We woke up real early Wednesday morning and left Devils Tower while the kids were still asleep, and didn't wake up for another hour. We needed gas and the closet station was 60 miles the direction we were going. At the gas station we were going to get a diet coke, no Pepsi is made in Wyoming. We had to go to three stations to find diet coke! I also broke down and let the kids buy snacks cookies, and pop tarts. I told them this is it we aren't doing that again!(we'll see) We were driving to Thermopolis, Wy which was about 4.5 hours away. But you have to drive through the Bighorn Mountains. It took a lot longer than expected, just with the mountain climb and they were doing construction, crazy construction where they were grading the side of a hill with a bulldozer and it had to be a 50 or 60 angle. At one point on the descent we pulled over to take pictures and get out and the brakes were burning. So we stayed there a while and let them cool down. It was all very pretty but once you got through the mountains it was a desert on the other side. All rock, sand no dirt and scrub brush.
The Thermopolis Dinosaur museum was pretty cool, kids enjoyed it. But Thermopolis has the largest hot springs in the world, so we went to check those out. They have three swimming pool complexes right next to the mineral spring pools and they use that hot water. Two pools charge and one is a free state run one. The state run one looked the nicest but there were mainly older people there and we saw 4 bicycles outside and you could tell they were biking across the state or country, and using this place as a bath! There was also a van that was full of stuff and Cate said does someone live in there and I was like maybe and he's probably in there too taking a bath. So we skipped the free state pool.
We skipped swimming Blair was afraid that it was too hot and then Lauren fell out of the overhead bunk above the front seats and really scraped her leg on a sharp edge under the cushion. The camper doesn't have many sharp corners but I've managed to run into them all with my leg or shoulder. I have a terrible bruise on my leg from this dumb drawer right by the front passenger seat, which I hit twice. There are these sharp cabinets right by our head in the bedroom, which I've elbowed.
The grocery store in town is called Blair's so of course we had to stop, we forgot dish soap. We went to the camp ground and had a quiet evening. The campground does tubing down the river but we looked at the river and it was flowing a little too fast with all the rain. And of course it rained last night but today, Thursday we are on to Yellowstone!
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Tuesday, July 24
We got up early and left Custer State Park and headed North. Our first stop was Reptile Gardens, which was one of USA Today's top 10 roadside attractions to visit in the US or something.
It was really neat, they had huge crocodiles, alligators and a ton of posionous snakes. And giant pythons and boa constrictors. We were there around noon and it was a hot day and the snakes and bugs and huge crocs were in this doomed building, very warm and tropical inside. Well they were all awake and moving, we watched a mamba try for 10 minutes to shed his skin, rubbing his face on his trees. Blair was enthralled. There was also this Chicken in a box that answered questions Yes or No and of course got food for doing it - that is the pick below.
Then outside they had two giant tourtises, one was 600 lbs. He was very nice and you could reach in by his neck and scratch him and if you scratched him under the chin he stood up he loved it. We could have stayed there all day. Blair and Lauren below.
Last interesting thing was the Alligator Show. Looked really boring at the beginning but again we were there at about 1 now and they were awake and started moving. We were both like this kid doing the show is going to get bit and were ready to grab the kids. They were all snapping and fighting in the water around him, very exciting but we were nervous.
Drove through Sturgis on the way, much smaller than I expected but all motorcycle. Actually there are motorcycles EVERYWHERE, not just Sturgis. At the campgrounds on the roads, which I can see why the highways are not congested.
On toWyoming and Devils Tower. Wyoming is beautiful (SD had a lot of burned trees or dead diseased trees) and the campsite at Devils Tower was the best so far. It was at the base of the entrance to the park and right there was Devils Tower from 'Close Encounters with the Third Kind', the campsite shows the movie everynight. We went up to the tower visitor center (Lauran ran onto the main road not looking - bad girl) and there is a path you can walk around it 1.3 miles. It seemed like 3, worst marked path ever but you were just going around it but it was through the boulders that had fallen off of it and all around the base there are trees so it was hard to tell where you were. The kids had a good time but we had a great time at the campground, they had a playground with big kid stuff and a pool, very cold.
