Its About Over/East Yellowstone/Jackson Hole/Custer, SD

 I'm sitting here in Custer, SD on July 2 and sad to say this will probably be my last blog for our "Westward Bound" trip. We leave in the morning for Mitchell, SD for a one nighter, Kellogg, IA for a one nighter, Elkhart, IN for a one nighter and then in to Salem, OH July 6. By the time we get to WV we will have travelled roughly 7,486 miles in 52 days. What a trip!!! We live in a beautiful country that most don't get to see. We are blessed!

On Monday June 28, we headed into East Yellowstone National and then on to Jackson Hole, WY and the Grand Tetons. Without a doubt, this is my favorite route into Yellowstone. The entire journey was filled with spectacular views in all directions. We saw Elk, Buffalo, Fox, and Antelope. Oh and as you'll see, a stuffed "Grizzly". Jackson Hole is becoming too commercialized  in my opinion but the surroundings are just beautiful. We started our day with breakfast around 7:30 am and got back to the RV in Cody a little after 11:00 pm. Long but well spent day.

Attended the Rodeo in Cody Tuesday night. It was fun but its like some of the TV channels we watch, 10 minutes of show and 20 minutes of commercials.😄

Wednesday was a travel day into Custer, SD. We came across the mountains on Wyoming highway 16. We topped out at approx. 9600 ft. in elevation making our way down grades of 8%. Got stopped at least three times for 15 minutes or more for construction. Other than that the trip was also filled with some beautiful scenery.

Thursday we did the touristy things. Chief Crazy Horse Monument, Mount Rushmore, and Deadwood. The Monuments were very interesting but Deadwood was a huge disappointment. Deadwood has lost its charm and is now being overrun with casinos. What a waste!!!

Today we toured the countryside. Visited Sylvan Lake, Needles Highway and Custer State Park. I was overly impressed with Needles Highway and Custer State Park. To me this drive was more impressive than "The Highway to the Sun" in Glacier. Got to see and wait for a large herd of buffalo to get out of the roadway. It was quite amusing watching cars and trucks trying to make there way around these magnificent animals and their young. Also got to see some of the wild burrows that roam the park.  We ended our tour with a stop for lunch at Mount Rushmore Brewery in Custer. Wasn't fantastic but good. Charlotte and the kids went out for pie and ice cream one more time and from the reports it was "awesome". 

Happy Trails!!!!

Wanted to prove the "kids" really were there!

Old Faithful teasing.

Little bigger tease.

There she blows!!!

Boiling hot spring!

Caught the "kids" at the Continental Divide too!

Awesome!!!

More awesome!!!

Don't look now! There's a bear back there!!

Charlotte: " I hope I can run faster than Casey!"

Opening ceremony at the rodeo.

Clown!!!

Working his trade!!!

Some of the "not so" entertainment. The kids there loved

it though and that's what counts.

The Marine Corp. Wild Horse Color Guard 

that visited our RV campground the day before

we left.

Practicing for the upcoming holiday festivities.

One of the wild horses posed for me.

You know what this is.

And this is those "pesky happy campers" at 

Rushmore.

Little closer view. 

These were in a bar restroom in Deadwood, SD.

At one time these were where the beer came from.

Now they're where the beer goes.😁

Lake Sylvan on our way out the Needles Hwy.

More Lake Sylvan

Great rock formations.

The "kids" at Sylvan Lake

"Pesky Happy Campers"

Views from Needles Hwy

Panoramic view!!

Threading the Needle!

Custer State Park. Hidden gem!!!

Holding up traffic.

Watching my step!

Home, home on the range!

This little fellow looked so lonely.

This buck wondered in front of the RV tonight to say

Goodbye!

Our trip.