About the Blog: We started RVing in 2019, but did not decide to start blogging about our experiences until 2021. So, we have some catching up to do. We’ll sprinkle in some new present-day stories as they happen. But if you have time, start at the beginning. You’ll learn (and hopefully laugh) a lot.
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Santa Fe, New Mexico
As Midwesterners, we were excited to head south for the winter for the first time. Santa Fe looked like a good stop along the way from Missouri to our final destination in Arizona. However, Santa Fe sits in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain foothills of New Mexico and has four distinct seasons. We were greeted with a little snowfall upon our arrival.
Where: Los Suenos RV Park (Santa Fe, NM)
When: Monday December 27 to Thursday December 30, 2021 (three nights)
Cost: $ 155.85 + electric (three nights)
Bucket List: Meow Wolf
Beer: Bosque Brewing
As Midwesterners, we were excited to head south for the winter for the first time. Santa Fe looked like a good stop along the way from Missouri to our final destination in Arizona. However, Santa Fe sits in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain foothills of New Mexico and has four distinct seasons. We were greeted with a little snowfall upon our arrival.
Where we Stayed: Los Suenos RV Park
Our first snow in the RV was at Los Suenos RV Park in Santa Fe, New Mexico
We were only in Santa Fe for a few days so we decided to stay at Los Suenos RV Park, which is centrally located in the city, but several minutes to downtown. The RV park is next a commerical strip of businesses and is a basic no-frills RV Park.
We weren’t really concerned about WHERE we were staying, but instead were focoused on the TEMPERATURES. This was THE FIRST SNOW we had ever encountered in the RV. We filled our fresh water tank prior to parking the RV, and did not otherwise connect the water or sewer. We also brought along some heat tape to help keep the wet bay from freezing over. We supplemented the propane furnace with a couple of space heaters. This was also our first time where our RV park, Los Suenos RV Park, charged an electric fee based on metered usage so we were curious to see how much we would use. We averaged around $5/day with our space heaters.
Getting through our first snow in the RV was a milestone. If we could survive that, we felt pretty unstoppable.
Art at the Santa Fe Community College
The Santa Fe Community College (“SFCC”) is located a short distance from the RV park. Our first stop at the college was to see Ethyl The Whale, an 82-foot life-sized sculpture of a blue whale constructed of recycled plastic trash. The whale signifies the negative impact plastics have on our environment. Every nine minutes, the weight of a real whale – about 300,000 pounds — is discharged into in the ocean. The plastic also represents one person’s plastic trash by age 20.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California commissioned the sculpture but it was relocated to Santa Fe in 2019. The artists who made it spent more than five months hand recycling more than 4,000 pounds of plastic trash to create the whale.
The SFCC campus is also home to haiku rock pathway in is main courtyard. There was not a soul around because of the holiday break and cold weather. As such, we were able to spend about 20 minutes reading aloud some of the poems – which were quite humorous at times. As someone who enjoys gardening, one of my favorites was:
Haiku Garden at the Santa Fe Community College
Without weeds
What kind
Of Garden?
~John Brandi
We quickly learned that this haiku rock garden did not always follow the 7-5-7 syllable count. Naturally, we also got a pretty good chuckle out of this poem:
Counting Syllables
I haven’t heard
A word you said
~Miriam Sagan
Loretto Chapel (spoiler: it’s NOT a Church!)
Loretto Chapel Staircase in Santa Fe, New Mexico
While we enjoyed learning about Ethyl the Whale and entertaining ourselves at the haiku pathway, we quickly learned we didn’t want many more outdoor activities because of the cold. That put a damper on our plans to stroll around the downtown Santa Fe and explore the Canyon Roads Arts District, especially in the evenings when the temperatures would be even colder. We therefore just drove around downtown in our warm and toasty Jeep.
One tourist attraction that I wanted to see was the Loretto Chapel Staircase. In the 1880s, the sisters of the chapel needed a way to get to the choir loft. They prayed for nine days to St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of Carpenters. On the final prayer day, an unidentified carpenter appeared and constructed the stair case out of a rare wood not native to the area (probably spruce) using just wooden pegs and glue (no nails or other fasteners).
The 20-foot tall staircase is helix-shaped insofar as it includes two complete 360 degree turns with no center structural pole (newel) so that entire weight of the staircase rests on the bottom stair. The banisters were added approximately later ten years because the staircase was hard to climb without them. Brackets were later added to provide structural support, but they actually damaged the staircase because they obstructed the spring-like movement of the staircase when in use.
After paying the $5/person admission fee, we entered the chapel and marveled at the staircase. We did have to imagine what it would have looked like when it was first built and did not include the banisters or supports. A pre-recorded narrator told the story of the chapel and the staircase while organ music is piped throughout. We saw a few folks praying near the front of the chapel. There’s a note nearby indicating that for $100, you can light a candle (which will be promptly extinguished at 5 pm).
For just $100, you can light a candle at the privately-owned Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe.
Interestingly, the chapel is no longer a church. The Sisters of Loretto sold the property to a private entity for $500,000 about 50 years ago. The chapel is now just a private museum that is not affiliated with any church, government, or foundation owned by the family of Jim Kirkpatrick. The family is currently developing a hotel next to the chapel. I wish that known some of this prior to visiting the chapel. While I don’t belittle anyone from making a living and commend the family for preserving the chapel and staircase, the commercial nature of the chapel certainly detracts from how I feel about the place.
Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, New Mexico
Meow Wolf is an arts and entertainment company formed in 2008, which operates a 20,000 square foot immersive art installation with over 70 rooms known as the House of Eternal Return. The name is random. At the first meeting of the artists, everyone present wrote a word on two scraps of paper that were placed in a hat. The first two scraps drawn from the hat became the name of the collective: Meow Wolf.
Part of the Selig Family Home in the House of Eternal Return at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe
Meow Wolf struck me as a little too random, although that does not detract from enjoying the artistic experience. In essence, the House of Eternal Return purports to tell the story of the fictional Selig family, who has been experimenting with interdimensional travel. Upon paying the $35/person admission fee, we were told to look for clues throughout, starting with the mailbox outside the house. My expectations were that the story could be discerned in the 3-4 hours we were there, but it was not. Perhaps that is my fault for not reading any plot lines or “spoilers” prior to visiting Meow Wolf.
The story is told through notebooks, newspapers, pamphlets, business cards, letters, and audio/video logs throughout the Selig family house. However, it’s hard to find and digest those in any meaningful manner when there are 20-30 other people around you and you don’t have 20-30 hours to spend. Thus, unless you want to spend multiple days there, I would suggest some background on the story line prior to visiting, such as the following:
https://strawberryseahorses.com/2018/01/03/meow-wolf-the-greatest-mystery-exhibit-ever/
https://geekdad.com/2017/07/meow-wolf/
https://justafriendlygargoyle.medium.com/reaction-meow-wolfs-house-of-eternal-return-2b8a65d61500
The Selig family house does have several portals (the fireplace, the refrigerator, etc) that transported us to other dimensions during our visit. Yet, I had great difficulty understanding how most of the other-dimensional rooms traced back to the main storyline. The clearest tie-in was the aquarium room which mimicked the real one in the Selig family house. Yet, when I stepped into most rooms, my reaction was: “Wow, this room is so [insert adjective like “creepy”], but what does it mean?” In short, while the rooms were each truly amazing stand-alone artistic works, most felt arbitrary and not tied to the Selig storyline. Thus, while I wanted to engage in the mystery of what happened, I just ended up feeling confused.
The “Aquarium” room looked like the aquarium in the Selig house.
Meow Wolf in Santa Fe — House of Eternal Return
Once I got past being confused, I settled for just enjoying the immersive experience of each room on its own unless some clue immediately leapt out at me. I played some odd instruments, listened to lots of weird music, and delighted in the brightly colored and neon rooms that made be feel like I was back in the 1980s. The black-and-white cartoon room was probably my favorite. I gave up figuring out what it meant to the Selig family though.
The “Black and White” room at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe. I have no idea what it means to the House of Eternal Return story.
Meow Wolf will probably appeal to most people. About 99.9% of the visitors will probably be just like me – gaining a peripheral understanding of the Selig family’s demise and otherwise just marveling at the visual and auditory experience of each room. The other 0.1% will go down the wormhole of trying to uncover all of the clues to discern the whole storyline, and probably never get even close. If you are one of the 0.1% who can make sense how the rooms tie together, please let me know.
Art is supposed to make you think – even if the net result is to say “I don’t get it.” Indeed, I think that I’ve spent more time thinking and talking about Meow Wolf than any other piece of art I’ve encountered. Maybe that’s the whole point…
Santa Fe Breweries
Santa Fe boasts over a dozen craft breweries, and we stopped by a few during our short stay there, including Bosque Brewing, Chile Line Brewery, Rowley Farmhouse Ales, Santa Fe Brewing, and Second Street Brewery.
Bosque Brewing - Pickle UP and Pickle Down!
Our vote for best beer goes to Bosque Brewing because they had not just one, but two PICKLE BEERS: the (1) Pickle Down Economics Pickle Gose and (2) Pickle Up Effect Imperial Pickle Gose. Yep, Pickle UP and Pickle DOWN. Even better, the brewery had six-packs of the Pickle Down Economics on sale for just $7. We took home a case!
Our favorite brewery in terms of best vibe was Santa Fe Brewing. The brewery dates back to the 1980s, but it still has an upstart sense of humor. They still shotgun beers whenever a new one hits the line (participation is voluntary). And I loved the story about how one of the brewery’s founders had a pet dachshund, Petey, who had gotten into some chicken coops and killed 22 chickens. To memorialize these poor chickens, Chicken Killer Barley Wine was created.
Check out the video above to learn more about Santa Fe and our time there!
Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal Kansas (Harvest Host Venue)
After spending the holidays in Belleville, Kansas with my parents, we were headed south for the winter. Of course, we had to make a few stops along the way on our multi-day drive. Our first overnight stop was the Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas.
Where: Mid-America Air Museum (Liberal, Kansas)
When: December 26, 2021
Cost: $10/person
After spending the holidays in Belleville, Kansas with my parents, we were headed south for the winter. Of course, we had to make a few stops along the way on our multi-day drive.
Our first overnight stop was the Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas. The museum is a Harvest Hosts venue so that is how the place got on our radar. As a member of Harvest Hosts, we are able to dry camp at various breweries, wineries, farms, and museums for free, and are only asked to patronize the establishments in some way. It’s a win-win for both.
Neither one of us are airplane fanatics. We’ve taken our share of commercial flights, but that’s about it. As such, we were expecting that our visit to the museum would be a quick in-and-out. Much to our delight, we spent over two hours in the museum marveling at the diverse array of aircraft and their lineage. The place is home to over 100 aircraft and 80,000 square feet of exhibits!
Among other things, Liberal was once home to a B-24 Liberator pilot training base during World War II. In the 1970s, Beechcraft manufactured general aviation aircraft there, where the company built planes such as the Baron, Duchess, Musketeer and Sundowner. In 1987, a group of locals founded the museum, thanks to a donation by the late Colonel Tom Thomas, Jr., who donated his personal collection of over 50 planes to the museum.
Near the front of the museum, there is a big display about a 1941 Cessna Airmaster C-165 donated by native Kansan and former Cessna CEO Dwane Wallace. Yet, EACH aircraft contains a placard giving the history of the airplane and usually showing photos of it in use. Most of these placards were written by a local college student, Nathan Dowell, and he deserves a big THANK YOU for such detailed research. The aircraft range from experimental, military, home-built, single engine, and agricultural airplanes, as well as hang gliders, helicopters, hot air balloons. There’s also an interactive area. You can learn about things like Bernoulli's principle in air lift and even hop in a few cock-pits!
Beam from the Twin Towers (September 11, 2001) at the Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas
In addition to the planes, museum contains:
A beam recovered from the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.
An exhibit on Liberal native, Larry D. Welch, a four-star general who was the twelfth Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
A room showing how the air base barracks would have looked back in 1944 during World War II.
If you are in the Liberal area, consider stopping by the Mid-America Air Museum. We loved it. Job well done. Or “Props!” as they like to say.
Sioux Falls – A Thriving Downtown of Art, Breweries, and Falls Park
We spent the Fourth of July holiday in Sioux Falls, and the spirit of America was on full display in this little city on the eastern edge of South Dakota. Turns out, Sioux Falls is actually the largest city in South Dakota with a population of around 200,000. The town’s namesake is, of course, the massive falls that located on 128-acres just north of downtown along the Big Sioux River. The Falls were the draw for us, but the city (especially the downtown area) has waaaay more to offer.
Where: KOA - Sioux Falls (South Dakota)
When: July 1 to July 4, 2021
Cost: $254.48 (USD) for four nights (full hook-ups)
Bucket List: Sioux Falls Sculpture Walk
Biking: Big Sioux River Greenway
Beer: Remedy Brewing Company
We spent the Fourth of July holiday in Sioux Falls, and the spirit of America was on full display in this little city on the eastern edge of South Dakota. Turns out, Sioux Falls is actually the largest city in South Dakota with a population of around 200,000. The town’s namesake is, of course, the massive falls that located on 128-acres just north of downtown along the Big Sioux River. The Falls were the draw for us, but the city (especially the downtown) has waaaay more to offer.
Downtown Sioux Falls — Big Sioux River Greenway
Simply put, Sioux Falls has one of the best downtowns we’ve ever visited. One of the first things we did after getting settled at our campground was to head to a local craft brewery in the downtown area. Most of the breweries we visited are located downtown, and are within walking distance of each other. Between beers, we strolled around downtown and admired the 60+ public art sculptures nearby. AMAZING! The city planners deserve some credit for this incredible mix of retail shops, restaurants, breweries, multi-use trails, parks, and other attractions in the downtown area.
How much did we like it? Well, I’m going to repeat some things three times!
That’s THREE times. That’s THREE Times.
Biking, Biking, Biking!
Life is a Beautiful Ride mural in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sioux Falls is home to the Big Sioux River Greenway system, which includes a 19-mile paved loop around the city and over 15 miles of spurs connecting neighborhoods to the main trail. Not surprisingly, the main loop is adjacent to the Big Sioux River. As such, the loop connected us to many of the city’s landmarks, including the airport, a golf course, a sports complex, the USS South Dakota, the Zoo, downtown, and several parks, including Falls Park. Planning for the loop dates back to 1975 (originally 19 miles), and the city deserves credit for its forward-thinking on the trail system.
