****Warning: This post is rather lengthy and lacks photographs to make it read quicker.*****
So, lets see. It has been a few days since our last post and much has happened.
We took the scenic route through the badlands and it was absolutely breathtaking. We were really glad we decided to take the 30 mile detour it required. (I do apologize for the lack of pictures, but using an analog camera we can't have immediate uploads.)
By the time we got to Rapid City, it was already dark and Rick's cold has gotten worse so we opted for a cheap hotel. We also had to get our oil changed, so it ended up working out better not to have to pitch a tent.
Yesterday, we got up early and went to Mt. Rushmore. This too was pretty amazing. We took tons of pictures and an older gentleman even offered to take a picture of both of us. But let us tell you... We have experienced the wind and the cold... And it is really not worth it to outdoor sightsee in November!!
I really can't imagine living in a place where there are 60mph winds. It is even difficult to drive, but we have seen our share of tumbleweeds!
We opted not to go to Crazy Horse because it was so cold, and vowed to come back another time in the summer. There really is a lot to do out here with all the caverns and farms and animals.
After our sightseeing, we drove to Sheridan, Wyoming where we stayed at a KOA. We had dinner at a local joint and had some Wyoming beer (apparently Wyoming has their own brewery, but nothing else.) As we were driving we realized the lights on the trailer weren't working anymore. We tried to see if he could figure it out, but we weren't successful. Unfortunately, the closest U-haul was in Billings, Mt., 128 miles away.
Needless to say, we stopped in Billings, had a guy look at it only to find out the hitch installer in Richmond not only did a crappy, rickshaw job (drilling holes that were unnecessary and ruining the interior plastic of my tailgate) but they overcharged us by about $100.
The U-haul guys in Billings were not happy and gave us print-outs of everything we will need when we call corporate to not only complain, but also get our money back, including the hassle of having to get something fixed that shouldn't have been broken in the first place. I have to say though, we really did luck out with the guys in Billings because they were really great people AND they knew what they were doing.
We continued to our destination in Deer Lodge, only to discover the KOA there had already closed up for the winter, even though they weren't supposed to until Nov. 30. SO... here we are in Missoula, Mt. at yet another seedy hotel. But, I never did realized how much I took for granted not having to wear flip flops in the shower and how nice it is to sit down on the toilet!
Tomorrow we will make our way through northern Idaho (State #33 and last of my new additions on this trip) and onto Washington. We will return to Portland on Saturday. I think the worst of Rick's cold is over but he has a terrible cough. Hopefully, a few days of rest back in Portland will do the trick.
We must apologize for the lack of telephone calls the past few days, but apparently South Dakotans, Wyomingers, and Montanans, don't believe in cell phones (but they seem to believe in Wi-Fi at every gas station and casinos and "adult" stores every highway exit! hmph priorities!)
We love you all! And we will be in touch soon.
Love,
your teeth-chattering, car-sick oregonians
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