Https://www.journohq.com/journo/florida-2022-44386

(The link above goes to our previous Journo, which also has links to other segments of our trip. \240 Do not click the link above, as it will not work. \240 But copy/paste the address into a browser window.)

Not much to do in Montgomery. \240Yesterday we saw Rosa Parks museum (just the outside) and ate at a nice BBQ place in the heart of their historic downtown. \240

Today is Jim’s birthday. \240 It is raining hard and there really are no nice restaurants to go to. Tomorrow we move to Huntsville AL, mostly to see the Space Center that Jim’s dad often worked (business trips - he never lived there).

We plan to play tourist more, and we will celebrate his birthday there…

Huntsville, Alabama -

We had a ok ride here. \240 Not much traffic, but narrow roads. \240 No potholes but a lot of buck-chucking from uneven roads. THAT always creates “fun” by jumbling all our contents or breaking things on the RV. \240 Watch out when opening the pantry! \240 Avalanche! \240

For the first time, we drove through a heavy rain downpour. \240 Not a problem except visibility. \240 When you are driving a big rig and cannot see ahead - nasty. \240Passing semis are the worst, as they spray our windshield. \240Fortunately that was very brief.

Our campground this time is an older afterthought of the Space Center here. \240We tour it Saturday. \240 The camp is on their grounds, only about 50 spots total. Our site has enough power for only one of our two AC units, but fortunately the weather now is moderate.

When we arrived, we had unhitched the truck and hooked up water, sewer, and electric. \240 Then we found out we could not “level” the RV because the ground in this old camp is so uneven! \240 So we had to unhook the services, hitch up and connect the truck again, (no small feat) and move the RV forward about 5 feet. \240Unhitched the truck again, re-attached services, and YES, now it could level. \240Yay! Unfortunately, now we are too far to connect sewer. \240So our last day here we must back up and dump before we drive.

We ate at a really good Mexican restaurant, Rosie’s. \240 Best salmon I ever had!

Had a good time at the space museum today!

Jim nearly missed going due to stomach issues, but came late and got through the day.

We especially liked the virtual reality of the Apollo moon landing. It was as if you were taking off beside Neil Armstrong, achieving orbit, then landing and watching Neil take that “small step for a man”

We also liked the Skylab exhibit as Jim’s Dad worked on it.

Moved to Tennessee today. \240 We were going to stop in Chattanooga, but decided to go further, to our next planned stop, so we can stay longer in one place. \240 It is easier now with Jim’s new job to only move on weekends.

WHAT a surprise! \240 I was picturing being in a little, woodsy small town, and a crowded little RV park. \240 Both wrong! \240 Pidgeon Forge is the gateway to the smoky mountain national park, and a complete tourist trap! \240 I have never seen so many theaters, glitzy restaurants, rides, putt-putt places, theme parks! \240 All in a short distance, so it looks like a crazy movie theater set. \240 We will definitely NOT ruin out of things to do! \240 Jim works, so we will have the evenings and Saturday to play. \240

Our park is a few blocks off the entertainment strip, and very nice. \240We will be comfortable here, and it is quiet. \240

We went on a short drive. \240 We think we are very near Gatlinburg. \240 Our GPS steered us wrong, and we wound up in a neighborhood in the hills. \240 Narrow, extremely steep, lots of sharp curves, and with obvious poverty. \240 Trash and pit bulls everywhere. \240 Started to hear “Deliverance” soundtrack in my head….

Now to wade through tourist brochures to decide what to do…

Aaarrrgg.

So much to see, \240eautiful day, and Jim has a lot of work and we have a tax appointment.

We had time for one minor ride here, but we chose wrong. \240Very cheesy. \240

But - taxes are done, and we came off well considering our house sale. \240 And, we had all the necessary paperwork in the RV! \240

Wow, this town just doesn’t stop giving!

Jim could not work until noon today. \240 He has to work with his California team, yet we are Eastern time zone now. \240 So our fun must be in the am or late evenings here.

This morning we went to breakfast at the Old Mill. \240 This historic waterwheel still grinds grain, including the grits we had at breakfast. \240Beautiful old building, great food.

