June 2, 2014 Nebraska City, Nebraska

Taking Another Look

We decided to spend our first night "on the road" at Victorian Acres, a cute campground in the southeast corner of Nebraska.  We stayed here about 15 years ago and had passed by many times on our way to and from Idaho, but never stopped again until now.  After getting settled I inquired about the Lewis and Clark Visitor Center just down the highway.  I was totally surprised when the owner suggested we go into Nebraska City- about a mile down the road.  "Is there actually a town there?", I not so brightly asked.  Well, were we surprised!!  

Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Visitor Center

We enjoyed our tour of this visitor center and learned more about Lewis and Clark's journey.  There is such an amazing amount of information out there and we learn a little more each time we visit these sites.  Did you know that Sacagawea died around the age of 25?

George at the helm- er, oar

Actual Size Replica of Lewis and Clark's Keelboat

We took a drive across the Iowa border to a state park, which I had wanted to stay at, but decided against because of the stormy weather. (Actually George decided against and it was a good call!)  Great view from overlook, but probably won't ever choose to camp there.  It was located in the Loess Hills, which are a geological formation found only along the Missouri River basin in this area and in China.  Who knew???

View from overlook at Waubonsie State Park, Iowa

We drove into Nebraska City (actually to get some groceries at Wal-Mart) and stumbled upon the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park.  

Arbor Lodge was the home of J. Sterling Morton, who was the founder of Arbor Day and Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland.  When he and his young wife settled in Nebraska City around 1855, it was mostly plains and barren hills.  He decided that trees should be planted to make the area more attractive to other settlers and to serve as windbreaks.

His original four room house was remodeled and extended several times over the years. The last and grandest remodeling was in 1903 by his son Joy Morton, as in "Morton" salt.  The 52 room mansion served as a summer home for Joy and other family members before being turned over to the state of Nebraska.  ***The slogan on Morton salt, "When it rains it pours", refereed to the fact that this was the first salt that did not clump when stored for periods of time because of moisture.  Joy Morton and a partner discover an additive to make it free flowing.

J. Sterling Morton's Arbor Lodge

Hard to imagine this was ever "barren" land.

Unique Children's Furniture at the Lodge

At the Carriage House

Now I know where Tiffin got the name for their motorhome.

June 5, 2014 Pierre, South Dakota

We found this state park, situated along the Missouri River, and decided to stay a few days to check out the South Dakota State Capitol.  This was possibly the nicest campground that we have ever camped in, however, can't say much for the actual town.  Not sure how they talk the governor into staying around for his whole term.  We did notice as we toured the Capitol, that many only had a four year term.  Could there be a term limit or something else going on ?

Oahe Downstream Recreation Area

We were actually parked by the back flow area.  The Missouri is to the far right side of pic.  It was very relaxing to just drag our chairs out to the edge and do n-o-t-h-i-n-g!!!

Site #198 

Interior loop of campground 3

This whole area was devastated by a flood in 2011.  The good side of that is that much of the park was redone and the bathroom and showers were fabulous!  Almost made me want to walk over and take my shower there...almost.

We would liked to have taken a dam tour (thinking of you David McClintock), but we waited too late in the day.  It was all very strange looking to us.  We would liked to have had more info.

Intake for generation

Dam Power Plant

The lake, which was above the earthen dam, and the generating plant had no apparent connection- must have all been underground.

While camped at Oahe, we drove into Pierre (pronounced "peer") and walked around the Capitol.  It was a beautiful building with lots of marble and gorgeous oak woodwork built around 1910.

State Capitol of South Dakota  

This visit will allow us to mark one more state capitol off our list.  (We really should visit Arkansas' Capitol building one of these days!)

June 4, 2014 Sioux Falls, South Dakota

First day as South Dakotans!

Setting up residency in South Dakota was a piece of cake.  After we received our drivers licenses, we thought we ought to at least look around the city which we would now be calling "home".  The downtown reminded us a lot of Boise, which we really, really like.  When we came across a statue of a hog- well, we really did feel like we were home!  

 

Wooooooo Pig Soooie

George at Falls Park in Sioux Falls

June 7, 2014. Spearfish, South Dakota.

You never know what you might stumble upon....

D C Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery Museum

While looking for the Spearfish City Campground today, we came upon the DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, which was established in 1896.  While there we toured a replica of a "fish car", which was used to transport fish across the country from hatcheries on the east coast to rivers and streams on the west coast.  The first rail shipment was made around 1874 and continued for another 66 years.

Fish Car #3

Home of D C Booth and succeeding superintendents

We were also given a tour of the former home of the first superintendent by a volunteer from Texas.  It was a gorgeous home- I could definitely live there - or at least be a volunteer.  