Near Falls Park along the Big Sioux Greenway in Sioux Falls
We started our ride around the loop near the Sanford Sports Complex, primarily because we were staying at the KOA Journey in the northern part of town. Although the landscape (mostly flat and grassy) and river views were a little underwhelming during the first part of the ride, we eventually made our way to some lush trees along the trail and adjacent parks in the southern part of the loop. As we wound our way through neighborhoods, the number of people using the trail – walking, biking, skateboarding, rollerblading – increased markedly. Somehow, we managed to get off the loop and onto one of the spurs without intending to. Thus, one criticism is that the trail signage could be a little better.
The trail system was even more popular near downtown and around Falls Park, which was not surprising given that we were biking on a holiday weekend. Nonetheless, we loved that we could basically get most places that we wanted to see on our bikes!
Falls, Falls, Falls!
Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Falls Park is probably the number one thing to do when visiting Sioux Falls. An average of 7,400 gallons of water drop 100 feet over the course of the Falls each second. There’s a five-story observation tower by the Visitor’s Center, but the best way to view the falls is from one of the other viewing platforms…or just get down in the rocks themselves (carefully)!
The park is also home to the Queen Bee Mill building remnants, Stockyard Ag Experience for kids, and the Falls Overlook restaurant. During our visit, the city hosted a Fourth of July parade that traversed downtown and part of Falls Park, as well as a free music festival in a huge amphitheatre. Falls Park was bustling with activities!
Art Art Art!
David Statue in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Art Art Art. Art Art Art. Yes, I’m giving this place not just three, but 6 arts!
First, Sioux Falls has an 18-foot replica of Michaelangelo’s David in Fawick Park just west of the Big Sioux River on South 2nd Ave. All of his parts are there, if you are wondering. Look at that bootie!
Second, Sioux Falls is home to a Sculpture Walk, which is one of the best public art projects I’ve ever seen. In 2021, there were 60+ sculptures on display. Visitors can vote on their favorites, and there are handy maps on the website to help locate some of the harder-to-find sculptures. Remarkably, each year, the sculpture corridor adds another 60+ sculptures – although some of the favorites get to stick around for a few more years, usually at different locations. This art is as good as any you will see in the museums.
Which sculptures were my favorites? Probably Maximus Moose by Travis Sorenson (2021) and When Pigs Fly (Pork Chopper) by Dale Lewis (2016). And, we loved being able to duck into a local brewery to cool off as we wandered around downtown admiring these amazing creative works.
“When Pigs Fly - Pork Chopper” by Dale Lewis. Part of the Sculpture Walk in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Maximus Moose by Travis Sorenson. Part of the Sculpture Walk in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Beer, Beer, Beer!
Sioux Falls boasts several breweries, and we were lucky enough to visit most of the ones located close to downtown.
Covert Artisan Ales
Cover Artisan Ales is owned by two Army combat veterans and former DOD contractors who spent time in the U.S. intelligence community before starting the brewery. The beer names pay homage to terms frequently used (e.g. Support Asset). The logo is derived from “Sly Fox”, a nickname of one of the owners, and the colors correspond to intel message classifications: unclassified (green), secret (red), top secret (orange), and confidential (blue). The R and R sour and the Caruba la tarta pastry sour deserve a classification all their own: outstanding! Beerwise, this was our favorite brewery. We ended up taking home a couple of four-packs at a cost of around $17 each.
Fernson Brewing
Fernson Brewing serves food and includes a large patio space that was well utilized when we stopped for street tacos and beer. I tried the Supervan Hazy IPA (very cute logo) and Kasie had the Curio sour. There’s a taphouse located right next to the KOA that we stayed at in the north part of town, but it was closed during our visit. So sad.
Remedy Brewing Company in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Remedy Brewing Company
Remedy Brewing gave us all of the feels: good beer, good food, and good art. I tried the Uruk Copter Hazy IPA, while Kasie raved about the Mango Guava Kickball Berliner Weisse. While there are several seating options indoors, we braved the 90+-degree heat and sat outside on the large covered deck so that we could admire some funky murals and sculptures in the courtyard. Our server suggested that we try the chislic – some choice beef cuts seasoned with garlic salt and black pepper. We liked the chislic and Remedy so much that we went back there. It’s VERY VERY rare for us to go to a brewery twice when exploring a city for the first time. So, that should tell you something about how much we liked Remedy.
Severance Brewing Company
Severance Brewing is located right across from Falls Park and occupies part of the first floor of The Cascade lofts. The brewery has a hipster feel, and the beers were appealing enough to us that we shared a flight: (1) Party AnimALES fruit beer, (2) Severing Ties Sky imperial pastry stout, (3) Levitating Falls session IPA, and (4) Ambidextrous Hitchhiker fruited sour. A fun part of the brewery is the wall of beer doodles on coasters – some of which include some remarkable art.
WoodGrain Brewing Co in Sioux Falls
WoodGrain Brewing
WoodGrain Brewing is located at 9th and Phillips – right where the heart of the Sculpture Walk. After getting our culture on in the heat, we were ready for some nice light summer beers. We tried the Gose Sour with Sea Salt and Coriander and the Take 16 (Luvere Minnesota) guava sour collaboration beer. The place is pretty small, but the beer flavors will satisfy most taste palettes.
Where We Stayed: The Souix Falls KOA
Although Sioux Falls has a killer downtown, at the time of our visit, it was really lacking in RV park options. We booked almost ten months in advance for our stay at the KOA Journey located in the northern part of town. Our stay was typical of a KOA campground – nice level sites, lots of amenities we didn’t use, and a little pricey. As far as amenities go, the campground has a pool, small put-put course (we never saw anyone playing though), game room (a few arcade games), shower house, laundry facility, and a fenced pet area. Of all those things, we only used the pet area.
The campground also has a few cabins. A Camping World is right next door so one possible upside is that the park is that the cabins would be a good place to stay if your RV is being serviced at Camping World.
The location was adequate. The city is small enough that we could get most places in 10-15 minutes. However, the downside to the location is that we didn’t feel like we could walk or bike to much of anywhere directly from the RV Park. Fernson Brewing had a tap room across the street, but for whatever reason, it was closed during our stay
Concluding Thoughts on Sioux Falls:
Sioux Falls definitely has a midwestern blue collar feel to a lot of the city. Since we are Midwesterners ourselves, that made us feel at home. The vibrant and friendly downtown filled with trails, breweries, nature, and art was something we don’t see in the Midwest very often though. Sioux Falls is definitely worth a visit! When we come back, hopefully there will be more RV park options closer to downtown.
Corn Palace Song (and Official Music Video)
I loved touring the Corn Palace so much that I was inspired to write this little song about it
I’m not sure, but this may be the WORLD’S ONLY song about the one and only Corn Palace! Enjoy!
There’s probably nothing more “American” than an elaborate corn-covered community building in the middle of the Great Plains filled with corn-themed gifts and facts. Yes, the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota (the WORLD'S ONLY CORN PALACE!) is a testament to the creativity and longevity of a basic tourist attraction. Well done, Cornelius, well done!
I loved visiting the Corn Palace so much that I was inspired to write this little song about it.
I’m not sure, but this may be the WORLD’S ONLY song about the one and only Corn Palace! Enjoy!
PS: I am not a professional singer or musician. Be kind.
Lyrics to the Corn Palace Song
Verse 1:
In South Dakota
1892
Not too far
From the City of the Sioux
Came a town
With a mission
They built the Corn
Belt Exposition
A few years later
To unseat Pierre
They built a second palace
With more corn flare
The third palace put
Mitchell on the map
Thanks to George
And Cornelius Rapp.
Chorus 1:
So lift your chalice
To the corn palace
And give some cheers
To Cornelius
the King of Ears
Verse 2:
Now Mitchell has
A building adorned
With stalks, silks
And ears of corn
The tassel castle
The stalk block with
External Kernels
On the cob façade
In the Great Plains
Is this House of Grains
A Harvest Home
With Moorish Domes
And in ’79
The roof was ablaze
They almost lost
This mansion of maize
Chorus 2:
Sing your praises
To the murals of maizes
And give some cheers
To Cornelius
the King of Ears
Verse 3:
A shrine to the combine
The Holy Bale
With lots of corn trinkets
And stuff for sale
There’s cornivals
Music, and basketball
In this Midwest Corn
Taj Mahal.
Thank you [Oscar] Howe
[Calvin] Schulze, and [Cherie] Ramsdell
For each year’s building
Corn shell
‘Cause every year
There are new corn murals
To feed the tourists
And the squirrels.
Chorus 3:
So toot your horns
To the palace of corns
And give some cheers
To Cornelius
the King of Ears
Music Credits for the Corn Palace Song:
(1) The music was created by Yrii Semchyshyn (Coma-Media) and is available at pixabay.com.
https://pixabay.com/music/beats-commercial-rock-beats-spin-11249/
https://pixabay.com/music/beats-sport-rock-trap-beat-velocity-11230/
(2) The lyrics/vocals/video/remix were created by Lana Knedlik. The lyrics/vocals/remix are what constitutes the "official music video" (not the underlying song).
Copyright 2022 by Lana Knedlik
All rights reserved.
#CornPalace #MitchellSouthDakota #CornPalaceSong
Did you hear the one about the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota? (Corn Jokes and Corn Puns!)
There’s probably nothing more “American” than an elaborate corn-covered community building in the middle of the Great Plains filled with corn-themed gifts and facts. Yes, the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota is a testament to the creativity and longevity of a basic tourist attraction.
Where: Corn Palace (Mitchell, South Dakota)
When: July 3, 2021
Cost: Free
There’s probably nothing more “American” than an elaborate corn-covered community building in the middle of the Great Plains filled with corn-themed gifts and facts. Yes, the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota is a testament to the creativity and longevity of a basic tourist attraction.
We had to check it out. Not only did the Corn Palace exceed our expectations, we actually learned quite a bit.
Oh, and we told a few corn jokes and made lots of corn puns. See if you can spot them :-)
Fun Facts About the Corn Palace:
#1: It’s the only one.
From about 1890 to 1930, there were at least 34 corn palaces that sprouted up throughout the world. The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota in the last in the field. I guess it’s now a unicorn.
#2: It’s a huge tourist attraction.
The Corn Palace attracts at least a half of a million visitors each year. It’s a good place for kids, moms, and pop corns. But you probably should not take your corn dogs — especially in the summer….‘cause they will turn in to hot dogs.
#3: It’s old.
In 2021, the current Corn Palace building was celebrating 100 years!
The first Corn Palace in Mitchell was built in 1892. The current building was constructed in 1921, and the distinctive onion-shaped domes were added in 1937. Hmmm, why not corn-shaped?
The current building was designed by Rapp & Rapp, an architecture firm based out of Chicago. And guess what their first names were? George and CORNelius!
#4: It’s got a-maize-ing designers.
Past designers of the murals at the Corn Palace include Oscar Howe (1948-1971), Calvin Schultz (1977-2002), Cherie Ramsdell (2003-2017), and Dakota Wesleyan University students (2018 to present). A rumor is that whenever one of the artists is complimented on a design, they just respond: “Ah, shucks, that’s sweet.”
#5: It’s a hybrid of colors.
About 12 different corn types are used to decorate the Corn Palace, including red, brown, black, blue, white, orange, calico, yellow and green corn. What a variety!
#6: It’s big!
A typical design will include about 1.5 million nails and 325,000 ears of corn. That’s not just big, that is husky!
#7: It costs about $175K to decorate.
That’s actually less than a buccaneer. Buck-an-ear. Get it?
#8: It’s got a lot on its plate.
To make the design, the artists create a “paint-by numbers” pattern showing where each colored cob should be placed. Each year, I think the corn design gets butter.
#9: It was intentionally set on fire.
In 1978-1979, three fires were intentionally to the Corn Place. Until the roof, lighting, and sprinkler systems were replaced after a 1979 fire, the building was pretty earie. The arsonist was never apprehended but, I suspect he was also a stalker and a cereal killer.
Cornelius at the Corn Palace with the Class C Broads
#10: It’s a music venue.
Past musical acts have included Lawrence Welk, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Pat Benatar, Cubby Checker, and the Beach Boys. Now, that’s music to my ears.
#11: It’s a sports venue.
The sports played there include boxing and basketball. The Harlem Globetrotters were frequent guests in the 1930s and 1940s. Today, it is home to the Dakota Wesleyan University Tigers and the Mitchell High School Kernels basketball teams. Unfortunately, in the last game, the Kernels got creamed.
#12: You can buy a cornicopia of corn-themed gifts there.
I hear they cornered the stalk market.
Corn for sale at the Corn Palace
#13: It’s home to the annual Corn Palace Festival.
Historically the “cornival” was held at harvest time in September, but recently it has been held at the end of August.
#14: It’s free.
But it may cost you if there’s a special event inside. And check the calendar for closures like on holidays, especially New Ear’s Day.
#15: You “can” see the corn any time.
Yep, there’s a corn cam.
#16: You’re Wel-corn
I wrote a song about the Corn Palace and a lot of these fun facts. So yes, you’re wel-corn.
Corn-cluding Thoughts
We loved the Corn Palace! Make it a part of your travels through South Dakota if you can. It’s an easy to find-place with lots of signage right off of Highway I-90. You will love it too, I promise. And please send us some new corn jokes and puns.
Christmas at Rocky Pond (Belleville, Kansas)
In 2021, we got to experience the Rocky Pond Christmas Light Display in Belleville, Kansas. Since 2010, the city and community volunteers have decorated the pond with thousands of lights, and each year it gets bigger and better. This was the first time that we got to experience it in person. Perhaps the best part about it: it’s free. I’m so proud to call this place home.
Where: Rocky Pond (Belleville, KS)
When: December 17 to December 26, 2021
Bucket List: Rocky Pond Christmas Light Display
Like most folks, we wanted to spend the 2021 holidays with family. Our first stop was to my home town in Belleville, Kansas. As before when visiting my folks, we stayed at Rocky Pond. At $20 for full hook-ups, you cannot beat it. This time, our stay was a little different though.
