FOLLOWING THE SETTING SUN IN SEPTEMBER

After a wonderful and fun summer in Michigan, we headed west through Illinois, Iowa and finally to our first destination.

The Badlands of Western South Dakota

It was almost a welcomed change after driving for hours through the grasslands of S.D. with nothing but a variety of fencing to keep one's interest.  However once arriving in the Bad Lands, the landscapes changed with every turn in the road.

 Different people who tried to inhabit the area had different sounding names for it, but they all agreed at one meaning....bad land!  Heat, wind, clay, scrub grass, a few hardy large animals, and about a million prairie dogs define this place.

The moon like features can morph into something totally different within a few miles.  Be sure to bring your groceries with you because there are no supplies for miles.

We had fine sunny days camping there, but we moved on as the rains came in which turned the clay ground into a slippery mess.

                               He was posing for the 15 cars that stopped to take his picture.


WALL,  SOUTH DEKOTA

Everyone has to make a stop at this little tourist town with a great beginning.  A pharmacist moved out here with his family in 1931 and bought the drug store.  His claim to fame and fortune was to offer free cold water to travelers on their way west.  The town is actually a little tacky but busloads of curious people stop every day.  They even have a special guest book for pharmacists to sign.

You can see what I mean by referring to the town as a little off the wall.  Finally I got Denny into the car and continued West.

Greener areas of  CUSTER STATE PARK and MOUNT RUSHMORE

At an altitude of 4700 feet hundred feet and 71,000 acres, Custer A.P. offers hikes, driving tours, and views of herds of bison, or buffalo.

This large herd is lead by the oldest female being lead to a watering hole.  Tourist are kept behind the fence but it is anything but secure.  Park rangers stand guard to watch for signs of agitated bulls and can quickly pull the guests back.  A bison can scale a 6 foot fence and run 35 miles an hour.  People have suffered injuries by getting too close to the animals.

                                       When the herd decides to cross the road, traffic stops.


Custer is a managed state park out side of Custer, S.D.  The abundance of wild animals are allowed to roam freely within the boundaries of the park, but they are cared for and their numbers are managed, unlike in a National Park.  Bison roundup is late in September and last year, 20,000 people traveled to see and hear the cowboys drive the herds into a corral.  Every bison is checked, taged and vaccinated as needed and some a auctioned off to keep the numbers around 900.

Only the old bulls who no longer mate are left alone.  They are referred to a bachelors or if a few stay together, bachelor's club.  They can be very mean and are not rounded up.

                                      Pronghorn antelope roam and can be easily spotted in the park.

Prairie dogs chirp like birds when they communicate.

The clowns of Custer are the panhandling donkeys.  They decend from a group who were used in the mining days but now stop even car which passes them looking for handouts.  And yes, we can feed the donkeys and every one will make you laugh as they stick their heads into open windows.

Wind Cave National Park, just south of Custer S.P. has beautiful grasslands, but they do not feel responsible for the health of area wildlife and take no part in disease management.  But Wind Cave was established to preserve the many miles of cave beneath the surface.

Caves are not of special interest to us, but since the tour was offered, we took it.



MOUNT RUSHMORE

Everyone knows of Rushmore, but I never realized until we visited the site that something was off a little.  There many exhibits devoted to the sculpture, the nature of the construction and how it originated.  We studied all the designs and then looked at the Monument itself.

Mount Rushmore design.  Go here and then look at our picture.

Gutzon Burglum, the artist, died in 1941 before his work was complete and his son was to finish the project.  But in 1941, with a new war on the horizon, Mount Rushmore, specifically Lincoln, was never finished!

Wondering in Wyoming

Driving to the TETONS through eastern Wyoming does not provide many beautiful views, but the city of Casper did offer a museum called NATIONAL TRAILS INTERPRETIVE CENTER.  Oregon, Mormon, California and Pony Express Trails all passed through Casper.  The Mormons, on their way to Salt Lake City, used the most interesting conveyance call the Pull Cart.  These were the most discipline groups and highly organized.

                                                         Seems almost impossible!

