[Thriller]

And with wireless Internet access....

So, on Friday, reported rainfall 12-13 miles west of the farm was about 1.5 inches to midnight...and it kept raining all day Saturday. I was a bit concerned, but I knew if Max had any issues, I could always use the tractor to help out.



Max did OK, then there was a break in the rain, and Ellie did her thing, even though it was a bit of a tight squeeze.



Sunday was uneventful...the border crossing went easily...of course the fellow made me open up the trailer The only thing was pulling through without wrecking their signs.

Oh, highway 281 west of Devil's Lake, ND has been moved. We were driving along, and suddenly there's water on the road with a road closed sign...we detoured...can I haul a car to a National without driving on gravel? It was kind of amusing watching the TomTom try to get me back on the road...we went further west and found...highway 281 We kept going south on it...if I had the nag feature enabled, I'm sure I'd have been told to get back on a road.

We eventually made it to Steele and checked in. Then we checked out the world's largest sandhill crane.



We got going about an hour earlier today than yesterday (no surprise) and things went relatively well...I suspect the diesel pump set up for semis caused me to not quite fill the tank, which created some difficulty as the somewhat sparse communities made planning fuel stops difficult. A bit of construction slowed things down as well, but it wasn't too bad.

For any motorcyclists, highway 83 through SD would be a dream...with a truck pulling a 22' full of Buick, not so much...not quite nightmare, but doable. We saw a couple of deer and pheasants (we have them around home, but not in so many numbers).

Finally hit NE...the TomTom was again confused regarding routes, so it is good to have a map. Here's a shot of Valentine...thought it was kind of neat.



We're now in Thedford and on to COS tomorrow...the time we arrive will depend somewhat on whether or not we get going on my time or on other peoples' time.

[First Born]

Derek, "other people" better not see that post. You may be sleeping alone.

Ben

[Thriller]

It would be cooler that way...temperature has been rising as we've been driving south

I'm the son of a farmer...and a man on a mission...I'd rather get up with the sun (or shortly thereafter) and get there rather than lollygagging in bed

[1948Lincoln]

I've been there!

[Thriller]

Well, we are still on the road...on the last day of our travels SW (last Tuesday), we came across this little guy at the gas station / eatery.



A little (or a lot) further along, I hurriedly stop at a rest area...there's a '38 Buick stopped there. I chatted for a bit and they mentioned a '59 had just gone by. At the next town, I caught up to Tom and crew. Following that (at Limon perhaps - going from 71 to 24), we caught our first glimpse of Pike's Peak.



Then there was the show...I had trouble sleeping around 3:30 a.m., so I got up and washed Ellie. It was nice - being cool and without the sun (but with artificial light), I was able to take my time...not to mention nobody trying to rush me. That being said, I wish someone would have told me that it would rain every day Of course, I couldn't do that until I had put the poster up on the message board...MrEarl was sort of with us.





On Wednesday afternoon, we toured the US Air Force Academy and Garden of the Gods. We would never have gone to the USAFA were it not for the tour - that chapel is spectacular. I'll check through the photos - they tended not to turn out that well. It was raining by the time we got to the Garden of the Gods, so it was less stellar than it could have been, but the power of water and wind is truly amazing.









On Thursday, we did the cog railway, and saw a few Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep...and scads of marmots.

Friday was the forum breakfast and judging school. I don't want to start a fight (well, perhaps I do), but I wish ALL the judges would attend the entire judging school and pay attention to a couple of points Pete makes - "don't kill the car" and "5-10 minutes per car". I could continue to rant, but that is where I'll leave it.

Saturday was the big show, which I missed. I attended the judges' breakfast and attempted to help Suzanne with prepping Ellie. Again, I judged the unrestored class. There was an amazing '52 Super and a '66 LeSabre that could really help out with my cars of the same year. As a result of being out in the heat, then being burned out, I didn't see much of the show. Of course there was the banquet. The highlight was Teresa being recognized for her article on the Oshawa centennial meet and the kids for their junior judging efforts.

On Sunday we managed to get to Mass...before leaving I left a DVD of photos for Pete on Ed's '59 windshield. We wound up seeing a movie and just sort of recuperating.

On Monday we attempted to get to Seven Falls. We took an incorrect road near the end and wound up at Helen Hunt Falls instead. There was an interpretive centre and being a public park it was free. We then drove Gold Camp Road and went to the Focus on the Family Welcome Center.



Tuesday saw a return to Garden of the Gods (much later than planned, therefore much warmer than hoped), along with some wandering around Manitou Springs.