Then we went to the Iron Mountain Forge, where the town got part of its name. \240(A forge, on pidgeon creek. \240 This area once had a lot of carrier pigeons)

Jim got to forge his own knife, from a horseshoe! \240 It took about 30 minutes. Fascinating! \240

After that, we went to The Island. \240 It is a shopping, and amusement area nearby. \240 All the attractions here are very near our RV park! \240

We rode a ride, like “soar” at Epcot. \240 Basically, a imax type movie but your seats move and it feels like you are hang gliding above various scenes. \240 You can feel the water spray when you are near a waterfall, and scents match the scenes too. \240Wonderful.

We enjoyed some beautiful fountains there, too, set among pretty landscaping and choreographed to music. \240 I’ve never seen fountains so intricately matched to music!

…this was just one morning, and these are mere side attractions. \240

Tonight, about 7pm we are going to a dinner theater about the “Hatfields and the McCoys” so we get some corny hill billy humor.

So, this morning before Jim works, we went to Outdoor Gravity, about 2 miles away, to Zorb! \240 It is the only zorb park in the US.

What is zorbing? \240 You are in a large clear inflatable ball. \240 It has an inner ball, where you sit in about 20 gallons of water to help your body slide inside the ball. The outer ball absorbs impacts so you don’t bang into something. Then they roll you down a grassy hill!

It is pretty fast, and like being in a water slide or perhaps a washing machine, as all the water 💦 splashes around. \240

Jim and I did one ride together, which makes it go faster. \240 We had one ride left, which Jim gave to me. \240 This was my idea and was a bucket-list item. \240 I had no idea there would be one in a podunk Tennessee town of all places. \240 The one Zi had heard about was in New Zealand.

We were only there about 45 minutes, but we will remember a unique ride!

By the way - I knew Dollywood was here, but just learned Dolly Parton came from Pidgeon Forge. \240 No idea how rural it was when she grew up, but it is no hillbilly place now!

A fun but quieter day. \240 I needed to catch up, too. \240

We did go on a mountain coaster today, another first. \240 Fun, smooth ride down a mountainside track.

Tonight we went to a dinner theater, on the biblical story of Ruth. \240 They also had a gospel quartet called the BackEast boys. \240 I’d never heard any of their songs, though they appeared to be old Southern favorites. \240

They did a fine job, and I don’t mean to be snotty, but…

First, everyone there was much older than us. \240 Felt like we were at nursing home theater.

Then, the very southern flavor of the music and story made it feel…unfamiliar. \240 A Jewish story with strong Southern accents and mannerisms. \240 “RuthAnn And Billy-Bob Obed”…

Well, it was memorable and fun for being different…

Went into the Smokey Mountain National Park. \240Beautiful! \240More pics to come.

Checking in. \240 Long drive today and I am tired, or getting a little sick. \240 Just feel off.

We saw the Ark at a distance. \240Huge! \240 Can’t wait to go. \240

Spring is here. \240 Many trees in bloom. \240 White flowers. \240 Perhaps dogwoods?

Tonight however, will be cold. \240 Into the 20s. \240Today is about 40 but it feels much colder with the wind. \240I haven’t missed the cold, and I am surprised how much I dislike it today. We haven’t had cold like this since Angel Fire NM last fall.

Went to see the Ark yesterday. \240 The size is incredible! \240 They had a lot of great exhibits, as to how it was done and the geologic proofs for the great flood. \240I liked the “books” that showed the same story in the writings of so many cultures. \240 Some had changed parts, like the shape of the boat or how many were saved - but the basic story was there - the wickedness of man, their judgement, the surviving family and animals, the rainbow promise.

I’ll post pictures when I can. \240 They are on my camera, not my iPhone. Takes some maneuvering!

Today was a catch up day. \240Reading and re-organizing, a never ending job in an RV. \240 Some of our stuff is wearing out and needs replaced.

Went to the Creation museum. \240 Was really impressed with the exhibits, and their clear contrast of Biblical world views versus Evolutionary world views.

Will be glad to leave this campground. \240 The town is kind of dismal and has an industrial feel, though it is rural. \240 The weather has been cold and rainy. \240 And, the campground is very near railroad tracks that are quite busy. \240 The trains blare their horns as they approach. \240 Some nights we hear trains every hour or so, and they wake us.

No love lost on this area…

Easy move today, only one and a half hour drive. \240 We stopped before our campground at a truck car wash, and had both truck and RV cleaned. \240

This campground is much nicer than the last one. \240 A nice town nearby with good restaurants, the camp is inviting and has a great nature trail.