We had a little 'Listen Here Kids' meeting with them at Devils Tower. After Sturgis it started raining and it gets a little dicey with the camper. They were crazy in the camper playing but of course someone always gets hurt. I think I started to loose my voice and if I'd had muzzles I would have used them.
The electronics ban is easier than expected since we have such spotty service. Grant still doesn't have his ipod, and I won't let him touch the computer. We have been watching a movie at night, it's either Ratatouilee, How to Train your Dragon, or Madagascar. Yep that's our selection since I brought blu ray discs that won't play. We also broke down at Devil's tower and bought french fries and onion rings from the camp restaurant - 4 orders they were soo good.
Thunderstorm, that night was a terrible thunderstorm, the kind where it lightenings and the thunder is immediate. RV is swaying in the wind the power goes out, but we didn't realize it at first. It rained for hours. We have had thunderstorms every night since we left and some showers during the day.
It was really neat, they had huge crocodiles, alligators and a ton of posionous snakes. And giant pythons and boa constrictors. We were there around noon and it was a hot day and the snakes and bugs and huge crocs were in this doomed building, very warm and tropical inside. Well they were all awake and moving, we watched a mamba try for 10 minutes to shed his skin, rubbing his face on his trees. Blair was enthralled. There was also this Chicken in a box that answered questions Yes or No and of course got food for doing it - that is the pick below.
Then outside they had two giant tourtises, one was 600 lbs. He was very nice and you could reach in by his neck and scratch him and if you scratched him under the chin he stood up he loved it. We could have stayed there all day. Blair and Lauren below.
Last interesting thing was the Alligator Show. Looked really boring at the beginning but again we were there at about 1 now and they were awake and started moving. We were both like this kid doing the show is going to get bit and were ready to grab the kids. They were all snapping and fighting in the water around him, very exciting but we were nervous.
Drove through Sturgis on the way, much smaller than I expected but all motorcycle. Actually there are motorcycles EVERYWHERE, not just Sturgis. At the campgrounds on the roads, which I can see why the highways are not congested.
We had a little 'Listen Here Kids' meeting with them at Devils Tower. After Sturgis it started raining and it gets a little dicey with the camper. They were crazy in the camper playing but of course someone always gets hurt. I think I started to loose my voice and if I'd had muzzles I would have used them.
The electronics ban is easier than expected since we have such spotty service. Grant still doesn't have his ipod, and I won't let him touch the computer. We have been watching a movie at night, it's either Ratatouilee, How to Train your Dragon, or Madagascar. Yep that's our selection since I brought blu ray discs that won't play. We also broke down at Devil's tower and bought french fries and onion rings from the camp restaurant - 4 orders they were soo good.
Thunderstorm, that night was a terrible thunderstorm, the kind where it lightenings and the thunder is immediate. RV is swaying in the wind the power goes out, but we didn't realize it at first. It rained for hours. We have had thunderstorms every night since we left and some showers during the day.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Tatanka! Tatanka!
Yesterday we saw deer everywhere in Custer park but today we got up early and left the campground at 8 and headed to Custer park where we had to do some of the dangerous road from yesterday but we were going on the wildlife loop road around the park. The park has some tunnels carved out of the granite hills and they list the height and width so we spent a lot of the day backtracking and not taking the most direct routes because we had to avoid tunnels with names like 'Needle eye'.
To say we saw buffalo is an understatement. We were in the middle of a herd that took a nap in the road and saw a lot of calves (even one with it's face covered in ticks!). They were right next to our car I could have opened the door and hit them but they were a little big to pet. But we had a lot of fun looking for them but of course after a while it was like oh - another buffalo, hmm whatever.
The loop was 17 miles and we didn't see any animals after the buffalo for a good ten miles, we almost turned back but then were rewarded by seeing burrows! Yes wild burrows, well not so wild, they stuck their heads in the RV and when you got out they followed you around for food, Rick had one chasing him as the girls were too scared to get out until we realized they were very, very tame and sort of fat. We illegally feed them carrots but had a great time! Other people were feeding them bread so I didn't feel too bad about a carrot! Blair our animal lover was terrified and wouldn't get out but later she said it was because of the horse flies, if you didn't know the Bassett children all have an unnatural fear of bugs - scream if they see a house fly. We think it from us saying close the door you'll let bugs in.
