'Cross Country 2002
Day 1:
This morning we left around 6:45 AM. Our first stop is Washington, PA. We stopped at the same KOA on our trip last year. About halfway we stopped at a Pennsylvania Rest Area and made sandwiches for lunch. It was very hazy today because of smoke from a fire. The forest fire started 500 miles north of Montreal, Quebec from a few lightning strikes. It is amazing how far the smoke traveled. We arrived at the campground around 4 PM. After we set up the camper we went to the pool. Afterwards, we had dinner and relaxed.
Day 2:
Today we are repeating another stop from our trip last year, Richmond Indiana. This morning we had a little bit of trouble hitching the camper up. The wires that connect the trailer to the car weren't staying in. So, we duct taped them to the car. We were on the road by 9:15 AM EDT. We stopped at an Ohio Rest Area and made sandwiches for lunch again. A few minutes after lunch we stopped at a Wal*Mart for an RV battery. They didn't have one in stock so we picked up a battery charger to try to charge the old battery. We arrived at the KOA at around 2 PM EST. After we set up the camper we went to the pool and relaxed for the rest of the day.
Day 3:
This morning we got up about an hour earlier because there were a few thunder storms coming our way. After we packed the camper up we went to the playground. We were on the road by 8:30 EST. On the way out we stopped at an RV store to see if they had a battery for the camper. We were able to find one and we were on our way in a few minutes. We stopped for lunch at a McDonald's because it was still raining. Around 2:45 CDT we arrived at a Jellystone Campground near Goodfield, Illinois. After we set up the camper we went to the pool. After dinner we relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Day 4:
This morning we left for our next stop at around 9 AM CDT. We stopped for lunch at a Wendy's at the Iowa I-80 Truck Stop. Over the next few days the rest area was hosting the Truck Driver's Jamboree. Afterwards, we passed over the Mississippi River. A few hours later we arrived at Lake Anita State Park near Anita, Iowa at 4:15 PM. The campground is beautiful. The sites are spread out and very wooded. Some of the sites overlook the lake. We set up the campground in the back of the park where it was quieter. From our site we could see the lake and a golf course behind the park. We had dinner and relaxed for the rest of the day. We were able to see the sunset over the farmland. We all were able to sleep well because it was so much quieter than the previous nights. Instead of the sounds of the highway we heard the sounds of cows and goats.
Day 5:
This morning we left Lake Anita State around 9:15 AM. Today, while driving, we passed over the Missouri River. We had lunch at McDonald's. We arrived at a KOA near Mitchell, SD around 3:30 PM. After we set up the camper we went to the Corn Palace. This is a building right in the middle of the town. The entire outside of the building is decorated with different parts of corn, such as corn cobs and husks. Inside was an auditorium and pictures showing the different stages of the corn palace. The first corn palace was built in 1892. Afterwards, we went to the supermarket and then went back to the campground for dinner.
Day 6:
This morning we left for Badlands National Park just after 9 AM CDT. Around 10:30 we crossed over the Missouri River for the second time. We arrived at Badlands National Park around 11:45 MDT. After we set up the camper on site # 32, we had lunch. Afterwards, we went into the town of Wall. Here we visited the famous Wall Drug. First, we had some homemade ice cream and the free ice water. Then, we went around to the different shops they had. When we got back into the park we went down a dirt road to a prairie dog village. There were about 6,000 prairie dogs here. Further down the road we found some bison grazing on the grass. A few of the bison were right in the road. When we got back to the campground we had dinner and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Day 7:
This morning we were all able to sleep a little bit later. After breakfast, we went to the Visitor Center. Then, we went to an overlook. Here we hiked the Cliff Shelf Trail. At the top of the loop there was a beautiful view of the Bad Lands. Afterwards, we went to the Prairie Homestead. There we were able to go into an original house from that was built by a family in 1909. They also had a barn, chicken coop, and an old Ford. Next, we went into Wall for some lunch. We had pizza in the Prairie Parlor in the backyard of Wall Drug. Afterwards, we stopped at some of the overlooks on the way back to the campground. We went on one of the fossil hikes. This one was ¼ mile long and on a boardwalk. Along the boardwalk were prehistoric fossils. Then, we went back to the campground. Later, we had dinner at the lodge near the campground. It was just too hot to cook. Afterwards, we went on the Window Notch Trail. This trail shows the baddest of the Badlands. Then, we went back to the campground and relaxed for the rest if the evening. When it got dark we watched the stars. This is one of the best places to star gaze. There is just so much sky!
Day 8:
This morning we left Badlands National Park around 8:45 AM. Today we are going to Custer State Park in the Black Hills, near Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument. We arrived at the Blue Bell campground around 11:45 AM. After we set the camper up on site # 1, we had lunch. Then, we went to Mt. Rushmore. On the way to Mt. Rushmore we found some Begging Burros along the road. The donkeys stuck there heads into the window of the car. They were very friendly. Further along the road there were 3 one lane tunnels. After the first one we caught a glimpse of Mt. Rushmore through the trees. Once we got to the memorial we went on the Presidential Walk. Then views from the trail were spectacular. It's amazing how the faces were created. We could even see the glasses on Roosevelt. After the walk we went to the café for some ice cream. Afterwards, we went back to the campground for dinner. Then, we relaxed for the rest of the evening at the beautiful Blue Bell campground.
