Rapid City , SD

June 3, 2015
We left Kent just after noon, destination Rapid City SD, eventually We spent the night in Moses Lake. We spent the night of the fourth in Missoula, MT. We spent the of the fifth in Billings, MT. We arrived in Rapid City, SD on the sixth. A drive of almost 1300 miles in total. We are sure there is a more direct route than we took but that would be too easy. A little sarcasm there. We stayed 3 nights at Hart Ranch just south of Rapid City. It's a large beautiful park that has everything needed, except the first day, nicer weather. It was cloudy and windy with some thunder in the distance.  The forecast is good for our three nights here.  We had a nice dinner and sat out by the fire until about 11. Tomorrow out to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument and the city of Custer.

June 7, 2015
After a good breakfast we drove about 20 miles in the sun to Mt Rushmore. This is our first time here and we were impressed. We hiked about 250 steps to the closest point you can go to view the faces.

We were going to go see the Crazy Horse Monument but they charge $11 each to visit the site and charge for virtually everything once you get in. We could see all we wanted to from the road.
Then it was on to the town of Custer. It was a beautiful day so there were lots of motorcycles on the road and in town. Gail commented that as noisy as it was here it must be a constant roar at Sturgis in August with hundreds more bikes going through town.

June 8, 2015
We left the park mid morning to see Deadwood, SD. We walked the town which is full of historical facts about the town and it's residents. There were many stores selling t-shirts and other memorabilia. quite a few of the businesses were closed for renovation prior to the tourist season. We didn't hang around for the traditional street gun fights because they are later in the afternoon. Some of the old hotels and casinos were pretty nice. Then it was off to Sturgis. Not much going on at this time year. We went to the Knuckle Saloon for lunch. It's hard to imagine how crazy this place could be during the motorcycle rally. Especially this year since it will be the 75th year.

Then back to the park to do some laundry and chill. I went to the pool for a quick refreshing dip. We had a simple dinner and sat out by the fireplace. Tomorrow is a travel day to Worland, WY for one night.

Rapid City , SD

June 3, 2015
We left Kent just after noon, destination Rapid City SD, eventually We spent the night in Moses Lake. We spent the night of the fourth in Missoula, MT. We spent the of the fifth in Billings, MT. We arrived in Rapid City, SD on the sixth. A drive of almost 1300 miles in total. We are sure there is a more direct route than we took but that would be too easy. A little sarcasm there. We stayed 3 nights at Hart Ranch just south of Rapid City. It's a large beautiful park that has everything needed, except the first day, nicer weather. It was cloudy and windy with some thunder in the distance.  The forecast is good for our three nights here.  We had a nice dinner and sat out by the fire until about 11. Tomorrow out to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument and the city of Custer.

June 7, 2015
After a good breakfast we drove about 20 miles in the sun to Mt Rushmore. This is our first time here and we were impressed. We hiked about 250 steps to the closest point you can go to view the faces.

We were going to go see the Crazy Horse Monument but they charge $11 each to visit the site and charge for virtually everything once you get in. We could see all we wanted to from the road.
Then it was on to the town of Custer. It was a beautiful day so there were lots of motorcycles on the road and in town. Gail commented that as noisy as it was here it must be a constant roar at Sturgis in August with hundreds more bikes going through town.

June 8, 2015
We left the park mid morning to see Deadwood, SD. We walked the town which is full of historical facts about the town and it's residents. There were many stores selling t-shirts and other memorabilia. quite a few of the businesses were closed for renovation prior to the tourist season. We didn't hang around for the traditional street gun fights because they are later in the afternoon. Some of the old hotels and casinos were pretty nice. Then it was off to Sturgis. Not much going on at this time year. We went to the Knuckle Saloon for lunch. It's hard to imagine how crazy this place could be during the motorcycle rally. Especially this year since it will be the 75th year.

Then back to the park to do some laundry and chill. I went to the pool for a quick refreshing dip. We had a simple dinner and sat out by the fireplace. Tomorrow is a travel day to Worland, WY for one night.

Lake Chelan

May 25, 2015

We arrived at Lakeshore RV Park in Chelan at about 1:30, checked in and got set up. It was a nice, warm, mostly sunny day. The forecast was for clouds and thunder storms for the next couple of days. My sister Terry arrived a little later so we sat out enjoying the day and evening.

