The Good, the Bad and the Ugly - End of an Adventure

Susan has written up a little of our adventure:
What an adventure, we went approx.. 1878 miles in RVs over 24 days.  We stayed at Elks and Moose lodges, fairgrounds, 2 state parks (SD and WY) and private parks. Let's not forget the one night that Dale and I spent in a Point of Interest overlook in the Bighorn Mtns while Wayne and Kathy pushed on to Buffalo, WY to wait for us to get off the Mtn.

We experienced 2 mechanical failures (one in each of our rigs), one hospitalization and saw incredible scenery everywhere we went.  We met several other Alfa owners along the way.  My favorite part? Traveling with friends who made it all very easy and fun.  Thanks, Kathy & Wayne for sharing our adventure.

The main reason Wayne ended up in the hospital was - they couldn't tune in to NCIS.

To get him out of the funk - we called upon his faithful companion Tungor- Tungor to the rescue. Don't worry Tungor was in disguise to secretly sneak into the hospital as Wayne's Service Dog. Kalispell Hospital is rated at a 10 by K & W and that's comparing on a scale with Mayo as a baseline.

Some of the many photos taken and enjoyed with friends:

 
The many photos of all of us 

 
Fun time on the kayaking by all including the photographer: 


Buffalo Bill St Pk Relaxing as we overlooked the reservoir

and Relaxing by our campfire

This the view that K&W saw while we were  leaving Buffalo Bill St Pk in Cody, WY, and heading to Buffalo, WY.

Arrival back into the Rapid City Area: Rushmore Shadows

This is a vacation/resort - where they try to sell you a time-share, except with this one you get a Coast 2 Coast RV membership. No pressure to buy, just spent 4 days/3 nights + free dinner show for listening to 90 minute presentation. 

The downside is the RV pads where we stayed - they are like the wrong side of the tracks. Only big enough for the rig, not much outside space and close together. But hey - 3 nights for only $42. 

While there the girls spotted this small swing, which they headed right over to for a bit of swinging.

Now to Kathy - her belief was that when they would leave the rig, Tungor would go to bedroom and lay there until they returned. Well it is with a laughing heart, that we let know that you have it all wrong. Look closely at the photo below.  See those ears peering at us from your sofa....

Kathy, Tungor has your number, you've been Tungored. The girl is lounging on your sofa, ha, ha.

Upon arrival back into Rapid city, we spent the morning at Bear Country U.S.A., Link - Press Here .  We arrived around 8:30 am which was just the right time to go.

Lots of the animals moving about:

To end this adventure, we each headed out in different directions.  K,W&T are safety in their site in the town of Custer.   Wayne was feeling so good, he has raised his US flag.

Not bad for $20 a night.

I asked Kathy, Wayne & Tongur to include some thoughts on our adventure:

On Aug 9th, we met up with Susan, Dale, Della and Tilly at their work campsite at Custer State Park.  When they got their 3 week break starting Aug 12th, off we headed to follow them any place.. Susan (the planner) and Dale who follows Susans instructions, most of the time, had a great plan for the next 3 weeks...23 nights of camping, almost 1900 miles of challenging roads and some of the most beautiful scenery in the USA.  Custer, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Mt Rushmore at night were just a few of our highlights. 

Our old Alfa made it over the pass (9660 ft), where we left Susan and Dale with Alfa mechanical problems (The Dreaded Fan Belt Shredding)... That was the hardest part of the trip for us, but without cell phones or Internet we had to go on to help them get help. We ended up with full hookup campground and they spent the night on on the mountain.  It was only one night and they were back next door the next day.  Yahoo..

Animals (or as Susan refers to it, WILDLIFE) included, bison, donkeys, deer, elk, bears including the cutest cubs, mountain goats, mountain lions, badgers, foxes, raindeer,  antelope and more.  Weather cooperated and never stopped the plans.

Susan and Dale are much more adventurous and have more experience with dry camping unlike us who need 50 amp power and prefer full hookups.  We learned so much from this experience with our Alfa as well as what to look for along the way.

The most amazing part for us was how wonderful we all got along and seems to like so many of same things.  None of us are picky eaters so we just threw something different together each night.  Everyone gave a little sometimes but not much..this is the first time we have traveled with anyone but can't wait to do again.

Even with 2 mechanical breakdowns, one for each of us and few days in Kalispell Hospital for Wayne, what a wonderful 3 weeks.

Wayne, Kathy and Tungor Taubman.

Back to me:

Susan and I arrived in volunteer village inside of Custer St Pk for our last month of volunteer work. We are at the intersection of 39 & 16 off of the Wildlife Loop.

Coordinates 43.756808, -103.372029 

We got everything setup, talked with many of the people we know. Ron was the first to welcome us back.  And Lance stopped by later.

We are thankful for having had this opportunity to travel and to do so with good friends.  Hope you have enjoyed our travel notes.

Safe Travels and Journeys

DaGirls Rv.