South Dakota Trip Part 2 and rainy drive home

Sept 3 - 5
We had a few things to finish up on our last day in South Dakota. Our trip was a great success with getting our drivers licenses and our residency. We spent time in Custer State Park, seen the wildlife, Mount Rushmore and driven the Needles Highway. No it was time to tackle the Mickelson Trail. I had seen the trail when I was in South Dakota attending the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2012 and wanted to ride the trail with Glenda on a return trip.....so we drove down to Hill City and rented two bikes and headed out. Hill City is at a low level in the terrain which means either direction we would go, it would be uphill. So we headed for the Oreville rest area. It was 5 miles away and all uphill. Unfortunately the bike I rented was a little too small for me so I had some difficulty at first but after adjusting the seat a couple of times I got into a rhythm.

 

 

The bikes were of good quality so the riding was smooth but having not ridden for sometime and putting on a few pounds I tired out fairly quickly. However I did not give up on making it to the Oreville rest area. The scenery was terrific and the Black Hills are beautiful.

 

We continued to uphill trek and finally made it to our turn around point. Oreville Rest Area.

Oreville is near the mid point of the Mickelson Trail. It was established as a railroad stop in 1890. The great thing about an all uphill trek to Oreville was the all downhill ride back to Hill City and the bike rental place. It took us less than half the time back down as it did going up. Once we got back we headed over to Mount Rushmore for one more look. On the way back to Box Elder we stopped at the Naked Winery for some gifts for family and friends. No, it isn't what you think but they do have some good wine. We got back to our room after a light dinner and prepared for our trip home the next day.

The next day we checked out and checked our mail before getting on the road. I found a Starbucks and away we went. We made it to Sioux City, IA for the night and stayed at a Stoney Creek Inn. There was a Famous Dave's next door so we had a good BBQ dinner. We got an early start the next day and ran into some heavy downpours going through IA.

It was on and off rain most of the way home. We finally made it home and relaxed the rest of the evening. Now it was time to prepare for our move to Indiana on Monday. We had a reservation at the Granger KOA and planned to spend some time with the grandkids. After that it was time for the RV Dreams Rally at the Elkhart Fairgrounds in Goshen. So far many things have happened since retiring and we are still getting settled in to the process. It is taking some time with going between family and the rally. Looking forward to getting down to AZ in November.

 

Canoeing and South Dakota Trip- Part 1

August 29 - Sept 2
As I stated in my last post I was going to go canoeing with my brother on Friday, Aug 29th, which actually was my last day of work but since I had turned in my laptop there really wasn't a good reason to go in. So my manager and section manager said take some permission morale time. So I did. Last day of work I went canoeing. I met my brother at his house and we loaded his canoe on the top of SUV, the paddles and some light gear. We drove to our take out point a few miles down from where we would put the canoe in, then we drove to the put in and unloaded.

Kent unloading

The canoe

Ready for a good paddle

Mackinaw River

Our first log jam

We made it to the take out

 

We got started and were making some good progress when we came upon ad huge log jam that caused us to do a portage of about 100 yards around the jam. We got going again and a couple more miles down the river we encountered another jam. This time we had a short portage but through a field of itch weed. I hadn't been in that stuff since I was a kid on the Mississippi River. Anyway we made it through and soaked our legs in the cool water until the itching was tolerable. We continued our journey and came across one additional jam, a couple of step over logs and finally made it to our take out. We calculated the mileage and figured we had done about 13 miles. About 5-6 miles more than we anticipated. We started out with some light rain and clouds but ended with a nice sunny day. I hadn't done that much paddling for a long time and was a little sore for a couple day after.

 

Then it was time to make our way to South Dakota to get our licenses and residency. We left our rig at Kamp Komfort on Sunday Aug 31 and made out way to our overnight stop in Sioux Falls, SD. We stayed in a nice Quality Inn and Suites. The next morning as we were eating breakfast we saw some pamphlets about Falls Park. Falls Park is actually in the downtown area of Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. It is the county seat of Minnehaha County. The history of Sioux Falls revolves around the cascades of the Big Sioux River. The falls were created about 14,000 years ago during the last ice age. The lure of the falls has been a powerful influence. Ho-Chunk, Ioway, Otoe, Missouri, Omaha (and Ponca at the time), Quapaw, Kansa, Osage, Arikira, Dakota, Nakota and Cheyenne people inhabited the region previous to European descendants. Numerous burial mounds still exist on the high bluffs near the river. The inhabitants maintained an agricultural society with fortified villages on many of the same sites that were previously settled. Lakota populate urban and reservation communities in the contemporary state and many Lakota, Dakota, Nakota, and other Indigenous Americans reside in Sioux Falls today. It was a short drive from the hotel to Falls Park. What a great side trip to start our SD adventure.