May 26, 2015

After a light breakfast we all took a walk into town to see if anything had changed since our visit in September. The visitor’s center and chamber of commerce has moved into new very nice facility so we stopped in to pick up brochures about the wineries and tasting rooms. There is also a new restaurant called Outlaw BBQ and Steak House that we might check out later in the week. Then to the hardware store to browse the goods and Safeway to pick up a couple things. We then went back to the park and got in the truck to go wine tasting and have lunch. We had a real good lunch again at the Lake Chelan Brewing Co. We tried to find a new winery called Chelangre La Winery in Manson that I saw online but were unsuccessful so moved on to Lake Chelan and Benson Wineries. It turns out the Chelangre La place doesn't exist, yet? We got back to the park at about 4:30, had dinner and sat out by the fire with a brief interruption for a thunder and rain storm lasting only about half an hour. We didn’t let it drive us indoors.

May 27, 2015

After we had breakfast Gail and I went for a drive to Chelan Falls and McNeil Canyon. We thought Chelan Falls was a waterfall that takes the Chelan River to the Columbia. Nope, it's just a small town with a few nice day use parks. The McNeil Canyon drive is very picturesque. From the drive you can see the Columbia River and Lake Chelan. The drive is quite a bicycle ride that is virtually all uphill with an average 12% grade. It was good to DRIVE it. Then we went back to the park, I had a light lunch and went to play golf at the municipal course. While I was golfing Gail and Terry walked into town. I got back to the park at about 6 so we had dinner and again sat out enjoying the evening.

May 28, 2015
We had breakfast and hit the road to check out some tasting rooms we hadn't visited before. On the way I took a wrong turn, which I am know to do frequently ending up checking out Bear Mountain Ranch which is a very nice golf course. I'll go play it in September when we return. Then back on track to Chelan Estate Winery. Our information indicated it was not open it was and we had a nice time with our hostess. After that we went to Karma Wines. We tasted wine, had some bread and went on our way with a nice bottle of Grenache. Then we returned to the park for the afternoon and evening. Tomorrow we head home until next Wednesday when we head East to Mt Rushmore, Deadwood, Cazy Horse Monument, Devil's Tower and Yellowstone.

Lake Chelan

May 25, 2015

We arrived at Lakeshore RV Park in Chelan at about 1:30, checked in and got set up. It was a nice, warm, mostly sunny day. The forecast was for clouds and thunder storms for the next couple of days. My sister Terry arrived a little later so we sat out enjoying the day and evening.

May 26, 2015

After a light breakfast we all took a walk into town to see if anything had changed since our visit in September. The visitor’s center and chamber of commerce has moved into new very nice facility so we stopped in to pick up brochures about the wineries and tasting rooms. There is also a new restaurant called Outlaw BBQ and Steak House that we might check out later in the week. Then to the hardware store to browse the goods and Safeway to pick up a couple things. We then went back to the park and got in the truck to go wine tasting and have lunch. We had a real good lunch again at the Lake Chelan Brewing Co. We tried to find a new winery called Chelangre La Winery in Manson that I saw online but were unsuccessful so moved on to Lake Chelan and Benson Wineries. It turns out the Chelangre La place doesn't exist, yet? We got back to the park at about 4:30, had dinner and sat out by the fire with a brief interruption for a thunder and rain storm lasting only about half an hour. We didn’t let it drive us indoors.

May 27, 2015

After we had breakfast Gail and I went for a drive to Chelan Falls and McNeil Canyon. We thought Chelan Falls was a waterfall that takes the Chelan River to the Columbia. Nope, it's just a small town with a few nice day use parks. The McNeil Canyon drive is very picturesque. From the drive you can see the Columbia River and Lake Chelan. The drive is quite a bicycle ride that is virtually all uphill with an average 12% grade. It was good to DRIVE it. Then we went back to the park, I had a light lunch and went to play golf at the municipal course. While I was golfing Gail and Terry walked into town. I got back to the park at about 6 so we had dinner and again sat out enjoying the evening.

May 28, 2015
We had breakfast and hit the road to check out some tasting rooms we hadn't visited before. On the way I took a wrong turn, which I am know to do frequently ending up checking out Bear Mountain Ranch which is a very nice golf course. I'll go play it in September when we return. Then back on track to Chelan Estate Winery. Our information indicated it was not open it was and we had a nice time with our hostess. After that we went to Karma Wines. We tasted wine, had some bread and went on our way with a nice bottle of Grenache. Then we returned to the park for the afternoon and evening. Tomorrow we head home until next Wednesday when we head East to Mt Rushmore, Deadwood, Cazy Horse Monument, Devil's Tower and Yellowstone.