We are here to see Churchill Downs. \240 They have a tour tomorrow that includes watching the racehorses train, having a mint julep, seeing a display of the fancy outfits, petting the baby horses, etc. \240Then they have a museum to see.

Yes, I love horses. \240 I have so often read about such places so it is fun to pretend my “alternate life” had I owned horses.

I have done so many “bucket list” things on this trip. \240 Now if we get back safely and can actually find a house to buy again when we are ready…. No, still not sure “where”. \240

Today we had a full tour of Churchill Downs! \240 We saw the racetrack and watched the younger horses training there. \240One was there for the derby, as they are just now starting to arrive. ( It was from Japan and wore yellow silks. *later note: \240was watched the Derby and this horse came in #3) \240We saw the barns and paddocks, met trainers, jockeys, horses and resident cats. \240I learned the dirt track they run on is 25’ deep!

We met Harley, a famous “pony” used to babysit the thoroughbreds. \240(They are all called “ponies” though Harley was part Percheron and huge!)

Our guide gave us a full four hour tour and answered questions. \240There were only 6 in our tour group. \240 Our guide was a member of an important family in the derby that goes back generations, so very knowledgeable.

We saw the millionaires row, \240and the areas reserved for heads of state (so they can see the action on both sides of the grandstand without rubbing shoulders with the riff raff).

We saw the betting areas and restaurants in the grandstands under the twin spires.

We saw a movie, a museum, and had a mint julep (OK, Jim tried the bourbon) along with our lunch in a restaurant there.

The actual Derby is on May 7 this year, so we have to watch now that we know the “inside scoop”.

Originally we had hoped to watch the Derby live but the dates didn’t match our schedule and holy moly, the price of tickets! \240I think they said the infield begins at $500 each. \240The VIP area was about 35k per table.

Then, we came home and went comatose. \240 It was cold today, and a lot of walking! My dogs were barking, loudly. Ouch.

Just checking in. \240 It has been an odd week here. \240 Not much to write about. \240 It rained hard two days, all day long. \240 Then it rained parts of the other days, and it is cold.

The camp WiFi here is really bad. \240So Jim leaves for a coffee shop and is gone all day, working. \240 He works 11-8 now, to “co work” with his partner in California. \240That means I am alone all day, no car, no TV and maddeningly slow internet. \240I clean, do laundry, file papers. \240Blah.

We are both ready to move on. \240Longish drive tomorrow.

Normally I write on a move day. \240Yesterday was long and tiring and I never got there.

We began our drive early, a 5 hour drive. \240Very long. \240The roads were rough for different reasons, and for the first time we were carrying full water tank because we were to stay at a relatives house, and we learned their well was broken. \240 We knew that weight would cost us in gas milage, but it also made the rough roads much worse due to the weight and slosh of the water. \240 At one point, it was so bad that we were sure we had a bad tire. \240 So we pulled off the highway to look and all was fine.

Indiana was a treat. \240 Didn’t know what to expect. \240It was beautiful treed roads, nice, inviting looking German towns, and the lighting was amazing due to storm clouds overhead, competing with sunshine. \240The sun would choose a certain ridge, or tree, or hillside and just glow over the shadowed landscape nearby.

Illinois was fine except the roads became narrower and rougher as we neared our destination, the farm of Jim’s cousin. \240 They said to park near their barn.

We arrived, and began down their road. \240We noted the electric line to avoid on one site, and saw two trees that looked too low and heavy branched to pass without damage. \240They were staggered, and we tried to do an “S” curve between them, but it wasn’t working. \240So Jim set out to back up and try again but our RV then couldn’t avoid the electric line.

Those low trees were near the front of the driveway. \240If we could get past them the rest looked easy. \240 So our host suggested we drive over his grass, back to the road and to the barn.

Jim tried, and began immediately to sink into deep spongy soil. \240He tried to go forward, then tried to back up - and wound up pressed against the power line, with the RV tilted and the truck stuck and their poor lawn mangled. \240This in our first few minutes after arrival.

So, we called a tow truck. \240While we waited, I had to figure out how to offer the cat (already in his carrier 6+ hours) a litter box (when his could not be reached in the RV with the slides in) and some water (when our hosts had no well). I also needed a restroom, but again, no flushing available so I asked to avail myself of their weeds in the tree line.