First, we had to battle through freezing temperatures. In preparation for that, we purchased some heat tape to place around our water heater and water lines in the wet bay area of our 2019 Greyhawk 31F. We had previously insulated all of the exposed water lines that we could see outside of the wet bay area. We also turned on the tank heaters and ran our water heater all of the time (typically, we turn off the water heater when not in use). Despite that, the temperatures got down to 24, 21, 15, 26, 19, and 24 °F the first few days we were there. Despite our efforts, our water lines froze on two of the nights. Lucky for us, we could grab a hot shower at my parent’s house.
Second, we got to experience the Rocky Pond Christmas Light Display. Since 2010, the city and community volunteers have decorated the pond with thousands of lights, and each year it gets bigger and better. This was the first time that we got to experience it in person. And another great thing about it: it’s free. I’m so proud to call this place home.
If you want to support the Rocky Pond Christmas Light Display, donations can be made to:
Rocky Pond Christmas Fund:
c/o Astra Bank
1205 18th St
Belleville KS 669
If you like this, you might also like:
Rocky Pond - Exploring Small Towns in Kansas and Colorado
30+ Gift and Gadget Ideas for RVers
‘Tis the season.
While you’re likely looking forward to some time off, you’re also probably stressed about finding the right gift for “those” family members. You know, the outdoorsy ones who like to camp and RV. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you are shopping for your Cousin Eddie Griswold. We think that the rest of the family (Ellen, Russ, and Audrey) will like these ideas too.
‘Tis the season.
While you’re likely looking forward to some time off, you’re also probably stressed about finding the right gift for “those” family members. You know, the outdoorsy ones who like to camp and RV. Here are some thoughts to keep in mind as you are shopping for your Cousin Eddie Griswold. We think that the rest of the family (Ellen, Russ, and Audrey) will like these ideas too.
Give Experiences
For starters, a lot of RVers don’t want more stuff. They simply don’t have room for it in their tiny little camper or motorhome. Instead of stuff, many RVers want experiences. Consider giving your RVing buddy the following:
American the Beautiful National Parks Pass.
$80. This non-transferrable pass is honored at sites managed by the Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Army Corps of Engineers. It covers the driver and all passengers in a personal vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas or up to 4 adults at sites that charge per person (kids 15 & under get in free). You can purchase one on the NPS website.
Harvest Host Membership.
$99. This program allows members unlimited stay at breweries, wineries, farms, museums, and other attractions for free. While the RVers are expected to patronize the establishment, it’s a win-win for both the RVer and the business. We love our Harvest Host membership! If you use our link you will get 15% off, we may receive a small commission.
Passport America Membership.
$49. This provides 50% off at participating campgrounds. While there are black-out dates and other restrictions (like many campgrounds only permit newer RVs less than 10 years old), this is still a great money-saver. The website has an easy-to-use map with participating campgrounds. You can purchase a membership on the Passport America website. We are not members, but plan to check it out next year.
Craft Brewery Gift Card.
$TBD. Cousin Eddie was drinking Meister Brau during the famous septic tank scene, but that was so so so 1980s. A lot of RVers enjoy going to breweries and wineries when they aren’t at their campsite. Find out where your RVer friend is headed next year, and consider getting them a gift card so they can check out a new brewery there.
Online Newspaper Subscription.
$TBD. Many campgrounds have internet access so just because your RVer friend likes to get away, that doesn’t mean your buddy doesn’t still get to read the newspaper with the morning coffee. Lana loves reading the New York Times while enjoying a Kansas sunrise.
Christmas Vacation.
Priceless (actually, it’s just $10 to buy). Start an annual holiday tradition with this classic Chevy Chase movie. Come on, it’s just as good as Die Hard and Elf!
Give Practical Space-Savers
If your RVer buddy does want stuff for the holidays, it is probably a gadget or something practical. And, the stuff is hopefully something that is small and space-saving. Here are some things we actually own and use.
Low Profile Camping Chairs
$40/pair
These chairs are great for concerts and picnics where a “regular” camping chair isn’t ideal. We keep these in our Jeep and use them even when we are not camping.
Waterproof Blanket
$20
We love the way that this blanket rolls up into a nice compact space. Much like the low-profile chairs, we keep this blanket in our Jeep as well, and use it for concerts and other outdoor fun (like sitting on the lawn at a brewery).
Collapsible Safety Cones
$28
There’s nothing worse than getting stranded along a busy highway so having some safety cones handy is a great idea. A lot of RVers also use these for overnight camping at Walmart and Cracker Barrels to stake out their space so that other rigs don’t pull too close to them.
Folding Stepstool
$13
If Cousin Eddie is vertically challenged like us, he will love this. We store ours right by the trash can, so it takes up little space.
Flatten Your Bike Kit
$142.
This bike kit is well worth the money! This kit enables us to easily rotate our bike stem and remove the pedals to make bike storage much better! Our bike width went from about 30 inches to about 9 inches!
Folding Ottoman/Chest
$40
We like to put our feet up when we stay inside the RV and watch TV or read a book. This little piece of furniture is perfect for that!
Collapsible Camping Table
$40
This table is super handy and collapses into a small space much like a camping chair.
Water Bottle
$27
This water bottle is similar to the one we have. You can almost put it in your pocket!
Give Gadgets
Dash Cam
$245
We like the 180-degree version because it capture everything. Speaking of which, this dash cam even has audio! It’s great for capturing unexpected encounters with wildlife!
Walkie Talkies
$43
Breaker 1-9! We use these walkie-talkies setting up camp, especially when the driver has to maneuver the RV to a tough spot. They are also useful for doing our break/blinker/light check to make sure the RV and Jeep are synchronized.
Temperature Monitor
$46
We use this to make sure the dogs don’t get overheated when we are away from the RV.
Water Flow Meter
$42
We use this for monitoring how much water is in the black tank when we are cleaning it out. If you also use it to check how much water is in your fresh water tank, buy a second one to avoid cross-contamination.
Level Mate Pro
$144
This is great for leveling a travel trailer, but is also useful for motorhomes when pulling into a site to help determine the part of a site that is the most level.
Vacuum
$165
This vacuum gets in hard to reach places, and has a light that helps us locate dirt and dog hair. With four dogs, it’s a never ending battle though. We also have a smaller Ryobi vacuum that we use as well.
Pest Repeller
$19.
We use pest repellers for the RV, but also for our home.
Tool Sets
$Variable
We use the following (but bought them directly from Home Depot).
Give Camping Consumables
If Cousin Eddie has been camping for any period of time, he already probably has the basic supplies he needs – like a sewer hose (a/k/a, “stinky” slinky), water hose, electrical management system, levelers, chocks. If not, go to our RV Gear page for those items. Regardless, giving consumables that nearly all RVers need to have on hand is always great. Here are some ideas:
Happy Camper
$25
Who can forget Cousin Eddie’s famous line “The shitter was full”? Well, this product is what a lot of RVers use to rid the holding tank of odors and liquify solid waste and toilet paper. It sounds gross, but your RVer friend will actually use this camping essential.
Fire Starter Logs
$12
We like these fire lighters because they are individually wrapped and waterproof. We usually add some newspaper to help get the fire going too. So have some fun, and wrap these up in some newspaper as well.
Disposable Gloves
$10
RVers use these to clean out the holding tanks, and some even use them at diesel stations since some truckers don’t always wash their hands. Many people prefer no-powder, no-latex gloves.
Stocking Stuffers
Okay, we get it. As much as we like “experiences” and “practical gifts” like those above, sometimes it’s all about stuff. It’s fun to open up presents and get something we want (but don’t necessarily need). Some would say that is often the point of giving gifts. After all, if the gift recipient really needed something, they probably would have already gotten it themselves!
With that in mind, here are some fun stocking stuffer ideas.
S2 Drill Bits
$5
For some reason, many things in RVs are not built with flathead or Phillips screws. Instead, they use S2 screws so these are great to have on hand.
Command Strips
$10.
Command strips are ubiquitous in most RVs. We use these particular ones to hang our wall decor, but 3M makes all sorts of hooks.
Pressure Regulator
$27
Water pressure at campgrounds can vary dramatically, so this device helps keep the plumbing intact. The water regulator is a little heavy so the stocking is going to feel like a lump of coal!
Water Filter
$17
While a water filter is a consumable, it also fits in a stocking….barely. In our opinion, a filter is something that every RVer should be using.
Camper Pajamas
$20
Aren’t these adorable? Next year, maybe we’ll have our act together enough that we will put our “Class C Broads” logo on some PJs. Now, that would be awesome!
RV Ornament
$8
Wouldn’t this look good on anyone’s holiday tree? Hmmm. Maybe Kasie could even 3D print one of our actual Class C RV sort of like she did in our first-ever video.
Personalized Bucket
$14
Yes, this is a thing. For some reason, many campers place a personalized bucket at their campsite to tell neighbors who they are. If you are handy (like Kasie is), you can use a Cricut to design your own. If you aren’t as crafty, then Amazon to the rescue again! (Yes, we know this won’t fit in a stocking either).
Puck Light
$17
If you want to get fancy, light up the bucket with some color changing puck lights like we did!
Our bucket before we became the “Class C Broads.”
Happy holidays to you and your family!
~Lana and Kasie
*Prices may vary. Unless otherwise noted, we’ve actually bought and used everything we recommend. We participate in the Amazon Associates program, which means that if you chose to make a purchase using our links, we will earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.
Copyright 2021 Class C Broads. All rights reserved.
How to Winterize Your RV
There are two basic methods to winterize an RV: (1) the Compressed Air Method and (2) the Antifreeze Method. In this blog and video, we will explain how we did this for our RV (2019 Jayco Greyhawk 31F). While the general process is the same for most RVs, you should consult with your owner’s manual or a professional about your specific rig.
There are two basic methods to winterize an RV: (1) the Compressed Air Method and (2) the Antifreeze Method. In this blog and video, we will explain how we to do both for our RV (2019 Jayco Greyhawk 31F). While the general process is the same for most RVs, you should consult with your owner’s manual or a professional about your specific rig.
Put another way: We are not RV experts. We are RVers sharing our experiences on the road. Please do your own research and make your own decisions as to what is best for you and your RV.
Basic Steps for both RV Winterization Methods:
1. Drain the gray water tank and black water tank.
2. Open all of the low point drains. In our RV, there are three of them located close to the wet bay area.
3. Empty the water heater. In our RV, we access a valve from the RV’s exterior. Importantly, drain the water heater when the water is hot or under pressure. Most RVs come with a pressure relief valve.
4. Bypass the water heater. In our RV, there three valves located underneath the refrigerator that must be switched to bypass the water heater.
5. Remove any inline water filters and empty the water filter canister, then replace. Our RV came with a special wrench to make removing the canister easier.
6. Open all the fixtures (faucets and toilets) allow all excess water to drain.
7. Turn on the pump to remove water from the pump.
Additional Basic Steps for the Compressed Air RV Winterization Method
8. With all plumbing fixtures closed, connect a blow-out adapter to the RV’s city water inlet.
9. Adjust the air compressor to a pressure of about 30 psi. Avoid pressures higher than 40 psi as that may cause damages to the RV’s plumbing system.
10. Open each plumbing fixture one at a time (remember both hot and cold valves) to let the air displace any remaining water in each line. This usually takes around 10-15 seconds. In general, place your hand under the fixture until you no longer feel any mist/spray.
11. Turn off the compressor and disconnect the blow-out adapter. Open a faucet to relieve any residual pressure in the lines.
Additional Basic Steps for the Antifreeze RV Winterization Method
Make sure you buy the pink stuff!
8. Our RV comes with a back-flow check valve screen on the city water connection. The pump is usually too weak to overpower the valve to pull the antifreeze in. Therefore, the screen should be turned around so that the tip faces inward. A set of needle-nosed pliers works well for this step.
9. Turn the water connections to the “winterize” setting (2 and 4 on our RV)
10. Connect a siphon hose to the city water connection.
11. Insert the siphon hose to the bottom of an antifreeze jug
12. Turn on the pump to start siphoning the antifreeze into the system.
13. Open each plumbing fixture one at a time (remember both hot and cold valves) to let the antifreeze displace any remaining water in each line. Begin at the fixture furthest away from the pump (which is the kitchen sink in our RV), and don’t forget the outside shower. Pink antifreeze should flow from each fixture
14. Turn the pump off and disconnect the siphon hose.
15. Reverse Step 8 so that the tip of the check valve screen faces outward.
Final Steps for Both RV Winterization Methods
Pour RV antifreeze into each fixture drain (sink, shower, and toilet) so that the drain p-traps are full. Usually, this is around 1-2 cups of antifreeze.
Other Things to Check As Part of the RV Winterization Process
a. Turn off the water heater.
b. Turn off the propane.
c. Address your battery. Either disconnect the battery, add a trickle charger to the battery, or leave the RV connected to shore power. We typically leave our RV plugged in, but the trickle charger below is a good alternative. The one shown here looks like a good one, but admittedly, we don’t own it so cannot vouch for it.
d. Remove all food and drink from the RV. Otherwise, that might attract rodents/pests and/or freeze. No one want exploding soda in their RV.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive, and we welcome feedback on other important items to include!
Breweries Around Rapid City, South Dakota - Our Favs!
After spending over a week in Yellowstone National Park, we were in dire need of some craft beer. Luckily, our next stop on our trip out west was Rapid City, South Dakota. We didn’t make it to all of the beers in the area, but we tried quite a few. Which ones were are favorites?
Where: Around Rapid City South Dakota
When: June 23, 2021 to July 1, 2021
After spending over a week in Yellowstone National Park, we were in dire need of some craft beer. Luckily, the next stop on our trip out West was Rapid City, South Dakota. We didn’t make it to all of the beers in the area, but we tried quite a few. In alphabetical order, here’s our take.
No brewery is bad, in our opinion. However, we’ve included a little thumb’s up (👍🍺) on a few in case you are pressed for time and want our recommendation.
Check out the video excerpt video excerpt where we tell you about our favorites too.
Dakota Point — Kasie’s Favorite in the Rapid City area
Dakota Point Brewing (Rapid City) (👍👍👍🍺). This place ranks high on our list of favorite breweries in the Rapid City area. It was actually Kasie’s favorite. So it’s number one alphabetically, and also number one for her overall! I had the Itstha Nuts porter while Kasie raved about the Kettle to the Metal black currant sour. There’s some cool buffalo art in the hallways so be sure and check that out. We didn’t make it to Lost Cabin, which is right next door. However, it’s usually a good thing when breweries are next to each other.
DAKOTA POINT! Kasie’s Overall Favorite!