Wine Country- Prosser

May 22, 2015
We arrived at Wine Country RV Park in Prosser to more nice weather. The park is going to be full this weekend with the Memorial weekend. After setting up we went to a couple of wine tasting rooms near the park. Then on to a late lunch/early dinner at Jeremy's Pub where we try to go when we are in the area. They have good pizza and very cold beer. Back at the park all  the sites were full so I met some of our neighbors and we went to the wine tasting in the park that is a Friday and Saturday night event. There were some lightning strikes about 20 miles East of us that were

May 23, 2015
After breakfast we went into town to the Farmer's Market where we bought some fresh cut asparagus and talked to two wine makers. Then it was off to several more tasting rooms and gift shops. We also visited the 7 Gables  B & B and Mercantile which is like a flea market with lots of stuff we didn't know we couldn't live without. Gail bought two nice necklaces. We met the winemaker from DavenLore Wine at the farmer's market so we went to his location for more tasting. He makes some very nice wines which we sampled and purchased one. Then we went back to the park for dinner and the evening. The park was pretty festive with all the people in the park. There were lots of kids on bikes, scooters and skate boards as well as a guy riding a motorized cooler through the park.

May 24, 2015
We had a pretty relaxing Sunday. We visited a couple more of our favorite tasting rooms and Bonnie's Vines and Gifts in town. Gail bought a very cute hat. Most of the folks in the park were still having a good time in the pool and miniature golf course.
Tomorrow we head for Lake Chelan for the week.

Wine Country- Prosser

May 22, 2015
We arrived at Wine Country RV Park in Prosser to more nice weather. The park is going to be full this weekend with the Memorial weekend. After setting up we went to a couple of wine tasting rooms near the park. Then on to a late lunch/early dinner at Jeremy's Pub where we try to go when we are in the area. They have good pizza and very cold beer. Back at the park all  the sites were full so I met some of our neighbors and we went to the wine tasting in the park that is a Friday and Saturday night event. There were some lightning strikes about 20 miles East of us that were

May 23, 2015
After breakfast we went into town to the Farmer's Market where we bought some fresh cut asparagus and talked to two wine makers. Then it was off to several more tasting rooms and gift shops. We also visited the 7 Gables  B & B and Mercantile which is like a flea market with lots of stuff we didn't know we couldn't live without. Gail bought two nice necklaces. We met the winemaker from DavenLore Wine at the farmer's market so we went to his location for more tasting. He makes some very nice wines which we sampled and purchased one. Then we went back to the park for dinner and the evening. The park was pretty festive with all the people in the park. There were lots of kids on bikes, scooters and skate boards as well as a guy riding a motorized cooler through the park.

May 24, 2015
We had a pretty relaxing Sunday. We visited a couple more of our favorite tasting rooms and Bonnie's Vines and Gifts in town. Gail bought a very cute hat. Most of the folks in the park were still having a good time in the pool and miniature golf course.
Tomorrow we head for Lake Chelan for the week.

Steamboat Rock State Park

May 19, 2015

We left home this morning in clouds and the temperature in the low 50’s heading for Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake. When we reached Snoqualmie Summit the sun was out and the remainder of our drive was in beautiful sunshine reaching about 80 degrees by the time we reached the park. We took a short walk after getting set up during which we saw the first wild turkey we have seen in any of our two visits here. After dinner we sat out enjoying the evening. We’re really roughing it here without TV and sketchy radio reception.

May 20, 2015

After breakfast I went fishing on the East side of Banks Lake looking to catch trout. On my way through the park I saw a group of wild turkeys.

The turkeys are the dark spots by the tree

After an hour fishing I gave up the attempt having not gotten any bites and went back to the park. We had lunch and went for another walk around the park. Quite a few of the campers were leaving because with the coming Memorial Day weekend others have reservations will be moving in. There is a pond fed by the lake near our site so I geared up my fishing pole for bass fishing. I caught four nice ones keeping two of them to share with a neighbor and eat one myself. All of the fish were over 2 pounds with the largest about 4 pounds. It was really fun catching them. After dinner we sat out again and saw a raccoon going up a tree and settle in for the night. This was another first for us at the park.

May 21, 2015

We awoke to another beautiful day. After breakfast we took another walk where we found geological markers with information on how the lake and the monoliths around it were formed by massive floods and ice floes. We took a drive into Electric City, about 7 miles, to pick up some fishing gear for my new found desire to fish for more bass. I caught another big one, about 18 inches and over 2 pounds, as well as quite a few smaller ones all of which I released.

The Lunker

Today being the Thursday before Memorial Day the park was really filling up with campers for the long weekend. Tomorrow we are off to Prosser and Wine Country RV Park.