Here I’d barely met them, we had got our truck stuck, damaged their lawn, and both the cat and myself peed on their property - all before we could even visit. \240Great….Major eye roll 🙄 and facepalm.

The tow truck came quickly, and with the persuasion of some winch chains, pulled our truck across more of their lawn back to the road. \240We left 6” deep tracks across about 100 feet of grass - but, thankfully, the truck, the RV leveling legs, and the home’s electricity were unscathed. \240Also there was no sprinkler system or other types of damage to their landscape AND the tow bill was not bad - under $100.

We’d had no breakfast, no lunch, and were hungry and tired and dehydrated by now, about 4pm. \240Though the RV was back on the road, we realized we could not park by the barn as it was also grassed. But we couldn’t “camp” well on their road as it was too far from electricity and they had no water. \240We tried to call for a campground instead, but the only one nearby was full for the night. \240They said we could come early the next day.

So- our gracious host said we could use their guest room. Jim, I, and the cat slept there, after they made us a spaghetti dinner and we looked at old family photos for a time. \240We learned some precious family stories and lore from a new perspective.

We were exhausted by bedtime, but slept very poorly. Thirsty, but could not drink due to their water issues. The bed was smaller than we are used to, and Jim had his CPAP. \240 I figured he needed the sleep more than I did, so I had a sleeping bag on the floor. No pad.

Awkward to use the restroom with no flush… At 2 am Jim walked out to the camper for some aspirin he needed, a good walk in the cold of night but we didn’t want to wake our hosts.

I know our hosts would have remedied some of that had they known, but we were trying not to further inconvenience them.

All of which brings us to today.

We drove early to the new campground. About 20 minutes away. \240Their was some confusion about which spot was ours so it took awhile. \240 Our spot was newly created, and a little dirty and unkept. \240We sank in mud there too, and with rain expected tonight, shoveled extra rocks under our tires and jacks. \240We had about an hour to set up the camper, freshen our clothes, and rejoin the cousins without the RV attached.

Then we drove and had a tour of the town, saw places Jim had visited as a child, and the grave of his aunt - who had died while visiting Jim’s home in Colorado when he was eight. \240This aunt’s then-orphaned daughters were the cousins we were now visiting. Ebbie, here in Staunton, and our next stop takes us to Cathy in McComb, Illinois.

Ebbie and her husband Tom took us to a favorite restaurant with good food and live music. \240We stayed a couple hours, went home exhausted, and called it a day.

At least we got to pay for the meal to help make amends for their lawn… much worse than the pictures below show! \240(This was up to getting stuck, then the tow company dragged us all the way across so we could turn around.)

A quiet day today. \240 We slept well. \240 Jim worked and I \240caught up on phone calls and paperwork. \240 Got our mail. \240Pizza for lunch.

Jim got off at 7pm and we had a nice dinner with Eb and Tom nearby. \240Nice folks and good conversations.

They told us there is bad weather coming Wednesday. \240 Damaging winds, hail, perhaps tornados. \240

Jim and I noticed we could possibly move Tomorrow instead, going 3 hours away to our next stop in Illinois. \240 While they are expected to get storms too, they will not be as severe.

So first thing tomorrow we must decide. \240The campground is available where we would go, but we must cancel here and shorten our visits here. \240Still, in an RV bad weather must be taken seriously. \240

On another note -

We notice a definite change in our trip as we head into familiar states. \240 Suddenly the heart draws us “home” and tourism takes a back seat…

Yes, the weather changed our plans. \240We are still in the same large storm system but now on the outskirts where we are less likely to get severe weather.

Another very rustic campground. \240Apparently not many RVers in these parts. \240I can see why - this whole area is farmland, with many tiny towns. \240

I feel very tired. \240A little under the weather. \240 Time to rest and fight it off.

April 14 was our one year anniversary in the RV! \240 Hard to believe! \240 What an adventure this has been ! \240

We are still here in what I will remember as the “haunted campground”.

Ok, not really - no paranormal going on. \240 But deserted! \240 There are about 50 RVs but I think most are here for winter storage. \240 I bet maybe 10 are lived in. \240We have seen about 3 people, one or two moving cars, and no RVs coming or going in our week here. \240In most camps, vehicles are continuous movement. Also, the office has been closed, so we can’t get propane or snacks. \240 All restaurants - and the choices are scant - are a 15-3o minute drive away. No “entertainment” here at all.

