I Can See For Miles

We are now back in Canada…..our home and native land! The drive north from Montana and on into Alberta was just filled with vast amounts of grassland, extending miles in every direction. We were in awe during our three days of driving with how extensive and untouched the land really is. 

As we approached Drumheller, Alberta it was clear we were in the Canadian Badlands. Similar, yet very different from the South Dakota Badlands, it was

easy for us to see how this place was rich in history dating back to the Prehistoric era. Our visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum allowed us to go back in time as we read and learned about the many many dinosaurs that roamed the land and eventually became extinct. It was definitely a time of harsh climate and survival of the fittest. It

also reminded us that the earth is constantly engaged in a process of change where species and plant life are constantly becoming extinct and/or evolving. The earth is truly fascinating!

On our way to Fort MacMurray to visit our son, Mark, we took advantage of doing some boondocking on the Walmart

Walmart, Drumheller, Ab.

parking lots. In Drumheller, Alberta we had a wonderful night with 11 other campers from Manitoba, British Columbia and Ontario but our night at a Walmart outside Edmonton wasn’t so enjoyable causing several campers, including us, to have to leave in the middle of the night. A VERY busy parking lot left us with having to re-evaluate our selection criteria when choosing which Walmart would be getting our business. Clearly, the ones where a 24 Hour McDonald’s right on the lot is not at the top of the list!

As I write this, we are now in Fort MacMurray visiting with our son. We have

Old Dragline at SynCrude Display

heard so much about Fort MacMurray as just about everyone in Newfoundland either knows someone working here or is related to someone here. Mark has been a gracious host, showing us around the town and cooking meals for us. We have had a chance to wash our clothes and use HIS bathroom to shower in. It certainly seems like a nice little working town and we are content knowing that he is happy and making

Mark and Steve standing in "the Clam" of a Dragline

a good living for himself. We will leave again in a few days and head on to La Crete, Alberta to spend time with my Uncle before heading North. I know that we will also have a wonderful visit there in that community as well.

Until the next time…..

Home On The Range

So sorry Manitoba and Saskatchewan! Our original plans were to leave South Dakota and head north to drive across the prairies but the lure of Yellowstone

National Park was just too great after chatting with fellow RVers who insisted that we just must go there. When we looked it all up on the map, it became our next destination and boy are we glad we made it there!!!

What can we say about Yellowstone???  Certainly another gem in the crown of America! We camped out in Cody, Wyoming about an hour outside the East entrance of the park. The scenery, mountains and rolling hills on the way to the park were absolutely amazing and breathtaking to say the least. As we entered the park we could see plumes of smoke billowing from the ground. A peculiar smell of sulphur

One of many geysers in the area

permeated the air. We came to realize that Yellowstone is a geological wonder containing over half of the world’s geysers! From Old Faithful which erupts “faithfully” every 91 minutes to the Grand Prismatic Spring, a football field-sized geyser of magnificent beauty, these springs reached temperatures of over 200 degrees Fahrenheit and could certainly be fatal to those who come into contact with them. In many parts of the park, such as West Thumb Geyser basin, the land was very fragile and we were repeatedly reminded to stay on the boardwalk. Stepping off the boardwalk could literally land you in some pretty hot water!! Nature is amazing!

The Grand Prismatic Spring
People on the boardwalk in the background

                                    Old Faithful did not disappoint!

Yellowstone is also famous for its wildlife! Along with deer, elk and coyotes which we saw quite frequently we were always reminded of the presence of Grizzly bears in the park. We didn’t get a chance to see a bear but we did see the hundreds and hundreds of bison grazing in the Lamar Valley.

It was amazing to sit, watch and listen to these gigantic animals in their natural environment during their mating season, male bison vying for the females attention. Of course, a scattered fuss would ensue. They may be big but boy, can they move!

Bison roaming everywhere!

Feeling like cowboys, we mounted our iron horse each day and had the most amazing rides through Yellowstone. The Beartooth Highway, voted as one of America’s most scenic highways, is a must-do for any vacationer in the Wyoming area! As we corkscrewed to the summit of Bear Tooth, the cliff faces and vertical drops to the valleys below were both jaw dropping and exhilarating. It truly was a feat of engineering excellence that simply cannot be captured in pictures! The Chief Joseph Pass was also another exceptionally scenic byway with great historical significance. While travelling this highway we were reminded once again of how Mother Nature can pack a mean punch when she wants. The sky grew quickly dark and before we knew it we were in the middle of a thunder and lightening storm. Though it might have been dangerous, we DID stop for just a second to listen to the thunder rumble through the mountains but before we knew it we were driving into sunshine again. 

                         Thank-you, Yellowstone, for an unforgettable 3 days!

The Wild West

We’ve all heard the legends of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane! Or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid! Crazy Horse and General Custer! As a child growing up in Newfoundland these were often just made up stories about wayward cowboys but as we drove west through South Dakota and on into Wyoming, we quickly discovered these were real live people. It was so cool to walk in their shoes and see the towns where they lived and died.

Deadwood, South Dakota is a quaint little western town outside Sturgis where Wild Bill Hickok frequented along with Calamity Jane. It was here at Saloon #10

where Jack McCall shot and killed Wild Bill during a poker game. To the floor fell 2 pair; two black aces and two black eights which later became known as the Deadman’s Hand. Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are both buried in Deadwood at a cemetery called Mt. Moriah. The town has done a fabulous job at retaining it’s old western feel, complete with gun fights in the street. 

