South Dakota Summer 2019

This is a special summer for us as we venture into our 7th year of living in our fifth wheel trailer Penelope.  This year we traveled back east to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia.  On our way back west we stopped through North Carolina and met up with best friends Michelle & Jim.  They are outfitted in a brand new Grand Design Reflection fifth wheel trailer and were ready for some big adventure seeing our magnificent country.  We traveled together in a two rig convoy through West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and finally into South Dakota where we will spend a month camping together just north of Rapid City.

Jim captured a shot of Penelope from behind as we blew across the South Dakota plains.

We passed what is advertised to be the largest truck stop in the country as we rolled through Iowa.

This is a shot as Gari passed driver Michelle in the Tundra-Reflection rig.  We used our smartphone Doppler radar apps to dodge severe weather as soon as we entered Illinois.  The strategy worked very well as we avoided all of the worst storms by altering our planned routes and/or adjusting our departure times each day.  The total trip from North Carolina to South Dakota covered about 1,700 miles in four days.

We arrived to a fuller RV park than we expected, but we were still able to find two adjacent lots where we could park our rigs door-to-door or Camping Buddies configuration.  You can see Romeo the Ram in front of the tan New Horizons trailer Penelope; Jim & Michelle's Reflection and Tundra are parked to Romeo's left in the picture below.

A closer look at our camps as Jim and Gari continue with set ups.

We saw some hail in camp the first week and hope that will be it for the season!  Luckily no damage for either of us.

A walking tour through downtown Rapid City, Jim, Michelle and Gari stop in front of one of the graffiti murals in Art Alley..
Michelle and Gari inspect all the fascinating art... we think the no painting sign is an art parody.

Michelle and Jim pause to visit with the Father of our Nation George Washington.   The first 43 Presidents are found along Main Street in life-size bronze sculptures.

 Steve strikes the same pose as... can you tell who?

On the way up to Keystone and Hill City, SD, little mining towns up in the Black Hills, we cruised past the Mt. Rushmore Monument and paused at the profile pull off for a better look.  You can see George Washington in profile there.

 Jim admires the chainsaw carved bears in Keystone, SD.

Gari & Michelle consider the various wine selections available at the Naked Winery in Hill City.  This looks like serious business...

The whole gang lines up on a great day for a 6.1 mile walk up to the Crazy Horse mountain sculpture near Custer, SD.  L to R: Michelle, Gari, Jim & Steve.

A traffic jam builds at a slippery drop; Jim helps Michelle get down safely.

The mountain sculpture we came to climb.

 Steve gets his profile with Crazy Horse.

Check Point 4 and last WooHoo!  Near the top now!

On Crazy Horse's arm...

Jim & Michelle capture a memorable moment.

The finished model at the Visitor's Center; you can see the mountain sculpture progress in the background.

Hero shot for Steve & Michelle on top of the mountain.

Steve chats with Adam who has worked at the mountain since 7 years old.  We didn't ask how he lost his finger, but we have a good guess considering the rock carving work he has done most of his life.

We made it back!

 Gari checks the water temperature in Spearfish Canyon.  She says it's c-c-c-cold!

Spearfish Falls, Spearfish Canyon.

Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Canyon.

Jim & Michelle at Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Canyon.

The whole gang at Bridal Veil Falls.

Michelle demonstrates excellent form while feeding the whopper Trout at D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery; oldest fish hatchery in the west, Spearfish, South Dakota.

Whopper Trout feeding.

Best friends at top of Friendship Tower, Mount Roosevelt, Deadwood, South Dakota.  Bear Butte peeks through between the girls.

Friendship Tower, Mount Roosevelt, Deadwood, South Dakota.

Michelle & Jim heading back from Friendship Tower.

Elkhart, Indiana 2019 First Visit Ever

We departed Houston (Magnolia) Texas on Friday, April 5th and pointed our rig north toward Elkhart, Indiana.  We made the approx. 1,160 mile trip in 5 driving days.  That trip was a little bit more ambitious than we normally attempt.  We like to go about 100-200 miles a day, this trip had us moving over 250 miles per day, with one leg going over 300 miles.  We were on a mission to have major work accomplished on our trailer axles and a few small adjustments on our truck Romeo.  Upon arrival, we noticed right away the vibrancy of Elkhart and the surrounding area.  The good folks in and around Elkhart really make things happen.  The level of manufacturing in that area was truly astounding to us.  Much of the business is specifically manufacture of Recreational Vehicles of all types, plus much of the supporting businesses and systems also have their manufacturing operations in this same area.  Elkhart, Indiana certainly looked like RV Headquarters USA to us!