Then on to Sylvan lake and a few of the participants were willing and others were not so happy, but of course after we got out and started walking around and found a cave and shiny rocks everyone was happy to participate again. The trail went all around the man made lake but one side was granite outcroppings, it was pretty rough and Rick had to carry Lauren a little and I wasn't sure we were going the right way but then we saw some elderly people on the path and figured we were going the right way. We were rewarded with a waterfall and a tunnel. Had a good time climbing but then Lauren stepped on a fish hook - it barely went it but of course there was a lot of screaming. She wanted a cast.
On to Mount Rushmore, which thankfully was a short drive from Sylvan lake. Really nicely done and the first place we'd seen food for sale, did you know Thomas Jefferson was one of the first Americans to write down an ice cream recipe? It was really hot and we didn't realize there was a path you can walk close to the bottom but the only way we were going to get the kids to go was ice cream. Once we were cooled off we started the path and then noticed park rangers walking quickly in front of us. They closed the path - a fire had started about two miles away and they were closing the path but for now keeping the park open. So the fire we were detoured by yesterday (it was huge! we saw all the firemen tents at the high school) seemed to be out on Monday, it had poured Sunday night. So we left to come back to the campgrounds and we never saw any smoke but we did see firemen having a meeting outside of the monument.
Long day and there are a lot of cranky on each others nerves kids and there is another big thunderstorm on its way. Wish we'd get some of this rain in Kansas!
To say we saw buffalo is an understatement. We were in the middle of a herd that took a nap in the road and saw a lot of calves (even one with it's face covered in ticks!). They were right next to our car I could have opened the door and hit them but they were a little big to pet. But we had a lot of fun looking for them but of course after a while it was like oh - another buffalo, hmm whatever.
The loop was 17 miles and we didn't see any animals after the buffalo for a good ten miles, we almost turned back but then were rewarded by seeing burrows! Yes wild burrows, well not so wild, they stuck their heads in the RV and when you got out they followed you around for food, Rick had one chasing him as the girls were too scared to get out until we realized they were very, very tame and sort of fat. We illegally feed them carrots but had a great time! Other people were feeding them bread so I didn't feel too bad about a carrot! Blair our animal lover was terrified and wouldn't get out but later she said it was because of the horse flies, if you didn't know the Bassett children all have an unnatural fear of bugs - scream if they see a house fly. We think it from us saying close the door you'll let bugs in.
Then on to Sylvan lake and a few of the participants were willing and others were not so happy, but of course after we got out and started walking around and found a cave and shiny rocks everyone was happy to participate again. The trail went all around the man made lake but one side was granite outcroppings, it was pretty rough and Rick had to carry Lauren a little and I wasn't sure we were going the right way but then we saw some elderly people on the path and figured we were going the right way. We were rewarded with a waterfall and a tunnel. Had a good time climbing but then Lauren stepped on a fish hook - it barely went it but of course there was a lot of screaming. She wanted a cast.
On to Mount Rushmore, which thankfully was a short drive from Sylvan lake. Really nicely done and the first place we'd seen food for sale, did you know Thomas Jefferson was one of the first Americans to write down an ice cream recipe? It was really hot and we didn't realize there was a path you can walk close to the bottom but the only way we were going to get the kids to go was ice cream. Once we were cooled off we started the path and then noticed park rangers walking quickly in front of us. They closed the path - a fire had started about two miles away and they were closing the path but for now keeping the park open. So the fire we were detoured by yesterday (it was huge! we saw all the firemen tents at the high school) seemed to be out on Monday, it had poured Sunday night. So we left to come back to the campgrounds and we never saw any smoke but we did see firemen having a meeting outside of the monument.
Long day and there are a lot of cranky on each others nerves kids and there is another big thunderstorm on its way. Wish we'd get some of this rain in Kansas!
Sunday was pretty good until the forest fire...
