More from the Landvaters.......Mon. June 7 Pulled out of campground at 9 am and drove north into South Dakota. While driving we saw
pronghorns, Buffalo and prairie dogs, and a few deer. Stopped at Wind Cave National Park, took the 1
1/2 hour tour, called Fairgrounds, had to negotiate 300 to 450 stairs. This cave is different that most
caves, it has boxworks, popcorn and frostwork formations. They have explored 135 miles and expect
that this is only 10 percent of the cave, it is also the fourth largest in the world. We then drove into
Custer and found a campground for the next two nights.
Tues., June 8 Took a drive today, pasted Crazy Horse, were there before, so we didn't go in, looks like they have got
a little more done in the past 4 years. We then proceeded to the Needles Highway, past a rock that
looks like a needle and drove through three tunnels that were carved out of rocks. We then drove Iron
Mountain Road, where there was 4 more tunnels and hairpin curves. Drove north to Rapid City to visit
Mt. Rushmore Black Gold Jewelry Store, they give tours to see them make different jewelry (rings,
earrings, and pendents), it is also known as an outlet store. We've been past here two times before and
every time we stop and I buy a piece of jewelry. I then went and did laundry, yes I do have to do that
once in a while.
Wed., June 9 Left campground about 9 am. and entered into Wyoming at 10 am., this drive was a every scenic
route, a route that is not used very much. It was over hills that are grasslands, we had also passed a
Red Butte, a very tall hill that is flat on top and the ground going up the side is red, we saw alot of these
in the southwest. We had saw a few pronghorn anteloupes, all single grazing on the grasslands. We
had arrived at Devil's Tower National Campground around noon, while putting water in trailer, I saw a Bull
snake, scarey, Ken went and took some pictures of it, was about 3-4 feet long. We had setup camp,
have a great site can see the tower from our door and then drove up to the Devil's Tower, went into the
visitors center, saw they have a rangers walk tomorrow at 9:30, plan on going back tomorrow. Devil's
Tower is the nations very first national monument. It is actually the core of a volcano exposed after
million of years of erosion brought on by the Belle Fourche River and weather. The tower is 865 feet
high and around the perimeter, a distance of one and a quarter mile.
Thurs., June 10 Went for walk with ranger around base, took about 1 til 1 1/2 hours, talked about different trees in the
area, Indian's sacred ties to the tower, how and why they hang pieces of cloth around the tower. After
walk, we drove to Aladdin, a town with a population of 15 and a country store that someone told us to
make sure to visit, it wasn't worth the trip just junk. Had met a couple in campground that needed some
help with awning, Ken went over and helped them, this was their first time out with a motorhome, gave
them some tips. While sitting and relaxing, saw 4 turkeys in a distance, one gobbler with tail feathers all
fluffed (waiting to get lucky). Started to storm about 9:30, so we went to bed.
Fri., June 11 Left camp early this morning so we could arrive and help with verification. Stood around, got
reaquainted, did check in quite a few trailer today. Our friends from Calgary arrived, stood around with
us till about 3:45 when we all finally got parked for the rally. It's cloudy, drizzly and cold 48 degrees.
pronghorns, Buffalo and prairie dogs, and a few deer. Stopped at Wind Cave National Park, took the 1
1/2 hour tour, called Fairgrounds, had to negotiate 300 to 450 stairs. This cave is different that most
caves, it has boxworks, popcorn and frostwork formations. They have explored 135 miles and expect
that this is only 10 percent of the cave, it is also the fourth largest in the world. We then drove into
Custer and found a campground for the next two nights.
Tues., June 8 Took a drive today, pasted Crazy Horse, were there before, so we didn't go in, looks like they have got
a little more done in the past 4 years. We then proceeded to the Needles Highway, past a rock that
looks like a needle and drove through three tunnels that were carved out of rocks. We then drove Iron
Mountain Road, where there was 4 more tunnels and hairpin curves. Drove north to Rapid City to visit
Mt. Rushmore Black Gold Jewelry Store, they give tours to see them make different jewelry (rings,
earrings, and pendents), it is also known as an outlet store. We've been past here two times before and
every time we stop and I buy a piece of jewelry. I then went and did laundry, yes I do have to do that
once in a while.
Wed., June 9 Left campground about 9 am. and entered into Wyoming at 10 am., this drive was a every scenic
route, a route that is not used very much. It was over hills that are grasslands, we had also passed a
Red Butte, a very tall hill that is flat on top and the ground going up the side is red, we saw alot of these
in the southwest. We had saw a few pronghorn anteloupes, all single grazing on the grasslands. We
had arrived at Devil's Tower National Campground around noon, while putting water in trailer, I saw a Bull
snake, scarey, Ken went and took some pictures of it, was about 3-4 feet long. We had setup camp,
have a great site can see the tower from our door and then drove up to the Devil's Tower, went into the
visitors center, saw they have a rangers walk tomorrow at 9:30, plan on going back tomorrow. Devil's
Tower is the nations very first national monument. It is actually the core of a volcano exposed after
million of years of erosion brought on by the Belle Fourche River and weather. The tower is 865 feet
high and around the perimeter, a distance of one and a quarter mile.
Thurs., June 10 Went for walk with ranger around base, took about 1 til 1 1/2 hours, talked about different trees in the
area, Indian's sacred ties to the tower, how and why they hang pieces of cloth around the tower. After
walk, we drove to Aladdin, a town with a population of 15 and a country store that someone told us to
make sure to visit, it wasn't worth the trip just junk. Had met a couple in campground that needed some
help with awning, Ken went over and helped them, this was their first time out with a motorhome, gave
them some tips. While sitting and relaxing, saw 4 turkeys in a distance, one gobbler with tail feathers all
fluffed (waiting to get lucky). Started to storm about 9:30, so we went to bed.
Fri., June 11 Left camp early this morning so we could arrive and help with verification. Stood around, got
reaquainted, did check in quite a few trailer today. Our friends from Calgary arrived, stood around with
us till about 3:45 when we all finally got parked for the rally. It's cloudy, drizzly and cold 48 degrees.