Today was the longest travel day thus far. We did manage to leave around 8:30 after eating, finishing packing, and hitching up the trailer again. Denver was something else. Coming north through eastern Wyoming was neat - pronghorn alley. Suzanne didn't bother to try taking any pictures as we went by at about 65.

Tomorrow morning we will be taking the 1880 train out of Hill City and attending a chuckwagon dinner. We'll probably add Rushmore and perhaps Sitting Bull Crystal Cavern. We also have tickets for Bear Country USA and Reptile Gardens.

When we leave Saturday, we will take a detour on our way to Bismarck via the Badlands park. Of course, near our hotel in Bismarck is a Famous Dave's, so you'll know where to find me Saturday evening. Sunday will be attending Mass, then heading north again for home.

I do have some more photos, but need to get at some other stuff...maybe I'll be able to update tomorrow night.

[MrEarl]

What a nice trip. It's so great that you and your family can take your time "somewhat" and visit these places on your way to and from the meet every year. I always look forward to hearing about it. Uh, got any people pictures, want to see mom and how the kids have grown. Thanks for sharing.

[Thriller]

Originally Posted by MrEarl

What a nice trip. It's so great that you and your family can take your time "somewhat" and visit these places on your way to and from the meet every year. I always look forward to hearing about it. Uh, got any people pictures, want to see mom and how the kids have grown. Thanks for sharing.

People pictures? Um...let me see....

From the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center on Tuesday:



Today:





Suzanne was really confused...she had been to Mt. Rushmore with her sister in 1991 or 1992. A lot has been built up since then...basically in the 1990s. You see in the second photo the Avenue of Flags, which contains four flags per pillar - state flags, for D.C., and territories, along with the order the states joined the Republic and the year. We didn't go through all that, but it was informative.

Edit - the noses are 20 to 21' long...therefore about the size of an enclosed car hauler....

Suzanne has taken to carrying the camera, so it is a bit harder to get her in front of it.

We went to a chuckwagon dinner tonight as well at the Circle B. I'm still pretty full. This is a family run operation and well worth the price of admission. The music after dinner was provided by the proprietor and two of his sons. The young fella makes guitars now and can sure do a mean job strumming and picking one. The 1880 train was pretty fun as was the visit to the Prairie Berry Winery. Unfortunately, they no longer give tours of the winery, but they do have tastings

[BJM]

Lamar's point is EXACTLY the purpose of the Nationals for younger family types - to make it THE summer vacation. The BCA does a great job IMO of positioning Nationals in locales that make it tempting to do so.

BCA has been to New England, Flint, Colorado, Seattle area etc allowing a family like Dereks to truly take an old fashioned vacation circa 1950's through 1970's.

I mean I remember the good old days when dad would load up the station wagon on off we would go, but it seems few families do this anymore. The National Meet is a good excuse.

Iowa can't match Colorado for mountain scenery but I hope we can put together a nice meet. 1st and foremost is the link to the Lincoln Highway (US Route 30 now). I hope to start at Nebraska and go all the way through to Illinois and take digitals of all the landmarks and their approximate mileage markers and share on the forum so anyone coming east to west or west to east can know approximately where the last few remaining "route 66" type road attractions are.

Anyway, don't mean to take your post over Derek but it looks like you had a great family vacation and maybe others seeing your post will be inspired. Thanks for sharing.

[Dan Cook]

Thanks for all the pictures Derek, it really makes me wish I could have made the trip to Colorado Springs. Mt. Rushmore sure has changed. I was there in 1968 and the only thing that is the same are the presidents and that tree on the right. Did you make a stop at Deadwood? That was quite an attraction.

Dan

[Thriller]

No Deadwood for us. We had a pretty full, but enjoyable, itinerary. Today, we did the Badlands Loop through the Badlands National Park. I was a bit worried about the road with Ellie on behind, but those were baseless fears. I've been through the Badlands around Drumheller, Alberta, and a bit at Theodore Roosevelt National Park in ND, but this puts them both to shame in terms of variety of colours and sheer beauty. If anyone has a chance, don't miss the opportunity.

We made it to Bismarck today after trying to hook up the trailer last night, but another truck and trailer was in the way. They were gone when we got back from dinner, so I was able to hitch up. This morning, after I had first been out to the truck, one of the staff decided to park right in front of the truck, boxing me in. Suzanne was fuming. I don't think I can recall seeing her that angry. I don't know why it is that people don't understand some of the basic physics involved in towing a trailer.