Sunday was good we walked around the camp ground briefly and then all watched Rick try and empty the 'black water' tank. Went pretty well no splashing!
Then we headed to the Badlands (or as Lauren calls them the Badmens). They were very cool and everyone loved them. They were white, sharp, rocky mounds. They went on forever. We got out and walked around and went up to the edge of one and it was a cliff! But we had a great time walking around and climbing them and Grant was the bravest and climbed to the top.
It was pretty hot and we were ready to leave the Badlands and head to Hot Springs to go to the Mammoth museum. It was supposed to be an hour away - so 4 hours later we finally arrived. The main road we had planned to take turned out to be gravel, not RV friendly.
Mammoth museum was ok, I think our expectations were too high.
Then the fun started. We were headed to Custer and it should have taken about an hour 1/2. But we could see a big forest fire in the distance. Well it turned out our highway was closed and we were diverted through the Custer State park on a long scenic route that was NOT RV friendly. Basically Rick drove and average of 25 mph the whole way there and that was too fast for me. Because it was raining, not hard but enough and Rick mentioned the word 'slipping' as we went around a tight curve. A few times there were straight drop offs on my side of the turn and I was gripping the door so tight and pushing my foot like I was braking. Finally 2 1/2 hours later we got to the campground and we were all exhausted.
So I turned on a movie, one of only three I brought, unfortunately some were Blu Ray and won't play.
Overall a good day and the best was when after we left the Badlands Grant said, 'I was a little worried about this trip but that was great!' And then at the campgrounds Grant found a rock and broke it open with a rock hammer and it was a geode!
We have very little internet and it is so spotty - it's very odd not being able to check email, facebook or even the news. I am also having trouble uploading pics.
Then we headed to the Badlands (or as Lauren calls them the Badmens). They were very cool and everyone loved them. They were white, sharp, rocky mounds. They went on forever. We got out and walked around and went up to the edge of one and it was a cliff! But we had a great time walking around and climbing them and Grant was the bravest and climbed to the top.
It was pretty hot and we were ready to leave the Badlands and head to Hot Springs to go to the Mammoth museum. It was supposed to be an hour away - so 4 hours later we finally arrived. The main road we had planned to take turned out to be gravel, not RV friendly.
Mammoth museum was ok, I think our expectations were too high.
Then the fun started. We were headed to Custer and it should have taken about an hour 1/2. But we could see a big forest fire in the distance. Well it turned out our highway was closed and we were diverted through the Custer State park on a long scenic route that was NOT RV friendly. Basically Rick drove and average of 25 mph the whole way there and that was too fast for me. Because it was raining, not hard but enough and Rick mentioned the word 'slipping' as we went around a tight curve. A few times there were straight drop offs on my side of the turn and I was gripping the door so tight and pushing my foot like I was braking. Finally 2 1/2 hours later we got to the campground and we were all exhausted.
So I turned on a movie, one of only three I brought, unfortunately some were Blu Ray and won't play.
Overall a good day and the best was when after we left the Badlands Grant said, 'I was a little worried about this trip but that was great!' And then at the campgrounds Grant found a rock and broke it open with a rock hammer and it was a geode!
We have very little internet and it is so spotty - it's very odd not being able to check email, facebook or even the news. I am also having trouble uploading pics.
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Errr - 11 hour drive was NOT fun!
Movies that yesterday reminded me of - Poltergeist, Mommy Dearest and Animal House.
Yesterday we got a late start 10:30, but then I realized I forgot my wallet and by the time we left the second time it was almost noon. And that's when the trouble began...
I am very unpopular right now with a particular 10 year old boy, this morning he is speaking to me but yesterday I got glares and tears. Which is exactly why he isn't on the computer or listening to his ipod.
The ride started out fine but then they all wanted to move around and ride over the cab. There are only 5 seatbelts in the back so they are right next to each other, and that sofa is a love seat. I pictured everyone ready or sitting at the table doing workbooks or playing games.
Reality - it was too bumpy for games, too much poking and touching going on and by the time I was ready to let them watch a movie we couldn't get it to work while we were moving (I didn't want to turn the TVs on because we have satelite and I don't want them to know!).
