, South Dakota. The family wish list of things to see and do was too much to fit into three days. Besides that, the KOA was so much fun, the kids didn’t really want to go anywhere else! It was great for me, lots of trails to roam.

The kids enjoyed the planned activities - day and night, the water slide, miniature golf and, their favorite, the jumpy pillow.

The grown-ups were finally able to drag the kids away from camp to ride the 1880 Train in Keystone,

see the Crazy Horse Monument and exhibits,

 
and, of course, to visit Mount Rushmore.

(No dogs were on the 1880 Train; dogs are only allowed in the parking lots at the two monuments. - D)

Everyone had so much fun, they said they couldn’t wait to come back* and spend more time.

The real world beckoned, Mark had to go back to work, so the Stearns said ‘good-bye’ to South Dakota but the kids weren’t ready to go.

Two sad kids in this picture. To add to Garrett’s disappointment, he is just realizing that the shuttle taking them to the airport has nothing to do with space.- D

A storm rolled into the area soon after they left. There was a hard wind, thunder, lightning and rain came down in buckets! My playmates were gone and now we couldn't even go outside because it was scary out there!

But the next morning came and it was beautiful. Soon we were back on the road.

 *And we did! In 2010, the Stearns bought their own RV and Genie asked the kids, “Where do you want to go for our first trip?” They answered, “Mount Rushmore.” - D

Meeting Up With the Family

The next stop on our 2008 trip was Omaha, Nebraska. A family reunion was being held there. This reunion isn’t particularly dog-friendly. Lucky for me, we have our motor home but that means Mike and Dana have to drive to all the events. They don’t seem to mind.

We almost didn’t get our camp spot because the owner took one look at our license plate and told us he didn’t care for Californians and if we were too loud we would be kicked out of his park. That had never happened to us before so we were a little surprised but Dana turned on the charm and by the time we left, he didn’t think all Californians were so bad. (She said he reminded her of her grandpa.)

This was Mike’s family, so he had a lot of catching up to do with aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. He even visited an uncle in the hospital. There was a bit of nostalgic site seeing as well as a visit to the Henry Doorly Zoo and Union Pacific Railroad Museum, without me. Of course, there were picnics and lots of visiting – the main reason for family reunions, but I missed out on most of it.

After the reunion, the Stearns family piled into the motor home with us and we took off for Mitchell, South Dakota. We stayed at a nice KOA there and visited the Corn Palace – I should say, they visited the Corn Palace, no dogs allowed. That night there was a terrific storm. Dana woke up because she could hear the awning bouncing. Mark and Mike went out and rolled it up, just in the knick of time. When they looked over at some of the tents, they were flat as pancakes and the people were still in them. Those tent campers are a hearty crew.

Then we were back on the 90. We made a stop at Wall’s Drug Store – like no other store you’ve seen. It date backs to the earliest days of car travel but it’s grown a lot since then.

Finally we arrived at our next stop, Hill City!

And then we went to...

Then it was on to a quick stopover in Colorado, after passing through more interesting landscape, like a tunnel and a river right next to the highway.

I checked-out some local art and found a place to cool my paws.

 

Beautiful Breckinridge was next.

Then it was on to Atchison, Kansas, and relatives. I met a new cousin – Rocket, a pocket dog.

And some people cousins, too!

The Stearns family caught up with us while we were there. Now Atchison is one of those places you just might drive on by if you didn’t have family to visit but if you get the chance you should stop. It’s right on the Missouri River...

I don't know who took this picture, but can you see me?

It was made famous in the song...



The Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe - sing it Judy!



And it’s the birthplace of Amelia Earhart.

 

 

And it’s a great place to have a picnic.

 

Next stop - Omaha!

OK, I think we’re back. Computer issues one week, did taxes the next – EEK! So here’s our 2008 trip. Hope you like it…  -D
 
Our first stop was Cedar City, UT. We took a drive up to...

This is on our drive up the mountain.

It is a beautiful place and if you get the chance, stop and check it out.




Dogs were allowed on some trails, so I got to see... 

one of the oldest trees in the world – a Bristol Cone Pine.

Once we get into the monument area, dog access is very restricted. Too bad, though, it's sure pretty there.

 

 

The local KOA  was nice and the staff always had dog treats handy. One thing - this is a patriotic town. On July 4^th, a canon is fired as soon as the sun is up, very early.  No one had warned us so Dana and Mike thought we were being attacked! When they looked outside, no one else seemed the least bit concerned. Hearts were racing, so there was no more sleeping.

Next day, we headed to Green River, UT, for an over-nighter. We took I-15 to I-70 and actually stopped at some of the designated viewing stops along the way. We were sure glad we did!

Hope to see you next week!