It has rained hard two of our days, with high winds. The rest have been cold, whether sunny or overcast. \240It is pretty here in terms of the very green grasses and the lakes in the campground. \240 We have taken walks weather permitting and enjoyed the very different birds and birdsong in this area.

We saw Cathy and Joe today. \240 She is finally past her flu so we can visit. \240 She and Jim had a nice time reminiscing. \240

They had a new puppy so Joe and I enjoyed Zoey. \240 We also played Phase 10 and went to a restaurant together.

Today was our one year anniversary. \240 One year ago we moved out of our house of 20 years and into the RV.

Tonight I feel sad. \240I miss our house, our community, our neighbors, our family. \240I long for a sense of the familiar, especially in such strange times. \240

Much of it is mere fatigue. \240 We probably made the right decision. \240It was time to move somewhere smaller. \240But where? \240 Once we identify a community, can we find a house, half the size, that we can afford? \240

Casting our cares before He who knows our longings, and our purpose…

We have had a good time exploring here, but it has been cold, with high winds, and rain. \240

The food here is some of the best we’ve had, so we have bought meats, breads, coffee, and candy for our RV travels. \240

We are leaving tomorrow. \240 We were supposed to leave one day later, but again, the weather has intervened. \240 Our scheduled travel day was to be high winds and heavy rain. \240

We move on to Omaha. \240 We were originally scheduled for DesMoines, Iowa but learned my uncle in nearby Omaha was having a birthday, and my cousin Vicki, also in an RV from California, would be there - as will my cousin, Joe, from Omaha.

Back on known ground!

We arrived in Omaha after a 4 hour drive across Iowa. \240 It was a cloudly, foggy day. \240Kind of dreary but far better than driving in the high winds and rain expected tomorrow.

I was born here, but so far Omaha does not look familiar at all. \240As my cousin, Joe, and my uncle have moved since we saw them last, I doubt we will see areas I recognize. \240

My cousin Vicki (from California) arrives Sunday. \240 That will be our first time to be in an RV park with someone we know. \240 It will be fun to catch up on one another’s travels.

Coming closer to Colorado makes us turn our thoughts to where we will move when we finish RVing. \240A daunting thought. \240 So little housing supply, and so expensive. \240We don’t want to buy at the peak - surely prices must come down. \240And the big “where” still looms. \240 I feel torn between my family ties and the smaller town we both want. \240

A few years ago, we may have followed our desires only and chosen Florida. \240But it is \240so far away, and I wonder if air travel will continue to be easily available? I think Florida and North Carolina and Tennessee are all off the table, though we loved them. We also found an area in Texas we loved, but the fast growth in the area will likely make it too large a city in a few years.

Still trying to keep an open mind…

Blah day. \240I wasn’t feeling good. \240I think I have had a simmering dental infection or something that keeps returning.

We did both manage to get haircuts today. \240 Both of us were pretty shaggy.

It was rainy and high winds all day and all night. \240 We have had a lot of this since Kentucky. \240Hard to relax when you know you could tip or have damages.

Jim banged his head hard on the underside of one of our sliders. Came in bleeding a lot. \240 He will have a nasty bruise, and has a deep cut. \240It is in his hairline,so hard to bandage without shaving the area.

And, stressing about real estate prices, lack of availability, and the all-important “where” and “when”.

Don’t want to buy peak prices but also don’t want our home money just inflating away, either…

Will work on that issue when I can deal with it. \240 Too tired.

Had a good time visiting relatives at Joe And Joan Robbins’ house in Omaha (Elkhorn).

Many relatives had just attended the funeral of Lorene Robbins’ sister in Kansas. \240So they are all here now to also wish Howard Robbins a happy 95th birthday tomorrow.

So we saw -

Joe and Joanne Robbins

Larry and Kim Robbins, from Oklahoma.

Shari Robbins (currently building her new home in Omaha. \240 She sold their Missouri home when Dale died.)

Jack and Lorene Robbins from California (remarkably recovered from her recent stroke)

Connie (and her husband. \240 I think they are Meisingers. \240 They used to live in Monument too. Unsure of their last name and where they live now.)

