Day 7
We rolled into Horseshoe Bend Campground at 10:45 last night, in was pitch black, not even lanterns. But we woke to this.
We had a little fun before packing up and getting on the road , again.
Today we find ourselves in another state, Montana, stopping in Billing MT to stock our fridge and get propane.
And at 7:30 tonight we finally made it…
Lots of things we wanted to see today. Did not know about this one, but Oliver saw it in his Jr Ranger book, so he insisted we stop. And he picked up another Jr Ranger badge.
Then we are off again…Now to pick up our stamps at Badlands visitor center, and of course another Jr Ranger Badge.
We are hooked up and ready to drive through the Badlands, enjoy your virtual tour.
Once through we got back on the highway to make our to our next stop.
Just out in the middle of the Black Forest lies some really large busts of 4 great presidents.
We went to the visitor center and explored the grounds and museum. And of course Oliver got his 3rd Jr Ranger Badge of the day.
Back in the car we go for some lunch and we are off, next stop Horseshoe Bend Campground in WY.
Just kidding, stopped at the Grasslands National Park, and the 4th Jr. Ranger Badge if the day.
Long day, into a long night of driving…going up and down mountains, 8350 in elevation and around tight turns, we will be setting up camp in the dark.
Short drive for us to get to the hottest State we have set foot in yet…South Dakota.
Our first stop today was at Sioux Fall, SD. We had a fun time walking around the park and climbing the falls.
Back in the car we went to drive West, only state we drove through was South Dakota. On our way we went over the Missouri River. Now we are in the West, or Rocky Mountain Region.
We finally made it…our 1st National Park.
Badlands National Park
Camp is set up, now time to hang out in the 110 degree heat. It is hot and we do not have any AC at this campground.
We had time to explore some when we arrived so we went “Window” and “Door” Trails. The landscape feels like clay built up in to little and large dunes. I was a dying hike.
Time for dinner and to cool off after the sunset.
Day 4
Today was another driving day. Today we travelled from IL to WI to MN.
We got to stop and take a look at the Mississippi River after driving over it. We are now officially in the west.
We are camping tonight in Adrian MN at a small campground where we are the smallest camper here.
Day three,
We didn’t have to wake up early which was nice, but mom woke up and enjoyed a very nice sun rise over Bullfrog Pond.
We went to the Shed aquarium and saw lots and lots of sea animals. We even got to feed the Sting Ray.
On our walk to the Shed Aquarium We saw some really cool leg sculptures. They reminded me of one of our DI projects.
After the Shed Aquarium we went to the Navy pier for lunch. Then we quickly walked to our architectural boat tour.
Day 2, today was a 5 state driving day, we went through NY, PA, OH, ID, IL.
Nothing interesting to write about, oh wait, only a campground fire. I’m not talking campfire, no someone accidentally lit their camper on fire and they had to call the fire department.
We are now at Bullfrog Pond Campground in Willow Springs IL. Finished the day with some famous frozen custard, from Andy’s.
Today we began our cross country trip out west. I90 is very long.
Our first day driving and we blew a tire. Yes you are reading that correctly we BLEW A TIRE.
All is good, Dad and mom got the spare on and we headed to a tire shop, where we bought 2 new tires for the camper.
Finally arrived at our stop, Evangola State Park. Just in time for sunset.
We spend most of the day driving, off to bed and heading to Chicago tomorrow.
Our blog for our cross country trip will be going live in two days, stay tuned.