 

Rock formations leading to the falls

The Selfie

Looking up stream

One of the falls

The large lower falls

 

We spent about an hour just walking around on the rocks, going to different vantage points to view the falls and listening t the rushing water. What a beautiful state.

 

We continued our journey and stopped at a rest stop near Chamberlain, SD which had an incredible view of the Missouri River. The Missouri River is the largest and longest river in the state. South Dakota can generally be divided into three regions: eastern South Dakota, western South Dakota, and the Black Hills. The Missouri River serves as a boundary in terms of geographic, social, and political differences between eastern and western South Dakota, and the geography of the Black Hills differs from its surroundings to such an extent that it can be considered separate from the rest of western South Dakota. South Dakotans also at times combine the Black Hills with the rest of western South Dakota, and refer to the two resulting regions, divided by the Missouri, as West River and East River.

 

Teepee monument

View of the Missouri River

Close up of bridge across

Different perspective

 

We made our way on across this great state and stopped for a short rest in Wall, SD. The home of the famous Wall Drug store. There were numerous signs for about 200 miles before getting to Wall Drug so we had to stop.

 

Interesting place to stop....typical tourist trap.

 









 

We finally made it to Box Elder, SD and our mail forwarding service location. Americas Mailbox is our mail forwarding service and they have 3 rooms that can be rented when in the area or for first timers like us so we could get a receipt to prove we stayed in South Dakota at least one night which qualified us for residency and getting our SD drivers licenses. The rooms are nice, like a hotel room, and near the licensing facility. We found a Quaker Steak and Lube and had some dinner. The next morning we took our documentation - birth certificates, marriage license and social security cards along with the receipt to the licensing facility. Within 25 minutes we were residents and had our drivers licenses.

Ok....I look like I should be on a wanted poster, I know

 

They said look at the blue dot, so I did. They didn't say smile, so I didn't. Oh well. It could have been worse.

 

We then set out to see some of the sights of the Black Hills. We drove the State Road 385 and then headed to Custer State Park. We were ready for some wildlife. We checked in at the gate and paid our 7 day fee. (We only were there for 2 days but that is the shortest they have) We got some directions and a map. Then we headed to the wildlife loop. For the first few miles all we saw was one prairie dog near the side of the road. We passed it before we could get a photo. then we happened upon a group of cars along the road so we knew there was something to see. It ended up being a few donkeys that folks were feeding. They would actually put their heads in the car windows if they were down.

 

That was fun but we were on a mission to see some REAL wildlife....like Buffalo so we continued on. Down the road a short way we saw some buffalo in the distance.

Pretty far off to see well...just wait

 

Then we saw a car take off on a side road from the main loop. There was a sign ta said "open to public" so we followed....so glad we did. We came across another heard not too far off on our right. So we stopped the car and to our surprise they were walking toward us. This is what we came to see. They kept coming closer and closer and then they were right next to our car. Glenda got a little spooked thinking they might come right over looking for food but they didn't pay any attention to us and walked right on by.

 

The herd

Here they come

Right by us

Right next to us

 

What amazing animals. So gentle looking but so powerful too. This is what I think of when I think of America and how the west was won. After they passed by we turned around and continued on the main road when we came upon a second group of buffalo that were on the road.

 

Our wildlife experience was complete

 

You would think that there wouldn't be much more to see in the Black Hills after that but we then headed to the Needles Highway.

 

 



Needles Highway is located in Custer State Park and is 14 Miles in Length on SR 87. It features Black Hills scenery including; granite spires, the Needles Eye, narrow tunnels and hairpin curves. Needles Highway passes beautiful Sylvan Lake.

 

 

 

Too bad we didn't have time to rent a kayak and do a short paddle. Too little time and too much to do. We will, of course, be back. That was a pretty full packed day but we weren't finished yet. We drove over to Mount Rushmore to get a quick peek at the Presidents.

