SharivilleLife stories from Shari

What an experience. Just one more GOOF to add to our list.  Jerry decided the route we would take today to the Bad Lands Natl. Park.  What a trip it was.  I’m not even sure how we ended up where we were suppose to be.  At one point we were lost in the middle of the Badlands, on a 21 mile long pink gravel road.  I was beginning to wonder if I should be looking for the yellow brick road and thinking there’s no place like home.  Two cars passed us and waved friendly like , I think they were as glad as we just to see anyone else.

It ended well, we just saw more of the area than we would have.  This state of South Dakota is truly gorgeous.  The Bad Lands are no exception. Its truly an amazing place. The rock formations and spires and valleys and mounds of different colors are something unreal.  I don’t think there’s another place on earth like it.  The geology is definitely unique, but like everything else it’s melting slowly away and will be gone one day.

The really fun thing today was the Prairie Dogs.  They are precious and very social.  They enjoy people.  Kind of like Marmots.  Their story is sad but getting better.  Their social system is very intricate.  They actually form towns and neighborhoods and greet on another with kisses.  They are very protective of their own neighborhoods in their towns.   I did feed them some pretzels and then realized it was not the thing to do.  Especially salty stuff, I was sorry.  One dog got a pretzel another wanted and they were playing tug of war and conversing rather noisily over the situation. So cute.  The park system has reintroduced the Black Footed Ferret back into this park.  They are on the endangered list.  They seem to be doing well , thanks to their main meal, the Prairie Dogs. But its a good thing, in a way, you know the food chain thing story.

Jerry got his wish and we ate at Ruby Tuesdays tonite.  It was a good dinner, they have a fab salad bar.  Tomorrow another day trip up to Deadwood, Spearfish and Belle Fourche,   they are suppose to have a great museum in that area.  I will be planning the route.  Hugs,  Shari and Jerry

Left Buffalo Wyo. early, filled up with 85 gallons of fuel and went to a super center Wal Mart in Gillette Wyo. We were glad to see a super center.  Then on into  South. Dakota.  Right after crossing the boarder the terrain changed. drastically. We started climbing into the hills and entered Black Hills Natl. Forrest.  Guess we won’t be seeing those pretty little Pronghorns any more.  Since they can run 45 MPH, it’s probably impossible to do that in the hills and forest.  I will miss them. But everything is so green here. After the Nev. desert, the Utah salt flats, and the Wyo plains and prairies, I didn’t realize I missed the piney woods.

Our RV park ( here for 7 days) is so pretty.  We were met with a flock of foul, turkeys and chickens running around the park, much to my cats delight. The park is only about one third full, the season is over and its so peaceful.  The nearest town is Rapid City SD, and it’s the largest city since Salt Lake City. We drove in after we got set up and had dinner at the Golden Corral, thought of you Tom and Joann. Jerry spotted a Ruby Tuesdays, so guess we will end up there one nite. The city is very pretty and people seem friendly.  There are lots of parks and greenery and old buildings.

Everything gets good reception here, the cell phone and of course my air card, but Jerry is having a hassle with the satellite. Think he’s tired and so we are taking showers and going to bed early.  Don’t yet know whats in store for tomorrow, so more later.  Hugs to all,  Shari and Jerry.

I learned long ago not to underestimate small towns.  We decided to take a rest day and stay 2 nites in one stop.  It just happened to be the small town of Buffalo, Wyo. We were ahead of schedule. What a delightful campground, we fed a flock of wild turkeys this morning  , much to the delight of the trio of cats, right out the door of the trailer, while watching a mother doe and her little fawn munching grass just out side the big window.

We left the cats to entertain themselves at the windows , and went into town, 3900 population.  We went to the local museum, for such a tiny town it had the most interesting museum.  We happen to have an affinity for this type of stuff.  This little town is very interesting, most of the homes are of the matchbox type and all along the streets right in town they all have rural mailboxes.  It’s very peaceful there and they roll up the the streets just after lunch, because we couldn’t find a place to eat, except, you guessed it the local truck stop.  This is big truck     country around here.  Actually the meal was great. There are actually still lots of cowboys and cattle barons around .  Mary, I bet you didn’t know that the first white settlers in Wyo were Portuguese people, then came the Basque People. The Plains Indians had a pretty hard time in this area trying to drive off the settlers.  There’s some really good stories about all that around here.

Oh by the way I’ve been calling these charming animals we have been seeing, Antelope, when in reality they are Pronghorns. Live and learn. We are back at camp now and it’s evening and the animals are out in force.  The Trio are glued to the screen door really enjoying their vacation too.  Well really, tomorrow on the South Dakota to continue the adventure.  More later, love to all ,  Shari and Jerry