This weekend was a busy one, but we managed to sneak in some fun.
We were invited to have dinner with friends on Friday night. We were having too much fun to take pictures, but, suffice it to say, she is an amazing cook, and they have an amazing liquor cabinet.
On Saturday, we headed west for a couple of weeks. We drove from Sioux Falls to Chamberlain, South Dakota. The view of the Missouri right near sunset was breathtaking, and this picture, of course, does not do it justice.
Note to fellow travelers; do not try to eat dinner in Chamberlain. Four restaurants, three of which turned us away. The fourth never brought the food we ordered, and tried to make us pay for it.
Saturday night was spent at a Harvest Host. Harvest Hosts is an organization which lists wineries, farms, breweries, museums, etc, which offer free night stays to people like us, self-contained RVers. We usually find one on a Friday or Saturday night, since campgrounds are often crowded, noisy and dirty on those nights. (There. I said it.)
This one was called Diamond A Cattle Company, and was a ranch and rodeo arena. We spent a lovely, quiet night there, and met the locals. That would be Bob, the cat, and Ranger, the Lab, aka The Village Idiot. We also picked up some jerky, pemmican, and sausage from their store. Harvest Hosts are free, but they do ASK that you somehow participate in their business; maybe a wine tasting, or a museum visit. Or buying meat.
There is always work to be managed before hitting the road, and John was the man for the job. Propane, fuel, and off we go.
But, before we could see THAT view, we needed to see another.
If you have never taken I90 west through Chamberlain, South Dakota, you are missing some beautiful things. This statue, named Dignity, is one of them. It stands in a rest area on the east side of the Missouri River, and honors Native culture and heritage. Also at this rest area is a nice little museum about the Lewis and Clark expedition, which rested here, also, more than 200 years ago. I have always admired those men. They set out much like lunar explorers, not knowing what they would find, what dangers and diseases they would face, and whether they would return. It's odd to think of it, but I really think this particular rest area is a do-not-miss.
The rest of our was spent driving through open grassland, where most people would say there is "nothing for miles but miles and miles." I like to remind them that there is beef out there!
We stopped at Badlands National Park, mostly to get our National Parks Passport stamped. Between us, we've been there around 10 times, so an in-depth visit was not on the plan. We did get out and walk a bit, although Miss Molly was not allowed. She says the Badlands really ARE.
We had just talked about the number of times we had walked in mud in the Badlands when we looked up and saw these swallow nests. They probably never complain about the mud.
Later that evening, we found our campground in the Black Hills. We'll be here for a week or so, then it's on to points further west before we head south. Winter is coming.
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