Leaving Dillon, MT

We are leaving Dillon tomorrow and we had a good time here. It's a nice park with a river running through it......we have to cross it each time we go to and from the park.WAY better than our last place! The tables/benches were kinda cool.....they could go either way. Woke to snow this AM, but just a dusting...it was gone 2 hours later! Yeah...now that's how snow should behave!
Yesterday was a low day...took care of the laundry and groceries, did some housekeeping. Today, we went to the Big Hole Battleground National Park. The ride out was beautiful. Very isolated. Very "Little House on the Prairie" When we got there, there was a guy working on a buffalo hide.....scraping the fur off. We talked with him and he even let me try it! It's confirmed....I am not squaw material...they had to work too hard!! I came away with a mass about the size of a silver dollar and he let me keep it, too! He told us that the buffalo didn't go any further east than the Rockies, so the Indians on the other side would travel into Montana for buffalo, stay maybe a year and then leave. Each buffalo hide only weighs about 5 pounds and they used 10 to cover their teepees. That way, a horse could easily carry the teepees and all belongings. One hide would work to cover a person and, of course, they were warm. The fur is really soft...not as much as, say, a rabbit, but very soft.
It took 2 antelope hides to make a woman's outfit and we got to feel that, too. It was kind of like a thin chamois cloth.
The Nez Perce tribe was brutally hunted down and attacked at 3:00AM. The soldiers were told to shoot low into the teepees and in that way killed many in their sleep.They didn't care who they killed...men, women or children. It makes me so sad. We watched a 26 min. video on it and it made me cry to see the awful way we whites have treated them. I just don't get how it was decided to take away land from people that had lived there and thrived.What was left of the tribe kept moving, trying to avoid the soldiers and some did make it up to Canada.  As Chief Joseph said on his surrender "I will fight no more forever".  I guess that's kinda me....I am not a fighter and I abhor violence of any kind.
We decided to have lunch in the little (very little) town of Wisdom. (cool name). It was a great little cafe that even had sweet potato french fries! On the way out of town, we stopped and paid our respects in the town's cemetery. Lots of really old headstones and being Memorial Day weekend, it seemed fitting.
Lisa is doing Ok, though she did ask me today when she was going back to school. We are all doing better with being in close quarters.....learning to lean left when someone is going right or needs into a cabinet....stepping into the bathroom to let someone by,..that kind of thing. I still very much miss my house and all my land, but life changes and you just have to flow with it.

We leave tomorrow for Downey, Idaho.

Kinne Adventures!!