Crow Peak Brewing in Spearfish, South Dakota
Crow Peak Brewing (Spearfish) (👍🍺). This brewery literally right next door to the KOA. Yes, you can walk there in 2-3 minutes. For RVers, what an amazing location! The taproom has a rustic vibe with huge fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Two groups of motorcycle bikers were at the tables next to us, and it definitely had a local feel as well. I had the 11th Hour IPA, and Kasie had the Black Currant Gose. It’s the oldest craft brewery in the area, going back to 2010, and the brewery definitely knows what it’s doing.
Firehouse Brewing in Rapid City South Dakoa
Firehouse Brewing (Rapid City). Located in the heart of downtown Rapid City, we had to wait to find a seat at the bar. That’s because the brewery is a restaurant, and we came around lunch time. We had the Bell tower lager (Kasie) and Hippie hole IPL (Lana), but were most excited to try the Downtowner (crispy French fries topped with chopped pork, brown gravy, cheese curds and bacon. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with both the beer and food. The place is obviously successful given the crowds (and a building next door devoted to merchandise) so perhaps I need another visit to understand why.
Jacob’s Brewhouse in Deadwood — Underbite Charlie!
Jacob's Brewhouse (Deadwood) (👍🍺). As far as beer names go, this place had one of my favorites: Underbite Charlie Rasp Blonde. He looks a little like a dog we once owned too (although ours was black, and not blonde). And, HIS NAME WAS CHARLIE! We also had a savory pulled pork sandwich topped with bacon while chatted up the bartender. He suggested a couple of other breweries to check out, and we always appreciate that. You won’t go wrong here: good food, good beer, and good service.
Miner Brewing in Hill City
Miner Brewing (Hill City) (👍👍🍺) Established in 2013, this brewery knows what it is doing. We enjoyed the Mango cream ale and Watermelon wheat while citing in a covered outdoor space. The owners also operate a winery next door, and both the brewery and winery are served by the same kitchen. We were disappointed that the kitchen was closed because of a water issue during our visit though. But it was my favorite in the area.
“Of the three breweries in the Black Hills area (Miner, Mount Rushmore, and Sick N Twisted), Miner was my favorite.” ~ Lana
Mt. Rushmore Brewing in Custer South Dakota
Mount Rushmore Brewing Company (Custer). Unlike the monument itself, this brewery is underwhelming. The food and beer (I had the Long Tom IPA, and Kasie had the Rooster Red Amber) were average. We did buy a shirt, but that was more to commemorate our visit to the monument itself.
Sawyer Brewing in Spearfish, South Dakota
Sawyer Brewing (Spearfish) (👍🍺). is about a mile from the KOA as well. The KOA has a nature trail that runs south, and Google Maps may suggest that you can walk to brewery from there, by crossing the Spearfish Creek at some point. We tried to take that path, only to find that there is way to cross the water. As such, you will need to drive to Sawyer Brewing if you are staying at the KOA. The very short drive is worth it. We shared a flight of the (1) Cold Creek Cream Ale (2) Raspberry Kolsch, (3) Strawberry Whip sour, and (4) Key Lime Tart IPA. Talk about flavors. Sawyer also serves pizza, and we always appreciate places where we can both drink and eat!
Sick-N-Twisted Brewing Company in Hill City South, Dakota
Sick N Twisted Brewery (Hill City). This has a taproom in both Deadwood and Hill City, and stopped by the latter. The place has a quirky coffee-house artsy vibe. Kasie tried the Phat Fish Pronghorn Peach wheat (guest beer), while I sampled the Hop on Top IPA. The taproom also boasts a large supply of house-made wines so it is a great place to buy gifts.
Spearfish Brewing — Thə Schwa is perhaps the best beer name of all time!
Spearfish Brewing (Spearfish, Duh!)(👍👍👍🍺). This brewery was not on our itinerary, but we ended up visiting the brewery at the suggestion of another bartender. Our flight included the (1) Tickled Pink Belgian-Style Wit with Hibiscus and Blood Orange, (2) Lemon Bar Pastry Sour, (3) Thə Schwa Pink Guava blonde, (4) Bobcat Logic Kettle sour, and (5) Device igniter IPA. I had not thought about a schwa since grade school, which made perhaps made that beer name thə bəst. The Spearfish Brewing Company recently took home two gold medals at the 2021 U.S. Beer Open Championship in Ohio, making the brewery one of the top ten in the nation at the competition. Of the three breweries in Spearfish (Crow Peak, Sawyer, and Spearfish), this place was probably my favorite. Actually, it was probably my favorite overall.
SPEARFISH BREWING! Check out the Thə Schwa Pink Guava blonde!
Zymurcracy Beer Company (Rapid City). Veteran owned and located in an industrial area on the southeast part of town, the beer selection include NEIPA #2 (Lana) and the Schwarzbier lager (Kasie). We visited around 2 pm on a Tuesday and ere the only folks in the taproom so it was hard to get a good feel for the place. If you are wondering, Zymurgy is the branch of applied chemistry concerned with fermentation processes in brewing.
Attractions Near Rapid City - What to Do and What to AVOID!
There’s a ton of attractions in the Rapid City area (Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park, Wall Drug, George S. Mickelson Trail, and Custer State Park). We’ll give you an honest opinion about what activities are worth doing….
Where: Three Flags RV Park (near Rapid City, South Dakota) ($210/week)
When: June 24 to July 1, 2021 (seven nights)
Biking: George S. Mickelson Trail
Bucket Lists: Badlands National Park
What could top staying at Yellowstone for a week? Well, the answer is spending a week in western South Dakota. Sure, there are some touristy parts, but there are also plenty of places to escape the crowds. During our week-long stay in the Rapid City area, Kasie and I really started thinking that South Dakota could be our permanent residence if we ever decided to live in our RV full-time. The place has a midwestern vibe that melds well with our Kansas and Oklahoma roots.
Top Things to Do While Staying Near Rapid City, South Dakota
There’s a ton of attractions in the Rapid City area. Some are better than others. Here’s an honest opinion of what I thought.
The George S. Mickelson Trail (~ 40 miles away) (DO IT!)
George R. Mickelson Trail — Mystic Trailhead
As South Dakota’s first rails-to-trails project, this 109-mile unpaved trail traverses the heart of South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forrest. We started our bike ride at the Mystic trailhead which sits between Rochford (pronounced rock-ford) and Hill City. Although the Jeep ride to the trailhead was beautiful, we felt like Google Maps was taking us to the middle of nowhere. In hindsight, I’d recommend starting near Hill City or Rochford instead because those are actual towns, and getting there by car will be much easier. While Rochford has a population of around 25 people, it is home to the historic Moonshine Gulch Saloon. And, Hill City contains numerous shops, eateries, and places to stay.
We rode about 12 miles of the trail between Hill City and Rochford. There are four tunnels in that section with inspiring names like Tunnel A, Tunnel B, Tunnel C, and Tunnel D. I suspect that the tunnels are named that way because fancy monikers would detract from the spectacular views of the rivers, forests, hills, and the black granite rocks all around. Our ride was absolutely stunning (see a video excerpt from the one below), and I would rank it as one of my Top Ten rides to date.
Warning! The area south of Mystic suffered from some washout, and was pretty bumpy at times, but that was perhaps the most scenic part so don’t miss it. Most of our ride was relatively flat crushed gravel. We used the assist on the e-bikes a little, but that was mostly out of laziness and not necessity. There’s a $4/person fee to ride that is payable at each of the trailheads.
As far as bucket lists go, the Mickelson Trail is one of them. I wish that we would have had time to ride other parts of the trail. Someday, I’d like to spend another week in the area and ride other parts of the lengthy trail.
Badlands National Park (~70 miles away) (DO IT!)
Big Badlands Overlook at Badlands National Park
Why would anyone want the word “bad” in a national park name?” Given that the park was established in 1939, Michael Jackson wasn’t even born yet so “bad” certainly didn’t mean “cool” or “hip.” Turns out, the name likely came from the Lakota people, who called the area “mako sica,” which translates to “bad lands.” Then, when early French fur trappers passed through the region, they called it “les mauvaises terres a traveser” which translates to “bad lands to travel across.” Regardless of the name origins, we were excited to visit the national park for the first time.
Badlands National Park is about a one-hour drive from Rapid City. Our plan was to have lunch at Wall Drug so we started our drive through the national park by taking Highway 240 south towards Big Badlands Overlook. After gazing at the colorful striations in the eastern Badlands walls, we decided that we were ready for our morning hike.
Recent rains made both Door Trail and Notch Trail quite muddy. Because we had neglected to bring proper boots or hiking shoes, we went a little further into the park to the Cliff Shelf Nature Trailhead to take the short half-mile boardwalk. There’s a few stairs and slick spots along the trail, but one of the cool things was how the landscape quickly changed from barren rock to green forest in such a short distance.
The Fossil Exhibit Trail provided us with another very short boardwalk hike. The 0.4-mile loop contains a number of kid-friendly signs about the fossils and animals found in the area. There are not any genuine fossils on display; those are at the Ben Reifel Visitor’s Center. Indeed, the best place to view fossils is at the The Badlands Fossil Preparation Lab located in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
From the Fossil Exhibit Trail, we continued our drive along Highway 240 and stopped at the various overlooks, including White River Valley, Panorama Point, Burns Basin, Homestead, Contata Basin, Yellow Mounds, and Pinnacles Overlooks. Each overlook is breathtaking. Yet, for some reason, after a few hours, the jagged canyons and buttes start to run together.
Our favorite thing was perhaps the wildlife. We FINALLY saw our first herd of mountain goats near the Sagecreek Rim Road not too far from the Pinnacles Overlook. A little further down the road is Roberts Prairie Dog town so don’t miss that if you are fans of these little furry rodents like we are! Regardless of whether you are a Prairie dog fanatic, you may want to check out my Prairie Dog Song.
I think our video below does a pretty good job of showcasing the beauty of Badlands National Park. However, there is nothing like seeing it in person.
Wall Drug Store (~60 miles away) (CONSIDER AVOIDING IT!)
Wall Drug, an iconic tourist attraction, is located on I-90 about ten minutes north of Badlands National Park. It’s one of those things that we felt like we had to do because it is so one-of-a-kind. Fun facts about the store include:
Free ice water. Ted and Dorothy Hustead started this back in the 1930s as a way to lure travelers likely destined for Mount Rushmore.
Five cent coffee.
200+ billboards between Montana and Minnesota. Counting billboards is a great way to pass the time. Each one is painted by South Dakota artists Barry and Edna Knutson. On the 50-mile stretch of highway between Rapid City and Wall, there’s an average of one Wall Drug billboard every 4000 feet.
Oil Paintings. The are approximately 300 original oil paintings in the Western art Gallery Dining Rooms.
Animatronics. From the Chuck Wagon Quartet to the life-size T-rex that roars from its enclosure behind a Jurassic Park-like electric fence, kids will certainly be entertained.
A backyard area filled with all sorts of other stuff for kids. The map below should help explain some of the craziness of the place.
Wall Drug Map — Lots of Stuff for Kids and Lots of Stuff to Buy!
There is a TON of stuff to see at Wall Drug. But there is also a ton of stuff to see at the local mall. While Wall Drug is certainly better than a mall, that difference is marginal to me. A lot of the place is designed to entertain families with children. It felt like the rest was a giant souvenir store. Wall Drug was incredibly crowded and it reminded me of a 1990s mall on Black Friday in some respects. Admittedly, I’m a middle aged woman with no kids who doesn’t want or need to buy more stuff.
I’m glad we visited Wall Drug just to say I had done it, but it’s not the type of place that I would ever feel the need to go back to. I’m sure lots of people do like Wall Drug. If you do like Wall Drug, I’d be interested in better understanding the appeal.
Mount Rushmore National Monument (35 miles away) (DO IT!)
Mount Rushmore
Because over two million people visit Mount Rushmore each year, I was sort of dreading it because of all the crowds. (Are you getting the idea that we don’t like crowds?) Given that, I figured that we would swing by and take an obligatory photograph and then quickly leave. The national monument unexpectedly turned out to be one of my favorite things to do in the area. Yes, it is fun to take photos of carved mountain, but the stories about the monument’s construction and the four presidents themselves sucked us in.
Fun facts about Mount Rushmore:
The mountain was called “The Six Grandfathers” and “Cougar Mountain” by the local Native American Tribes. American settlers also called it Sugarloaf Mountain, Slaughterhouse Mountain and Keystone Cliffs. The United States Board of Geographic Names officially named it "Mount Rushmore" in 1930 after a New York attorney who visited it in 1885.
The state historian of South Dakota who came up with the idea for iconic faces to be carved into the Black Hills had wanted to depict Lewis and Clark, Buffalo Bill Cody, and Red Cloud, a leader of the Lakota.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum thought that the heroes need to be less regional and suggested the four American presidents instead: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
Over the years, there have been suggestions to add other figures, such as Susan B. Anthony, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan.
The original design was to portray the four presidents from the waist up. I’ve read competing theories on why only their faces are shown (lack of money? design issues?).
There’s a 0.6-mile walking trail (with several steps) where you can get different views of the presidents. Placards with historical and biographical information about each of the four presidents are located along the trail.
The on-site museum has a wealth of information on the monument’s construction and includes two theatres, which show 10-12 minute films. Construction lasted from 1927 to 1941. Workers used dynamite to carve away the granite mountain, and then used drills to prep further removal of the stone in a process called “honeycoming.”
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s 1/12th scale model is on display, and a park ranger located near the model provided even more information on the monument’s construction using the model.
The Avenue of Flags contains the flags of all 50 states, district, territories, and commonwealths of the United States. Of course, we did take a photo next to our home states.
Plan on taking 2-3 hours to visit Mount Rushmore. Fighting the crowds at Mount Rushmore are worth it. You will get your photos, but also a lot more out of visiting it.
There’s also a $10/car entrance fee.
Crazy Horse Memorial (~50 miles away) (AVOID IT!)
While Mount Rushmore over-delivered, the Crazy Horse Memorial was frankly a disappointment. At $30/car (for two people), I was expecting more. My criticism is not about the not about the price of admission though.
Crazy Horse was a famous Lakota warrior who fought against the U.S. Government’s efforts to take possession of Native American lands. He is most associated with the Battle of the Little Bighorn (a/k/a Custer’s Last Stand) in 1876.
