Update time

A lot has been going on here at DaGirls Rv.

For starters we have removed all of the tile inside the rig – 6 hours of removal time. 

AND 4 hours of cleanup time. It was starting time.

We have installed the Allure Trafficmaster Vinyl Plank Flooring. We have completed the living, kitchen bathroom, hallway, 1 side of the bedroom. Maybe I should have said, what we have left to do is the Big Slide, toilet room and my side of the bed.

In doing this it is all about the small things, corners, trim and trimming. We have done a very good job in keeping the trim down. Luckily we found this Yahoo Group (Link), of course you have to JOIN his group to see all of his photos. But I will say, he is booked out to next year. The photos gave us some insight along with calling PJ, as he provided a few excellent thoughts.

Today we will be starting the big slide. As some of you know, the Alfa has a steel plate running from front to rear on the big slide. The plate is mounted inside the slide and rides over the main floor as it comes in. The plate provides support and also covers the trough where the rollers sit. When we did our Cork floor in 2007, we removed the plate. So now I am going to install an aluminum plate with a slight mod to the installation, which I will explain later.

Anyway, back to updating everyone, Sunday we took a trip down to the Wild Horse Sanctuary Link,

IMAGINE...

Imagine a place where as far as the eye can see, miles and miles to the horizon, you can view America as it was 300 years ago. Imagine a place, long revered by the American Indians, where the Cheyenne River flows in all four directions and eagles' shadows sweep rocky canyon walls, a place where wild horses run free across endless prairies, hooves striking thunder, manes and tails flying in the wind. Imagine a crowded, bone-bare feed lot packed with captured mustangs, some too weak to stand. Listless, dejected, some have lost the will to live. Spirits broken, unwanted, either too old, too ugly, or too independent to qualify for the adoption program.



Now Imagine an Oregon rancher, naturalist, and the author, with the heart, the will and the sense of duty, the desire to save these animals, and you have Dayton O. Hyde. In 1988, Dayton Hyde raised, by the skin of his teeth, enough money for a down payment on a sanctuary near Hot Springs, South Dakota, and convinced the Bureau of Land Management to send him its unadoptable wild horses.



Today, that dream is a reality. Come to the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, experience the dream, visit their grassland home of rocky canyons, wind swept prairies, and dark pine forests, a home they share with coyotes, cougar, white-tail and mule deer, elk wild turkeys, eagles and falcons. A home where hundreds of wild horses not only live but flourish, nurtured by the dream of a man of vision, and the freedom he gave them. You too can be a part of that dream. Your participation in the planned giving program can keep these wild horses running free. The Sanctuary has given the wild horses that make their home there over 10,000 years of horse freedom. Thank you!



Perhaps you are one of those who have already helped with your donations. Donations are accepted anytime of the year. Won't you please help? Come and take pride in what you have become a part of. Enjoy the herds of sleek, healthy mustangs running where wild flowers bloom in profusion, and the sky goes on forever.
IMAGINE. - Dayton O. Hyde

Google Plus Link to Photos

On the way back we stopped in Pringle

to have a world famous burger, but instead we had the famous special of the day. Wed is burgers and open mike for $5, so our plan is to go back on Wed. While we were there we met a very interesting couple, who invited us to join them at their table - only because they had chosen the best seats in the house. Howard and Debbie have some really neat stories to tell, but the big one is where they bought a 2010 Honda Goldwing (1800), had it triked out with all the comforts, moved from CA to OK and a small place in TX. And now travel around.

Safe Travels and Journeys

From DaGirls Della and Tilly

Another Beautiful Day

Another beautiful day here in Custer St Pk. We met Dean and Nica up at Sylvan Lake where we floated on the water in our kayaks. Not very big lake but a wonderful place to enjoy company of Alfa owners.

We had many things to discuss and enjoyed each other’s company. After the lake we had lunch up at the Lodge, where each couple split a salad and burger. We enjoyed the food and company.

 Dean always finds a way to relax:

And while Dean was relaxing, Susan and Nica were enjoying each other's company.

Afterwards Susan and I enjoyed another road trip, down and around Wind Cave NP, where we spied our favorite subject:

However, on Friday, we were back to work. A very rough day, we had 3 cabins to clean. After the cabins we went into Rapid to collect the final stuff for our flooring project. Photos to come later.

It also seems we missed out on the special events at Mt. Rushmore on the 3^rd. Swearing in of new citizens along with presidential enactors and special tributes to our military personnel. A day late and dollar short. 

Otherwise I will leave you with a video of our favorite subject: 

 Safe Travels and Journeys

From DaGirls, Susan, Della, Tilly and me.

Keeping up with the Blog

Been falling behind a little so decided to catch up.

Traveled up to Keystone the other day. Population of 387 people. Course this is in Winter and not Summer where it swells ups.

Keystone had its origins in 1883 as a mining town, and has since transformed itself into a resort town, serving the needs of the millions of visitors to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which is located just beyond city limits.