 

Again, we didn't have time to stop and go into the park. So I snapped a couple of photos. Then we headed back to our room at the mail forwarding service. That was an eventful and long day. We had a light dinner at McDonalds and retired (I like the sound of that word) to our room for the evening. We had a big day planned the next day. Sept 3rd would be our last day of sightseeing. So I will leave that day for my next post. Wow...kind of feels like vacation. A lot going on for the next month so it will take some time to slow down. So far it's been fun. That's how we roll.



 



 



 

It finally happened...Retired

Well I have been counting down the months, weeks and days for quite some time. Envisioning the day it would happen and today it finally did....I'm now among those who call themselves retired. Actually the countdown clock says a few more hours but they told me today at work I didn't have to come back tomorrow(my official last day). I usually work a half a day on Fridays but I turned in my work laptop keys and cleaned out my desk so there really wasn't a reason for me to come back tomorrow. As I was sitting at my desk watching the clock click off the last remaining minutes and seconds I had to take a selfie. I felt the need to document the look on my face as I was getting ready to walk out the door where I have worked at for the last 14 years.

Now I realize that 14 years is not that long to work for a company but putting those years together with the years as a teenager, the Navy and my private practice in Chiropractic that's an additional 34 years bringing us to the present. That's 48 years of working. Now that sounds more impressive and as my friend Rick from "It's about time" would say. It's our time. (Glenda and I) This Sunday we leave for South Dakota to get our drivers licenses and establish our residency, after a short day of sightseeing, we return, pack up and leave for Indiana. We have reservations at the KOA in Granger and then on to the RV-Dreams Rally. It's pretty surreal right now. I'm ready to move down the road and begin the adventure we call retirement. Also looking forward to no snow, polar vortexs or sub zero temps. It was bittersweet saying "see you later" to my co-workers(refused to say goodbye). Some tears and hugs were in order. We were like a family and I appreciate Gina and Suzanne so much. They made the job much more fun. My team manager, Lisa, was so supportive of my second career and it was a pleasure working for her and having her lead our team. Thank you, Lisa.

Well if the rain will stop, I have plans to go canoeing with my brother tomorrow morning on the Mackinaw River. Let's hope we can get that done. Well that's about all I have right now. Ready for the future but our time starts NOW.

August birthday celebration

We have 4 August birthdays in our family and the last 2-3 years our daughter in Indiana has had a combined celebration. My birthday is Aug 13, granddaughter, Ryleigh, is August 15, step grandson, Mason, is on August 20 and grandson, Caden, is on August 27. Our daughter, Sommer, invites
our family and her husbands family for the event. We arrived on Friday evening and due to the number of people expected, we stayed in a hotel nearby. Todd's mother, Barb, arrived Friday evening also with her sister, Elly. Todd's son, Mason, and his cousin, Tristen, was there too. We took Brooklyne with us to the hotel on Friday night. Of course, we enjoyed the hotel breakfast in the morning. Once we got ourselves dressed and fed, we went back to Sommer's. Everyone started to arrive Saturday after noon. Our daughter, Heather, and her husband, Paul, arrived with our newest grandson, Aiden. Aiden has really grown and is constantly on the move.

 

 

Todd's father arrived with his sister, Tracy, brother in law, Jimmy and their 3 children. Everyone was having a great time with lots of food. We got out the Corn hole game and everyone started to pair up for a tournament. I played with my son in law, Paul, and we made it through 2 rounds before losing. Todd's cousin, Jeff, was on fire all day and he and Todd pretty much took it all. Ryleigh and Caden being the two youngest of the birthdays had some nice presents to open. The kids played and everyone enjoyed great conversation and catching up. Most had too much to eat and some had a little too much to drink. But it was all good. As the sun went down e started a nice fire in the fire pit that Todd and I built a few weeks ago in one of our last visits. It was getting late so we took Brooklyne and Ryleigh with us to the hotel. Everyone went right to sleep, it was a big day. I made sure to get some photos of the family before everyone started to leave. Here is the family.

 

Todd, Sommer, Ryleigh, Caden, Brooklyne, Mason and Jasmyne

 

Paul, Aiden and Heather

 

It's always great to get together with family. Over the last few years we've had much more of an opportunity to spend time with Sommer and Heather and their families. So this winter we are making Arizona our winter stop. Our son, Chris, lives in Mesa so we have reservations in Gold Canyon for 4 months. It will be nice to spend some quality time with our son and do some sightseeing and enjoy the desert. One week left of work, drive to South Dakota for the drivers license and then the RV-Dreams Rally. Ready to hit  the road and it won't be long.