The Falls

November 8, 2011

Everything ran really smooth for our travels yesterday. We were at Schaap RV Dealership by 9:30am with the Open Range and they were able to replace the cable on the living room slide. While they were working on it we went out to see what was available to in Sioux Falls.

The first place we saw was the Vet. Memorial Park. It was very well done and we had a lot to read on the war heroes of all the wars the former residents of Sioux Fall who served.

We utilized our handy GPS to look for a restaurant and found Falls Overlook Cafe which seemed to be an interesting one, just by the name. Since we were in Sioux Falls they must have a falls.

It turned out to be just opening for the day and we were greeted with friendly smiles and conversation. It was a be of activity with city workmen cleaning fans and light fixtures on the high ceiling and putting up Xmas decorations in and outs side the building. We enjoyed the light breakfast before we went out to explore the falls that the cafe overlooked.

The history of the building was intriguing as it was over 100 year-old and in the past was the former power plant for Sioux Falls built in 1908. The quarry was formed back during the Ice Age million's of years ago, exposing the granite rocks that we saw were everywhere.

We were able to pick up the Open Range by 12:30. The repair was covered by warranty. We left Sioux Falls heading to I-29 south towards Omaha NB. Driving along the Missouri River gave us a feel of how badly the floods were the spring as there was debris of trees and silt far up on the banks.

Later in the afternoon we arrived at the Shelby Country Inn and RV park in Shelby, Iowa, just east of Omaha, Nebraska. It started to rain shortly after we arrived and rained hard all night, with strong winds that shook the trailer.

Today we were up early as usual and because we did not un-hook from the truck, we were able to get on I-80 by 8:30am. It was still raining and cool, 4C, but the wind was not as high as during the night. We contacted to I-29 South towards Kansas City.

There were more evidences of the flooding from last spring along the Interstate through Iowa and Missouri. We were told by the hosts when we arrived at the KOA at Oak Grove east of Kansas City on I-70 East that the water levels from the dam that were released could have covered all of Iowa and Missouri.

Our trailer is very comfortable and warm as we settled down for the rest of the evening.

Discover it Live it.

Oh, Those Strong Winds

We will be staying in one place now after 4 days of driving. This will give us time to catch up with our communication and blogging.

Our drive from Billings on Highway 87 to Rapid City was up and down getting to elevations as high as 1481 meters with some areas covered in snow. The Montana terrain was very unique with red soil, rocks, lots of fur and pine trees. The wind was very strong which slowed us down. We averaged 80 to 90 km/hour. The hills make the trany kick down, and of course, this used more diesel than usual.

On arrival at Rapid City in late afternoon, the sun was just setting and we were hungry. We found the Canyon Lake Park RV Campsite in a travel book and with the direction from the book and some help from the GPS we found the place. The route we had chosen took us and the 34 foot trailer through road construction with very narrow lanes. At one point we were down to one lane on the whole street. Anyway we found the place and set up. If we were to leave early in the morning we would have to fill the truck needed diesel, so we looked for a gas station to fuel up. We grabbed a pizza at restaurant near by for our supper as we were too tired to rustle up a meal. Needless to say we were in bed by 8:30pm.

After a good sleep and breakfast (porridge with apples), we were on way using I-90 at 8am. Today was an interesting one. We kept seeing signs along the Interstate advertizing Wall Drugs. This got our curiosity up. We looked it up in a book that we carry in the truck which gives us the history of places throughout the US. We found that Wall Drugs is in a very small place called Wall, with 300 people in 1931. As we were only a couple of mile from Wall, we thought that would be a must for us to visit.

A pharmacist Ted Hustead and his wife Dorothy bought the small store in 1931 during the depression. People would drive by Wall, so their customers were few. On one hot July day and after 5 years of struggling, Dorothy came up with the idea to offer those that drove by a free glass of ice water. Signs went up and with-in a few hours customers came and business grow.

Today the family run a 50,000 square foot tourist attraction that sells everything imaginable in a place that you could spent days, just looking and eating, AND STILL GET A FREE GLASS OF ICE WATER.

This stop took us an hour so we were back on I-90 bucking even stronger winds than before. Randal was becoming white knuckled from trying to keep the truck and trailer on the road. We stopped at rest stop just passed Oacoma, across the Missouri River, and enjoyed the view from the look out point they had there. It was so  windy the flags were flying straight out. It felt like Saskatchewan so it was nice to get back in the truck and started on our way again.

The wind was evident that anything could happen on our remaining trip to Sioux Falls. Just a few miles down the road the lower panel on the kitchen slide was blown off. The thin metal was flung across to the other lane of the Interstate. Randal quickly stopped and was able to cut the only point that was still attached and we put the damaged piece in the back of the truck. We also noticed that the cover of the water heater vent was missing.

On arrival in Sioux Falls, we booked into the Red Barn RV Park for 3 days. This will give us time to contact an Open Range Dealer to see if they will be able to do the repairs needed. It will also give us time to relax and get some walking in and be tourists.

 Discover it  Live it

South of the 49th

We are on the road again. We left Cochran in the dark at 7am and went south on 22, 22x and 2. then we took 3 and then 4 to the US boarder. After a brief delay at custom to give up two oranges, a lemon and to verify I was not the Randal Martin they had warrants for we were on our way to Great Falls.    

In Great Falls we stayed at a KOA. Our fresh water tank was almost dry. The camp manager said all the site had only power, no water so he had us pull up next to he home and we filled to 1/3 full.

 The sun was out after we parked in our site so it was time to explore just like Louis and Clark did. There was a nature walk that ran around the west and south side of the park. Along the walk were stopping stations with detailed information about the history of the area. The view to the south was impressive with mountains in the distance. 

 The morning of November 2nd as we were closing the dinning room slide we heard a snap and on investigation found a cable had snapped and only had two or three strands left. The slide still had a foot to go to be inside. We push the button and it came in to it's resting place.

With everything stored for travel, off we went on Hwy 87 east and south. Lorraine is becoming very proficient with the camera in a moving vehicle. She was able to get a shot of these prong horns grassing along the highway.       

Last night we pulled into the Yellowstone River Campground where again there was only power available at the site. All it other facilities were also closed. No showers, toilets or laundry.
 

Then while I was editing this pictures we heard a big bang, like a canon, and the power was off. This was 7:30 pm so it was dark. I grabbed Lorraine ... no I grabbed a flash light an headed outside to see what happened. I met quite a few of the other camper all with flashlights in hand. We did not find the problem but the people in charge knew we were out as was most of the neighborhood. The power was restored at 12:30am.     

This area is set up for travelers pets, but we don't have any pets. So we couldn't use this part of the camp.