The Crazy Horse Memorial project was initiated in 1939 by a group of Lakota elders, including Standing Bear, a Lakota Chief. He hired Polish-American sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to build the Crazy Horse Memorial. While the sculptor has been long deceased, his family continues to operate the memorial through a non-profit proclaiming to be dedicated to preserving the culture, tradition, and living heritage of the North American Indians. Yet, the whole thing rubbed me the wrong way.
Upon entry to the memorial, we were herded to an enclosed area while a woman discussed the history of several Native American tribes in the area, including the Lakota. That was all good, but when her daughter was asked to dance for the crowd of largely non-Native American tourists, the experience just felt like commercial child exploitation.
As for the memorial itself? The memorial’s website itself says:
“It is a well-known fact that Crazy Horse refused to have his picture or likeness taken. Crazy Horse lived under the assumption that by taking a picture a part of his soul would be taken and his life would be shortened. The popular response to photograph requests would be, ‘Would you imprison my shadow too?’”
If he did not want his photo taken, why would he want his image plastered on the side of a mountain? Further, given that Crazy Horse believed that the Black Hills and other lands were sacred, would he have wanted to decimate the side of one of those beautiful mountains? I started asking those questions while I was at the memorial, and later confirmed that others had asked similar questions (see sources below).
The memorial does have several large spaces devoted to Native American artifacts and history, including Crazy Horse. Yet, at times, I felt like the memorial was more about the sculptor and his family than Crazy Horse and his legacy. That may be because the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation runs the project. And who runs that organization? Well, according to ProPublica, Jadwiga and Monique Ziolowski are both CEOs of the non-profit (at a salary of $200K each in 2020 and 2019). Other relatives reportedly work at the memorial as well.
Each year, the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation brings in around $10 million from admissions and donations/grants. Importantly, that does not include the income earned through Korczak’s Heritage, Inc., a Ziolkowski-family-owned for-profit organization that runs the gift shop, restaurant, snack bar, and the bus to the sculpture ($4/person for the rustic bus and $125/person for the guided van ride). The details on that for-profit business are not publicly available, but I suspect that revenues are in the millions each year.
Crazy Horse Memorial — Still Under Construction after 70+ Years
The lack of progress is another thing that bothers me about the Crazy Horse Memorial. The memorial construction has been going on for 70+ years. Is that just another way to keep the tourist and donor dollars flowing?
I would really be interested in knowing how Native Americans feel about the memorial. I genuinely wanted to like it, but I didn’t because I could not get past some of these questions.
Please note that these are my opinions only.
Sources:
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/460220678
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/09/23/who-speaks-for-crazy-horse
Custer State Park (DO IT!)
Needles Eye Tunnel in Custer State Park (South Dakota)
Kasie isn’t one of those people who says anything is the “best ever!” However, when it comes to state parks, that is how Kasie described Custer State Park. Why?
Wildlife. Wildlife. Wildlife. During our two-day exploration of the area, we encountered burros, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs, bison, and mountain goats! Most of our encounters were along the aptly named “Wildlife Loop Road.” This was indeed one of the best places to spot wildlife.
Nature Landscapes. Custer State Park spans part of the Black Hills of South Dakota, but also includes some rolling grasslands, several lakes, and majestic spires.
Fun Driving. If you like curvy roads and skinny tunnels like Kasie does, you will love Custer State Park. Needles Highway includes three tunnels, including the 8' 9" wide by 9'8" high Needles Eye Tunnel.
Hiking. We hiked Cathedral Spires one morning (see below).
No Crowds. Unlike some national parks, Custer State Park never made us feel like we were fighting the crowds. We even visited in June when tourist season was in full force. The only traffic jams we got into were with some bison.
Beer. Okay — There aren’t any breweries in Custer State Park, but we were able to go to several by driving just a few minutes. Check out Sick N Twisted Brewery, Miner Brewing, and Mount Rushmore Brewing. For beer lovers, please see the brewery blog for more info about all of the breweries we visited in the area.
We cannot wait to stay at Custer State Park the next time we are in the area.
Cathedral Spires Hike (DO IT!)
Cathedral Spires, and its surrounding spurs, is a geological wonder in the Black Hills. The trail is rated moderate on AllTrails and “strenuous” on the trailhead sign. That is likely because there are a few boulders that must be traversed; otherwise, the climb is pretty easy. The views are spectacular, and if I could, I would give this six stars (on a five star rating). We could see the spires at various points along Needles Highway, but nothing compares to seeing them at their base and up close.
Simply put, make this a “must do” hike if you are in the area. You will not be disappointed!
Downtown Rapid City (DO IT!)
Rapid City is known as the “City of Presidents.” We thoroughly enjoyed the life-size bronze statues of our nation’s past presidents along the city’s streets and sidewalks. And, yes, I wanted to visit ALL of them. Luckly, the walking guide provides the location of each one. And, kids (or folks like me) can participate in the Presidential scavenger hunt.
At the time of our visit, neither President Trump nor President Biden were represented. Next time we go, I’m sure they will both be there. Hopefully, one of the bronze statues will be of a woman too!
Where We Stayed: Three Flags RV Park
Three Flags RV Park - Rapid City South Dakota
Three Flags RV Park RV Park is conveniently located right off of I-90 about five miles north of Rapid City. After exiting the highway, we encountered a well-maintained half-mile gravel road to get to the park. There’s good signage that told us where to turn, and we traversed the gravel road with no problem.
The location and the price are the best things about the park. The park resides far enough away from the highway that we did not mind the traffic noise at all. And, the eastern sunrises are spectacular. We were less than an hour from about everything we wanted to see in the area (more on that below), and the weekly rate was very reasonable for full hook-ups in such a prime location. The rates were $37/night, the park offers a weekly rate and honors a number of discount programs (Good Sam, veterans, etc). We ended up paying around $210 as weekly rate.
Although there is a laundry facility, the park is otherwise no-frills. There’s a sign for a dog/pet area, but we were never able to find it. Instead, we just walked the pups around a spacious loop inside the park. Perhaps the main downside to the RV park is that there is zero shade. We were thankful for our air conditioners.
We booked our site almost 8 months in advance because we were staying in what we presumed to be peak travel season in the summer. The park was full, but there are some “primitive” sites (including a few with 20-amp electric only) on the two rows of sites furthest from the highway stood empty most of the time. While I’m sure they fill up around the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, they provide some good overflow for travelers who just need a place to stay for a night or two. We plan to stay there again next time we are in the area.
Spearfish KOA + Spearfish Breweries
We spent our second night at the KOA in Spearfish, South Dakota. As we’ve noted before, we are not usually big fans of KOA since they are usually pricy and have amenities we don’t use, but you cannot beat them for last-minute reservations and convenient locations.
Where: Spearfish/Black Hills KOA
When: June 23, 2021
Cost: $56.75/night with KOA rewards discount
Beer: Spearfish Brewing
We planned a two-day drive from Rapid City from Yellowstone National Park in June 2021, and did not make any reservations until just the week before our drive. We spent our second night at the KOA in Spearfish, South Dakota. As we’ve noted before, we are not usually big fans of KOA since they are usually pricy and have amenities we don’t use, but you cannot beat them for last-minute reservations and convenient locations.
It turns out that we really liked this KOA (except for the price). For a commercial campground, our site was quite large, and we had ready access to the swimming pool and shower area. There’s a designated pet walking area, but the campground also connects up to a nature trail where we saw a few dogs being walked as well (more on the trail below).
As for beer, boy, did Spearfish deliver.
Crow Peak Brewing in Spearfish, South Dakota
Crow Peak Brewing is literally right next door to the KOA. Yes, you can walk there in 2-3 minutes. For RVers, what an amazing location! We had not been to a craft brewery during our 8-day stay in Yellowstone so we were definitely ready for some brewskies! The taproom has a rustic vibe with huge fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and both indoor and outdoor seating. Two groups of motorcycle bikers were at the tables next to us, and it definitely had a local feel as well. I had the 11th Hour IPA, and Kasie had the Black Currant Gose. It’s the oldest craft brewery in the area, going back to 2010, and the brewery definitely knows what it’s doing.
Sawyer Brewing in Spearfish, South Dakota
Sawyer Brewing is about a mile from the KOA as well. The KOA has a nature trail that runs south, and Google Maps may suggest that you can walk to brewery from there, by crossing the Spearfish Creek at some point. We tried to take that path, only to find that there is way to cross the water. As such, you will need to drive to Sawyer Brewing if you are staying at the KOA. The very short drive is worth it. We shared a flight of the (1) Cold Creek Cream Ale (2) Raspberry Kolsch, (3) Strawberry Whip sour, and (4) Key Lime Tart IPA. Talk about flavors. Sawyer also serves pizza, and we always appreciate places where we can both drink and eat!
Spearfish Brewing — Thə Schwa is perhaps the best beer name of all time!
Spearfish Brewing was not on our itinerary that day, but we ended up visiting the brewery a few days later. Our flight included the (1) Tickled Pink Belgian-Style Wit with Hibiscus and Blood Orange, (2) Lemon Bar Pastry Sour, (3) Thə Schwa Pink Guava blonde, (4) Bobcat Logic Kettle sour, and (5) Device igniter IPA. I had not thought about a schwa since grade school, which made perhaps made that beer name thə bəst. The Spearfish Brewing Company recently took home two gold medals at the 2021 U.S. Beer Open Championship in Ohio, making the brewery one of the top ten in the nation at the competition. Of the three, this place was probably my favorite.
The beer scene in Spearfish is definitely happening. I am so glad that we stopped and spend some time in the area.
Missouri Roadside Attraction on I-70: Corn Maze!
The best adventures are sometimes right in your own backyard. One of our favorite Mid-Missouri “things to do” is the annual corn maze created by the Shryock family. This time, our maze navigation crew included two friends who were visiting from Kansas City.
When: Sunday, September 26, 2021
Where: Shryock Corn Maze just east of Columbia, Missouri
Cost: $11/person
The best adventures are sometimes right in your own backyard. One of our favorite Mid-Missouri “things to do” is the annual corn maze created by the Shryock family. This time, our maze navigation crew included two friends who were visiting from Kansas City.
Shryock Corn Maze
After paying the admission fee, we were given a card showing a map of the maze. The goal is to find the 8-10 signs within the maze and correctly answer the question at each sign (without using any smartphones!). The questions are usually tied somehow to the maze theme and/or to corn. Cards with all of the correct entries are then entered into a raffle. Most people spend 1-2 hours in the maze and give up on finding all of the signs, but you may see die-hard mazers methodically going down each row and marking off the path on their card. We wandered somewhat aimlessly, telling each other corn jokes. Our work ethic showed; we answered just five questions during our visit.
The farm includes a big red barn with kids’ activities: piles of grain to climb, a two-story slide, rope swings, a fake milking cow, etc. Outside, kids can shoot hoops, take a ride on a mower-powered train, or perhaps jump with dozens of other kids on a large green inflated bubble. A large pumpkin patch is located right by the maze so that’s another fun thing to do.
Two brothers, Mike and Dustin, are largely responsible for the maze. We ran into Dustin, who shared some great stories about the maze.
The Shryock Maze from 2015 was featured in Sports Illustrated!
Each year, the family gets together to brainstorm ideas for the design, which have celebrated events like the National Parks Centennial (2016), the Moon Landing 50th Anniversary (2018), and the American Military (2013). The family’s love of Missouri sports teams is on full display as well, with mazes featuring the Mizzou sports teams (basketball – 2017; football/basketball – 2009; football – 2014, SEC move – 2012, Tiger logo 2002), the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory (2020), the St. Louis Cardinals World Series win (2007), and the Royals/Cardinals I-70 rivalry (2015). The latter was even featured in a Sports Illustrated issue! Licensing intellectual property rights to logos is always a bit daunting, but Dustin assured me that most of local teams were overall very easy to work with. The only exception involved the St. Louis Blues. After the team’s Stanley cup win, the brothers were disappointed to learn than the team had already exclusively licensed rights to a maze in Illinois. Maybe next time…
Several of the maze designs also celebrate the Shryock family. In 2011, the maze celebrated grandma Verna Shryock’s 90th Birthday. Thus, when grandma turned 100 this year, the family unanimously agreed that the maze should wish happy birthday to her. Personally, I think Grandma Shryock should be in the maze design from here on out for as long as she is living.
Dustin credits his brother Mike as the founder of the maze. It all started when after Mike mowed a few mazes in their back yard as kids. When Mike graduated from college, he ordered a “how to” VHS tape from an outfit in Iowa and talked his dad into letting him create the first maze in 2002. Nowadays, the brothers use their GPS farm equipment to map out the boundaries and design with flags. Once the corn is about two feet tall, they simply mow it down. That takes about 1-2 days depending on the weather. When they first started, the family had to pay an aerial photography around $600 each year to document their creations. Today, the drone used to photograph the maze is also used to check on irrigation pivots so they don’t have to walk the fields. Dustin likes to rib Mike about still making his designs in Microsoft Paint so some things haven’t changed.
If you are looking to have an authentic family-friendly Missouri experience, consider the Shryock corn maze. We thought it was simply a-maze-ing!
Check out all of the past maze designs on the Shryock website.
Directions to the Shryock Corn Maze:
The Shryock corn maze is located on I-70 near Columbia Missouri. Take Exit 137 if coming from the west, or take Exit 144 if coming from the east. Either way, visitors will need to drive on one of the paved side roads parallel to the interstate for a few miles. The short driveway/road to the farm is dirt, but is flat and well maintained. Part of one field serves as a large flat parking lot with a dedicated exit and entrance so RVs should not have to turn around. At the time of our visit, the parking lot/field still had a lot of grass so the parking area was not muddy, but if you do drive your rig and it has been raining, make sure and call ahead to check out parking conditions.
How to Fix a DEAD BATTERY on Your Towed Vehicle?
When RVing, there are some travel days that are long. Do you know what makes the day longer? When we pull up to a campsite, and the battery to our towed vehicle (a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk) is dead. In this video, Kasie tells you how we FINALLY fixed this recurring dead battery problem.
When RVing, there are some travel days that are long. Do you know what makes the day longer for us? When we pull up to a campsite, and the battery to our towed vehicle (a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk) is dead. This kept happening over and over — usually when we took trips of 4-5 hours or more.
Our first temporary fix was to buy a portable battery charger. That worked, but was a PAIN! And, repeatedly draining a car battery is not good for it. Thus, we were on the search for a real solution.