Vicki and Jerry Fenske

The Fenskes are staying in our same mobile home park. \240It is fun having “neighbors”. \240 I wish it were for longer but we all leave on Tuesday….

The wind finally died down. \240I slept well for the first time in a week. Feeling much better and ready to be sociable!

We arrived in Grand Island to visit my cousins here.

We were supposed to stay at Laura and Josh’ home, (Ken and Elaines’ daughter and son in law) where they had a nice RV pad and power available.

But it turns out our RV didn’t like the angle of their driveway. \240 We could almost make it, but kept scraping bottom of our RV. \240At one point it was almost a go, but the RV was tilting on the driveway. \240We didn’t want to risk damage. \240So, a last minute switch to the nearest KOA campground.

Visited \240Ken and Elaine for lunch, and saw Ken’s house. \240Had a nice discussion about Covid and politics.

Dave and Eileen joined us later, and drove us around town for a couple hours. \240 We saw the old homestead (turned into a munitions depot), Fred and Elsies’ farm, and the graves of my grandparents; Anna and Henry Steinbeck, and Aunt Elsie and Uncle Fred Knefelkamp, and Uncle Marv and Aunt Grace Steinbeck.

We had dinner with them all, then called it a day. \240Nice to see them again.

Took yesterday off to rest, and to go to the Doctor. \240Lots of symptoms, and the Dr. Gave me antibiotics in case it is an infection; and a proton pump inhibitor for acid reflux that we realized later was likely caused cy the coffee from Amana.

We had a rough night. \240 The winds went to 55 mph, and the whole RV shook. \240 The wind never paused. \240By morning we had heavy rains and even more wind. \240 The constant sound of it became very irritating. \240 Hard to relax.

Then we left the RV for dinner at Dave and Eileen’s house, not too far from our campground. \240 They fixed a nice meal, featuring a ham, and ended with blueberry pie.

Ken and Elaine also came and contributed to the meal. \240 Then we all had a long chat. \240We really enjoyed them.

When Ken and Elaine left, Dave and Eileen first showed us their house and all her quilting supplies. \240 She is a great quilter, very artistic.

Then they took us on a drive. \240 We saw Hollis’ old farm, now torn down. \240 We saw his city house. \240We saw Elsie’s house, Nana’s house, even Mrs. Owens house next door. \240 We saw where my Mom and Dad liked to dance. \240We saw old schools they attended….

By then it was late and we had prep to do for driving into South Dakota tomorrow….

That week sure went fast! \240They were very hospitable…

A long drive today to Sioux Falls South Dakota. \240

Good roads, no other problems, but the winds made our gas milage really bad and the gas prices now are the highest we have seen.

Our first impressions of Sioux Falls are very good. \240 Nice community. \240Seems clean, friendly, nice wide roads…

We are here a week. \240Partly to catch up - the truck needs some maintenance, I still need to get rid of my mystery ailments, catch up on laundry, send some letters.

We also plan to see my old Pastor, Merv Kramer. \240We will see the falls, but likely not much else for sightseeing. \240 That’s ok. \240 We need a break from all our fun! \240

Had a great time visiting old friends, my first Pastor, Merv and Jackie Kramer, last night. \240 Hard to catch up over the meal she prepared, and a one evening visit. \240 We last saw them about 20 years ago!

I am sad that, in all our talking, I forgot to take a picture of them, though I took a picture of their house as we drove up. \240 I was too absorbed in our chat. \240 At least I got to express all they meant to me!

We haven’t written much here in Sioux Falls. \240 Jim has caught up on work he missed due to our relative-centric last few weeks. \240 He also spent one morning getting new front tires for our truck due to wear.

We spent one morning at the falls that the area is named after. \240 Very pretty, multiple cascades.

Here we are in another dusty cornfield type camp. \240 We are leaving tomorrow for Rapid City SD, and this just breaks up a long drive.

We had one scare driving. \240 South Dakota has a few very steep hills. \240 We were coming down one such grade, and you can imagine the momentum when you are hauling as much weight as we are. Hardly anyone was on this stretch highway, but at the very bottom of the hill, a small truck rounds a blind corner coming off another highway and merges too close in front of us. \240 He obviously doesn’t know that big trucks cannot brake quickly, especially on such a steep slope. \240 Praise God, we were able to brake enough without losing control or hitting him, but the man drove off with no clue how close he came to causing an accident.

