Day 5: Rapid City to Cody, the trek across Wyoming

Day 5 has been an odyssey and we are still going, with a likely 4 more hours ahead of us.  We got up early this morning and broke camp for the first time.  We were most nervous about whether everything would fit in our minivan but, with the help of a cheapo roof carrier we bought at WalMart, we fit no problem.

Our original plan for the day had been simply to make the 6 hour drive to Cody, WY, but there were so many things still to see in SD, we revised our plan and started the day with a detour to Jewel Cave, the 3rd largest cave in the world. Unfortunately, after the 1 hour drive there, we learned that the earliest cave tour we could do was an 11am.  Not ideal.

We decided to go for it anyway, and we were rewarded with a cool trip underground and close up views of cave formations that resembled everything from mummified bodies to rivers of caramel.  The highlight was a 20ft long formation that looked truly indistinguishable from a humungous piece of fresh bacon.

Thanks to our jaunt, we got a very late start on our very long drive. The funny thing is, the prospect of hours more in the car doesn't really bother us grown-ups because the drives are so interesting.  Today, on a route that is largely highway and NOT designated scenic, we have seen vast, rolling green meadows; rushing waterfalls; a spectacular lightening storm (still waiting to find out if our roof rack is waterproof!) plunging canyons; flat, ragged cliffs; the snow-covered Bighorn Mountains; and--as I was writing this sentence -- 2 moose out for their evening meal. Literally every bend in the road brings a new wonder.  I can't say spectacular enough times.


 

Day 4 -- the Badlands

Today we drove to our first National Park -- The Badlands. Put simply, it did not disappoint. 

Badlands includes a huge stretch of land that was under water for a few ages and has since evolved from sea, to jungle, to forest, to its current state, which is an indescribable mix of gorgeous, varied landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see.  Its most dominant feature is beautifully striated barren cliffs that are so dry the ground is literally cracked and crumbling under your feet. Climbing these was at times kind of hairy as rocks crumbled to pebbles, but it was also really fun and rewarded us with breathtaking views.  

Somehow, this totally inhospitable land is surrounded by gorgeous waving grasslands where bison and antelope graze peacefully.  Some of the plain looks so green and rolling it could be a golf course.   And, there are other cool land features as well, like the Yellow Mounds, which are exactly what they say they are and are like nothing I have seen before. They have an other-worldly yet very serene vibe. I could have walked among them for hours...but for the rattlesnake warnings.  At literally every turn in the road there was an awe-inspiring view. It took alot of self-control not to stop at every one which leaves me wondering how we are possibly going to see all we want to at the other parks on our itinerary. I fear we booked about half the time we will need everywhere!

When the Badlands finally tired us out, we made a stop at Wall Drug, an infamous tourist trap, for some ice cream and then headed back to camp for a pasta dinner. It is our last night at here the Rapid City KOA.  It's been a good place to get our bearings and the kids have loved finishing each day in the pool, but I'm psyched to move on. We have one more night at a KOA in Cody, and then we try some more rustic camping. Seeing all this beautiful land makes me wish I were experienced enough to really camp in the middle of nowhere under the stars...but Theo points out that we might miss our flush toilets!  ;-)

Day 3 - Custer State Park

Right now all 6 of us are cozied up in the girls' tent reading and playing cards (and blogging)... a lovely end to a lovely day.  After a breakfast of bacon and eggs cooked on our new camping stove (thank you Walmart) we headed off to explore Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The day brought more rolling hills and forests that took our breath away, but also animal encounters, rock structures and man-made monuments.

Not 5 minutes into the park, we were surrounded by a herd of at least 200 buffalo, including young calves, nursing moms, and rutting males. They crowded onto and around the road within inches of us - the pics were great; the odor not so much.  Later we saw prairie dogs (the girls' favorite part of the day), deer, antelope and an eagle.

The highlight for me and Barb was probably climbing the many rock formations with the girls (ok, maybe it was the chocolate bar we snuck when the kids weren't looking).  And we also saw Mt. Rushmore from a variety of angles, including through a series of tunnels that framed it beautifully.

We' re getting a hang of the camping thing a bit, too. Seems almost normal now to spend the day in the same clothes we slept in and end every meal with 5 marshmallows...

Well, day 2 is under our belt. Some of the euphoria has definitely faded (read: bickering and yelling have begun to creep in) but, overall, we are still riding high.  Our main goals for the day were:

1. To get from Cheyenne , WY to Rapid City, SD: smooth as silk with gorgeous vistas that we have given up on posting here because trying to conquer the technology is sucking us dry.  We played some great car games that had everyone together and laughing.  A parents' dream! The landscape was fabulous.  The kids were awed by the wide-open spaces and Theo was reduced almost to tears by the beauty though we're not even in a National Park yet. Huge ranches, with sometimes no house in sight, green rolling hills, cool rock formations, amazing long stretches of beautiful land without any people. America is truly beautiful.

2. To set up camp at our first KOA: whatever the opposite of smooth as silk is. We were basically fine but it took us an embarrassingly long time and our attitudes were less than ideal.  Still, we did it AND we did it well enough so that when a massive thunder and lightening storm blew in at 3:30am we were no worse for wear.  Yay us!  One happy surprise: a couple of the kids were wishing our campground had fewer amenities and were more natural.  Yay them!

3. To get provisions at WalMart: they had everything, but, seriously, they have EVERYTHING!  I think we were in there more than 2 hours and, at a minimum, by the time we left I had forgotten what the weather outside was. The kids held up great, the parents were wiped, and we barely made it back to camp in time to make dinner.  Let's just say I don't want to do that too many more times.

4. To cook our first campfire dinner: we kept it simple -- hot dogs and s'mores -- everyone was happy.  The kids enjoyed a pre-dinner swim in the KOA pool and the grown-ups enjoyed a pre-dinner beer by the fire.  All was well. Safely rest. God was nigh.

Day 2's unexpected surprise: our young campers have taken on jobs. Each day we will have Betty and a Crocker who will help with cooking and cleaning; a Navigator who will help us learn about our area, and a Goddess who will keep spirits high. Needless to say, jobs will rotate!

TTFN!

About This Blog

Hi! This is our group blog for our western road trip! Click on our names to find our individual blogs. I hope you like it!