GRAND TETONS AND JACKSON, WY

It is hard to believe a state could be so diverse.  The Tetons are just south of Yellowstone at the western edge of Wyoming and are filled with elk, antelope and bears.  

                              Bull elk did a good job of stopping traffic and causing a backup!


                                                                               

A 6 mile hike around the lake below was gorgeous but also lasted 12 miles!

Fortunately, the crashing sound in the woods alerted us to the presence of a large animal.  Denny had the bear spray in his pack.  (People and visitors ware bear spray like a 6 shooter in the old west.)
Fortunately the startled elk was running for cover.

JACKSON, WYOMING

Skiing right downtown!!

We did visit Jackson, WY and found it to be more than just a tourist and skiing destination.  The town helped fund a hydroponic operation since the growing season is so short.  We were given a tour and were so impressed by their ability to grow a variety of greens, herbs and tomatoes downtown with so little space.  The 1/10th of an acre can grow as much as 5 acres of land space.

                                                       

A retired Special Educations teacher manages the work site and hired 15 of her former pupils. They are responsible for planting, crop rotation for sun light, watering and harvesting. The town get fresh greens and the workers have well paying job.

               

Leaving Wyoming for Colorado.

MIGRATING NORTH

LEAVING THE WARM WEATHER OF FLORIDA.....

March 2017

While driving through this beautiful country, it is always fun to stop at Harvest Host locations.  Farms, wineries and some museums will sign up to host an RV for a night.  We have stayed at  several of these venues in the past but these two were the most interesting by far.

This is a winery and blueberry farm outside of Okala, FL where the host could not be more accommodating.   The manager and vintner of Island Grove Wines gave us a tour, his home phone number (in case we needed anything) and the password for his Wi-Fi.  We departed the next morning with a bottle of Sorta Sweet Blueberry wine.

GEORGIA

Just north of the Florida/Georgia line was Golden Acres Ranch of Monticello, GA where we stayed in the yard of Fred (retired accountant) and his lovely wife who raise goats, chickens and board dogs.  I believe their main goal in their retired years is to teach travelers about agriculture and farm animals.

 This is a farm which primarily raises goats for pets (24 inch tall Fainting Goats) but larger ones for processing.  So why the picture of the Pyrenees dog?  He is the goat herder and guard who stays all day and night with his group of goats.

They are very sweet dogs, but no predator would dare to invade the pasture.

The dog lives all day and night with his herd.

Every pasture of goats has a companion dog.  Even though they are friendly dogs, Fred's wife will not let her grandchildren play with them because the dog is to bond with the goats only.  These dogs are strictly outdoor and are not good house pets. They can destroy a house determined to find their family if left alone.  Very loyal to the extreme.

We were taught so much about their farm.  Unfortunately, we parked under the tree that their guinea hens roost in for the night.  We watched as one by one, they flew into the tree to find their place and finally settled down for the night. Their job is to keep the farm free of ticks.

Thomasville, GA

I wanted to see a plantation, thinking of the Civil War period, so Pebble Hill was listed as a top destination.  It existed during the war but only as a run down farm.  It was eventually rejuvenated as a hunting lodge in the late 1800's and early 1900's for the rich and famous.  Not really what I was looking for but a nice visit.

Warm Springs, GA

Roosevelt's Little White House and museum is a real treat.  We did visit his family residence and library in Hyde Park, NY last year, but this is more like a cottage where he could go and take advantage of the warm mineral spring to get a little relief from the symptoms of polio.
 He also died here in 1944 while still in office.

                                 The cottage is perhaps 1200 sq. feet but very warm and cozy with only 2 bedrooms; one for Mr. President and the second one for his secretary and companion, Lucy Mercer Rutherford.

                                         Roosevelt's bedroom where he spent his final hours.

                                                Dining and living rooms were combined.

Edsel Ford contributed money to build the pool FDR shared with polio sufferers to come for relief.  The 88 degree water along with natural minerals in the water was soothing for those with painful joints.

       Hundreds of people were welcomed here at the pool to find relief from physical ailments.

