Our next stopover was pretty uneventful, until we were ready to leave in the morning...

Trying to let Wendy sleep in, I figured to add a little oil as we were 1/2 quart low.  Who would have figured it was going to be a problem!  This little oil cap slipped right out of my hand and into the abyss.  That's what I call the engine compartment.  Much searching resulted in no success and after 45 minutes of looking everywhere I decided to start removal of numerous covers the cap could be hiding behind.  Of course I had to wake Wendy to find where the jack was...she seemed very understanding :)

2 1/2 hours later the wayward part was found and we were underway.  Yay!!!!

I was going to include the following in combination with the previous post but thought it deserved it's own place, so here goes ...

Our next door neighbors, Katie and Jim from Florida, are enjoying a visit from bighorn sheep.  Joe's a musician and had his 12 string along with him and so we had a jam session one night, much fun!

The sheep then began heading our direction!

I'll be the first to admit I have become too dependent on electricity.  Out here we have none, along with no water, no bathrooms, no generator....and we're loving every minute of it in spite of 98 degree temps outside and inside the trailer, and no shade whatsoever!  The shade situation has changed as we put up our tent and it makes quite a difference :)  The 1 lone 98 degree day was immediately followed by 56 degree temps the following morning, and we were freezing, lol!  Seems like I'm complaining about everything :)  But I'm not.  We're not totally "off the grid" as we have a verizon signal and thus, internet.  Our solar panel is happily recharging our battery, come on sun!  Our fresh water tank WAS full until half was dispatched to our gray water tank via 2 showers this morning......YAYYYYYYYY!!!  We'll reload a 5 gallon water jug from somewhere for another shower in a couple of days.  Meanwhile, Friday's temps will be over 100!  The plan is to stay for a week but maybe we'll stay longer, it all depends on my wonderful booking agent.  Kidding aside, this is one beautiful place and we are very blessed to witness it.  No pictures I take seem to capture it's essence.  In spite of numerous campers around, some with generators humming throughout the day, it is a very peaceful and relaxing visit.  And, God willing, we'll be back for another visit someday.

Wendy sits with her back against the trailer as she looks at the front door view.

As you can tell, we are close to the edge on 2 fronts!

Wen comes up with an idea!!!

If we can move one of those trees to the west side of the trailer, we'll be set!

It was a "no go"  :)

Mornings around are very beautiful and very chilly...

We get an occasional visitor every once in a while :)

This person missed an opportunity as a visitor leisurely ambled up the cliff and stood for a good 5 minutes watching her.  Luckily the next door neighbor informed her of the event and she was then able to enjoy the visit!  

The park does get a fair share of campers each day.  This view shows a mile or so in one direction and in the other direction the road winds another 1 1/2  miles.

A few pictures of Mt Rushmore and some other stops before moving on to our next destination.

We were thankful this part of the park was deserted for the duration of our visit :)

On the way back we visited a tourist trap, er, attraction for dinner and a show.  Sasquatch was the main draw.

The show was fun.  The tall guy is 7'2 and is a pancreatic cancer survivor.  Both were very friendly and accommodating :) 

Last stop today......Wendy makes some new friends :)

I must admit we are gluttons for punishment when it come to signs for ice cream.

The only ice cream to be found here was in the form of old ice cream sandwiches and popsicles.  BOOO!  But we did get to meet a few prairie dogs :)

We made it to South Dakota in good shape.  We holed up here for the Labor Day week to make it a little easier on Wendy's trip planning.  We have visited many sights and so I have my timeline a little out of order.  We'll start with the Bad Lands!

Here we go...led by my tour guide whom I dearly trust.  WAIT...what does that sign read?  SNAKES???

Although you can't see them in this picture, I'm armed with my new snake stompers (hiking shoes) and am ready to go!

Not to worry, my trusty guide makes another wonderful choice.

We make it to the top and enjoy the view!

Our parking lot is down there somewhere.

Curiously, someone left a Mexican dollar coin at the top.  We examined it and set it back where we found it for the next explorers to discover :)

Here's the view from the bottom.  Can you spot the 2 at the top?  :)

On the way to Robidoux City Park in Gering, Nebraska we stopped by an old acquaintance...Chimney Rock. 

After Chimney Rock we ventured down range to the next Oregon Trail landmark...Castle Rock and Jailhouse Rock.

Campsite at Robidaux

The next day we visited another old friend...Carhenge, a few miles away.

Followed by Scottsbluff the next day...whew...busy, busy! :)

While talking with this traveler from the past, we learned they used these buffalo chips as fuel for their campfires when they couldn't find wood.  Stay upwind!!!!