Devils Tower

First, we haven't slept well in days.  The constant 35 + MPH winds against the RV give the feeling of a ship on the rocks.  Each gust and wave of wind shakes the place and causes billowing of the slide toppers.  You can just feel damage being done.  And this morning, we woke up and checked.  Sure enough, the slide topper over the living room is growing ragged edges and one side split away from the RV totally.  And, if that weren't enough, it appears the sail action of the topper pulled the slide in enough that one of the cables used to move the slide in and out was jostled out of position and was hanging down and banging against the side of the RV.

I went in to Gillette and bought some heavy duty tape and tried to repair the topper as best I could in driving winds and snow.  We almost bailed.  We really did.  We thought hard about packing up and driving west until the winds slowed down.  But in the end, we didn't because we have already come so far.  Oh yeah, and it didn't look like we could drive out much faster than it was supposed to pass anyway.

So, we drove out to Devils Tower.  In a snow storm.

Visibility was an issue. 

As we got closer and closer we kept seeing signs about Devils Tower view and lookout and could see nothing.  The kids decided it didn't actually exist.  We were just making it all up.

OK, so it turns out, in the above picture, that the view was across the street in the other direction.  But hey, we couldn't tell.

Eventually we saw it coalesce from the misty surrounding.

The view from the visitor's center was pretty cool.

Suddenly I wanted mashed potatoes

Inside the visitor's center, we were treated to the standard set of informational displays and gift shop.  The boys worked on their junior ranger workbooks and eventually won their badges.  They are working on a pretty good set.

This means something.  This is important!

Then it was time for a hike around the base of the tower.  1.3 miles in the snow.  The kids even loved it.

The signs of spring were there, just covered in some snow.  It made for a pretty hike and some scenery that I don't think many people get of this place.  We saw about 6 other people here.

Spring had sprung, but no one bothered to tell the snow.

Sarah was trying to get some pictures too.

It was a beautiful surprise for us, all the snow.  What with the cold and wind though, we were about ready to be done.  One last picture for the record books.

Now next time we visit.

It's always windy in Wyoming.

Seriously.  Both times we have been here, it has been just obscenely windy.  The first time we were battling 40-50 mph head winds with gusts to 70.  This time we are just dealing with 30-40 with gusts to 50 or so.  Gah. 

So we hunkered down today and tried to rest after not sleeping much last night.  Turns out listening to the flapping and banging of the slide toppers billowing in the wind while wondering how much damage they would do if they ripped of and how expensive that would be is not so conducive to sleep. 

Oh well. 

We decided today to do laundry.  And then to do some more touristy things here at the Terry Bison Ranch. 

Such as...

The Knight of the High Plains.

Giddy Up!

There is nothing more terrifying than staring down the Knight of the High Plains and his trusty steed.

With all that excitement complete, we decided to ride the bison train.  The owner of the property had his workers build a track through one of the pastures and then had them build a little train that could run on said track.  It is all pretty obviously home made, which I think makes it cool. 

The weather was crappy.  High winds with stinging sleet and snow were the order of the day. 

Once out among the bison, we learned some history and bison facts from our tour guide and also some anecdotes from life on the ranch. It was pretty cool  The really cool part was when they opened the door. 

These things are huge. 

With a surprisingly prehensile tongue. 

This one is name Gene Simmons. 

Old Gene just wants a kiss.  

Then we went and finished laundry.  We hope to be up and out of here tomorrow, but the weather is a bit iffy.  Supposed to ease up tonight.

All in all, the Terry Ranch is neat.  If you are passing through it can be worth a visit. 

Cheyenne

Made it.  A little over halfway there! 

Today we crossed right over the border into Wyoming and then turned around.  I can literally see the welcome to Wyoming sign from the RV park.  We originally planned to stay here two nights.  Good thing too.  There are some storms coming through and it seems like a good idea to hunker down and wait for them to pass tomorrow while we hang out and wait.  Then it is on to our first real touristy thing and visit Devil's Tower. 

So, just a short drive today and then taking it easy tomorrow.

Looks a little different here.

They have a train here that takes you out among the bison.  Probably tomorrow.

It's opener there, in the wide open air.

The kids like it.

Fire cannons!

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They wanted me to spin them.

I may have spun too fast.

Possibly snow tomorrow.

Return to WiFi

Well, it's been a minute.  What have we been up to since leaving Houston? 

First night, Sanger, TX.  No internet connection, but they had Alpacas!  Who wouldn't trade a wireless internet connection for some cute alpacas.  That let me make jokes about the coming alpacalips. 

