Seven Falls, Colorado Springs

We took a short trip to the Seven Falls this morning.  This is a privately owned falls, owned by the neighboring Broadmore Hotel. 
We grabbed a shuttle to the beginning of the slot canyon where the Falls is located.  We then boarded a tram that took us directly to the Falls through a slot canyon.  The views were awesome and very hard to capture with a camera.

Once we arrived at the bottom of the Falls we had an option to climb the 288 steps to the top or to take the elevator.  I bet you can guess which one we took.

Once at the top we had beautiful views of the Falls and the canyon.

As we were waiting for the tram to take us back down the canyon we watched a couple of fish at the bottom of one of the pools.

There are a couple more pictures in the link below.

Seven Falls

Garden of the Gods Park and Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Another beautiful day for doing a little sightseeing.  We started out by taking a drive through the Garden of the Gods Park.  There are lots of hiking trails, for those who can do that sort of thing.  It is also very dog friendly and dogs are allowed on the trails.  Lots of rock formations and of course a gift shop we just had to stop and check out.  One thing about living in an RV, there is no room for anything new unless you throw something out.  So....we usually save lots of money by not buying anything.  Here are a couple of pics of the area.

We then moved on to the Cliff Dwellings that were right down the road.  Very interesting and you could actually walk through the dwellings themselves.  Also very dog friendly as dogs were also allowed to walk through the dwellings.  Bud was all tuckered out when we got back home and is still napping.  Here are a couple of pictures of the dwellings inside and outside.

And that folks is all for today....hope everyone is having a great day.....

Here is a link to more pictures.  Enjoy....
Garden of the Gods and Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Pikes Peak or Bust

Today we headed up the road to Pikes Peak, it is nineteen miles up to the top but I think most of it is straight up.  This picture was taken above the tree line and doesn't really show the twists and turns.  I didn't get any better pictures as I was hanging on. Most of the road had no guard rails, just straight down.

 

When we got to the top it was 34 degrees with a nasty wind blowing.....brrrr......  We were aware that we might have trouble at the top with shortness of breath.  I got lightheaded and had a little shortness of breath and Robin got nauseated.  Once we started going down we straightened out.

The is also a train that goes up to the top and would also be a great way to get to the top.

 

The views on the way up and the way down were spectacular!!!  The pictures we took don't even

begin to do the views justice.

 

The Aspens are changing to fall colors and dotted the hills and mountains with awesome colors.

 



This road trip was awesome and I added a link to a few more pictures.

Pikes Peak Photos

Heading to Minnesota and on to South Dakota

We are now heading across South Dakota on Interstate 90.
Of course you can't past Wall Drug without stopping.

Had a little lunch and wondered around looking at all the touristy stuff.

Moving along the next stop was Mitchell, SD and the Corn Palace.

All the murals on the outside are done in corn and changed out every year at the cost of $130,000.
I can say one thing Interstate 90 is BORING!!!!  I could have set cruise control and went back and took a nap.  A couple more uneventful overnights and we are in my home town of Mahnomen Minnesota.  We will set up at the campground behind the casino for the next eleven days.

Nice campground and except for Labor Day weekend we had it mostly to ourselves.
We spent the next days relaxing and visiting.  During this time we really had a chance to decompress for the first time since the hectic summer we had.

We spent quality time with my son, Richie and his wife, Judy. My brother Barry and Karen Berger.
One day I went out to the cemetery to visit Mom and Dad.  It was so peaceful out there.
Seeing the little country church I went to as I was growing up brought back lots of memories.
I was baptized, confirmed and married in that church.

Pretty soon it was time to move on. 
We are now in Sioux Falls, SD.  We have officially become South Dakota residents.
We are moving on tomorrow, heading south towards the Balloon Festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  We are taking our time....and making a stop in Colorado Springs for a few days and a stop at Raton, New Mexico area for a couple of days.

Yesterday it was pouring rain all day so we stayed in and did chores.  Today we finally got over to Falls Park and enjoyed......

Beautiful park, Sioux Falls is a nice friendly, dog friendly city.  Everywhere we went people were friendly and helpful when we needed it.  Our new "home".

We are getting used to living in a small space and don't seem to be having any issues.
Well maybe a couple....1) no matter want you want out of the cupboard or outside bin you will have to move something to get to it. 2) ......well maybe only one thing I can think of at the moment.

WE ARE RETIRED....WE ARE TRAVELING...WE ARE LOVING IT.....

More later.......

On the Road to Custer and enjoying Custer SP

Started out from Heber City to Custer Gulch RV Park in Custer, SD we will be overnighting at a KOA between Green River and Rock Springs WY and Rivers Edge RV Park outside of Casper, WY.