These buildings housed servants, guests and Secret Service and were located 50 yards from the President's cottage.

Warm Springs is in western Georgia, but another draw to the area is Calloway Gardens.  We were expecting Gardens, but what we found was a huge park.  It was a nice place to spend the day, but not really a top destination for me.

On to the Georgia Mountains, Helen and Hiawassee, GA

Chattahoochee National Forest covers an large area of northern Georgia and is filled with fun hikes, state parks and small country towns.  We stayed at an Airstream only park called Top of Georgia.

                  This was an inviting, active and centrally located to stay for our visit.  There was a rally scheduled which we happily joined.  A new experience was watching our pot lock meal being cooked in several Dutch Ovens.  It was interesting to learn about but very labor intensive.

                                         Always something new to learn on the road.

                                                                  elevation 4783'

 The highest location in Georgia is called Brasstown Bald that once was a fire lookout station, but is now a museum of rural mountain life.   We talked to the museum interpreter about his part time job and new established retired life in the area.  He was a dean of a small Boston college and his wife taught mathmatics at the same college and he is also lead singer in a rock band!  It is always interesting to know what people did in their first life and where their interests are now.


The Blue Ridge Mountains are still rather rural and but doted with very small picturesque towns.  A  local destination for shopping is called Alexander's Store. A few miles from Brasstown Bald, one can purchase appliances, ammo, Vera Bradly purses and everything in-between!  Be sure to bring your pickup.


Hiawassee, GA

In the most northern area of the Georgia mountains is the town and lake of Hiawassee.  Truly a summer destination for campers and boaters and the best part...no gators! Southern lakes are so beautiful but I would be so hesitant to even go boating.

Time to wind it up for the travel season.........


Naturally, while in the south, we must stop in Charlotte to see the grandchildren before heading to Michigan.....so here they are

LIFE IS GOOD..........

WINTER IN THE SOUTH

SINCE IT'S COLD, IT MUST BE TIME TO MIGRATE SOUTH!

When you have decided where to visit and make reservations 11 months in advance for popular Florida locations, you sometimes find fantastic hidden gems...and sometimes not.

Our blog locations are gold starred.

ST. JOSEPH PENINSULA STATE PARK, the little gold star south of Panama City

Our first stop was a beautiful park, 50 feet from the Gulf, secluded at the end of a peninsula with plenty of wild life.  Biking and wilderness kayaking are available when the beaches are too cold to enjoy.

  Early January can be chilly in northern Florida.

Our campsite backed up to the wetlands where hundreds of birds nested.

APALACHICOLA, FL  the name is as cute as the town

We arrived around 8:00 AM as people were getting ready for the Oyster festival.

Nothing like fresh fish from Apalachicola.

 This is very much Old Florida and it is nice to see these little communities  able to support themselves with businesses, schools and churches.

HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK, just east of Tampa near Zephyrhills, FL

Four days on the coast was too short, but 7 days at this state park, one of the oldest in the system, was a bit too long.  We selected it because there is historical significance, but it was limited.

Fort Foster is a reconstructed fort that was active during the Seminole wars, 20 years prior to the Civil war.  The park does host reenactments and traditional "Dinner Under the Stars" at the fort with costumed characters which made for a nice evening.

There is kayaking for those brave people who don't mind alligator companions.  Even though the temperature climbed into the 80s, the beautiful pool on the property was closed for the winter.

Fort Foster

Dinner at the fort.

Fort defenders in costume.

Tampa RV Show

           A unexpected highlight of the week was the Tampa RV Show which is one of the largest in North America.  We actually spent the entire day at the State Fair grounds watching the entertainment, listening to seminars, checking out the newest Airstreams,  visiting a 2 million dollar Newell motor coach and inspecting every RV on the market.

This is silly..

but camping in this 2 million dollar motorhome is sillier! (but beautiful)

Hundreds of stollers, but everyone was for dogs!

SEBRING, FLORIDA  and HIGHLAND HAMMOCK STATE PARK 60 miles south of Orlando, one of our favorite stops in Florida.