Our first stop was over to the Utility Bodywerks facility for a few small adjustments to Romeo the Ram 5500.  The good folks at UBW had us in and out in the morning of our visit, accomplished everything we requested and then sent us back on our way after charging us nothing.  What a good day it was for us when we selected Utility Bodywerks of Elkhart, Indiana to fabricate and install our custom hauler bed on our new truck.  Our stay in Elkhart was planned for one month and our only other appointment was at MorRyde for two days to rework our MorRyde IS Axle systems.  During our wait time we decided to visit a few of the RV manufacturing facilities.  Our first stop was at Thor MotorCoach.

No cameras were permitted inside of the facility, but we snapped a few pictures outside while we waited for the tour to commence.  The Class A chassis were lined up waiting to go onto the assembly line.

In the 30 minutes we waited for the tour to start a couple of MorRyde tractors brought in a couple of chassis each.  It turns out MorRyde does a lot more than IS suspension systems.  They fabricate and install the steel floor joists onto the Ford, Freightliner, Mercedes and other chassis.

A few days later, Gari parks Romeo in front of Grand Design.  On thing in common at all of the factories we visited was that the workforce appeared to be 50% or more Amish folks.  Very hard working and talented people.

We had a little time for a selfie out by the sign in front.  Again no cameras were permitted on the tour, but we can say that the Grand Design facility was the most organized and seemed to have the best quality controls in place.  One other thing that was notable at Grand Design, the CFO came out and greeted the tour group.  We took one last tour at the Newmar factory, but didn't get a single picture over there.

We managed to snap one picture when we came out from the manufacturing floor at Grand Design.  The materials yard was as organized as the assembly line.

Fast forward a few days to our visit to the MorRyde shop.  Steve pops in on the work bay to check on progress.  It looks like the brake rotors are off, but we still see the spindles on the coach.

Now we see the replacement spindle assemblies appear for later installation.

Below is a new torque arm bracket.  We had not anticipated replacing these 6 parts, but it was discovered upon disassembly that the bushing material had crushed allowing lateral movement of the torque arm resulting in lateral movement of the axle spindle and causing serious tire wear.  At $450 per tire, we want the minimum tire wear, so we elected to replace these brackets as part of the axle/brake/suspension overhaul.

Gari stops by to inspect the installed hub assemblies. and I think she is smiling.  It won't be long now until we are on the road again. 

Our next stop will be Mount Airy, North Carolina for one month.  From there we will visit our good pals Jim and Michelle and son Keith up in the mountains at Vilas, NC.  From there we will head to the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia to visit mom and a few home town friends.  That will be a quick trip so limited visiting this time.

Easter 2019 ~ Our Lord is Risen

Jesus Christ and the Empty Tomb

Matthew 28:1-7  King James Version (KJV)
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

Mark 16:1-6  King James Version (KJV)
1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.

Luke 24:2-3  King James Version (KJV)
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

John 11:25-26  King James Version (KJV)
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Matthew 28:19-20  King James Version (KJV)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Luke 24:50-51
50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 

Waller, Texas 2019

We left Yuma and headed due east at the last part of March.  We made a B-line for Beth and Chris's ranch in Waller Texas.  The shot below is of Romeo the Ram with the custom Utility Bodywerks hauler bed proceeding through the front gate at the ranch on a beautiful sunny day.

Gari and Chris enjoy the ranch dogs basking in the warm sun.

Chris gives John Deere Gator rides to his furry buddies.  Bugsley would like to drive.

Steve and Gari retrieve Jilly and Pedro with the help of Scruppy the Border Collie for a trip to the Donkey Beauty Parlor.

Gari and Beth open up the Donkey Beauty Parlor.

Jilly asks, How do I look now?

We accompanied Beth to her special farriers shop not far away from the ranch.  Bryan and Ryan, two local farriers, worked together as a very knowledgeable and skilled team.  They have been working on Junior for months and the improvement is significant for Junior.

Gari says hello to a Clydesdale team we met at the farrier shop.

We even saw some cute new foals at the farrier shop.

Back on Beth & Chris's Ranch, it's time to ride, so Beth and Gari go catch some horses.

Gari has Junior and Beth has Dino.

Beth and Gari Saddle up.

Junior had to be temporarily replaced, he will go to the farrier tomorrow.  I know the pictures are out of sequence...  Beth has Tango all tacked up and ready to go now.  That Tango is one tall Thoroughbred!

 Off they go!  A beautiful day for a ride.  Beth and Gari are very experienced riders.

 Comin' around again...

Gari asks Dino to trot a little.

Another day a little more grooming fun.  Steve and Beth work on Dino.

Gari checks out Dinos interesting brand marking.

After a little target practice at the local pistol range, Chris looks on as Beth and Steve inspect and clean the firearms.

Beth won the day with the most bullseyes.  You already know not to mess with Texas and now you know not to mess with Beth!

Leaving at the end of a visit with Beth and Chris is always difficult because we don't want to leave.  We will think about the next visit to keep us happy in the meantime.