In the video below, we share our permanent fix, which was to install a charge line between the RV and the Jeep. The charge line basically charges the towed vehicle battery using power from the RV.
Problem solved? Not so fast.
Unfortunately, the charge line fix resulted in another big problem: the breaking system on our towed vehicle (the Roadmaster Invisibrake system) was engaging when it should not. For example, one time, the Invisibrake system engaged even when the Jeep was not connected to the RV! After Kasie conducted some research and troubleshooting, we believe that was because current was backfeeding to the Invisibrake system from the Jeep battery itself. To solve that issue, Kasie installed a diode. Confused? We’ll explain more and provide the details in the video.
DISCLAIMERS: PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR RIG! We are NOT affiliated with any of these manufacturers and just want to share our experiences about the installation. We do get a very small commission at no cost to you if you use one of the Amazon Links (a/k/a beer money).
Devils Tower — Fun Facts and Close Encounters
Devils Tower is one of the stars of the 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Who can forget Richard Dreyfuss sculpting the tower out of mashed potatoes and then ultimately making a larger scale model in his living room? Or the scenes where the earthly scientists summon the alien spaceship to the tower using a repetitive discordant five-note melody? The tower was iconic already, but that movie placed Devils Tower on a whole new level of infamy. We wanted to see it up close ourselves.
Where: Devils Tower, Wyoming
When: June 23, 2021
Cost: $0 with National Parks Service Pass
In June 2021, we planned a two-day drive to Rapid City from Yellowstone National Park. On the way, we checked off one of our bucket list items by visiting Devils Tower. Be sure and check out our video if you want to see just how amazing it is!
Fun Facts and Advice About Devils Tower
Tip #1: See Devils Tower Up Close.
Devils Tower is one of the stars of the 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Who can forget Richard Dreyfuss sculpting the tower out of mashed potatoes and then ultimately making a larger scale model in his living room? Or the scenes where the earthly scientists summon the alien spaceship to the tower using a repetitive discordant five-note melody? The tower was iconic already, but that movie placed Devils Tower on a whole new level of infamy.
If you haven’t watched the movie, make this a “to do” item as part of your visit.
Tip #2: Don’t forget the Dogs at Devils Tower!
Devils Tower is home to a fabulous prairie dog town right by the road. Be sure and take some time to get out of the car and watch these magnificent rodents scurry about and yap at you. For most folks, this will be a 5-10 minute detour, but for us, we spent about 30 minutes there as prairie dogs are one of our most favorite creatures. Lana even wrote a song about them!
Tip # 3: Hike the Tower Trail at Devils Tower.
Devils Tower rises 867 feet from its base and is about 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River. The 1.3-mile Tower Trail circles the base of Devils Tower and provides some very neck-bending up-close views of the tower. Simply put, the tower is huge, and this relatively flat and easy hike is a great way to appreciate the tower’s massiveness.
During your hike, you may see people trying to scale the tower. In 1893, two locals first climbed the tower using a wooden ladder. In 1995, the park implemented several climbing closures to protect the natural and cultural resources of the park. As such, some routes are temporarily closed each spring in order to protect nesting prairie and peregrine falcons. A voluntary climb closure occurs each June to help balance Native American cultural and ceremonial values, but unfortunately, that was not observed during our visit since we did see a few climbers. Today, about 5000-6000 visiting climbers come to Devils Tower each year.
Tip #4: Appreciate the Cultural History of Devils Tower.
Devils Tower has long been sacred to Native Americans. Several tribes have geographical and cultural ties to the tower. Of note, we observed several “prayer cloths” along the park's trails. These likely represent a person making an offering, a request, or simply in remembrance of another person or place. During your visit, take time to appreciate the sacredness of the place.
Tip #5: Forget the Apostrophe in Devils Tower.
According to the National Parks Service website, the name "Devils Tower" originated during an 1875 scientific expedition when an Army commander wrote that "the Indians call the shaft "Bad God's Tower," which he translated or otherwise modified to "Devil's Tower." Created in 1890, the United States Board of Geographic Names (BGN) ensures uniformity in the names of geographic location. Since its inception, BGN has forgone the use of apostrophes in names so that the monument is "Devils Tower" instead of "Devil's Tower". Sorry, Pikes Peak and Harpers Ferry.
Native Americans have given the tower a variety of names like Bear Lodge, Ghost Mountain, and Mythic-Owl Mountain. In recent years, some Native American tribes have asked that the butte’s name be changed to Bear Lodge, as they find the current name offensive. Other believe that that changing the formation's moniker will harm tourism and cause confusion. Thus, the name is still a little controversial.
Tip #6: Read the Signs at Devils Tower.
When visiting Devils Tower, take some time to read the signs throughout the park. Among other things, you will learn:
Devils Tower is #1. Devils Tower became the first national monument in the United States. In 1906, Congress passed the Antiquities Act which authorized the President to bestow national monument status upon federally owned lands. President Teddy Roosevelt quickly invoked the new statute and designated Devils Tower the nation's first national monument that same year
No One Really Knows How Devils Tower Was Formed. The formation of the tower is still subject to debate. As one of the signs at the park reads:
Although Devils Tower has long been a prominent landmark in northeastern Wyoming, the origin of the mammoth rock obelisk remains somewhat obscure. Geologists agree that Devils Tower consist of molten rock forced upward from deep within the earth. Debate continues, however, as to whether Devils Tower is solidified lava from the neck of an ancient volcano, the walls of which eroded long ago, or whether it is a sheet of molten rock which was injected between rock layers. The characteristic furrowed columns are apparently the result of uniformly-arranged cracks which appeared during the cooling of the volcanic magma. Geologic estimates have placed the age of Devils Tower at greater than fifty million years, although it is likely that erosion uncovered the rock formation only one or two million years ago.
Devils Tower is a true delight. It is simply a cultural, historical, and geologic wonder. I am glad we got to encounter it up close just like Richard Dreyfus.
Our Harvest Host Stay at the Huntley Project Museum and Visit to Pompeys Pillar
After visiting Yellowstone National Park, we set out in our RV for Rapid City, South Dakota. On our way, we decided to spend a night at the Huntley Project Museum. Of note, there’s also a section of the museum devoted to Lewis & Clark. Captain Clark traveled down the river in the area on July 25, 1806, and just up the road about 15 minutes is Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
Where: Huntley Project Museum
When: June 22, 2021
Cost: $0 (we made a $20 donation to the museum)
Bucket List: Pompeys Pillar
After visiting Yellowstone National Park, we set out in our RV for Rapid City, South Dakota. On our way, we decided to spend a night at the Huntley Project Museum. The museum is a Harvest Hosts venue so that is how the place got on our radar. As a member of Harvest Hosts, we are able to dry camp at various breweries, wineries, farms, and museums for free, and are only asked to patronize the establishments in some way. It’s a win-win for both.
The museum can comfortably accommodate several RVs. There’s a very flat grassy area next to the road and museum’s entrance designated for RVers. Of course, after we parked and got set up, we ventured inside to learn what it was all about.
What is the Huntley Project Museum?
Huntley Project Museum — Irrigation Information
The “Huntley Project” refers to a Bureau of Reclamation irrigation project that began in 1907. Yes, the focus of museum is about ditch digging! The museum digs in (pun intended) to both the history and technological achievement of the project. Prior to the project, the scarcity of water dictated land use and settlement in the area, and the museum tells the story of the pioneers and workers who dug the canal so that it could be farmed today.
The project’s construction was delayed and way over budget. When President Teddy Roosevelt opened the area for homesteading, thousands of homesteaders wanted land while the area would only support a few hundred farms. Many people who signed up had no desire to farm. After a lottery, only 76 applicants went through the whole filing process so the project got off to a very slow start. Then, some of the land was water-logged because of drainage issues. Years later, the natural flow of the Yellowstone did not convey enough water into the main canal so that a dam had to be built. Learning all of this just made me appreciate more what goes into farming in such semiarid regions. Most people don’t think much about how important infrastructure projects like this affect them, and that is why I liked the museum so much. It really made me think.
Huntley Project Museum - Schoolhouse
The museum is more than the irrigation project though. It’s about the history of the entire region. There are 18 homestead buildings that contain elements of an old schoolhouse, general store, bank, and other turn-of-the-century collections. The museum boasts hundreds of old farm implements and thousands of artifacts donated by the locals.
Of note, there’s also a section of the museum devoted to Lewis & Clark. Captain Clark traveled down the river in the area on July 25, 1806, and just up the road about 15 minutes is Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
Captain William Clark’s journal entry on July 25, 1806 reads:
Pompeys Pillar - Captain Lewis July 25, 1806 Journal Entry
Situated in an extensive bottom on the Stard. Side of the river & 250 paces from it. this rock I ascended and from it's top had a most extensive view in every direction. This rock which I shall Call Pompy’s Tower is 200 feet high and 400 paces in secumphrance and only axcessable on one Side which is from the N. E the other parts of it being a perpendicular Clift of lightish Coloured gritty rock on the top there is a tolerable Soil of about 5 or 6 feet thick Covered with Short grass. The Indians have made 2 piles of Stone on the top of this Tower. The nativs have ingraved on the face of this rock the figures of animals &c. near which I marked my name and the day of the month & year. From the top of this Tower I Could discover two low Mountains & the Rocky Mts. covered with Snow S W. one of them appeard to be extencive and bore S. 15° E. about 40 miles. the other I take to be what the indians Call the Little wolf Mnt. I can only see the Southern extremity of it which bears N 55° W about 35 Miles. The plains to the South rise from the distance of about 6 miles the width of the bottom gradually to the mountains in that derection. a large Creek [4] with an extencive Vally the direction of which is S. 25° E. meanders boutifully through this plain. a range of high land Covered with pine appears to run in a N. & S. direction approaching the river below. on the Northerly Side of the river high romantic Clifts approach & jut over the water for Some distance both above and below. a large Brook which at this time has Some running muddy water falls in to the Rochejhone imediately opposit Pompys Tower. back from the river for Some distance on that Side the hills are ruged & some pine back the plains are open and extensive. after Satisfying my Self Sufficiently in this delightfull prospect of the extensive Country around, and the emence herds of Buffalow, Elk and wolves in which it abounded, I decended and proceeded on….
That journal entry is remarkable for at least three reasons:
First, Captain Clark’s actually engraved his name on the rock! Indeed, his signature on the rock formation is the only on-site evidence that remains of the team's journey through the west.
Second, the journal entry readily shows the significance of the rock formation to the Native Americans.
Third, Captain Clark instantly appreciated the majestic views from the landmark.
For clarity, Captain Lewis was not part of the exploratory team that visited the site. On July 3, 1806, after crossing the Continental Divide, the Corps of Discovery split into separate groups so that Captain Lewis could explore the Marias River. The expedition stayed separated until they reached the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. During their separation, Captain Clark visited the rock, and reportedly named it after Sacagawea’s son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, whom he had nicknamed “Pomp.” Either Nicholas Biddle or Paul Allen renamed the rock as "Pompey's pillar" as part of their 1814 publication of the expedition.
William Clark’s signature at Pompeys Pillar
As a L&C fan, I was quite excited to see Captain’s Clark signature. Yet, the inscription almost didn’t survive the passage of time. As the Northern Pacific Railroad was developing in Yellowstone Valley in the 1870s, they recognized that vandalism was rapidly effacing the etching so the railroad installed a grating over the inscription. The grate, however, did not stop weathering and erosion. Later, in 1926, the Daughters of the American Revolution hired a gravestone cutter to deepen and freshen the inscription. Today, the inscription sits behind a transparent glass case.
In addition to Captain Clark’s engraving, Pompeys Pillar is marked with thousands other etchings, petroglyphs, and pictographs. Native Americans lived in the region, and flags representing the federally recognized tribes of the Blackfeet, Flathead, Little Shell, Rochy Boys, Fort Belknap, and Fort Peek Trips are on display near the park’s entrance. Archaeological evidence includes stone tools and butchered bison near the monument and adjacent Yellowstone River.
The Crow referred to the pillar the “Mountain Lions Lodge” or “Where the Lion Preys.” It’s unclear whether that name is because part of the formation looks like a mountain lion’s head or whether mountain lions were in the area.
In 1873, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his troops were camped near the pillar. As the men were taking a swim in the river, several the Sioux Native Americans fired upon them. Thus, Pompeys Pillar has some historical significance beyond just Captain Clark.
The national monument contains an Interpretive Center where visitors can learn more about the site. It includes a 20-30 minute movie called “About the Expedition” that is worth watching while you are there. You’ll likely become a Lewis & Clark fan just like me!
Prairie Dog Song (and Official Music Video)
During our travels through Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and South Dakota, we fell in love with prairie dogs. Seriously, folks, we spent HOURS by the side of the road watching these cute little critters. All of that inspired me to write the "Prairie Dog Song."
During our travels through Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and South Dakota, we fell in love with prairie dogs. Seriously, folks, we spent HOURS by the side of the road watching these cute little critters. All of that inspired me to write the "Prairie Dog Song."
Hope you enjoy the music and fall in love with them too :-)
P.S: I am not a professional singer or musician. Be kind.
Prairie Dog Song Lyrics
Verse I:
At Cheyenne Mountain,
Echo Canyon,
Custer State Park,
And the Badlands
Are creatures brown
And a little hairy
Hiding underground
On the prairie.
Chorus:
They pop up. They dart down
And make strange chirping sounds
Scurry from mound to mound
In their little Prairie Dog Town
Verse 2:
"Ground Rats!"
Proclaimed William Clark
Meriwether Lewis called them
Squirrels that bark.*
They aren’t canines
But then in his travelogues
Sergeant Ordway named them
"Prairie dogs!"
Verse 3:
They eat grass
They eat seeds
And lay in the sun
As they please.
When strangers come
They might sense harm
So they scatter and sound
The Prairie Dog alarm.
Refrain:
I guess they are rodents.
They sure aren’t hounds.
They are a family
that likes throw down
It’s WWE near my campground
In that little Prairie dog town.
NOTES ON THE PRAIRIE DOG SONG
*In writing the Praire Dog, it was unclear to me who first coined the term "prairie dogs." This article from History.com suggests that Ordway first called them prairie dogs. However, from what I could tell, on September 7, 1804, Lieutenant Clark called them "ground rats", while Sergeants Ordway and Gass and Private Whitehouse used the term "prairie dogs" (with some unique spellings) on that same day. Both Captain Lewis (2/25/1806) and Lieutenant Clark (8/31/1806) called them "barking squirrels." But that doesn't rhyme as well as "squirrels that bark." Duh.