 

Among its tourist attractions is the Black Hills Central Railroad, built in 1900 for Black Hills gold. It now operates passenger trains pulled by preserved steam locomotives.

Carrie Ingalls (sister of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder) spent a significant part of her adult life there, living with her husband David N. Swanzey and his children. Her sister Mary Ingalls lived with them for a while and died here in 1928.

This town was one of the filming locations for the Columbia Pictures 1994 comedy film North.

   

Along with that we took the 1880 Train out of Hill City at $0.0 cost thanks to our VIP pass as volunteers. For that price the ride was worth it. The tour guide was very interesting, but for a train ride – not very exciting. 

The train runs next to lots of private property, so animal life was very low. Except for the 2 legged kind on  motorcycles. 

Seem's one of their friends was riding and they followed the train to Keystone.

Reading up on the Train Via Web Link

Early this morning I went outside for a few minutes and caught these 3 close by:

Today, we took a drive down to Wind Cave National Park. We located NPS 5 dirt road, which led us around and back into Custer State Park. Little did we realize we would get our buffalo fix for the night.

Of course what would our blog be without a Buffalo Herd 

Safe Travels and Journeys 

Susan, Della, Tilly and me.

Getting back to the Blog

Sitting here at the table and thinking I should get back to work on the blog. Workwise not a lot has been going on. But Alfawise we have been busy. We have decided to replace the current floor, which includes removing the tile. As some people realize, the tile is installed with some heavy glue. This requires breaking the tile and then using a grinder to remove the remaining pieces.

Pictures tell a thousand words, but within 8Hrs we had it all up and out of the coach. We did a pretty good job of mitigating the dust.

After working on it we took off for another trip on the wildlife loop trail. You can check out what we came across in the video below.

 Today was another trip into Rapid to pick up supplies.  On our way back we came across these little 4 legged ones across from the park office.

Safe Travels from DaGirls.

Susan, Dale, Della and Tilly

Been Over 2 Weeks

It has been well over 2 weeks since we have reported in. Since that time, we have visited Wind Cave, Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, Dana along with Cousin Lisa have come and gone along with the grandson, Gavin and nieces. We have continued to work our 3 days on and 3 days off schedule.

The kids visited many places and Susan used her’s VIP card to gain entrance into the many events in the area.  Being the gentleman I am, I opted to stay home while the 3 ladies and 3 children went out. Have you ever been in a van with 3 ladies and 3 children? I leave that to your imagination.

Visit to Crazy Horse - Indian Dancers

Trip to Mammoth Site in Hotsprings, SD

Road trip on the Wildlife Loop in the State Park to see the Burros.

Susan got to see and make another friend - Reptile Gardens

Weather has been crappy on many days, temp’s in the 40’s along with rain every other day. Monday’s (6/16) temp was in the low 70’s along with sun shine. Today will be a repeat, great day with temps in the 70’s.

The Campground truck and radio have been taken away by the maintenance supervisor while his 2 people clean the bathrooms here and at Horse Camp down the road. THIS IS CRAZY hopefully time will work this out and we can all play well together. 

Its’ been quite from Florida.  We have not received emails or phone calls from the East Coast Fam., except for news of upcoming arrival of a new Brockman member. Congrats Andrea & David.

As I get ready to leave, as always we will leave you with many photos that were taken along with slide shows and maybe even a video or two.

Buffalo walking along side of the Jeep

Crazy Horse Photos

Day with the Kids   

Bear World Photos 

Safe Journeys and travels from

Dale & Susan, DaGirlsRv Della & Tilly

Road Trip to Deadwood, SD

Monday, was road trip day, so off we went to Deadwood and Sturgis South Dakota.  We opted to take the back road (385) and then come back via Rapid City (79), as show in the photo below:

Once in DW we found more Casino’s then in Cripple Creek, CO. So we made the rounds to see the signs and sounds in the area. Until 1980, DW had a thriving Brothel business, especially on main street.

 

One thing worth mentioning is the Adams Museum, located next to the train station. The museum was started in the early 1930’s, gathering mementos depicting the  life in the area. 

Deadwood birdseye circa 1890s

The most notable thing that happened in DW was the killing of Wild Bill Hickok during a game of poker. The building below is possibly where he was killed.

 The city also has a Holiday Inn Resort.  It is built on top of a Slime Plant. I think if I  was Holiday Inn, just maybe I would have chosen a different location, but it does add a certain Savoir-faire flavor to it.  (What exactly is a Slime Plant, anyway?)

As we walked around the town, we were intrigued with the signs in the windows:

Why would anyone want to ship water?

However another more important one, Guys, "When you don't succeed just do it the way your wife told you" in the first place.

To close out the road trip, is a stop in:

If nothing else than to pick up some T-shirts (the bargain ones from 2013).

Sorry Robbie, nothing this time.

So we leave you with more photo shots of the sights in Custer State Park: Can you Guess? 

Safe Travels from Da Girls Rv.