Trip Day 3 Ogallala to Bighorn National Forest

Trip Day 3 – We started the day early and departed Ogallala, Nebraska before 9am. The drive up Route 26 is very nice, our first stop was Chimney Rock visitors center for ½ a movie and a few photos, they had a nice little center on the history of the area and the Oregon trail. We then head out to Scott's Bluff were we did a few short hikes, the wildflowers were in full bloom and it was beautiful. One of the trials was blocked due to a rocks slide, with lots of signs saying stop here, we saw a young couple with a dog hiking past the sign. When we came down we were greeted by a Ranger who asked about them, I think they found out the rules do apply... We then got back on the road for Buffalo, Wyoming, along the way we stopped near Fort Laramie, to see Oregon Trial ruts. 350000+ people traveling west can leave a large mark on the environment. We then stopped for a quick dinner sandwich and back on the road. We arrived in Buffalo looking for fresh water for our motorhome, reading site info on Bighorn Forrest Middle Fork campground, we found they have no water. We were turned away the KOA, but found a gas station with water and a dump. A short drive through town and we headed to our campsite. All was well except it took me a ½ hour to level the motorhome (not a level site, and I was “cooked” form the drive). Our first night (of many) without power or internet. The good side is tonight we will need heat, not AC, low of 50 expected.

Trip Day 2 - More driving, a few nice stops

Trip Day 2 – We started the morning in Amana, Iowa with the intention of paying our bill and moving out. After talking to the campground receptionist, a trip into Amana sounded interesting so we drove into town and decided to walk. It was about 9am local time and stores did not open until 10am, except the bakery (so I dragged Renee into it). The town looks “Modern Amish”, neat and orderly with lots of German in the names, but with electricity and power. Similar history, escaping German religious persecution. We found a very neat (well actually very chaotic) flower and sculpture store, and looked for 20 minutes or more. Full sized horses, pink flamingos, sunflowers, rosters to name a few. So off to another late drive start, but well worth the time. Another mostly boring day (yeah). We stopped at the Pony Express stop in Gothenburg, Nebraska. We arrived a few minutes after closing, but they held the door for Renee and she purchased some postcards. A few more hours on the road and we were in the Mountain time zone and arrived at Sleepy Sunflower RV Park in Ogallala, Nebraska. A small park just off I-80, very clean, very friendly, perfect for an overnight stop. We took a quick walk and watched the sky turn “strange”, made it back to the motorhome in time to not be hit by ice-cube sized hail.

Trip Day 2 - More driving, a few nice stops

Trip Day 2 – We started the morning in Amana, Iowa with the intention of paying our bill and moving out. After talking to the campground receptionist, a trip into Amana sounded interesting so we drove into town and decided to walk. It was about 9am local time and stores did not open until 10am, except the bakery (so I dragged Renee into it). The town looks “Modern Amish”, neat and orderly with lots of German in the names, but with electricity and power. Similar history, escaping German religious persecution. We found a very neat (well actually very chaotic) flower and sculpture store, and looked for 20 minutes or more. Full sized horses, pink flamingos, sunflowers, rosters to name a few. So off to another late drive start, but well worth the time. Another mostly boring day (yeah). We stopped at the Pony Express stop in Gothenburg, Nebraska. We arrived a few minutes after closing, but they held the door for Renee and she purchased some postcards. A few more hours on the road and we were in the Mountain time zone and arrived at Sleepy Sunflower RV Park in Ogallala, Nebraska. A small park just off I-80, very clean, very friendly, perfect for an overnight stop. We took a quick walk and watched the sky turn “strange”, made it back to the motorhome in time to not be hit by ice-cube sized hail.

Trip Day 1 - Mostly just driving!

Day 1, we took a few hours to pack and get ready so the drive started before 11am. We found the hard way that Warren Dunes State Park has no signage on I-95, so we stopped in New Buffalo, MI for a walk and found a small art festival “Artigras”. It was very nice, I especially enjoyed the work of one artist who did nature photography printed on metal. We then hit the road again. I had a small issue with the storage “motorhome”, the bolt holding the bike mount was lose, not sure if it shook lose or started that way, I found it about an hour outside of Chicago and fixed it at a TA gas station. It was warm, with the outside thermometer showing 107 at one point (the real temperature was less, but the pavement was HOT). Mostly a boring and uneventful day so all is well. We put on about 500 miles, I hope to do 600 tomorrow. We are in a campground in Amana IO, a bit off the highway, but it was time (past 10pm MI).

The adventure is about to begin. 3 weeks, 3 National Parks, 4000+ miles.

The motorhome has been serviced, a new storage unit has been added to the back and I am seeking a new BBQ,

Three unplanned road days with the first planned stop of Bighorn National Forest.  We are staying at a primitive campground with lots of good hiking and nearby waterfalls.  After two days we will be heading to Grand Teton National park for 4 days of hiking, we have reservations outside of the park, but I hope to snag a spot in the park.  Then on to Yellowstone National Park for a driving and hiking tour of one of the true wonders of the world.  From Yellowstone we have two days to get to Glacier National Park where we will spent two days on the west side and two days on the east side, renting a car so that I can drive the Going to the Sun road.

Just a few 100 little items to take care of between now and 8am Saturday when we depart!