June 12 - Riverbend, Marion, OH

LONG day of traveling. Indiana roads were the WORST ever. 

Not many campgrounds to select and I chose the WORST one ever

Are you getting the gist of this day. 

That’s it for today. Tomorrow hopefully will be in State College. 

June 11 - Hickory Hill Campground, Secor, IL

As we were driving east one of the rest stops had barn quilts on their building. 

East of Peoria is the tiny town of Secor. With only 2 campground options with electricity, we chose Hickory Hill. We took a walk around the campground and realized we were the only ones walking. Everyone else was driving golf carts. Definitely was a seasonal campground but they had several sites for overnights. 

High spot of our day was FaceTiming with Arlo and Shan. 

Tomorrow we’ll try to reach Upper Sandusky, Ohio. 

July 10 - Briggs Woods, Webster City, IA

Traveling east, it has been hot and humid. We’ve needed to use campgrounds with electricity so we could use AC. On the 2-lane roads we run, there aren’t many choices for campgrounds. 

We chose Briggs Road Campground in Webster City, IA. Large sites with FHU on the Boone River. 

Saw this red, white, and blue painted barn on Route 20. Thought it was creative. 

Iowa is definitely a corn state. Fields of corn mostly in tassel on both sides of the road. 

Tomorrow we’ll drive drive to Peoria, IL. 

July 9 - Valentine, NE

A travel day from South Dakota to Valentine, Nebraska. Drove mostly 2-land roads. Not many towns. 

We drove on the west side of the Badlands. These striking geological deposits contain one of the richest fossil beds. 

Tonight’s stay is on the Niobrara River, an older campground that needs a lot of work but a nice spot. 

Walked to the river before it started to storm. 

Can you believe I sat in a Huskers bench!!  It was really quiet and peaceful. 

After the storm

Tomorrow we drive into Iowa. 

July 8 - Bike George Mikelson Trail - Deadwood

Up early and on the road by 9 to catch the George Mikelson Rail to Trail staring in Deadwood. 

We road 20 miles one way. Most of it was uphill. We had decided to turn around when Bill’s battery showed 40%. Good thing it was downhill on the way back because when we pulled into the parking lot in Deadwood, Bill’s battery was at 8%. Phew. 

Along the trail we stopped to read a few interesting sites. 

Look at what is covering the building in the next 2 pics - Lids. In the mining days they used cyanide, which came in buckets. Frugal people in the Black Hills used the lids as shingles and siding on their buildings!!  




The building behind the sign was called the Bulk Dog Ranch. Historians says it had many reputations. It was a stagecoach station on the Custer to Deadwood line. 




Phew we finished, just in time - 42 miles. And it was starting to sprinkle. Lenny and Banjo wouldn’t have been happy. 




Now to find a beer and a burger!  

After our lunch, we stopped Belle Fourche to see the monument that depicted the GEO center of the US. It used to be Kansas until Alaska and Hawaii were added to the US. 

A good day. 

July 7- Rocky Point Campground Belle Fourche, SD

On our way to our next campground, we were able to stay off the Interstate. Lots of farm land. Saw several antelope, even ones among cattle. 

Arrived at Rocky Point Campground. This is a beautiful spot for a campground. Huge reservoir for swimming and kayaking in the Black Hills of South Dakota. 

As soon as we were set up, I took a dip. Water was perfect. 

Then a brewery for dinner and back to the RV to sit outside and relax! 

A gorgeous sunset to end our day  

Tomorrow a bike ride on the Mikelson Rail to Trail starting in Deadwood. 

July 6 - Forsyth, Montana

We drove scenic Route 12 on our way to Forsyth, Montana.We enjoy staying off the interstate as much as possible. The unfortunate part was that they were repairing 12 bridges and/or. Culverts. Luckily we didn’t have to stop, just slow down. Most of the drive was in the plains until we got closer to Forsyth where the landscape became more hilly. Lots of open farmland with no buildings. 

We stayed in Rosebud East FCS campground on the Yellowstone River. 

We put our feet in the river but it was running swiftly so didn’t go any farther. 




We were able to sit outside for awhile before the skeeters found us. 

On to the next campground in Belle Fourche (Foosh), South Dakota. 

July 5 - Leaving Canada

We said goodbye to the mountains of Banff and headed towards the US border. A sunrise started our day. 

Banjo said he was ready to get on the road. 

Even though it was raining, the canola fields seemed to glow.  

Entering the US at Milk River (Route 15) was easy. Hardly any questions. Just showed them our passports and we were on our way. 

Tonight’s stop was Big Sky Deli. We’ve stopped here before. A general store rn by Mennonites. We always pick up some good food. 

You can tell why this area is called Big Sky!  

A sunset ended our evening. 

Tomorrow on to Forsyth, MT

July 4 - Biking from Canmore to Banff

Today we rode the Legacy Trail from Canmore to Banff.

Traveling to Canmore to pick up the trail, these horses were running along the highway. Thought maybe they were going to the trail, too. 

As we rode the trail, we had mountain views all along the way. Perfect day to ride, cool with sun. 

Stopped for a restroom break. Lenny had to put his nose down the Prarie dog holes. 

As we were sitting around the fire, Shan and Arlo FaceTimed us. They are having a fun time traveling back to CA. 

They were at the Pacific Rim National Reserve. 

Tomorrow we leave for the US. Hope to make it to Shelby, MT. That will depend on how long it takes us to cross the border.