We again saw our good friend, Dr. Ken, at his Florida home in Sebring, FL.  Sebring is a cute little town surrounded by orange groves, golf courses and beautiful lakes (that you can't swim in!) Delicious restaurants and a cute shops complete this beautiful and inexpensive community 1 hour south of Orlando. 

Hammack Highland State Park has so much to offer to the biker and hiker and wilderness explorer.                                                                                                                                                                 

 We only allowed about 4 days here, but next time we will plan a longer stay. The park is biking distance from town along a designated path, but is still remote and peaceful.

The ranger gave a 90 minute narrated tram tour of restricted public access areas for $5.00 each. A treat not to be passed up.

This mom alligator builds a mound to deposit her eggs.  The temperature of the eggs as they develop determines the sex of the babies.  The little ones will stay with the mom for a few years.

Armadillos are at home in the park, but are considered invasive.

TRAVELERS REST RV PARK, Dade City

In the middle of rural Florida cattle country, this RV park appears like an oasis.  Travelers Rest previously was an Airstream only park, but now is a mixture of homes, park models and RV sites offering activities much like Florida's famous Villages.  A 9- hole golf course, a pool, tennis courts, and large activity center for entertainment welcomes you.  We spent a month here.  After one visit, many visitors decide to put roots here because the residents are exceptionally warm and the facilities and activities are so attractive.  The park and activities are run by volunteers.

We don't play golf, but I had fun learning to play the dulcimer!  One of the golf pros walked up to Denny, who was on the driving range, and gave him a lesson .  Those small kind acts makes this park!

This is a place where simple pleasures are very delightful.  White pelicans are not rare, but the fact that they migrate as far north as Illinois was interesting to me.  On a lake on the property, one solo pelican arrived for 2 days.  Then suddenly, hundreds arrived. Residents remark that this happens every couple of years. What a sight and every resident came to see the spectacle and watch the birds feed.  It is almost like a ballet.  Then suddenly, after 3 days, they were all gone!

We joined a kayaking group from Travelers Rest at Weeke Wachee Springs where  the gators aren't a problem.  We are joining a couple from the park at Brown County State Park in Indiana on our way north.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

ATLANTIS, retired space shuttle

The Space Center was a fascinating trip. Not only was it informative, but exhibits are updated regularly.  Offerings include a narrated bus tour of the launching pads, 2 IMAX movies (Mars, and the Space Station), and a building which housed the Atlantis Space Shuttle exhibit.  We were there a full day.

All the private space companies connected with NASA are right on the property.  All the launches take place at Kennedy but mission control is in Houston, Texas. At the start of the program, President Johnson was in the White House and he wanted his state to have a part of the space industry.

Just a side note:  Astronauts were driven to the launching pads in a specially fitted Airstream which is on display!

Disney, Orlando

You can't go to Florida without seeing the Disney parks, especially since we are now Florida residents.  We get half off tickets!  Three full days of open to close was fun, but did require recuperation.  It was nice to see a few new offerings this year at Disney.

RAINBOW SPRINGS STATE PARK, near Dunnellon, FL in Central Florida

I only include this place because the springs in Florida are unique compared to the rest of the state.
The headwaters for the Rainbow River is a crystal clear spring.  Alligators can't survive in such clear water, so people are allowed to swim in the river.  The best part is the temperature is a constant 72 degrees year round!

We heard that one spring in Florida actually did attract an alligator, but he was removed.

The longer we stayed here, the more we enjoyed this peaceful camping park and the Rainbow River.  This is a must for our next Florida adventure.

The river runs toward the Gulf and is rather deep.

We rented a kayak and enjoyed the company of river otters and numerous species of birds.

The remainder of our winter in Florida includes our favorite places such as Cedar Key and a second visit to Sebring.  Calloway Gardens in Georgia and the northern Georgia mountains are on the itinerary on our return trip to Michigan.

Since half of the Michigan population migrates for the winter or visits Florida, we thought it best to only show some of our favorite places and not all of our travels.  When we discover fun and interesting locations, we will be sure to write about it.

Heading north at the end of March!!