Camp#52..Lanesboro,Mn. Eagle Cliff C.G.

 For those of you that wonder what the Camp #'s are for, it's how many campsites we've been in since we left Houghton Lake,Mi. last year when we started our fulltime travels.  We left in Oct 2012 and now we're in our 11th month. Seems like yesterday when we said goodbye to all our Michigan friends.
   We pulled out of camp this morning about 0930, ran a bit South about 15mls, to just inside the Iowa border to do some shopping (less taxes, considerably less) and then went to THE SPAM MUSEUM!!! Yes, they do have a Spam Museum. Honest!!!

It's free and does it's best to educate everyone visiting about all their products. They have a web site too  ( www.spamtownusa.com ). Amazing how this American Company ( Hormel Foods) has prospered. Of course they make more than Spam. The mock up store there shows off all the 100's of items they produce with pride. They ship all over the world too.

We've been SPAMICIZED!!  ha ha ha ha.

   About 1430 we pulled into Eagle Cliff CG near Lanesboro,Mn. We had quite a lengthy detour to navigate but we did get to see a lot of nice country landscape in the process. Using this Passport America park to get caught up with laundry then on Friday we'll move to within Lanesboro at the city owned Sylvan Park for 3 days and visit our friends.
  Been noticing the nights are getting cooler. Got down to 57F the last few nights and it required the electric heater in the early morning hours. If it keeps that up we'll start our treck Southbound. You do know we chase 75F !! Daytime  is getting cooler too. After all the 80+ days we really do notice the change. Had to put on our light coats a few times this week.
   Where to from here?? I don't know.
  REMEMBER, LIVE YOUR DREAMS AS TIME GOES BY QUICKLY !!  CHARLIE & HEATHER.
 

Camp#50 Luverne Mn, Camp#51 Riverbend CG Austin Mn.

Decided it was time for an update.
Since last blog we've moved twice. Our luck is holding out as far as weather is concerned. Seems the storms go North or South of us. We don't mind that at all. Had a few nite time rains, actually helps sleeping listening to the rain on the roof. The only time it gets bothersome is if it rocks the rig.
   Camp # 50 was from Aug 4th to 5th. Blue Mounds State Park in Luverne, Mn...Highlight's of the park is a river and a bison herd of about 100. We went looking for bison and only saw them off in the distance. They musta took the sign seriously.

Nice walking path down near the beach if ya don't mind the trolls!! ha ha ha.
   On Aug 6th we moved 170mls to Austin, Mn., Riverbend C.G...this is Camp #51. Nice in the woods camp next to a river. Been watching the bass jump every day. Gonna stay for a week so I'll bet there's some fishing in the plan. Weather folks are saying good weather. there's that good luck again.

   This type of camping is why we're lovin' our fulltimeing lifestyle!! It's sooo quiet here and little to no light pollution. Kinda off the beaten path, 8 mls to any town. All ya gotta do is plan it properly, get the groceries enrt and sit back & ENJOY! I think too many people plan on running around every day just so they can complain about how expensive life is!! Fees here are $125/wk, sure beats the afformentioned State Park, $62 for 2 days!!I'm beginning to think State Parks are overpricing themselves as they usually are not FHU's.
  Next move will be to Lanesboro, Mn. near our friends Terry & Ginger. Looking forward to seeing them.
   Til next time---REMEMBER, LIVE YOUR DREAMS AS TIME GOES BY QUICKLY!!Charlie &Heather.
  

Camp#49 Wall,S.D.. Sleepy Hollow RV Park, Wall,S.D.

    Left Three Flags about 10AM on Thursday morning.

 We only had about 60mls to traverse so it wouldn't take too long since we were using I-90 Eastbound. Did a quick shopping trip enrt and pulled into Sleepy Hollow RV Park in Wall, S.D. at 1130AM. I noticed on their internet site that they made a fuss about early & late arivals and departures but when we arrived it was no big deal.( I often wonder why parks do that. Just covering their asses I guess!)
   We started to notice the advertisements for "Wall Drugs" as soon as we got on I-90. Wow! Talk about mass advertiseing! The 100's of billboards were kinda entertaining to read though! "Free ice water","veterans discounts", "coffee & donuts, 50cents", etc.. musta been 200 signs befor ya get to Wall Drug Store.

   Once we got camped again ( all of 20 minutes) we strolled into Wall, about a block away. Of course we "HAD TO" visit "WALL DRUGS". It's just a mini-mall designed to suck tourist's dollars. Of course, with Sturgis Bike week coming up, even though Sturgis is a good hour away, there's a lot of motorcycle centered sales. Main Street was packed with all sorts of motorcycles. The madness has begun. There's over 450,000 bikers headed to the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally. Actually kinda fun to see so many people grinnin' & the rumbling of cycles.. We had a few drinks at a local bar and caroused a few shops before we headed back to the park.
   Today, Saturday, started out with rain but it cleared up at 10AM so we headed South outa' town and hit Hwy 240 to tour the Badlands National Park. It wasn't long before we had to stop at the gateway entrance and I used my Senior Pass to get us in for free.

The Badlands loop road meanders thru the park at 25 to 45MPH. (my kinda speed). The scenery is almost etheral! 

 

There were a lot of pulloffs and walkways to gain your stares and amazement. It's no wonder it's called the Badlands! Jagged peaks, reds and oranges, rolling hills. Saw a few Bighorn Sheep and prarie dogs. The park traffic wasn't too bad, !! We highly recommend you see this National Treasure !!
 Tonite we gotta figure where we're off to in the morning. Eastbound somewhere!! HA HA HA HA ! Decisions, decisions....
 REMEMBER, LIVE YOUR DREAMS AS TIME GOES BY QUICKLY !! Charlie & Heather

Camp#48 Three Flags RV Park, Black Hawk S.D.