Citations:
https://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/item/lc.jrn.1804-09-07#lc.jrn.1804-09-07.04
https://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/item/lc.jrn.1806-08-31#lc.jrn.1806-08-31.01
https://lewisandclarkjournals.unl.edu/item/lc.jrn.1806-02-25#lc.jrn.1806-02-25.01
Music Credits to the Prairie Dog Song:
(1) The music (“Funky Background”) was recorded by Twisterium and is available at pixabay.com.
https://pixabay.com/music/funk-funky-background-7664/
(2) The lyrics/vocals/remix were created by Lana Knedlik. The lyrics/vocals/remix are what constitutes the "official music video" (not the underlying song).
All Rights Reserved
Copyright 2022 Lana Knedlik
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park & Cabins - Campground Review
Remember the story about the Goldilocks and the three bears? And how the little girl was in search of the porridge and bed that was “just right”? Well, that is how we felt about Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park.
When: Monday, June 14 to Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 (8 nights) (booked in September 2020)
Cost: $726.36 total (approx. $91/night) for full hook-ups
Where: Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park & Cabins in West Yellowstone, Montana
Bucket List: Yellowstone National Park
If you are headed to Yellowstone National Park, you’ve obviously got to figure out where to stay. We have three tips and bits of advice, but be sure and check out our 27 tips on visiting the park generally here.
Tip #1: Stay for a Week if You Can.
There is so much to see and do that we would recommend that visitors plan on staying a week. Yellowstone is 2,219,789 acres (3,468 square miles). The park is larger than either of Rhode Island or Delaware. The main roads form a figure eight such that the park is broken up into a 70-mile Upper Loop and 96-mile Lower Loop and a 142-mile Grand Loop. While some people try to see Yellowstone in a few days, we felt like a week was about the right amount of time to spend there given the size and numerous attractions.
Tip #2: Make Reservations Early (especially if You Want/Need Full Hook-Ups).
Unless you have a big solar bank, RVers spending a week or so there will want to splurge for full hook-ups (or at least electric) for their rig. Of all of the camping options in the park (Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, Madison, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, Indian Creek, Tower Fall, Lewis Lake), only Fishing Bridge has electric hook-ups (310 full hook-up sites). It was closed during our stay in 2021, but the National Parks Service (“NPS”) website indicated that the rates were $79/night. That meant that we were going to have to stay outside of the park itself.
We booked our RV site eight months in advance, and felt like we were lucky to find something. RV options fill up quickly so book early.
Tip # 3: Stay on the West Side if it is Your First Time Visiting (West Yellowstone).
Many of the park’s popular areas are located on the west side, and as a result, we thought it would be best to stay in that general area. Because our plan was to spend a week visiting Yellowstone, we needed a place with full hook-ups for our RV. With those parameters in mind, we chose Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park & Cabins located in West Yellowstone just across the state line in Montana.
The campground also has cute little cabins in case you are traveling without an RV and need more traditional accommodations. The cabins have an all-log rustic interior. No tent camping is permitted at the venue.
So what did we think of Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park?
Our site at the Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone
Remember the story about the Goldilocks and the three bears? And how the little girl was in search of the porridge and bed that was “just right”? Well, that is how we felt about Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park.
For a commercial RV park in the middle of a touristy area, Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park had site sizes that were “just right.” We didn’t feel like we were in the mountains or a state park, but we also didn’t feel like we were crammed together either.
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park’s amenities were also “just right” as well. There’s a convenience store and gift shop, outdoor kid play area, conference room, four laundry rooms, and restrooms with showers. They didn’t have things like a swimming pool or mini-golf course, but we don’t usually use those things anyway.
West of the park is a designated pet walking area. The land is undeveloped and filled with mature trees. Oddly, we were treated to a man playing the bagpipes out there one evening during our nightly walk.
The only pseudo-negative about Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park was the internet. Wi-fi is not great, but truthfully, we haven’t found a lot of campgrounds where the internet is good. Importantly, we don’t think that the wi-fi situation should keep anyone from staying at the park. We just used our phone hot-spots and Pepwave router when we needed better internet.
A few campground rules to keep in mind:
· No mats or carpets on the grass.
· No wood fires permitted.
· No fireworks permitted. (Some idiot tried to do that the week before we were there).
· Quite hours are from 10 pm to 7 am
· Sprinklers come around 6:00 am. Make sure you move anything that you don’t want to get wet.
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park — The Pet Area and Nature Trail
Of course, the location is the best part about Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park. Sure, West Yellowstone is a very touristy area, but the reality is that everything in Yellowstone has a touristy vibe. The town’s restaurants, two main grocery stores, and numerous souvenir shops are all within a few blocks. Likewise, the entrance to Yellowstone National Park is just four blocks away.
If you have time during your stay, you should also check out the neighboring Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. We liked it so much we went there TWICE, and also have a separate video and blog on it.
Lastly, the price at Grizzly RV was competitive. Most places charge at least $100/night so at $91/night, the prices at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park seemed “just right” as well. We were able to book online months in advance so that was another reason why we liked Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park.
We would definitely stay there again!
Looking for more tips on visiting Yellowstone National Park? WE’VE GOT 27 TIPS!
Check out our some of the videos below. Or you can read about the 27 tips for visiting Yellowstone National Park in our blog.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: Is it Worth It?
Given that the crowds at Yellowstone are pretty crazy on summer weekends, we decided to skip the park and instead visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center (“GWDC”) on a Sunday in June…..Is it worth the $15 price of admission?
When: June 20, 2021
Where: Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center (West Yellowstone, Montana)
Bucket List: Bears!
Cost: $15/person (the ticket is good for two days); discounts are available for veterans
Spirit smiling at us at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
Given that the crowds at Yellowstone National Park are pretty crazy on summer weekends, we decided to skip the park and instead visit the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center (“GWDC”) on a Sunday in June. One great thing about the GWDC is that is located right around the corner from the Grizzly RV Park campground where we stayed. We arrived at 9:00 am just as the place was opening up for the day to try to beat the crowds.
At $15/person, the admission fee is a little pricey, but we were assured by another couple we met near the entrance that the not-for-profit venue was well worth it. They had visited the GWDC the day before and were making their second appearance there because the ticket was good for two days and they loved the place.
Is it worth it? Absolutely!
Upon entry to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, the first thing you will encounter is a very updated and informative indoor educational area. We skipped over that when we first got there so that we could see then animals before it got too crowded. We did go later and found the exhibits about the bear populations and locations to be particularly interesting. But again, we wanted to see the ANIMALS! And boy, did we!
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center — Bear Schedule
Bears are #1!
I’m a big fan of comedian Stephen Colbert, and he has an ongoing bit about bears being the number one threat-down in America. Indeed, all of the bears at the GWDC are there because they were determined to be a “nuisance bear.” That means that the bear likely started trying to take food from people, damaged property, or otherwise displayed aggressiveness towards people. Rather than be killed, the GWDC rescued the bear.
The bears are the first thing you will see when you start your outdoor adventure at the GWDC. Each of the bears are released into a fenced habit area at designated times during the day. During our first visit, we “met” three bears. From 9:00 to 9:45, we observed Spirit, who was been at the GWDC since 2002. Her “nuisance” was that she kept roaming around the beach and golf course in Whitefish Montana. After being relocated five times without success, she ended up at the GWDC.
At the GWDC, we watched Spirt seek out food in a large outdoor habitat. She was quite docile as she lumbered around, and it was hard to believe that this happy girl was ever deemed a nuisance. That girl has some teeth though! I think she smiled at us a couple times!
After Spirit exited her play area, the animal care staff came out to hide additional food and also rearranged things in the habitat area. The GWDC says this makes the habitat more interesting for the bears and helps keep them mentally fit. While I seriously doubt that such small changes actually challenge the bears, I’m no expert and I do appreciate the GWDC’s efforts to keep things interesting for them.
Coram and Grant at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
Grant and Coram had the next 45-minute slot. Most of the bears are released in pairs, and one slot is reserved for a threesome. They are clearly social animals.
Grant and Coram spent about 10 minutes playing with each other like two very large puppies. They flopped to the ground with audible thuds while nipping at each other’s paws. Their play escalated into literal bear hugs, with their powerful jaws delicately reaching for each other’s faces. They were so happy! As for me, I was mesmerized and was slowly falling in love with these magnificent creatures.
Other parts of the park constantly remind visitors that these bears can still be animals of destruction though. A bear-resistant container display is lined with coolers, trash bins, and other containers that have been decimated by a bear. Could sweet little Spirit do that? Apparently, yes. That container display really reinforced the message to not leave food or other items that might tempt bears at our campground.
Three wolves play at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
Wolves (not dogs or coyotes).
“Wolf” is in the GWDC’s name, and the rescued wolves also each have names and some sort of story. Their designated roaming area contains a nice shallow small pond that some strolled around for a few minutes. Mostly, they just slept in the sun during our visit, and the wolves looked about as lazy as our own dogs.
Difference between a Wolf and a Coyote — Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
Wolves (canis lupus), coyotes (canis latrans), and domestic dogs (canis familiaris) are indeed closely-related species. We learned the difference between a coyote and a wolf, and sadly realized that two wolves we saw in Hayden Valley were actually coyotes. Oh well.
You Otter Go to the Riparian Building.
A large indoor “Banks of the Yellowstone” riparian space is home to an otter exhibit that opened in 2019. Much like the bear area, the otters romp around a plexiglass pool filled with logs, rocks, and other flora. Staff members hid food so that the otters have to find it in different locations each time they come out to the viewing area. The water droplets on the plexiglass windows make observing (and filming) the otters a little challenging. There are some other creatures in the building, like a salamander, a spotted frog and cutthroat trout.
While we filled most of our time with the bears and wolves, we still spent another 20-30 minutes in the riparian building.
Birds of Prey.
Owl at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
The GWDC is home to owls, falcons, hawks, and even bald eagles. I don’t recall ever seeing the latter before so that was a big treat. Like the bears, all of the birds are named (Joran, Zack, etc), and there is usually some signage explaining why the bird ended up at the GWDC.
The main attractions are, or course, the GWDC’s namesake: the bears and wolfs. The GWDC’s website contains a Bear Cam and Wolf Cam so if you do fall in love with one or more of these creatures during your visit, you can check on them. Sure enough, as I was writing this blog, I think I spotted Spirit!
If you are in the West Yellowstone area and have some time, you won’t go wrong visiting the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. You’ll likely spend a couple of hours there. And, like me, you will probably want to go back the next day and make use of your two-day ticket.
Related videos:
RV Generator Oil Change
Did I mention how handy Kasie is? She makes changing the oil on the Onan 4000 gas generator look easy. Even I can do it. Indeed, with the right tools and products, this is a DIY friendly project that anyone can do in less than 30 minutes
Did I mention how handy Kasie is? She makes changing the oil on the Onan 4000 gas generator look easy. Even I can do it. Indeed, with the right tools and products, this is a DIY friendly project that anyone can do in less than 30 minutes. All she used was:
(1) 1.6 quarts of oil
(2) 12 mm socket
(3) T30 Torx bit or screwdriver
(4) Funnel
(5) Container for the used oil
(6) Tape
(7) Rags
(8) Drop cloth, cardboard
Have a look! And please subscribe to the channel if you found this helpful.
One more thing. We are still trying to come up with a name for videos like this. Dames Who DIY? The Get 'er Done Girls? Maintenance Mavens? If you have ideas, please shoot us an email or leave a suggestions in the comments!
Yellowstone National Park - 27 Tips for Visiting
Visiting Yellowstone is indeed a true bucket list experience. There are thousands of videos and blogs on the park and its unique hydrothermal and geologic wonders. Yet, despite watching and reading dozens of those prior to visiting the park, Yellowstone surprisingly over-delivered. In our videos, we try to highlight the features that really stood out. That is HARD because, frankly, the whole place is simply amazing. We also provide some tips for first-time visitors based on our experience. Put another way, we share some of our mistakes so hopefully you don’t make the same ones :-).
When: Monday, June 14 to Tuesday, Jun 22, 2021 (8 nights) (booked in September 2020)
Cost: $726.36 total (approx. $91/night) for full hook-ups
Where: Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone, Montana
Bucket List: Yellowstone National Park
In 1872, Yellowstone became America’s first national park. Millions of people come to Yellowstone each year. My family, however, was not one of them. We didn’t really take vacations, and when we did, they were usually just to visit other family in Kansas. I don’t recall visiting a national park until my 40s.
During our nine-day stay near Yellowstone, I kept telling myself how glad I was that I had never been there as a kid. That’s because the place is so beautiful that I could see some version of my younger self dropping out of college to become a park ranger. This wasn’t regret, but more of an acknowledgement about how some life experiences forever change you.
Visiting Yellowstone is indeed a true bucket list experience. There are thousands of videos and blogs on the park and its unique hydrothermal and geologic wonders. Yet, despite watching and reading dozens of those prior to visiting the park, Yellowstone surprisingly over-delivered. In our videos, we try to highlight the features that really stood out. That is HARD because, frankly, the whole place is simply amazing. We also provide some tips for first-time visitors based on our experience. Put another way, we share some of our mistakes so hopefully you don’t make the same ones :-).
To learn more, Watch These Videos!
Our videos cover Yellowstone by breaking it up into three geographical areas.
Part 1: Southwest portion (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic, Fairy Falls, etc)
Part 2: Northwest portion (Gibbons Falls, Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, etc)
Part 3: Eastern portion (Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, West Thumb area)
Tip #1: Stay for a Week if You Can.
There is so much to see and do that we would recommend that visitors plan on staying a week. Yellowstone is 2,219,789 acres (3,468 square miles). The park is larger than either Rhode Island or Delaware. The main roads form a figure eight such that the park is broken up into a 70-mile Upper Loop and 96-mile Lower Loop and a 142-mile Grand Loop. While some people try Yellowstone in a few days, we felt like a week was about the right amount of time to spend there given the size and numerous attractions.
Tip #2: Make Reservations Early (especially if You Want/Need Full Hook-Ups).
