SharivilleLife stories from Shari

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

What a riot, rounding up cats is like trying to herd them.  As all of you who know us know we travel with cats. We started with 2, Sophie and Ziggy and then a little fellow came to the door asking for some help, so he joined the family and was welcomed by the other two.  His name is . Scooby Do.  So in the AM, when they get wind of camp breaking they each run in a different direction and hide. They don’t like their crates.

After the roundup today we headed east having yet another breakfast at the Flying J, ( where oh where are the Cracker Barrels?) Talking to a fellow Calif. about the fact that you simply cannot get sour dough bread east of Nev, he told us about a different route to take on the way to Mt Rushmore. We went right up north thru the central part of Wyo, to Casper and on to Buffalo, where we are tonite. When we arrived here to get set up we had to wait for yet another thunder and lightening storm to pass. All along the way here the surrounding landscape went from sage covered plains to tree covered Mts. and back. What beautiful country.  We criss crossed the Continental Divide several times.  Drove along the North Platte and the Powder Rivers,  I’ve only read about them. The trees are starting to change colors, there’s gold, orange, red and yellow colors all tucked into the evergreens. Sooo pretty. All along the road were huge cattle ranches, mostly Black Angus.  This new route took us thru small valleys and prairies.  Some areas growing acres and acres of alfalfa.  Grazing in the alfalfa fields were small herds of Antelope, wonder what the ranchers think. Maybe there’s enough to go around. It’s easy to spot these animals by their very bright white rear ends. They are sweet.  We passed places called Crazy woman’s creek and Sandy Creek Massacre.

There is so much history to be found in the state of Wyo.  The Pony Express, the Calif, Org. and Mormon trails all cross Wyo. I can’t think of a better way to spend my time than just touring this beautiful country and enjoying all it’s splendor.  Tomorrow we make it to South Dakota and a whole new adventure.   More later………..Shari and Jerry