Arrived safe at our camp with only three other campers, and went to the one restaurant in the town where we had the biggest hamburger I have ever seen - must’ve been at least 3/4 pound of meat.

Another short-ish drive day. \240Lots of hills = poor gas milage. \240Bad with diesel at 5.60+ per gallon. We are now in Rapid City.

This morning, our Kennebec campground had a BIG wild turkey come strutting through! Fun to watch. \240 He gave me the perfect Thanksgiving pose, with his tail fanned and his breast feathers fluffed out. Had to have been 25 pounds or more.

On our drive, we saw the Badlands off the side of the road. \240 We would’ve loved to stop and explore, but not while pulling the RV. \240 The Badlands looked like a much bigger version of the Callahan Paint Mines near Colorado Springs, with colorful spires, canyons, and hoodoos. \240We’d love to see them up close, but I doubt we will have the time to. \240It is an hour drive back, probably 2+ hours to tour the park, an hour back…

There WAS parking space to pull off and check out Wall Drug, famous in this area. \240 Great shopping and lots of kitsch to see and pose with. Donuts and 5cent coffee. \240Since Jasper was in the truck, (it was a cool morning), we made it a fast tour.

After arrival, we ate at a (big surprise!) Mexican restaurant for lunch.

Then, we watched the Kentucky Derby on TV. \240A horse we saw train at Churchill Downs (Crown Pride, from Japan) took 2nd place! Rich Strike won, an upset as he was a last minute addition to the field when another horse was scratched, and had the longest betting odds of them all. The race was nearly over when Rich Strike suddenly surged and overtook the leaders. \240The horse no one even saw, before and during the race, had won!

It was fun seeing all the pomp and pageantry, now that we knew about the horses, people and traditions involved.

Today is Mother’s Day. \240We had talks with both our Moms. \240 Both were having medical issues that made it hard to have a conversation, but we tried.

My kids all called, and I loved that. \240 We had a nice visit with each. \240No gifts, but that is hard with the RV life. \240I get that. \240 Jim took me for a nice steak meal. \240 My digestion is still off, so very small portions, but it was really good.

Today is the only day we can be tourists here in Rapid City due to Jim’s work hours, and the distances... \240We chose to see Custer State Park, as we loved that so much last time. \240 We had seen the Crazy Horse Monument and Mount Rushmore on a previous family trip. \240 If we had more time, I’d have loved to see those again. \240Can’t do it all.

Custer was not at all as I remembered. \240 Some is the time of year, perhaps, as we didn’t see near as much wildlife as last time. \240 We saw a few deer, a few bison, turkeys, a few bighorn. \240 Custer had had a large fire since we last visited, and so much was burnt and downed trees. Not near as pretty scenery. \240Also they are now rebuilding roads. \240Some areas were closed, such as where the burros hang out. I loved the burrows last time, begging for treats and pushing their big faces in the cars! \240We were also forced off the pavement onto rutted dirt roads. \240The bouncing didn’t help my stomach issues.

It was a \240lot of driving, and diesel is now so expensive, so we burned through a lot of gas. \240 But Hey, we tried. \240If we hadn’t I would have regretted not seeing what was once a very magical place to me.

At least the bison were cooperative. \240Some were just off the road, all big males. \240 One was having a nice scratch on the sign of the visitor center. \240 The center also had a nice movie about the park.

Jim and I are beginning to talk about alternatives. After visiting Colorado Springs, the completion of our nation-wide loop -

Perhaps Arizona for the winter in our RV; touring much more slowly than we have so Jim can work AND we can have time to appreciate the areas we visit. \240 It has become much harder to find time for fun since the job change and we want more than just the constant driving and hanging around “home”. Otherwise why RV?

Or, \240perhaps go to Montrose Co to see what it is like to live there a while before possibly buying a house. A long winter in the RV sounds daunting - and likely cabin crazy boring - in Colorado; \240but with our country so unsettled it may be safer, cheaper, closer to “home”. \240I don’t want to be somewhere remote and can’t find diesel fuel or a part we must have for the RV. \240

It would help us decide whether small, mountain town Montrose (less traffic, lower altitude, warmer, new things to discover) or big town Colorado Springs (Amy, grandsons, and friends, but crowded and “same old” ) would be better for us long term…

And, we are not home yet so we still have a few places to consider.