Poltergeist - Rick was driving very carefully but there was a lot of construction. At one point or a couple he got going a little too fast. He tried to avoid hitting a turkey walking across the highway and swerved - the fridge flew open and half the food fell all over the floor, cabinets opened and we all screamed.
Mommy Dearest - I am pretty sure my head also spun around at one point but we didn't leave the RV for 12 hours straight and were all going a little nuts. But I was saying things like(that I can print):
And last Animal House - by the time we got to the camp site it looked like we'd had a kegger. There were solo cups everywhere, and the kids were only wearing underwear because they thought it was hilarious and delirious. fter a big fight about where everyone was going to sleep we all crashed falling asleep to lightening and rain! The room was spinning because the RV was swaying in the storm, I felt a little motion sick.
Hopefully today is good - it can only better. As of right now everyone woke up in a good mood and we are going to go explore!
Yesterday we got a late start 10:30, but then I realized I forgot my wallet and by the time we left the second time it was almost noon. And that's when the trouble began...I am very unpopular right now with a particular 10 year old boy, this morning he is speaking to me but yesterday I got glares and tears. Which is exactly why he isn't on the computer or listening to his ipod.
The ride started out fine but then they all wanted to move around and ride over the cab. There are only 5 seatbelts in the back so they are right next to each other, and that sofa is a love seat. I pictured everyone ready or sitting at the table doing workbooks or playing games.
Reality - it was too bumpy for games, too much poking and touching going on and by the time I was ready to let them watch a movie we couldn't get it to work while we were moving (I didn't want to turn the TVs on because we have satelite and I don't want them to know!).
Poltergeist - Rick was driving very carefully but there was a lot of construction. At one point or a couple he got going a little too fast. He tried to avoid hitting a turkey walking across the highway and swerved - the fridge flew open and half the food fell all over the floor, cabinets opened and we all screamed.
Mommy Dearest - I am pretty sure my head also spun around at one point but we didn't leave the RV for 12 hours straight and were all going a little nuts. But I was saying things like(that I can print):
- Do you want us to turn around and go home right now! I think I said that 20 times
- You look/put your feet on/ show your chewed food at your sister/brother again and your won't watch TV for a month. I said this 50 times
- And then at the very end - is this the best you can do because if this is how you are all going to behave I don't want to spend the next 3 weeks with any of you!
And last Animal House - by the time we got to the camp site it looked like we'd had a kegger. There were solo cups everywhere, and the kids were only wearing underwear because they thought it was hilarious and delirious. fter a big fight about where everyone was going to sleep we all crashed falling asleep to lightening and rain! The room was spinning because the RV was swaying in the storm, I felt a little motion sick.
Hopefully today is good - it can only better. As of right now everyone woke up in a good mood and we are going to go explore!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Ahhh! What are we doing?!?!
For three weeks we are renting a 32 foot C class RV and traveling out West!
Link to the RV brochure, 3170DS (double slideout!)
We are going to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and the North rim of the Grand Canyon. We will be digging for trilobites in Utah, panning for gold, checking out dinosaur bones, rafting down the Colorado River and going to chuck wagon dinners.
So our concerns/fears before we go:
My goals for the trip:
Link to the RV brochure, 3170DS (double slideout!)
We are going to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone and the North rim of the Grand Canyon. We will be digging for trilobites in Utah, panning for gold, checking out dinosaur bones, rafting down the Colorado River and going to chuck wagon dinners.
So our concerns/fears before we go:
- BEARS
- What is we can't hook the RV up at the camp in the dark - newbie fear
- If we need to go to the store we have to take our 'house' with us
- Rick might need to back up the RV which will involve a lot of yelling...
- Someone (Grant) might get too close to the edge at the Grand Canyon
- The fridge is so tiny it belongs in a college dorm, we are bringing a lot of coolers
- We have no idea what we are doing!
My goals for the trip:
- No fast food or junk food allowed (no Reese's peanut butter cups and the RV can't go through the drive thru)
- No DS's or computer time for the kids (they don't know that!)
- Spend quality family time together playing games and reading
- RELAX & SURVIVE
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