  Sunday, July 28th the o6oo sun came shinin' in and we got up. Coffee hour was in full swing. Another reason we were up so early was it's movin' day again. Always a good reason to be geeked. Ya' never know what great adventure lies around the next bend in the road.
   We've found out by experience that Sundays are usually good travel days as the traffic is lighter, especially trucks. It also improves our luck getting into the next RV Park as most folks pull out early on Sunday. We very seldom make reservations and our luck has been good getting recamped on Sunday afternoon.
   All we had was a short jaunt 20ml down I-90. Hoping to get in a last visit with our friends, Dawn& Rob, in Rapid City before we start powerhouseing some eastbound miles next week.
  Very quickly we were recamped at Three Flags RV Park in Black Hawk, S.D.. for 4 days, this is a P.A. park (passport america) only $18/nite. FHU's (full hook ups). Nice roomy pull thru lots and manicured. With wi-fi.

Not bad ehh? Cable TV too.
 On  Monday, went for a road trip to Rapid City only 5 miles down I-90. Gassed up, shopped and back to camp.
  Got a plan to see our friends, Rob & Dawn, on the 1st, in the SW corner of Rapid City, S.D.. I think I found a boondocking spot just across the street from their house.
REMEMBER, LIVE YOUR DREAMS AS TIME GOES BY QUICKLY. Charlie & Heather

Camp #47 No Name City RV Park (2ml S. of Sturgis)

  Pulled into No Name City RV Park just 2 miles South of Sturgis, S.D. last Sunday about noon. That was probably the shortest move we've ever done. The Sturgis RV Park had a 2 day limit for our Passport America discount so we moved. This RV Park has no limit so we'll be here for a week. The way we figure it is why pay $30+ per day ( $900/mo) when proper planning will get ya in a Park for $15 per day ( $450/mo).
  I thought it rather funny when I found this park on the P.A. campground site. "No Name City RV Park"---strange!! Now we've got FHU's ("Full Hookups", for those that don't camp) A swimming pool, Hot Tub. Nestled between the mountains.

 
  On Wednesday we took a road trip to replenish the fridge and tour the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
   The museum is really interesting to see. Plenty of really old bikes and a lot of readable history about the evolution of the industry.

Considering that over 450,000  bikers come to this Sturgis annual get together every year it's got a lot of people interested in how today's bikes got to where they're at! The town is filling up fast, lot's of bikes in the campgrounds already. The official dates are Aug 5th to 11th, which is still  about 12 days from now. Typical camping rates in a 75 mile radius are $150 to over $250 per night during the fest! OW !
   Been watching the weather and we're glad we're on this end of the country. Seems to be a lot of rain & flooding in the East. We've gotten a few evening and night showers and our hi temps have been in the 80's. That surely beats triple digits that a lot of folks are experienceing.Better quit gibby gabbing and figure out what time our pool/hottub dip is!
  Hope everyone is enjoying the reprieve from winter. The way I figure it is the snow flies in about 15 weeks. YUK.
  REMEMBER, LIVE YOUR DREAMS AS TIME GOES BY QUICKLY ! Charlie & Heather
 

Deadwood to Sturgis..short move..Camp # 46

   Pulled outa Deadwood area and made the "long" 45 minute drive to Sturgis, S.D.. We were re-camped at Sturgis RV Park by noon. Only 2 blocks from the Sturgis downtown/uptown area. It's only 2 weeks 'til 450K bikers migrate here.
   We originally thought it'd be sweet to participate in The Black Hills motorcycle event but considering the "average" RV rates are around $150 to $250 per night, we opted out. It's still fun to see the town preparing for it though!
   We walked into town and had a few happy hours. Talking to some locals we learned that they "escape" the madness.  "If'n ya ain't workin' it ya leaves."
   The whole town is geared to "makin' $$$$". Shirt & stickers & jewelry & etc, etc,etc...Not our "cup a tea" at all. Beer by the can, now $2.50---Then $6.
   I did some research and if you need an RV Park within 75miles you're gonna pay for it, so tomorrow we'll move to "No Name City RV Park" which is only 2 miles S. of here, stay a week and then head East more than 75 miles.
  

 

   Been getting some late afternoon rains but plenty of hot weather thruout the day. Most of the parks we've been hitting are Passport America affiliated so our rates have been good. No such thing in the Sturgis area during the Bike Fest. A lot of people here rent their homes out for $1000+ per week. Reminds me of back in Houghton Lake, Mich during their Tip-Up-Town winter festival in January. Gotta make it while ya can!

     It really poured rain last night. We were in town and opted to take a cab home rather than get soaked. OH-OH!! Had a leak above Heathers bed. Hmmmm!!..thought we had that problem fixed. So in the morning I was "up on da roof" doin' some exploring and resealing. I used some of our very expensive "Durabound" sealing tape around some questionable spots, Sure hope that works. A "wet Heather is NOT a happy Heather" !! We just opened up the couch for the night to solve the problem. If that's the biggest problem we have we can live with it. (Although a bit soppy!)

   We hope everyone has as good a life as we are having!!

   REMEBER, LIVE YOUR DREAMS AS TIME GOES BY QUICKLY !! Charlie & Heather

     

Mount Rushmore Tour

After a leisurely coffee hour(s) we headed out on a road trip to Mount Rushmore National Park about 1030hrs. It was only about an hour South of us and we had good traveling weather.

Turned out to be a good travel day both weatherwise and trafficwise.
  We found a great parking spot right away. It was obvious that Wednesday was the right day to be at Mt Rushmore.

We learned that this monument is to be considered a work of art as well as a great piece of National Pride.
  REMEMBER, LIVE YOUR DREAMS AS TIME GOESBY QUICKLY ! Charlie & Heather