We have had wonderful Travels, and to date my favorite places were central Florida or Tennessee. \240 I would love to live in either but they are so far from everyone…. \240In good times, if I knew money and air travel could be counted on, maybe we would “go for it”. \240But not now.

Too much to think about…

Today was spent at the hospital. \240Oh, the fun tourism we do.

I haven’t felt right in weeks. \240 In Nebraska I was given antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor but I continue to have an extremely acidic stomach and a tight, sore throat and other issues.

Told the hospital that, and they got me in immediately - no waiting room - and began testing. \240 A blood test, an EKG, a heart monitor, blood pressure monitor, an ex ray of my chest, and a series of two specialized blood tests, all to rule out a potential heart attack.

Which, thankfully, was ruled out. \240 And left them with no diagnosis other than GERD, stress, and apparently whatever is going on with my neck can wait until I see my primary. \240Then perhaps an endoscopic exam at a gastroenterologist. Fun.

I admit stress has been bad. \240 The constant bad weather - high winds, tornado warnings, just now a severe thunderstorm with 60mph gusts and potential of 1” hail….It has been every few days.

Plus the news! \240 War, diesel costs and shortages, abortion ruling causing destruction…. House prices…. Where to live when we are done RVing…

Trying hard to unclench and pray and force my muscles to relax.

At least I know a heart attack is not an issue!

Great day today. \240A short “switch” to a new campground in Hot Springs, SD. \240 We were supposed to go to Custer but we learned that camp had very poor WiFi, so Jim couldn’t work.

We wanted to see the town of Custer however, which we have fond memories of a visit with the kids. \240 We had a gorgeous 45 minute drive to get there, and had a late lunch. \240 We drove around, mostly, to see the town. \240 Then we headed back by a different route. \240 This one went by Wind Cave national park, which is near the highway anyway. \240

Pulling in we saw several buffalo 🦬 just off the side of the road - more than we’d seen for all our long drive in Custer National Park. \240 We also saw pronghorn and prairie dogs.

We went into the visitor Center, and looked at the cave exhibits. \240 Impressive! \240 Apparently this is one of the largest cave systems in the US. \240 The part you could tour covered perhaps 1/100th of all the passages. \240 Lacking time, we didn’t go in for a tour - but still had fun.

We also looked around the town of hot springs. \240 Very old mountain funky, but there was something pure and honest about it too. \240 A nice area. \240

Finally, the weather is beautiful - Springlike! \240Blooming trees and green grass!

And I feel good today. \240 Still learning what sets off the acid reflux, so I am watching my diet carefully. \240

Tomorrow, a real treat - we are going to the hot springs, and while there will enjoy a massage and their sauna. \240 I have SO missed having a bath to soak in, and mineral springs sound wonderful! \240

Then, \240while Jim works, I can explore this campground which is very “in the woods”, and get in some hiking and fresh air. \240 I’d love to see wildlife here, too.

So glad we left Sioux Falls when we did! \240 The footage of the winds (107mph, 2” hail!) and all the overturned trucks gives me the Heebie jeebies. \240That could have been us! \240 God has been so good, and kept us one step ahead of damaging weather so many times!

Today is a stay at home day, so Jim can work and I can catch up to computer chores.

I am still feeling “off”. \240 High blood pressure, upset stomach, dental pain (though no specific area), headaches. \240Strong enough that it is hard to enjoy our travels, and hard to get much done. All I know for sure is this is partly related to GERD, partly related to stress, and my heart is NOT involved.

Yesterday we went to a spa. \240 Soaked in the Moccasin Springs pools, had a sauna, had a massage. \240 Was really hoping that would help my body heal from whatever this is. \240Enjoyed it a lot, at least. \240 Perfect day to be out in the sun, and I had missed pools (as all the campground swimming pools are not open yet). Hoping my discomfort today is from shedding toxins after the massage…

The journey continues!

We are passing through Wyoming and Montana to get to Yellowstone, then back to Colorado! \240Our great loop through the US is nearly done.

I break this off to prevent longer strolling.

Copy this url.

Paste into a browser.

Go to https://www.journohq.com/Journo/back-to-home-58052

Or, to see all older entries, go to: \240

https://www.journohq.com/profile/RvAdventurer