Oh yeah, this rig moves. 

Wagon Master RV park.  You just knew a sunken wagon wheel would be somewhere.

Storm clouds heralding the ALPACALIPS!

The next night, we were in Oklahoma.  We stopped at one of our favorite old standby places: Firelake Casino.  They let you stay free for up to three nights with a player's card.  It is just a strip area at the back of the parking lot with an electric and water connection, but you can't beat the price.  Until this time anyway.  Apparently they are under new management.  It is now the Grand Casino and they charge $50 a night for a space in a parking lot surrounded by semi trucks and without sewer hook ups.  $50 a night is more than I paid at Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon.  They should just change it into a regular parking lot, no one is staying there at that rate. 

So, we moved over to the Shawnee Expo Center.  Much cheaper, quieter and prettier. 

And we got to get some visiting done.  My sister lives halfway between Shawnee and OKC.  Mom came down, we had a great time. 

Beautiful sister and her horse friends.

Stinkin' horses.  Don't ask.

Awww. ain't she cute.

The boys found a ready made fort.

Sarah and Nana in deep conversation

We were sad to leave all our family behind, but starting to shake off the lethargy and get a little excited about an adventure again. 

Then we hit Kansas.  And the wind. 

And...well, I'm sorry to say this Kansas, but every time I have ever stayed in Kansas, that is Eldorado, Assaria and now Russell, it has smelled strongly of poo.  Cow poo, to be exact.  Not exactly a ringing endorsement.  Sorry. 

Reminiscent of the 1920's.  Still smelled of poo.

Blowing the kids around.

They advertise for miles and miles, then it's closed with a for sale sign in front.  What have they done with the world's largest prairie dog?

Oh yeah, and no internet connection.  I actually had to interact with my family.  Gross. 

So today we drove on.  We headed west until we finally hit it.

We found a tiny campground called Shady Acres WiFi campground.  Did they have wifi?  You betcha!  So you guys get a blog post. 

We took the kids to a park.  I even got in a run, although I forgot to bring some oxygen.  It is 4700 feet here and I couldn't find any lying around. 

And we finally get to fill a gaping hole we have been after for a few years. 

Done

That's it. 

For a while at least, I get to put down the nursing hat and become a traveler.  Usually the best part of this job.  Hopefully that will entail getting back to writing about things and taking pretty pictures and whatnot.  This contract has been about doctor's visits and dentists and car tags and mortgage stuff, but mostly soaking in the presence of family.  That isn't very glamorous or exciting all the time, but it is essential. 

And now we move on.  We will be taking on one of our trademark once in a lifetime country road trips.  Seems we have done several of these once in a lifetime dealies, might want to rename them I guess.  This one will cover 2500 miles over a couple of weeks and should have some pretty scenery and unexpected somethings. 

So, what did we do in Houston?

I replaced a toilet.

New shiny toilet.  YAAAYYY!

Old gross, broken toilet.  BOOOO!

I'll spare you all the gory details...for now.  MWAHAHAHAHAAAAA.


The kids played..

 

There was school work to be done.

Working on reading.

Working on the latest results from the CERN collider. 

We rescued a very friendly frog.

Oh yeah, there was this wedding thing too.

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Aren't they a good looking bunch. 

We did some of that Zombie Jesus Day stuff too.

But most of Houston looked like this...

Now, back to our regularly scheduled program. 

Closing in on the end of Houston

We are getting close to the end of our time here in Houston.  It can't come soon enough.  This place does something to me.

I want to write, I don't.  At least not much.  Heck, my post count here is abysmal and I usually really enjoy keeping up the blog.

I want to run, I don't.  I signed up for a marathon and I haven't been running much at all.  I don't like to do it near this, the horrible RV park.  There is a park near Sarah's parent's house, but I find little joy in running on a flat oval sidewalk lap after lap. 

I want to take pictures.  I love the camera and finding a great, or even good, shot, is a blast, but I don't find much to photograph here that isn't depressing. 

This place just sucks the soul right out of me.  Instead of finding reasons to do things and go places, I find myself making more excuses to not do things and go places.  This place is toxic I think.  I am beginning to believe that those who live here have become so used to the toxicity that they no longer even recognize it.  It is like the frog in the gradually boiling water. 

But venting about it really isn't going to do anyone any good.  So, I just remind myself.  Two weeks. 

Then we head out, to wherever. 

Hopefully an announcement to follow.