Continuing our drive through the Badlands on our Land That We Love Tour. It was a windy cold day and we were happy for our layers.
This was a couple we kept bumping into at each of the turnouts. They were from California and they had no fear of walking out on the rocks.
I was more comfortable on walkways.
Goodbye Badlands. We are so glad we came and made the loop.
And now we were off to Omaha, Nebraska for the night. My camera got a good rest as we drove to Omaha.
Great God, With Wonder and With Praise
Great God, with wonder and with praise
On all Thy works I look:
But still Thy wisdom, power, and grace,
Shine brighter in Thy Book.
The stars that in their courses roll
Have much instruction giv’n;
But Thy good Word informs my soul
How I may climb to Heav’n.
The fields provide me food, and show
The goodness of the Lord;
But fruits of life and glory grow
In Thy most holy Word.
Here are my choicest treasures hid;
Here my best comfort lies;
Here my desires are satisfied;
And hence my joys arise.
Lord, make me understand Thy law;
Show what my faults have been;
And from Thy Gospel let me draw
A pardon for my sin.
Here would I learn how Christ has died
To save my soul from hell:
Not all the books on earth beside
Such heav’nly wonders tell.
Then let me love my Bible more;
And take a fresh delight
By day to read these wonders o’er,
And meditate by night.
Words: Isaac Watts, (1674-1748)
On Friday September 24th we were up before dawn for our 39 mile tour of the Badlands. This would be day 4 on our Land That We Love Tour. On this day besides taking in the Badlands our drive would be a total of 469 miles and approximately 6-1/2 hours to our destination for the night in Omaha, Nebraska. 
We saw some Big Horned Sheep at our first stop and along the way.
The 39 mile loop is easy to access off of Interstate 90. We started on the west end of the loop and returned to Interstate 90 on the eastern entrance. The loop has convenient parking areas along the way to stop and enjoy the vistas. We took advantage of each one. Several of the parking areas also have restrooms.
That little black smudge in this photo is a buffalo. I zoomed in as far as I could to get this shot.
We were so thrilled to have started our tour before it got light and we would recommend dawn in the Badlands. Sunset would probably be another lovely time of day to be here, too.
Our first stop along the way and we were already blown away by the amazing landscape. I will be posting several days worth of photos from the Badlands.
We found ourselves reciting part of Psalm 19 and praising the Creator of it all as we began our day here…
The Law of the Lord is Perfect
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
George Washington
We parked in downtown Rapid City with intentions of eating ‘Linner’ at one of the restaurants there. Note: this downtown area is a pay for parking area. You can use coins or credit card to park. The Italian restaurant we were interested in was not going to open until 5pm. We tried another restaurant but it was not good for us after a busy day of traveling and sight seeing (too loud and noisy and fried). Downtown Rapid City has a unique tourist feature with the Presidents of the United States memorialized on every corner. We were only able to photograph a few of them. This would be an amazing teaching moment for your homeschooled students or any students.
John Quincy Adams
James Monroe
William Howard Taft
Harry S. Truman
Lyndon B. Johnson
Ronald Reagon
George Bush
We said our adieus to Rapid City and got on to I-90 heading to Wall, South Dakota where we would have dinner at the Red Rock in Wall and spend the night. It was a down home restaurant with down home service and menu. We made it there in time to enjoy a seat next to a couple of gals who were traveling home from Pennsylvania to Oregon and who were originally from Southern California as are Dear and Me! A wonderful serendipitous meeting with enjoyable conversation.
All along the road to Wall you’ll see these signs every few miles reminding or enticing you to stop in Wall!
We stayed the night in a cabin in Wall at Frontier Cabins.
We filled up with gasoline at a Shell station just off of I-90 at $3.159 a gallon. Our lodging at the cabin with tax cost us $119.90.
We were ready to leave the following morning before dawn to discover and enjoy the Badlands. These cabins were on the highway that leads you to the west entrance to the Badlands loop.
It was a full and draining day but good. South Dakota has a lot to offer and we could have spent more than one night to enjoy all the area has to offer.
If it’s Wednesday it must be time for Hodgepodge. Click over to Joyce’s blog to join in the fun.
1. Is Halloween a big deal in your neighborhood?
We live out in the country with homes far apart. We do not get trick or treaters. There are some homes decorated for Halloween. Our kids come by all dressed up which is fun. Our church puts on a Fall Fest Trunk or Treat that our grands will go to this year. Last year because it was the only thing happening in town and we had over a thousand people show up. That’s a lot for a town of 5000.
Was it something you celebrated as a child?
Yes we went around our neighborhood with pillow cases for bags. It seemed like the whole neighborhood was out and most houses gave out candy. We enjoyed sorting our candy when we got home. Our father would accompany us.
With your own children?
Yes, we enjoyed Trick or Treating with our kids and seeing all our neighbors.
Do you like candy corn?
Not particularly.
2. Are you a scaredy cat? About what?
I’m a scaredy cat about driving in snow or icy conditions.
3. Last time you were somewhere that should have been busy but felt like a ‘ghost town’?
Nothing rings a bell.
4. Do you like chili and if so how do you like it?
Funny you should mention it but I made a pot of turkey chili Tuesday.
