2016/07/10 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 24 - Home - Normal Stuff?

So travel part of vacation is over and now we are back in the stuff we do when we are home.  So this is Sunday the whole family went to church.

My back was hurting bad, so DM and I left church to go to The Joint to get my back worked on.  That was somewhat quick, so back to church to finish out the service.

Lunch we went to Fuddruckers.

Dinner we went to The Old Ship.

2016/07/09 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 23 - Home

We got a early start, I did not want to be out in the desert to late because of the heat.  We left at 7:40 (really early start :) )

Next stop was gas at Costco.

Next stop was at Pilot to get gas.  Then on over to Little Sisters Truck Wash to get the RV and Van washed.  We also ate lunch while they did the washing.  The RV had not been washed for about 3 years so desperately needed.  That took about an hour.

We got gas at Sam Club and then dropped Mom D at home.

We made it home about 3:16 and proceeded to do the vehicle shuffle.


For the last week, my back has been getting worse and worse, sometime during the vehicle shuffle, my back really hurts!

Once we somewhat got settled, Cheryl wanted to go pick up my bike and get new bikes for her and Amanda.  She order two new bikes!

Starbucks was a required stop on the way home

For dinner we went out to Red Robin....

So off to bed early for me.

2016/07/08 - Friday - Vacation - Day 22 - Drive - HOT

We said our goodbyes and left basically right on time - 9:06

First stop of the day was at Flying J's in Beaver, we also got some lunch.

As we had passed Mesquite and was doing the climb up to the high plateau on the 15,  the SmarTire system alarm went off and said my inside rear passenger tire was at 177 degrees, so at the top is a parking area, I pulled into that to cool down the tires.

I waited about 10 minutes before heading out again.  I stopped two more times to get the tires to cool down.

As we got into Las Vegas we hit traffic and now the tranny temperature was getting warm.

We finally made it to KOA at Sam Town for the night.  This time were are camped in the North camping area.  We unloaded the van, the temp outside was about 111 (based on what the van had on the reading).

After we got things setup, we drove over to Sam Town to have dinner at TGI Friday's.  The north lot is further away from the casino then the south lot.

After dinner Cheryl, Amanda, and Mom D did some gambling.

They stopped in time for the light show in the atrium, which was a patriotic themed display.

Back at the RV, Mom D was heading to the bathhouse, she tripped and fell, so we had to do some TLC to her right hand.

The rest of the night was relaxing.

2016/07/07 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 21 - No Cave and Falls

I got up and attended a meeting for work - CAB.  After the meeting I got a hold of Tech Support and worked on the issue with my work cell phone.  Final resolution was I needed a new Sim Card.

We finally got everybody moving to go for a little drive today.  But our first stop was at AT&T to get the new Sim Card for the work phone.  Cool the phone works.

We had Mom M, Cheryl, Amanda, C, and myself in the van, W on his motorbike and R on his motorbike.  We were finally off to go see Timpanogos Cave National Monument

But before getting into the canyon R need fuel for his bike and I went ahead filled up the Van.

Then it was time for lunch so we stopped at Blue Lemon Restaurant and Cafe.

We finally made it to the park, but all the tours we full for the day and none of us really wanted to do the 1.5 mile hike up the hill.

Now done with the visitor center we went for the drive up the canyon and over to the next.  That drive was really cool, nice tight turns and great views.

We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls, but the first stop was in a viewing area and we noticed that there is a road below so we went and found the way to get closer to the falls.  We walked over to the base of it and the water was cold.

We headed back to our friends house to relax.  They made dinner for us and we talked until late into the night.  Sometime during this time I noticed that my work phone is no longer working again... I think I need  a new Sim Card again.  The magnets in my carry case might be wiping the card out.

2016/07/06 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 20 - Drive and Friends

Before leaving a neighbor asked me a few questions about towing and gas mileage and stuff, so of course I gave him several pointers and information.

We got on the road a little after 9.

Gas was necessary for the RV at a Flying J's

Before stopping for the next two nights, we stopped at another Flying J's in town of Salt Lake City.

Our long time friends made accommodation for us and the RV.

After setting things up, we headed out for a late lunch at Apollo Burger.

Back at the house, we talked and made some plans for the night.

We headed over to Temple Square and City Creek Center.  We did the tour at "The Beehive House" and walked by the Temple.

Dinner was needed and we found Brio Tuscano Grille.

After dinner we walked back over by the Temple and took some pictures.

We finally found the way to get to the cars and headed home.

I got onto the computers to do some work and to create the necessary report.

2016/07/05 - Tuesday - Vacation - Day 19 - Drive and Rain

We left around 9

Waze and Street Atlas was not agreeing on the route to our stop for the night.  The route we took was part Street Atlas and part Waze

Our first stop for day was at Flying J's, just before the Continental Divide.  I pulled to the side and we ate lunch.  Cheryl made some while one went in and bought something.

At one point along the drive, I noticed lighting and dark clouds and we were heading right for it.  Sure enough there was a lot of rain that slowed down the traffic for about 5 miles.