Unfortunately, this hatchery along with several others is on a list of possible closures.  I am so glad that we happened upon it today and hope to have the opportunity to visit it again in the future!

More pics from Spearfish...

Spearfish City Campground

Cochiti Lake, New Mexico

October 3-6, 2011

Pleasantly surprised! That describes our feelings about our new campground- Cochiti Lake COE, which is located 30 miles north of Albuquerque. We were prepared for it to be somewhat ugly, but it is really pretty- in its own way. It is a dry landscape, dotted with sagebrush and juniper and the lake doesn't compare to many, but the distant hills/mountains and the cloud dotted sky, all together, make for some very nice views. Also, the campground has to be one of the best laid out designs we've encountered, especially for longer rigs.

View from top of Buffalo Grove loop

View of Cochiti Lake from Ringtail Cat Loop

October 4, 2011

Today's weather didn't promise to be the best, but we decided to go ahead and visit Santa Fe. We walked around the area surrounding the square and saw many interesting buildings, parks, people and shops. There was so much to see, that it was a little overwhelming.  Did I mention that George isn't really into shopping?? 

We also walked over to see the New Mexico State Capitol, which is on our "to do" list- seeing as many state capitols as possible. It didn't seem as grand as many capitols.  We're not sure that we even saw the front of it. (Hmmm... maybe that's why it seemed a little plain.

We enjoyed lunch at the Bobcat Bite. That was probably the largest burger I have ever been served- 10 ozs! It was served covered with green chiles and cheese- yummy!!!

Just a pair of ...  (Just kidding!!)

George @ Cathedral Park

George at New Mexico State Capitol

October 5, 2011

On Wednesday, we checked out Tent Rocks National Monument, which is located only a few miles from our campground. The hoodoos (rock formations that look like spires) or tent rocks were formed about 7 million years ago, when around twenty volcanoes erupted repeatedly.

The stormy clouds made a wonderful backdrop for the rocks.   Luckily, it didn't rain and the clouds kept it fairly cool.  We enjoyed the hike and didn't see any rattlesnakes! (Signs were posted everywhere to warn about rattlesnakes.  George thinks the signs are just to keep people on the trails!)

San Juan Skyway

WOW! 
That pretty much sums up our drive on the San Juan Skyway.  The loop is around 270 miles long and has some of the most beautiful scenery you can imagine.  The drive passes through the towns of Telluride, Ridgway, Ouray, Silverton and Durango. 

While driving between Telluride and Ridgway, we remembered an Oprah interview with Ralph Lauren, at his ranch in Ridgway.  Oprah mentioned the miles and miles of rail fencing.  So, when we came to a long stretch of rail fence, we wondered if it could be his.  Then, we finally came to the entrance and there was the name - The Double RL!  (I wonder if he is sorry, that everyone knows where his place is??)


The China Clipper


The town of Ouray has been a favorite of ours for many years.  We once spent the night there in the cutest bed and breakfast.  So, we just had to drive by and see if it was still operating- and sure enough it was! 

Driving around the few streets of Ouray, we found a nice campground, the 4J +1+1 RV Park, which was located right in town.  We had earlier visited Ridgway State Park, which also had some nice campgrounds.  (My choice would be Ouray, as I love being able to walk around town and enjoy the shops and restaurants!!)  We hope to someday come back and  spend some time here and explore the many jeep roads located in the  surrounding mountains. 

It was just an AMAZING day and I could say more about the drive, but "they" say- a picture is worth a thousand words....

Ouray, Colorado

Ouray, Colorado

Anasazi and Cliff Dwellings

We learned lots of interesting information about the ancient pueblos and the Indians who lived in them this week. Visits to the Anasazi Heritage Center, Lowry Ruins and Mesa Verde National Park to see the dwellings and many artifacts, left us wanting to know so much more about these ancient people that lived here more than 700 years ago!  These sites were definitely worth a visit!

Just a word to the wise....before deciding which dwelling to visit at Mesa Verde, be sure to find out how much climbing  is involved.  If we had visited Cliff Palace, I would probably still be stuck on the 100 feet of ladders that must be climbed to exit!!!!  It could have been even worse, if we had chosen Balcony House, which included "climbing through a 12 foot long tunnel and climbing up a 60 foot open cliff face with stone steps and two 10 foot ladders to exit".   Whew!

View of Spruce Tree House from trail

Spruce Tree House

I look like Gulliver in the Land of the Lilliputians!



Gorgeous day- gorgeous sky!







On our way into the park, this mother bear and her two cubs crossed the road in front of our truck.