Beans or no beans?
Yes, we like to add black beans and a can of Pinto Chili Beans
Meat or no meat?
Yes, meat.
Beef or chicken?
Beef, chicken or ground turkey
Spice or no spice?
Yes, jalapenos and chili and cumin.
Favorite toppings?
5. Would you describe yourself as a night owl? What time of night qualifies? What are you doing while everyone else is asleep? Do you then ‘sleep in’? Define ‘sleeping in’.
Not a night owl.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Our son Josh was able to fly down to our nephew-in-law’s father’s memorial service last week. These are some of our nieces, nephews and our son together at the memorial. We couldn’t attend but were glad that Josh could be there in person to represent our family and to support Lenny and his family as they grieve.
Love each other, stay together.
On Thursday September 23, 2021 we drove from Sheridan Wyoming and entered South Dakota on our Land That We Love Tour. We approached the Memorial on the south side through Custer City on Highway 16. As we wound our way up the road to get to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial we started to see many interesting rock formations on the mountain sides.
We entered the Memorial and found a parking spot and walked up some steps to the main entrance.
No fee to walk in and the only fee we paid was $5.00 for our parking spot since we are seniors, $10.00 if you aren’t a senior.
Getting closer to the main attraction.
All the states are represented with their state flag and a plaque with the year they were admitted into the Union.
To prove I was there.
We found different vantage spots to zoom in for a closer view.
To read the history of the making of this monument click HERE.
This last shot was on our way out and down to Rapid City, South Dakota to look for a spot to enjoy some Linner (Linner is the meal we have that combines lunch and dinner later in the afternoon). On this route you go through Keystone which looked like a fun spot to explore but we had reached our limit so we just kept driving the 40 minutes to get to downtown Rapid City. More about Rapid City and where we ended up eating in a future post.
Back to the present we find ourselves in the last week of October 2021. We’ve had some powerful winds and leaves are falling and blowing around to find a resting spot. Hope all is well in your corner.
We interrupt the recap of our Land That We Love Tour to record the real time happenings this past weekend. This year the annual trip to the Corn Maze was modified as was our annual hunting weekend. Addy took over for Katie’s job of getting everyone through the maze. Katie and Baba were not able to join the maze fun this year.
Laura was in Colville and took beautiful photos of this annual event.
Our beautiful daughters-in-law.
We took a quick trip to the western side of the Cascade mountain range and missed out on the Corn Maze this year. It was a strange year with interruptions to our annual hunting weekend and family festivities.
We enjoyed dinner on Friday evening with our son on the West side of the Cascades.
On Saturday evening we enjoyed Laura’s homecoming from Colville with a Thai meal delivered to their door and time also with our daughter and son-in-law. We left early Sunday morning from Bothell to return to Colville. The winds were forceful and scary going over Snoqualmie Pass early on Sunday Morning. When we were on the east side of the Cascades we decided to get off the freeway and enjoy some breakfast in Ellensburg.
We tried The Wild Huckleberry in historic downtown Ellensburg. Delicious. We’ll stop by on future trips.
We would like to explore the town of Ellensburg more fully in good walking weather sometime in the future. After Ellensburg our trip the rest of the way home was calm and easy with light rain and light wind.
We have a busy week ahead. Hope you all have a good one!
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight;
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.
Words: Attributed to Dallan Forgaill
Heading East on our Land That We Love Tour we left Sheridan and traveled I-90 planning on taking the back way to Mount Rushmore via Highway 16. Before we got to Highway 16 we pulled off at Buffalo to mail some postcards and enjoyed the historic downtown main drag which I seem to have forgotten to take photos of. After Buffalo we stopped in Gillette, Wyoming to fill the tank with gas at $3.339.
The welcome to South Dakota sign seems to have been filled with bullet holes.
The rock formations started getting interesting as we came into Custer, South Dakota.
We saw the Crazy Horse Monument from the highway.
Next post will be an overload photo post of Mount Rushmore.
On Thursday September 23rd the miles driven were about 312 with a long stop at Rushmore. We were still in Mountain Time. We hit Mountain Time in Missoula, Montana. Wyoming is also in Mountain Time as is most of South Dakota.
Yee-Haw!
Wednesday September 22nd we arrived to Sheridan, Wyoming on our Land That We Love Tour. We drove 370 miles which took us approximately 5-1/2 hours. We stopped in Billings, Montana on the way to Sheridan to top off our gas at Costco. We paid $3.049 per gallon. When we arrived in Sheridan we did a little shopping along the main drag before we checked into our hotel and found a spot for dinner.
We ended up taking a recommendation to eat at the Wyoming Rib & Chop House. We paid more here, $63.77, than the service we received but it was the sign of the times with establishments not being able to keep full staffing. This is also a chain of restaurants in Montana and Wyoming and other states. We tried to stay away from chains when we could.
Watch out, Dear!
Our son has traveled to Sheridan for a Rodeo in the past. Some historical information can be found here.
We stayed at a Fairfield by Marriott at the AAA rate of $156. With the added taxes the total came to $176.28.
In the morning on day three of our trip before we moved along to South Dakota we shopped at Shipton’s Big R Sheridan and found boots for Dear and little JJ.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 