As only the Kinnes can do it! LOL! We left Sheridan, WY where it did nothing but pour down rain, thunder and lightening like I have NEVER seen before.We filled the tank "just in case" and met some nice RVers headed the same way and also stopping in Livingston, Montana. Alan came back from paying the lady with a styrafoam cup that we got "for free with fill up" A $250.00 freakin' styrafoam CUP!! LOL!!
Our route to our next stop should have been Hwy 90 the whole way, but it was closed over the mountain due to flooding. So we talked with locals and decided we just had to get out of there and if it was too awful, we'd turn back by the halfway mark and just wait it out. They gave us an alternate route that sounded fine. It WAS absolutely beautiful, that's for sure! We were on Hwy 14 and climbed 9,000 feet with twists and turns like crazy and 3-4 feet of snow on the sides at the summit. I was pretty proud of myself....I kept checking my mirrors and I kept that coach and truck in my narrow lane the whole time. Some of those dang curves were 20mph. The scenery was wonderful and we really enjoyed it. Stopped at a rest stop to have lunch and then back on the road. That's when it all went to HELL!! Montana and Wyoming have two seasons according to the locals......winter and construction. We have driven miles and miles of hwy cut down to one lane for no apparent reason....or there is one tiny thing and still 20 miles of one lane! You know how a dirt road gets rutted when people drive too fast? Ok, now imagine that same road with 6 inch deep ruts all over the road! The speed limit was posted at 35mph, but I never got over 25mph! After about 8 miles of this, I come up on a carload of blue hairs (yeah, yeah, I know, but I don't drive like one!!!). The woman driving is not gonna go over 5 mph, NO MATTER WHAT!! It took me about 3 miles to get mad enough to honk at her and, let me tell you, we have a big honking airhorn! I kinda liked the power!!! She pulled over and we continued for a total of 13 miles of this rutted, crappy dirt and mud road. I felt like my fillings were gonna fall out! It did break the latch on the pantry door, so we'll have to fix that somehow.  Drove about 10 miles longer and realized I really needed a break, so we pulled over and Alan took over from there. Arrived in Livingston maybe an hour and a half later, but not before we had to go thru flooded areas on 90. The Yellowstone River was just raging as were all the little creeks going into it. We even saw some poor schmuck on a motorcycle lined up to go thru 5-6 inches of water......glad we were in a nice high motorhome!
When we got here to Livingston, we were happy to have found it and end the longest day of driving yet, but as we looked around we weren't at all impressed. I couldn't believe my eyes, but there are several tents set up! It is COLD out there at night! The sites are very cramped, supposed pull thru's, but I wouldn't want to try it.
Typically,  when we get to a campground, the person not driving handles the check in, so that was me. I got to the office door only to find a sign saying the manager was in #6 in the mobile homes. What mobile homes?? Took me a minute to realize they were next door! I found #6, stepped around the huge piles of dog shit, climbed the rickety wooden steps and knocked on the slider. At once, the biggest German Shepherd I've ever see was there lunging, barking and growling!! Scared the pee waddle out of me! The manager appears and she was so classic, I couldn't believe it! Housecoat and slippers, cigarette in hand and screaming at the dog. "Yeah?" "yes, hi, we're the Kinnes. we have a reservation?" " Oh, oh yeah (drags on her ciggie). I got a 30 amp pull thru and a 50 amp out there, no sewer" She points to what looks like to be a storage yard....piles of wood and trash, weeds, and gravel. "um, ok, I'll go take a look at it" "Yeah, whatever" and she walks away. Once I got there, I realized it really wasn't too bad and was much larger than anywhere else. I walked back to the office (man, getting some exercise today!) and it's LOCKED! She's apparently gone back to the damn mobile home!! Shit!! So, I trudge back there and I can just tell Alan is looking at me thinking WTH is going on?? I find our lady and her massive dog (still barking and snarling at me) and tell her we'll take the one in the field "Twenty five" she says and holds out her hand. I handed her the cash and went back to the coach. It took a bit of maneuvering and unhooking the truck, but we did it.
Our neighbors were interesting. I honestly try not to judge people, but I do love to people watch. Our neighbor was a class C coach, maybe 25', torn curtains, metal blinds bent so many different ways and sitting in the front 2 seats were at least 3 big dogs and 1 little one! My first thought was "oh, no, these dogs and our Irie are gonna bark all night long!" But we got lucky, the owners came back and immediately pulled down all of their blinds and we never saw them again. No barking, yeah!!
We decided wine was in order and also water, since we were afraid to drink the water here, so Alan took off in search of a grocery store. I locked our door and had the bear spray handy, just in case! LOL! The wine was a nice Californian called Chill Out , cheap and very good! And the name was pretty damn perfect, too!

So, today, we are headed to Dillon,MT ...it's a shorter hop but we may get some snow flurries, so I'll close. Just know that we love you and miss you all, but we are having a ball!! Each and every day brings something new and different or scenery that just takes your breath away.

Spearfish, SD

We decided to take this route home because there were things we wanted to see here that we didn't have time to do before.....unfortunately, it is POURING!!!!! Seems like we've had nothing but rain for 3 weeks. So.... instead, I am doing laundry and we decided to go see Pirates of the Caribbean this afternoon. Out of here tomorrow, back to the campground we liked in Sheridan, Wyoming. After that we'll head south...supposed to be warm there. My Fibromyalgia will love that!
On our way to the last place, Alan swore he saw a camel on the hillside. I was doubtful, thinking a camel wouldn't make it in the harsh winters. I was wrong! His name is Otis and according to the KOA owner does just fine. Crazy! Yesterday, I saw something you would never see in California....a billboard saying WEAR FUR with animals in the background. Ick.

