Count Down

Counting down to June 16th. This is also family time with Susan's daughter, Dana and the 3 grandchildren, along with her new intended. New Intended? Let's be straight, Dana Fiancé Tom, along with his 3, Brandon, Gracie, and Madison. Who all arrived from Illinois, for a week of adventure and fun in Az. 

So, let's called them the crazy Eight from Illinois. 

In the mean time, we are getting ready to head to the Northwest, Vancouver, WA. to be exact. I know you're asking yourself, wait didn't you state you were staying in one place till Mid-July? 

Well it all started in May, I had been thinking and looking, did not need all the bells and whistle, just looking from Texas to Arizona. 

Our New 2024 Ford F-150 with upgrade in Towing and Off-road equipment.

So why are we showing you photos of roads -? 

Well, Roadmaster Inc, does not have a baseplate designed for the 2024 Ford. However, they said we would like your truck for the Development Shop. We will use your vehicle to design a system and ensure everything works. Great news, when can you bring it in? June 3rd, or Sep 27. 

You guess it - Jun 3rd, then we learned that they need it for 2 weeks.

So, off I went, leaving on Friday, and heading Northwest, as you can see by my route

I arrived on Sunday, but I really arrived just north of Bend on Saturday where it was suggested that I call Hans and Kay. What a wonderful time I had seeing these 2 wonderful friends and then meeting Diane. Any dinner Hans make is a delight and wonderful taste.

At the same time I am upgrading the electrical service to Happy Cabin. From 100, to 200amp service and just clean up. That's why the photos.

Rebar needs to cut out

Ok, so 1 morning, I got up, Dakota went to bed in the bedroom, next think, Dakota come running out to the door. Yes the Rv door, and barking. She has not done this in a long time.

Open the door, and out she went.

Finally, I have been slowly fitting some issues, especially fuses blowing due to wiring problems.

 

Safe Travels and Journeys 

DaGirls Rv, Gus the Bus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me

Chicago or is it Elgin ?

 We are currently parked at Paul Wolf Campground in Elgin, Il.

We scored a very nice site with some shade trees along with 50Amp & water. Plus a view for our Satellite.

When we first arrived we arranged to stay at the Kane County Fairgrounds, where they have 50 amps & water at site along with a common dump. We would have stayed longer, but there were events planned, about 10 days later. 

It's about a 20 min drive to the MacDonald's house about 11 miles. I have tried various ways and it still around 20 mins or a little longer. 

I was asked about doing or wanting Honey dues. This year was a No. But I did do 2 small things, about 10 minutes.

I was asked to help re-install a playset, which was used and taken down in sections.  Done after 1 day (8hrs) of working on it. 

On Monday 27th we headed to Michigan - Benton Harbor - to see Karen and Ray Palmer, as they will be spending time on the east coast and will not be back in the Yuma area for 1-2 years. 

Traffic - well every mayor Road in and around Illinois is under mayor construction. What can I say. 

However on our way back thru Indiana, we picked up 5, 12 packs of Yuengling. Sorry everyone, I did not pick up any spares to carry back.

Nothing special about doing the tourist thing. Maybe someday something can be plan with the whole family going downtown spending the night and seeing some unique places. 

Some people don't know this, but my Grandparents (mother side), mother and sister were born in Chicago. My Great grandparents immigrated from Prussia around 1890's. My grandmother married an Irish man name of Frank Fallon. What happen to him I may never know. 

One of the things Susan and I will always do and will continue to do so, until we no longer return to Chicago will be this:

Rest in Peace Grandmother and Aunt

By the way, this year, while we were down southern Illinois, Susan and I spent time seeing her grandparents and parents gravesite. 

Ok, time to get off of this subject. Alright anything else, maybe but nothing worth reporting. Susan and I were discussing, well I was talking and she was listening. I stated, unless we came earlier or later, this might be my last trip this way. In part, due to the humidity. 

We'll see, but maybe in my time family vacations were different. I remember 1 vacation, were I was staying with a cousin in Little Rock, mom, dad said he's all yours's for the night.  Well that night we went raccoon hunting in the woods. 

What a night we had, listening and running down the Coon hounds when they were able to tree a raccoon. We were out for over 6 hours. If I remember right, I was around 10. 

There was one family vacation that took place over in Buchanan, MI. Susan and I were staying at a Thousand Trails CG., which also had cabins. We rented 1 for 7 days, and informed the Helzing's and MacDonald's, what we had done and let them setup the days they each wanted. What a great time. 

The last simi family vacation was in 2019 Custer City. 2 adults and 5 childrens arrive after a straight thru drive from Chicago.

Ok, so that about wraps it up. Except for some photos: By the way, Susan and I found a Fisher Nut Outlet store at there factory down the street. 10% extra off on Tuesdays

DaGirls Rv AKA Gus

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and Me

Safe travels and journeys

Landed in Custer

Friday July 3rd.

We packed up Monday night and were ready to head out next morning. We arose early on Tuesday, like we always do on a travel day. Finished the few small things inside and outside (except I left a Clean Water Hose behind), turned the ignition key.

Finished the few outside items and proceeded to head out. Susan went first and I followed her. Since this is farm country and dirt roads, we stopped at our usual place to connect. Since I started, I elected to continue to drive. Our time was 7am CSDT. Total distance to Custer was 490 miles

Our plan:  head to a TA in Grand Island and refuel. Our first refueling stop along our route to Custer, S.D. We took on 98 gallons our highest yet on the Gold. Cost $224.30 @2.299/gal TSD cost $

From here we headed west again on I-80, taking exit 300, then turning right onto NE State Highway (NE) - 11 heading north. This was a much smoother road than heading north thru Grand Island and faster. We made the turn onto NE - 2, heading west to Alliance, where we would turn North onto US 385 to S.D.

Alliance was also our stop or go decision point. This was 350 miles distance from Friend, NE. Our total distance was going to be 490 miles, so we had set this point to decide continue or stop for the night. 

Susan and I split our driving time, since we both felt good, we looked at the time, and realized we were an hour differences. This was due to be in MDST, WooHoo we gained 1 hour. Ok let's go the distance. We switched driver's and Susan headed us north on US-385.

Our planned next stop was in Hot Springs, S.D. were we would stop for refueling at a TA Express. We took on 63 gallons, this enabled us to top off the tank for the season. Cost $135.83 @2.149/gal TSD cost $

We arrived at Custer Mountains & Cabins at 3:30 MDST (4:30 CDST), about a 10 hr drive. However remember, we split the driving and when we switch we take a small break, walk Tilly and Dakota and stretch our legs. 

Ok, so this is it, sorry for the delay, but it was only been 3 days. 

Photos

Well the first set of photos were taken from Heading west on NE - 2.

This is either farm or cattle country. 

And I did miss some good shots as I was not even aware of them.

However our next series of shots were in Broken Bow. Jeff and Linda should remember this place very well. This was where the front bumper assembly of their car broke last year.

Along this stretch of Highway we pulled over again to switch drivers.

Our last leg from Hot Springs to Custer was easy.  We went thru Wind Cave National Park. We only saw 1 lonely Buffalo out on the plains.

Our last shots were us resting along with our close friends Beata & Rüdiger.

Ok, Covid-19 Safe conditions for us still apply, even more so right now.

Keep safe, and practice.

Safe Travels from 

DaGirls Rv

Susan, Tilly, Dakota and me.

Oh, it is sooo much different then St. Charles or Friend. 

High Temp - 70's, might get to low 80's.

Low Temps - first night 40's and now mid 50's.

Talk about the Humidity ? A whole lot lower. Our noses definitely feel the difference.