Unless you have a big solar bank, RVers spending a week or so there will want to splurge for full hook-ups (or at least electric) for their rig. Of all of the camping options in the park (Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, Madison, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, Indian Creek, Tower Fall, Lewis Lake), only Fishing Bridge has electric hook-ups (310 full hook-up sites). It was closed during our stay in 2021, but the National Parks Service (“NPS”) website indicated that the rates were $79/night. That meant that we were going to have to stay outside of the park itself.
We booked our RV site eight months in advance, and felt like we were lucky to find something. RV options fill up quickly so book early.
Tip # 3: Stay on the West Side if it is Your First Time Visiting (West Yellowstone).
Tip for First-Time Visitors: Stay in West Yellowstone
Many of the park’s popular areas are located on the west side, and as a result, we thought it would be best to stay in that general area. Because our plan was to spend a week visiting Yellowstone, we needed a place with full hook-ups for our RV. With those parameters in mind, we chose Grizzly RV Park located in West Yellowstone just across the state line in Montana. The campground also has cute little cabins in case you are traveling without an RV and need more traditional accommodations.
Grizzly RV Park’s amenities include a convenience store and gift shop, conference room, laundry room, and restrooms with showers. The location is the best part about Grizzly RV park. Sure, West Yellowstone is a very touristy area, but the reality is that everything in Yellowstone has a touristy vibe. The town’s restaurants, two main grocery stores, and numerous souvenir shops are all within a few blocks. Likewise, the entrance to Yellowstone National Park is just four blocks away.
The price at Grizzly RV was competitive. Most places charge at least $100/night so at $91/night, the prices at Grizzly RV Park seemed reasonable. We were able to book online months in advance so that was another reason why we liked Grizzly RV Park. We would stay there again.
Tip #4: Be an Early Bird (but not TOO early).
The car line to the west entrance of Yellowstone starts early. Our plan of attack was to get up no later than 5 am to beat the crowds. Once we entered the park, it was still about 14 miles (25-30 minutes) before we could turn onto the Grand Loop at Madison Campground. Many of Yellowstone’s major attractions (like Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, Norris Geyser Basin, and Mammoth Hot Springs) are located on the western side of the park. Yet, those are still at least an hour or more away from the park’s west entrance.
Yellowstone Tip: Visit Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook mid-day (not too early)
Because we were getting up so early, we were usually had our daily park itinerary completed by around noon. We soon learned that the earlier we left the park, the better. By 10 am, the crowds in many areas made parking very difficult. In addition, the throngs of tourists yammering and taking photos at every turn really detracted from the beautiful surroundings. We tried visiting the Old Faithful region around 11 am one day, and actually left because there were just too many people.
One downside to our early bird approach to visiting Yellowstone involved our (in)ability to see the hydrothermal features. On one morning in particular, we hiked the Fairy Falls Trail (about 4.8 miles out-and-back) to Fairy Falls. The trail goes right by the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook about 0.6 miles into the hike. Unfortunately, the morning fog coming from the majestic spring made it virtually impossible to see on both our trek to and from Fairy Falls. We had to go back to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook on a different day (mid-day) to see it in all of its grandeur.
Tip #5: Enjoy “Happy Hour.”
On our first day in the area, we had our RV set up completed by mid-afternoon. We ventured into the park even though we had only 3-4 hours of daylight left. As we were driving back after dusk on Highway 20, we had our first up-close wildlife encounter with a herd of bison in the road. We were beyond giddy as a baby and mama buffalo sauntered in front and right beside our Jeep. This would be the first of many Buffalo Jams.
We soon learned that in addition to getting up super early, another good way to see the park is to go back out in the late afternoon. We found that between 4 pm to dusk, most families were back at hotels or campsites with their worn-out kids. That “happy hour” was prime time to see the geothermal features and also spot wildlife!
Tip #6: Take Naps!
This tip is probably not for everyone. In the end, our schedule followed the pattern of (1) getting up super early to beat the crowds, (2) coming back to the RV to have a late lunch and usually a nap, and (3) if we were feeling up to it, venturing back out to the park after 4 pm. If you have children with you, this sort of schedule probably won’t work for you. However, we found that it worked well for us.
Tip #7: Visit Old Faithful Inn Deck During Happy Hour (with Beer!)
“Happy Hour” is also the best time to see Old Faithful erupt. As noted above, the crowds in that area of the park are ridiculous. We debated even going to Old Faithful after unsuccessfully going to the area mid-day. Yet, how could we say that we had been to Yellowstone National Park if we didn’t go to the one place that everyone associates with the park? Thus, on one day, we decided to stay out late (around 6:00 pm!) and hunkered down at the Old Faithful Inn’s deck while we drank a few beers and waited for the predictable eruption. THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE OLD FAITHFUL!
Tip #8: Look for Traffic Jams! That Probably Means Wildlife!
Do Not Approach Wildlife Sign Near Fountain Flat Drive in Yellowstone National Park
After that first evening’s Buffalo Jam, we actually got a little excited when traffic would slow to a halt during our drive around the Grand Loop. Sure, sometimes that meant we might have to spend 15-20 minutes extra in the car. Yet, that usually meant a good wildlife encounter was causing the traffic jam. Indeed, we saw lots of buffalo, antelope, and a few bears from the road.
People often say that the best places to spot wildlife are in Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley. We agree. Yet, Lamar Valley is at least 2.5 hours away from West Yellowstone so that meant getting up at around 3 am so that we would be there in the first few hours after dawn when wildlife is supposed to be easier to spot. There isn’t much traffic at that time of day. However, we learned to look for the caravans of commercial wildlife tour groups. Admittedly, we sometimes needed expensive telescopes to view what they were seeing. Nonetheless, we saw enough with the 20x zoom on our camcorder to make our hunt exciting and fun!
Tip #9: Be Patient.
Yes, you are going to get into traffic jams. Yes, sometimes you will have to wait to take a photo because a popular place is crowded. But just be patient. It is totally worth the wait.
Tip #10: Designate a Non-Driver Photographer/Videographer.
It’s easy for the driver to get excited and want to take photos or videos if there’s a roadside wildlife encounter. Unless the vehicle is at a full stop, avoid that temptation for obvious safety reasons. Because we never knew exactly when we might see something photo-worthy, Lana made sure she had a charged camera and camcorder ready to take photos. If the photogenic object was on the driver’s side of the vehicle, we had the perfect solution. We just opened up the Jeep’s sunroof, and Lana popped up through it to get an unobstructed photo/video.
Tip #11: Save Your Camera/Video Storage at the Beginning.
After setting up our RV on our first day in the area, we still had some time to go into the park on a late afternoon. After turning north from the Madison junction, the first hydrothermal feature we encountered was Beryl Spring. Yay! We were so excited that we filled the GoPro with nearly 50 GB of footage filming Beryl Spring! Now, don’t get me wrong, Beryl Spring is pretty neat. BUT, little did we know just how many springs, pools, geysers, and other wonders we would encounter. Later, we would joke each time we drove by Beryl Spring about how silly we were to “waste” that much storage on a single spring.
Tip #12: Label as You Go.
Trust me, you are going to take A LOT of photos and/or videos at Yellowstone National Park. Even if you have geotagging enabled on your camera or phone, at some point, you won’t know what is what unless you label them as you go. One blue pool is going to look very similar to another one. And even photos of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone will start to run together. For example, most people think that Thomas Moran’s famous painting is from Artist Point. It was actually across the river at Lookout Point. It’s easy to get similar vantages confused.
Our tip is to download your photos and label/organize them somehow each day while the information about what you saw is fresh in your mind. For videos, we try to either film a sign of what we are looking at in the clip and/or say what we are filming at the beginning of the clip.
Tip #13: Watch Your Hat!
I can’t tell you how many times a beautiful thermal feature was marred by a lost hat that had landed in the middle of it. While I love wearing my ball caps and visors, I learned to leave them at home.
Curious how those hats get retrieved? We observed a park ranger with a fishing pole reeling one in.
Tip #14: Plan a True Nature Hike for Exercise.
South Rim Trail in Yellowstone National Park with Chittenden Bridge in the Background
Plan on spending a lot of time DRIVING (not walking) when visiting Yellowstone. We added around 984 miles on our Jeep during our stay. That is a lot of time spent in the car.
Most of the geothermal features (Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, Lower Geyser Basin, Midway Geyser Basin, Upper Geyser Basin, and West Thumb Geyser Basin) have various paved trails or boardwalks. While we got some steps in visiting those places, our pace was slow because we were taking it all in and/or fighting the crowds. Thus, for real exercise, I’d recommend planning a true nature hike when in the area. The ones we hiked included:
Fairly Falls Trail is a 5-mile hike (2.5 each way) that includes a chance to see the Grand Prismatic Spring from an overlook (just don’t go too early or it will steamy) and a pretty spectacular waterfall. It’s a popular hike, but we went early in the day, and saw just a couple of other hikers.
South Rim Trail by the Yellowstone River from the Uncle Tom’s area south about 1.0 miles to the road. We only saw a handful of other hikers. There are a variety of trails near the Upper and Lower Falls near Canyon Village.
There are tons of other trails in the area, and the NPS mobile app includes a list of all the trails with maps and the estimated hike duration. Speaking of which….
Tip #15: Download the National Parks Service Mobile App and Yellowstone Maps.
National Parks Service Mobile App — Yellowstone Home Page and Map Example
Internet is non-existent except for the regions near some of the visitor centers. While paper maps are available at the park entrances, you will want to be sure to download the NPS mobile app for Yellowstone. The digital map is A LOT more detailed than the paper map, and is filled with all sorts of other interesting information, like amenities, park news, and hiking trails. I enjoyed reading about how the various geysers got their names. I’d love to have that job.
Here’s a link to the apps on the NPS website.
Tip #16: Don’t Confuse Similar Sounding Names
Firehole Lake Drive is different than Firehole Canyon Drive. And there’s both Fountain Geyser and Fountain Paint Pots. Opal Pool vs. Opalescent Pool. That’s another reason why the mobile app and the map are so great!
Tip #17: Stop and Smell and See Whatever: Pull Over at the Pull-Outs.
While it’s easy to focus on the day’s destinations and follow a general itinerary, don’t be afraid to just pull your vehicle over at the hundreds of pull-outs throughout the park. A larger pull-out area probably means there is something worth seeing, even if you don’t immediately see or missed the signs for what is there. We had a pretty funny bear sighting at a pull-out on Firehole Canyon Drive. The NPS mobile app map will show many of these options for additional stops.
Tip #18: “Lower” is above “Upper.”
“Upper Geyser Basin” is south of “Lower Geyser Basin.” Likewise, the “Lower Falls” are above the “Upper Falls.” That was very confusing to me until I figured out that the names are based how the nearby rivers flow. Firehole River flows northward as does Yellowstone River.
Tip #19: Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls.
Yellowstone has LOTS of waterfalls. Indeed, Gibbon Falls is the first main stop you will see as you head north from the Madison Junction so it was the first attraction that we actually saw on our first day. Many are accessible from the road, while others require a hike. While we were not able to see all of them, some options include Undine Falls, Firehole Falls, Rustic Falls, Wraith Falls, (0.9-mile out-and-back hike), Fairy Falls (2.5-mile out-and-back hike), Tower Falls (closed in summer 2021 when we visited), Osprey Falls (9.9-mile out-and-back hike), Mystic Falls (2.4-mile out-and-back hike), Cave Falls, Terraced Falls (3.7 mile out-and-back hike), Union Falls (5.8-mile out-and-back), and Upper and Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River.
Tip #20: Check Websites for Geyser Time Eruptions.
The NPS off-line maps won’t have current geyser eruption predictions. The Old Faith Visitor Education Center will have predictions for some geysers. However, the NPS Website also conveniently provides predictions for geyser eruptions so make sure and check that each day before you head out to the park. Geyser Times also contains predictions, and I’d recommend looking at both websites to make sure you don’t miss the one you want to see. Geyser times also has a mobile app for both Android and iOS.
Yellowstone Geyser Predictions at the Visitor’s Center. This information is more conveniently located on-line as well.
Tip #21: Make Time for the Visitor Centers.
While Visitor Centers are usually pretty crowded, they usually have some interesting information about the park that you may not find online. And, there is nothing like being able to ask a question to a park ranger or other live human. During our trip, Covid-19 meant that many of the Yellowstone’s Visitor Centers were closed or partially closed.
Tip #22: Layer Your Clothes.
Even if you are visiting Yellowstone in the summer, pack some sweats and hoodies. It’s chilly in the mornings and evenings, even in the summer. In the daytime, we experienced highs in the 80s so it was t-shirt and shorts weather part of the day too.
Tip #23: Don’t Forget the Outdoor Essentials.
Before you leave your home base each day, make sure you bring sunscreen, lotion, chapstick, bug spray and bear spray. And equally important, don’t leave the stuff in the car when you most need it (e.g., bear spray).
Lastly, wear comfortable shoes. You are going to be doing A LOT of walking.
Tip #24: Pack a Lunch and Bring Snacks.
While there are a handful of restaurants scattered throughout the park, those places are going to busy. And, you are probably going to get hungry when you aren’t even near something. It’s best to pack a lunch (or at a minimum bring some snacks). I thoroughly enjoyed the excuse to make PB&J and eat Lance crackers.
Tip #25: Don’t Fret About Closures.
During our trip in the summer of 2021, the road between Canyon Junction and Tower-Roosevelt was closed. That meant we couldn’t see Tower Falls. Given the numerous other waterfalls in the area (see Tip #17 above), that really was not a big deal. Likewise, while the stairs on Uncle Tom’s trail (just off the South Rim Trail) were closed so that we could not see Lower Falls from that vantage, we still got spectacular views of the waterfall elsewhere (Brink of Lower Falls, Lookout Point, Grant View, etc). If you “miss” something, there is usually something just as good (or better!) around the corner.
Tip #26: Read the Paper.
At the entrance to the park, the ranger will likely hand you a newspaper, and we read 80% of its 16 pages. The newspaper is a handy quick-reference tool to use with maps of some of the more popular areas. It also contains information on planned closures.
Tip #27: Get a National Parks Pass.
For folks visiting Yellowstone National Park, the weekly fee is $35/week. Thus, people visiting multiple national parks (like nearby Grand Teton National Park), the America the Beautiful Parks Pass for $80 is a more cost-effective option. The pass covers entrance fees at national parks and national wildlife refuges as well as standard amenity fees (day use fees) at national forests and grasslands, and at lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Discounts are available for seniors, and military/veterans are free!