Midland, SD Koa

I drove here from Salem with only the last maybe 75 miles in the rain.....REALLY pouring now. Alan has rubber boots, so he volunteered to set up sewer, water and power. We got lucky....the pad was level!!! Yeah!! The roads here are gravel and most of it is puddles and mud.
The picture of Lisa Alan took while we drove.....my daughter is a nut!! LOL!! Notice the sunglasses OVER her hat!!

We'll be here 2 nights and then we are off.....looks like tomorrow will be a "sit around and read" kinda day....nothing to do around here anyway.

Leaving Salem tomorrow

We have enjoyed our stay here...it's been quiet (maybe a little too quiet). We are often the only rig here. The day before yesterday, we went to Pipestone National Park. It is a sacred American Indian place where they quarry for the pipestone to make ceremonial peace pipes. The stone is very soft. I used a saw on it and it cut very easily and filed to a fine dust. But it sure looks hard to get at.....it's hidden under layers of granite! It's reddish in color...made even redder after they apply beeswax. There was an awesome museum with people working on the stone and a great walk to a quarry.
On the way home, we decided to take a different route back thru Madison and ended up on 17 miles of dirt road!!! My back felt like a jack hammer was pounding it! On the way, though, I spotted buffalo, so we cut off that road and I got out to get pictures. I thought they'd just stay there, but they all scattered. Alan was able to get these shots using the zoom. The last pic of the skeleton on the Harley is at the entrance to "our" town...kinda scary! LOL! I went into town yesterday to pick up our mail and license plates for the truck, and also the grocery store. I had on a tank top and noticed more than a few people checking out my tats.....you can see it in their eyes "OK...here's a grandma, but she's got tattoos, for heaven's sake!" It's almost like they are wondering if I've got a knife or a gun!!! Come to think of it, I DO carry a knife!! A Swiss Army knife! LOL!!

So much fun yesterday! (Well...except for the spider!)

But the day before, I took Irie to see Dr. Mike! Nice guy....by the time we got in poor Irie was really icky.One day off food, some meds and today all systems are "go"....(pun intended  ;0)  Alan was off with the "Magic Bus" getting the transmission oil changed. Then, yesterday, we took Lisa to the Butterfly House and Aquarium. But they also had tarantulas!! I hadn't been in one for years (remember, Alice??)....we all walked around with huge smiles on our faces!  They just come and land on you. The large one was about 7-8" wide!! When I'm old and senile, I hope someone takes me to one often!
Also, tried to see the USS South Dakota, but it was closed. A lot of things here don't open til Memorial Day.....I guess the winters are just awful. Went back to Madison to get the truck registered ( we were waiting on the title) and on the way, we see a huge tractor filling up at the gas station! Gave me a giggle!

More later, we are off to play! Have a wonderful day!! We love and miss you!!

RAIN

OK, WTH??? Pouring rain today.....glad I got the laundry done yesterday.....toting it back and forth would not be fun in this. And the wind....man, it rocks this thing! Tomorrow, we the Magic Bus in for the transmission oil change.....hope this is done by then!

Irie girl is better I think, tho she's had no food to throw up. But no runs (yet). She's still kinda lethargic, tho.....sits in her bed on the passenger seat. Prayers, please, for our little pooch.

