The Black Hills of South Dakota - Crazy Horse

Yesterday we had an extremely busy day.  It started with a visit to the Crazy Horse Monument.

 The Gang at Crazy Horse

 A model of the finished monument.

Ogalala Sioux dancers on their way to perform at Crazy Horse.

Mt. Rushmore KOA Campground

Today began with a breakfast birthday party for Ann at the campground's all you can eat pancake feast.

The Bsales family then headed out on a tour of Custer State Park's Wilderness loop.  They spotted lots of buffalo, a bald eagle and wild burros.

Barb & Wes relaxed at the campground until the gang returned.  The kids went for a swim, rode the log flume water slide and enjoyed the campgrounds other kid-friendly amenities.  They set up a separate "Suds Pool" for the kids.  Here's Katie ......

This is a really nice campground located in the heart of the Black Hills just six miles from Mt. Rushmore.

The Badlands National Park

Yesterday we toured the Badlands National Park.  We followed the 27 mile loop road through the Park.  The grandkids loved it.  We'll let the pix do the talking.

 Ann & Jamie

Greg, Katie & Nick

The Great Plains

Yesterday we left Sioux Falls and began our trip across the Great Plains of South Dakota ......

Our first stop was the city of Mitchell to visit the Corn Palace.  It's under a major renovation but it was neat to see.

We then crossed the mighty Missouri River at the city of Chamberlin, SD.  There's a wonderful rest stop here with an magnificent overlook and a Lewis & Clark interpretive center.

We ended the day in Wall, SD renowned for the famous Wall Drug emporium.  We had supper there and did some shopping.

 Kathryn & Pop with a new but very quiet friend.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

We're making excellent progress.  Last evening we arrived in Sioux Falls, SD after two long driving days across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa.  We left Cedar Point in a heavy thunder shower but the it cleared and we enjoyed gorgeous weather.  The Iowa farm lands are beautiful ..... thousands and thousands of rolling acres of corn and soybeans.  Everybody has been behaving nicely on these long drives ..... even grandpa.

Here are the ladies showing the men how to properly set up a tent   (with a hammer ?).

Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky, Ohio

Yesterday we arrived in Sandusky, Ohio, home of Cedar Point.  It's rated amongst the best roller coaster parks ....... any where.The grandkids (and Jamie) have been looking forward to this stop for a long time. They're having a ball.


While enroute to Sandusky we had a "stumble upon".  That's when we happen upon a neat place by chance.  We were running low on gasoline and it was time for lunch so we got off I-90 in Westfield, NY, got a little lost but lucked into this beautiful park & marina on the shore of Lake Erie.  Here we are right after our picnic lunch.

Yellowstone Bound

We are headed to Yellowstone National Park  ......

....... along with our grandchildren Greg, Kathryn & Nick and their mom & dad Ann & Jamie Bsales.  Here we are as the trek begins at Wes's Family Reunion where 103 relatives gathered this 4th of July weekend in Verona, New York.

Actually, everything began on July 3rd.  For this undertaking we figured we needed all the divine intervention we could muster so we asked our pastor, Monsignor Rich LaVerghetta, to bless our motorhome.  Here he is with Barb graciously "Taking care of business".