Day 9:
This morning we went to the Crazy Horse Memorial near Custer. We were able to see the head of Crazy Horse and his extended arm. When it is completed the 4 heads of Mt. Rushmore will be able to fit inside the head of Crazy Horse. Afterwards, we looked around the museum that was set up there. Then, we had lunch at Pizza Hut. Later, we went to the Jewel Cave Visitor Center because we had reserved tickets yesterday. We were going to go on the Historic Cave Tour by candle light. We met at the original Ranger Station in the Historic Area around 1:45. Then, we went on the short walk to the cave entrance. Once we were inside we felt the refreshing air in the cave. It was 49 degrees Fahrenheit. We lit or candles and then were on our way down the cave. We decided to go to the Dungeon instead of the Heavenly Room because the Dungeon trail was slightly more difficult. Along the way we passed through very tight passageways. Some were very narrow, others were small in height, while some were both. When we arrived at the Dungeon we blew out our candles and experienced complete darkness because no light enters down that far. On the way back we had the option of returning the way we came or crawl through a small crawl space about 15 feet long. By the end of the tour we were all tired and in dire need of water. On the way back we stopped at a supermarket for some food. On the way back we decided to go on the mile long gravel road up to the Mt. Coolidge Fire tower. From the observation deck we could see for miles. We could see Mt. Rushmore, though we couldn't see the faces. We could also see the Badlands and much more. Later that evening we were at our campsite when a buffalo came walking down the horse trail adjacent to our campsite.
Day 10:
This morning we decided to go on the Wildlife Loop Road through Custer. Near the entrance station there was a herd of hundreds of buffalo. There were large ones, small ones, and young calves. At one point, a park ranger had to herd a few buffalo away from the restrooms across the road to the other side. Further along the road we saw some of the Pronghorns, similar to Antelope. Then, we saw quite a few Begging Burros. Once again, they came right up to the car and stuck their heads into the windows. We also saw another Prairie Dog town and many more Buffalo. Afterwards, we went back to the campground for lunch. Then, we went to the Blue Bell Stables because we had reservations to go on a 1 hour guided horse ride. We went on a trail along side the campground that followed the French Creek. The trail then went up the side of the small canyon and went back the way we came. Afterwards, we went back to the camper. Then, we went to Legion Lake. Allison, Katie, and Mom went swimming while Dad and I went for a walk around the lake. Later, we went into Custer to pick up a few groceries. Then, we went back to the camper, once again, and had dinner.
Day 11:
Today we are going to stay a night at Devils Tower National Monument. This morning we left the Blue Bell Campground around 9:20 AM. Around noon we stopped to have lunch at a Wendy's in Spearfish. We arrived at the campground around 2 PM. From our site we had a great view of Devils Tower. After we set up the camper we went 2 miles down the road to the Visitors' Center. Then, we went on the 1.3 mile long walk around the base of the tower. On the south side there were 3 men repelling down the side from the top. Then, we went back to the campground and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Day 12:
This morning we left Devils Tower National Monument around 9:15 AM. We stopped for lunch at a McDonald's. We arrived at a private campground called Fountain of Youth RV Park, near Thermopolis, WY, around 3:00 PM. At the campground they had a natural Mineral Hot Spring. After we unpacked the camper we took a swim in it. The water had to be cooled down but, it was still very warm. The water directly from the spring is over 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Afterwards, we went into the town of Thermopolis and went to an IGA for some groceries. Thermopolis holds the world's largest mineral hot spring. Then, we went to a Pizza Hut for dinner. Later, we went back to the campground and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
Day 13:
Last night we didn't sleep to well. Three times during the night a very long and loud train passed right behind the campground. We were all ready to leave for the Grand Tetons. We left around 8:30 AM. The drive to the park had some beautiful views of the mountains. We arrived at the Colter Bay Campground around 12:30 PM. After we set up the camper on site # 39 we had lunch. Because there are bears in the area we aren't allowed to leave any coolers, food containers, water bottles, or anything scented outside. After lunch we went to the Colter Bay Village. Here there is a lodge, gift shop, restaurant, café, grocery store, laundry, and showers. After walking around the area we went towards Jenny Lake. Along the way we stopped at a few overlooks. All of them were beautiful. The mountain peaks soared above the clouds. Then, we drove around the Jenny Lake Scenic Drive. At one point we walked across the Cottonwood Creek and towards Jenny Lake. The lake was spectacular. Then, it started to rain so we went back to the camper to close the windows. Later, we had dinner. Afterwards, Mom, Allison, and I walked down to the lake. We walked along the shore watching the sun go down over the Teton Mountains.
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More Information
Links:
NPS: Badlands NP
Wikipedia: Badlands National Park
SD State Parks: Custer State Park
Wikipedia: Devil's Tower
NPS: Devils Tower National Monument
NPS: Grand Teton National Park
Wikipedia: Grand Teton National Park
Maps and Directions:
Please select a map:
Badlands National Park
Custer State Park
Devils Tower National Monument
Grand Teton National Park
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