Camp America, Salem,SD May 9-18

This was a short hop (100 miles) to a really pretty campground. We will stay here 9 days to get work done on the coach, our driver's licenses and Lisa's ID card. On our way we passed some pretty land, green because the snow just melted and the heat isn't too bad yet. The roads are straight for miles and miles and they are good roads...no potholes and ruts. Everything is very flat with cows everywhere. We are finally breaking Irie of the idea that she needs to protect us from the cows and horses! It has taken a while because the dang dog will bark at statues of horses, painted wooden cows, you name it!! LOL!!
We've been playing a silly game as we drive. When a truck passes, we have a special button that flashes the lights so they know it's safe to pull over in front of us. We always do it, too. The truck (being polite truck drivers that they are) flash their lights back to thank you. So, the game is to keep track of averages. For a while, I was doing great.....8 times out of 10 they would "thank" me. Alan swore his lower stats were because of the boobs! LOL! On this last trip, however, I was 2 for 9!! WTH???
Yesterday, we went into Madison (30 miles away) to meet the lady that forwards our mail and get the paperwork to get our driver's licenses. She's very sweet, knew exactly what we needed and how to fill out the paperwork. Very easily done, then she points us towards the DMV for the final part. "Can't miss it.....next block over behind the court house" Well......she obviously, obviously doesn't know the Kinnes!!! We circled that damn block at least 5 times!! The court house had no sign and the damn DMV was in a STORM SHELTER!!! A very small sign on the door that said DMV!
I wish we could have taken a picture of the DMV here. You go down these concrete stairs (for the storm  shelter)and enter a pretty big room. This is NOT your typical DMV, where you wait in line, etc. They had 3 folding tables.....one for you to wait,one for testing and one for the 1 (one) clerk! The clerk used a small notebook and her files went into a brief case! Our immediate thought was "where are the people and the little number you take?" There was a little old lady that made it very clear that SHE was next! We were told to just hand them the papers and they'd call us. In all, I don't think it took 30 minutes with our wait time and doing everything! They even print up your driver's license right then and there! I was kinda sad to see my California driver's license go away and even Alan agreed it felt weird.

Also, yesterday, we were dealing with a sick pooch. She had the runs all over the coach the night before and all during the day. Today, she still has the runs and it's bloody...I think we are off to the local vet.....

Devil's Tower and Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

"Eight children were there at play, seven sisters and their brother. Suddenly, the boy was struck dumb; he trembled and began to run upon his hands and feet. His fingers became claws, and his body was covered in fur. Directly there was a bear where a boy had been. The sisters were terrified; they ran, and the bear after them. They came to the stump of a great tree, and the tree spoke to them. It bade them climb upon it, and as they did so, it began to rise up into the air. The bear came to kill them, but they were just beyond it's reach. It reared and  score the bark all around with it's claws. The seven sisters were borne into the sky, and they became the stars of the Big Dipper" This was told by the Kiowa Indians to explain Devil's Tower. The name came from some old dude that felt it "engendered an awful quiet in the heart of man" I, personally, started feeling it's energy from miles away. It pulled me and felt very, very scared. I was in awe and I know my mouth was probably hanging open, too!

There is a trail that goes around the base of it and I really wanted to hike it, but we were concerned over a few things 1) and foremost, Lisa's ability with her lungs, 2) my 100 yr. old knees and 3) Alan's 100 yr. old hip and feet. It was only 1.3 miles, but the base of it was pretty steep. We talked to some people and they assured us it wasn't as bad as it looked......off we went!! I am SO glad we did!!! It was totally beautiful and I had this awesome, peaceful feeling the whole time. In June, the trail is closed because the Indians do ceremonial rituals. They hang the trees with colored cloth and you can still see some 11 months later! The little prairie dog was just one of LOTS! And they weren't afraid of us at all..It was a great day!!

Yesterday, we went to see Mt. Rushmore. Another incredible (tho man made) accomplishment! Gutzon Borglum wanted something that... would last forever ....something that people would see thousands of years from now. The faces were great! There were mountain goats running around and so close you could have reached out and touched them. There were pillars lining that walkway with each state and their flag and when they were admitted to the Union.

Lisa got bubbles from the Easter Bunny and she LOVES them! The last pic is us hamming it up!

We are off tomorrow for Oacoma, SD .....a longer ride than usual, but we will be fine (at least it isn't supposed to snow or anything!)