On the first day we did stop at Fort Bridger landmark and wandered around checking it out and making a little lunch.  The state of WY seems to be very windy most of the time, at least according to the people that live in that area.

Here are a few more from Fort Bridger.
Fort Bridger

Overnighted at KOA, windy..... Interstate 80 should be renamed Interstate "Windy".

Next day overnighted at Rivers Edge RV Park outside of Casper WY.  Nice campground and the owner, a young man, was very proud of his campground and it showed.  We took a walk down to the North Platte River.

ARRIVED AT CUSTER GULCH RV PARK.  Friday 08/26/16

Beautiful area and very nice campground, lots of green grass and lots of space between sites.
We set up and got ready to spend a couple of days touring the area, mostly Custer SP in SD.
Finally some quiet.  I could stay here for a long time....of course I say this now with the daytime temp of 75/80 and night time 50/55.  I would probably be singing a different tune in January......

First day we got up early.....I know don't want to make a habit of that.... and went into Custer SP and drove the wildlife loop and Needles Hwy.  Of course beautiful drive and since we got an early start we saw our fare share of animals.  Of course you can't go without seeing a buffalo.  At least I made it through the day without taking a boat load of buffalo pictures, which I seem to always do.

Also saw a few pronghorns

 

 

 

Turkeys

Burros

Prairie dogs

Deer

Here is a link to more pictures of the drive. Also included are the formations and one way tunnels along the Needles Hwy, just another beautiful drive.

Wildlife loop and Needles Hwy

Today, Sunday,  we got up and took a drive on Iron Mountain Hwy to Mt. Rushmore.
It was another beautiful day in the neighborhood.  The motorcycles love this road and there were lots of them out today.  This picture pretty much says it all.

We didn't stop at the monument this time,  we had been up there before.  One of the coolest things is going through the tunnels and seeing Mt Rushmore framed in the tunnel.

Here are a couple more pictures of the area.

Iron Mountain Mt Rushmore

This is a beautiful area and we could stay here another week and not get bored, but we still have to get some stuff done before the snow flies.

Tuesday morning we are leaving for Minnesota to see my son and more family and friends.  Hope to get there Thursday before Labor Day Weekend so we don't have to be on the road at that time

If I don't get back on before then I hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend.

On the Road

We started out on our journey on Aug 18, 2016.  First overnight was in Las Vegas, needless to say it was hot and steamy.  So it was hurry up and plug in and turn on the AC.  We set up at the Hitching Post in North Las Vegas.  Your typical desert campground with FHU.

We got up the next morning stored everything and went to start up MH.  NOTHING.....I didn't think it was a dead battery as I had dash lights and I could still work the slides.  Okay....go plug back in and start up the AC and call Good Sam.  Got them on the phone they sent out a mobile service guy to check it out.  He said it was a starter, that is what I figured it was.  He went and got a new starter and Robin went up to the office to sign us for another night.  Bummer.

Next morning all fixed and going to try again...no problems and off we go, next stop Beaver UT.  Arrived at the Beaver Canyon Campground early afternoon.  I was told it was a different kind of campground.  Cannot make reservations first come, first served.

 

 

Robin went into the office to check in....nobody around.....There is a little Mexican Restaurant behind the office/woodshed....Robins description.....she found an older gentleman having lunch.  We got setup for the evening no satellite to many trees.  Really liked this campground, most of the campers were full timers but very friendly.  We would stay here again.

 

We decided to check out the Mexican Restaurant for dinner.

 

It was a little place but the food was pretty good.  Open from 4pm to 10pm only.  After dinner we went for a walk around the park with Buddee and he seemed to give his approval....lifted his leg a lot.

California isn't the only place with fires, though I was told this was a controlled burn.

Next morning we were off to our next stop.  Mountain Valley RV Park in Heber City UT.  Definitely a different setting than the  night before in Beaver.  This is a very nice clean park, but I think I liked Beaver better.....

Once we got off the I15 and onto the 189 we enjoyed some nice scenery for a few miles between Provo and coming into Heber City.

This was Bridal Veil falls along the route, since it was Sunday it was very busy.  We followed the Duck Creek River for several miles.  Lots of river rafting and tubing. Fishing also.

We are setup in Heber City until Wednesday, weather is perfect, blue skies, no A/C, windows open and a nice breeze, sitting outside beginning to relate to this "retirement" plan.  Both of us are having a problem with knowing what day of the week it is........

....that is all for now.........



 

We are waiting for the house to close then we will be hitting the road.

Our first trip will be to South Dakota to change our domicile and get vehicle plates and Drivers Licenses.  We will be taking our time and maybe stopping along the way.  The Black Hills is definitely one area we will be spending some time.

Next on to Sioux Falls SD and then to Mn. to spend time with my son and friends.  We need to be in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the balloon festival.