Amanda had made reservations last night, and our stop for the night was at KOA near Rock Springs and Green River WY.

Now it was time for dinner, Cheryl and Amanda did some searching and found a place, so I unloaded the van and we headed out for Pasta Vélocé. 

After dinner we noticed a billboard about Boot Barn, so we stopped in and was not able to find the boot that I like.

Back at the RV we relaxed and watched some TV.

2016/07/04 - Monday - Vacation - Day 18 - Fort

We left a little after 9.

We stopped in Lusk for gas and then pulled to the side and Cheryl made lunch for us.

When we pulled into Fort Laramie Historic Site, the parking lot was over flowing, I had to park on the grass.  Amanda got another JR Ranger badge.

Heading back into town we stopped at Chuck Wagon RV Park for the night.

Unloaded the van and heading into town, but only on place was open and that was the bar, so we drove to the next town west and got dinner.  We brought it back to the RV. 

The little dog was not good, left us a present, so the kennel will be used for the rest of the trip (even for when we are out for a short time).

We had to do laundry again.  Turquoise has issues last night with the thunder and rain, he left wet spot on the bed again.

The fireworks that the volunteer fire department put on was good.  They used donations to buy all the fireworks.

2016/07/03 - Sunday - Vacation - Day 17 - Cave and Rain

We got going about 10, but before going Cheryl got lunch made for later.

We went the eastern route to get to Jewel Cave.  When we checked in to see the time, everything was one to three yours out, so I opted not to do any tours at this location.  Also the JR Ranger program requires two ranger programs, so Amanda could not get that done - maybe next time?

But it was time for lunch so I moved to the west end of the parking lot and found a picnic table so we could have lunch.

Next stop was in Custer to get gas.

We made it Rushmore Cave.  Mom D did not want to go in, but the rest of us did.  It was an ok cave.  They run a lot of people through all day long (15 minutes apart)

We came back to Hill City to walk the town and have dinner.  Dinner was at Desperados.  Cheryl and Mom D spent some money - o joy....

About an hour once back at the RV a storm rolled through, a lot of thunder and lighting.  Turquoise REALLY does not like the noise from that and from the rain hitting the roof of the RV.  For some reason the power went out in the park and the surrounding area.  Amanda had check the website for the power company and they acknowledge the power outage in the area.  

2016/07/02 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 16 - Wind and Crazy

I got up on time, but we made the choice to make lunch before heading out.

The Van needed the necessary juice so a stop at Pilot was necessary.

On the way to Wind Caves, Waze took us via a dirt road.  It was ok but it did have several potholes (which I did not report any of them :) !)

When we got to the visitor center, we got in line to buy our tickets and the first one up that had room was the Garden Tour (the easiest of three main tours).  We had no real time to explore but head straight to the meeting location to head into the cave.

After done with the cave tour it was time for lunch, so we got into the van and headed to a picnic area, this also gave Amanda time to finish the JR Ranger program book.

After eating lunch we headed back to the visitor center so she can get her badge.

On the way to our next destination, we did the Needles highway, a little slow going but great views!

Today was a beautiful day and we got to see Crazy Horse.   We even did dinner there at the complex.

On the way back to the RV, we drove through Deadwood, man that has changed, now it seems like everything is just another casino no real shops.

I was hoping for a relaxing night, but found out Turquoise peed on our bed, so I had to do laundry!  So much for trying to get to bed early.

2016/07/01 - Friday - Vacation - Day 15 - Rain

I forgot set my alarm, so I got up late.  We finally left about 10:00. 

First stop was for more cash...

Next stop was to get the tire light to stop being on.  The back driver tire was low.

On our way to the next stop, the van needed more go go juice - we stopped at Pilot.

Because it was not raining hard, I decided we go ahead and stop at the "Black Bear Country" and did the driving tour.  We also did the walking part, even though it was raining slightly.  And of course went in and spent some money at the gift shop.

Next stop for lunch was at Ruby House Restaurant in downtown Keystone...

Now onto our driving part of the day.

We drove Iron Mountain Rd, and in Custer State Park, we paid our fee and went to the new visitor center.  The center is really nice and the movie screen is HUGE.

Next part of the drive was the Wildlife Loop Rd.  Part way through I made a detour and turned onto CSP Rd 3 (dirt road).  At the next intersection I turned onto Lame Johnny Rd and discovered a prairie dog city.  Amanda took several hundred pictures.

Finally back on pavement (87) we headed towards home.  The fog was very low.  I stopped at 87 and 16A to determine where dinner will be at.  After some research on the phones, we headed in the appropriate direction.

As we were passing through Custer, the fogs was thick!  And as we passed Crazy Horse we could NOT see it so we opted not to stop there.

We stopped at Slate Creek Grill in Hill City for dinner.

Before getting back to the RV we stopped at Safeway and got a few things.

Back at the RV, the dogs were walked, the pictures where unloaded and next thing we knew it was time for bed...