West of Deadwood, where we camped out, is Sundance, Wyoming. With a population of just over 1100 people it was

Statue of the Sundance Kid
Sundance, Wy

where Harry A. Longabaugh, otherwise known as the Sundance Kid, was captured and jailed for stealing a horse, saddle and gun in 1887. It is believed that Butch Cassidy acted as his accomplice in helping him to escape. The “Kid" was captured again, sentenced to 18 months in jail and then later pardoned because he was under the age of 21. We really enjoyed the Crook County Museum which has done a fabulous job at preserving the rich history of the area.

Crook County Museum

. 

A motorcycle ride South through the Black Hills National Forest took us to Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monuments. It was pretty cool to see something we’ve always heard about and definitely a great feat of engineering. A cool fact that we learned is that there is a secret archival vault in the

frontal lobe of Abraham Lincoln’s head that was intended to hold important papers and documents of American history. The drive north, back to our campsite, was equally impressive as we rode through the plains and grasslands of South Dakota and Wyoming. Around every turn we could see rolling fields dotted with cattle and horses and, for a moment, we felt like the old time cowboys out on the range. 

Our last stop in Wyoming was a town called Cody. Little did we know but we were walking in the footsteps of Buffalo Bill! We visited Buffalo Bill’s original

hotel, Irma, and had our very first Bison Burger! On our last night there, we went to a cowboy hoedown at the Cody Cattle Company We had a great buffet meal, cowboy style; beans, applesauce, cornbread, brisket, BBQ chicken,

coleslaw and enough lemonade and iced tea to quench anyone's thirst! The cowboy entertainment was also excellent. We finished out the night at our very first rodeo! 


The cowboy lifestyle is certainly in the blood of the people in South Dakota and Wyoming!

Enjoyed a great night with these cowboys!

Living In America

No explanation needed here!! This post contains pics of weird and wonderful things we've seen as we have travelled across the United States. Some have left us busting a gut while others have left us scratching our heads! Some things we saw were just really cool ideas that we've never seen before!
                                                    Enjoy!

Pittsburgh VW Beetle covered in carpet scraps!

Captured this building as we drove into Boston! I don't think security is a problem here!

Okayyy!?!?!? Not really sure about this! Seen somewhere on a country road in Pennsylvania!

This freestanding bicycle repair station at Wompatuck State Park was definitely a winner! With over 70 miles of bike trails, I'm sure this gets used quite often!

All the necessary tools, right at your fingertips!

No words needed! Everything made from corn!
Mitchell, South Dakota

Quite impressive actually!

                       Seen at a service station in Rapid City, South Dakota!!! 

I think I'll stick with the rain, drizzle and fog!

Finally, Smith Mansion just outside Cody, Wyoming. Not quite a mansion by most standards but an interesting story indeed!

Born To Be Wild

While in Pennsylvania, we discovered that the 79th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was taking place in South Dakota from August 2 -11.......and we just HAD to be there! At least for a day! Begun in 1938 by a group of Indian motorcycle riders, the Sturgis rally is one of the top 6 motorcycle rallies in America and attendance numbers certainly prove that! Historically, around 500 000 riders visit Sturgis every year but in 2015 the city was visited by 700 000 motorcycle enthusiasts! That's more than the population of our province!!

Here are the sights and sounds of Sturgis!

Unfortunately, the pictures just don't do this post any justice! On Main Street, Sturgis there were blocks upon blocks of parked bikes all down the middle and on both sides of the street. People were milling around, shopping, eating, and listening to entertainment.

There were so many interesting people from all over the world. Most were sporting their motorcycle attire  but some people were just curious onlookers who wanted to check things out.

         


And the bikes.......
anything that your mind could conceive was there! It was absolutely amazing to see the customization, time and money that people put into their motorcycles!

There were so many vendors selling everything from tires and seats, to handlebars and clothing. You could even buy a brand new bike if you wanted.

Who IS that motorcyle Mama??


There was also entertainment everywhere!! At night there were the big name bands like Keith Urban, Styx, Collective Soul and Snoop Dog to mention a few but there were also smaller stages set up around the area playing all kinds of music. 

Outside Sturgis in the neighbouring towns and cities, the roads were filled with riders taking in the many scenic drives to places like Mount Rushmore,

We were lucky to take in many of these rides!

Keystone, and Custer. We were so happy that the timing of our travel worked out and we had a chance to attend Sturgis 2019!! 




And like the cowboys, we rode off into the sunset back to our campground in Wyoming before the craziness of the REAL Sturgis party ramps up!  


Until the next time.....

Wyoming, USA

Live To Ride, Ride To Live

Our love affair with South Dakota all started on a motorcycle! Many thanks to Corinne and Tucker, two fine folks, who rescued us from a fierce thunder and lightning storm when they welcomed us into their home! The cup of coffee and towel were much appreciated!

Buffalo Gap National Grassland, South Dakota

It's always a bad hair day on the back of a bike!

South Dakota Morning

The Badlands is rich in beautiful flora and fauna as well as wildlife!