Steamboat Rock State Park

May 19, 2015

We left home this morning in clouds and the temperature in the low 50’s heading for Steamboat Rock State Park on Banks Lake. When we reached Snoqualmie Summit the sun was out and the remainder of our drive was in beautiful sunshine reaching about 80 degrees by the time we reached the park. We took a short walk after getting set up during which we saw the first wild turkey we have seen in any of our two visits here. After dinner we sat out enjoying the evening. We’re really roughing it here without TV and sketchy radio reception.

May 20, 2015

After breakfast I went fishing on the East side of Banks Lake looking to catch trout. On my way through the park I saw a group of wild turkeys.

The turkeys are the dark spots by the tree

After an hour fishing I gave up the attempt having not gotten any bites and went back to the park. We had lunch and went for another walk around the park. Quite a few of the campers were leaving because with the coming Memorial Day weekend others have reservations will be moving in. There is a pond fed by the lake near our site so I geared up my fishing pole for bass fishing. I caught four nice ones keeping two of them to share with a neighbor and eat one myself. All of the fish were over 2 pounds with the largest about 4 pounds. It was really fun catching them. After dinner we sat out again and saw a raccoon going up a tree and settle in for the night. This was another first for us at the park.

May 21, 2015

We awoke to another beautiful day. After breakfast we took another walk where we found geological markers with information on how the lake and the monoliths around it were formed by massive floods and ice floes. We took a drive into Electric City, about 7 miles, to pick up some fishing gear for my new found desire to fish for more bass. I caught another big one, about 18 inches and over 2 pounds, as well as quite a few smaller ones all of which I released.

The Lunker

Today being the Thursday before Memorial Day the park was really filling up with campers for the long weekend. Tomorrow we are off to Prosser and Wine Country RV Park.

Long Beach, WA

April 20, 20
We took the drive to Long Beach in hopes that the weather wouldn't be bad. The drive was uneventful and cloudy most of the way. I got my fishing and razor clam licenses for the trip. There was too much wind to sit out and there was a threat of wind. After getting set up we drove into town to see what changes there were since we were there last. More business are for sale and the tourists were minimal. The past weekend they had the annual Seafood Fest which we heard that it was quite busy. Then back to camp for the evening.

April 21, 2015
I got up at about 7 and went clamming. It took less than an hour to get my limit of 15 clams. Then back to the trailer for breakfast. We hung around the park for the day. Another typical early spring day. Windy!

April 22, 2015
I was up and clamming first thing in the morning. Another limit. Then we drove to Oregon, Fort Stevens to visit the stockade which we missed on a previous trip. It was closed so we just went to Costco to fuel up the truck. Then back the the beach for lunch. We ate at Castaways having chowder and fish and chips. It was really good. Then we drove on the beach all the way to the Oysterville access road. North of there we saw a building that looks like a lighthouse but we're not sure if it is a private home or what. Here is a picture of it.

Back at the park we sat out enjoying a rare sunny day. We sat behind our trailer to stay out of the wind. It really felt good.

April 23, 2015

When I got up to go lamming Gail asked if we could leave today instead of the tomorrow because of the weather. It was raining and blowing hard. I agreed that it sounded like a good idea. I went out and got another limit of clams, cleaned them and packed up for the drive home. My last limit.

We got home in the afternoon to some more wet weather.

Long Beach, WA

April 20, 20
We took the drive to Long Beach in hopes that the weather wouldn't be bad. The drive was uneventful and cloudy most of the way. I got my fishing and razor clam licenses for the trip. There was too much wind to sit out and there was a threat of wind. After getting set up we drove into town to see what changes there were since we were there last. More business are for sale and the tourists were minimal. The past weekend they had the annual Seafood Fest which we heard that it was quite busy. Then back to camp for the evening.

April 21, 2015
I got up at about 7 and went clamming. It took less than an hour to get my limit of 15 clams. Then back to the trailer for breakfast. We hung around the park for the day. Another typical early spring day. Windy!

April 22, 2015
I was up and clamming first thing in the morning. Another limit. Then we drove to Oregon, Fort Stevens to visit the stockade which we missed on a previous trip. It was closed so we just went to Costco to fuel up the truck. Then back the the beach for lunch. We ate at Castaways having chowder and fish and chips. It was really good. Then we drove on the beach all the way to the Oysterville access road. North of there we saw a building that looks like a lighthouse but we're not sure if it is a private home or what. Here is a picture of it.

Back at the park we sat out enjoying a rare sunny day. We sat behind our trailer to stay out of the wind. It really felt good.

April 23, 2015

When I got up to go lamming Gail asked if we could leave today instead of the tomorrow because of the weather. It was raining and blowing hard. I agreed that it sounded like a good idea. I went out and got another limit of clams, cleaned them and packed up for the drive home. My last limit.

We got home in the afternoon to some more wet weather.