2025 Airstream Travels

Friday, October 10 – Tuesday, October 14,2025

This morning, we’re packing up to head home. Custer State Park has been an incredible place to stay, and we can’t praise it enough – it truly stands out. The facilities are top-notch, the park is stunning, and the wildlife makes it an unforgettable experience.

After stopping at the dump station, we left the campground. A road closure forced us to take a longer route to reach I-90, which we plan to follow to Wisconsin before heading south and then east.

Our first overnight stay, a repeat from our westward journey, was at the Mitchell, SD KOA. It’s a great campground, and after five hours on the road, we were ready to stop. Heading east on Saturday, we entered Minnesota, a new state for both of us. The interstate runs through the lower part of the state, offering little scenery and a bumpy ride due to patched roads, making it an uncomfortable drive. We decided to stop early to watch football and unwind after yesterday’s long drive. After calling the Albert Lea / Austin KOA, we booked a reservation for the night. Unfortunately, this campground was less than ideal, but it worked for a quick overnight stay. The football games were enjoyable, and we went to bed early, ready for another travel day tomorrow.

On Sunday, we arrived in Wisconsin, a new state for both of us. The landscape began to shift from flat cornfields to rolling hills dotted with farms and more trees and looking more like Ohio’s landscape. After weeks without seeing many deciduous trees, they were a refreshing sight. The interstate, however, remained rough with lots of construction, adding to the stress of driving. We decided to stop outside Madison and booked a spot at the Ho-Chunk Casino in Baraboo. Although we’re not gamblers, we tried it out since they offer full hook-up sites and it had good reviews. The campground turned out to be fantastic, with great public bath and shower facilities—a huge improvement from the previous night’s campground. We thought about visiting the casino and trying our luck but decided to relax and enjoy our evening in the camper.

On Monday, we drove south on I-39 into Illinois and then turned east onto I-74. The roads were still rough, but our excitement grew as we got closer to home. We decided to divide the remaining journey, driving around 5 hours today and leaving about 4 1/2 hours for tomorrow to reach home. Tonight, we reserved a spot at Charla Rose Campground near Hillsboro, Indiana.

Charla Rose was a basic campground, with more full-time permanent residents than travelers, but it worked fine for an overnight stay. We left the truck hooked up to the camper and departed around 8:30 a.m. ET. This was our first night in the Eastern time zone after spending several weeks in Mountain and Central time zones, and it’s been a bit of an adjustment to reset our internal clocks.

After reading about how rough I-70 is in Indiana, we experienced it ourselves after a few miles and decided to switch to US Route 40 into Ohio. Running parallel to I-70, it’s a much smoother ride with less traffic and, in some areas, even a 4-lane highway. As we approached Columbus, we got back on I-70 and soon made it home. We have an RV slip at Acres Away, just five minutes from home, and we took Sloopy there to park and unload. After three trips, the camper was finally empty, and we’re left wondering how we managed to fit so much stuff into a 25-foot camper!

As John Denver’s song says, “It’s so good to be back home again,” yet we’re already planning next year’s adventures to Yellowstone and other equally breathtaking destinations.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Today was remarkable in so many ways—the weather was absolutely stunning with clear blue skies, temperatures in the upper 60s, and we were off to Sylvan Lake. Located in Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake comes highly recommended by YouTubers, and after today, we totally understand why.

Another must-do is driving the Needles Highway—simply incredible! This drive is beyond words, with its thrilling narrow roads barely wide enough for oncoming traffic, and at times, no guardrails to stop a plunge of hundreds of feet. To top it off, you navigate through the Eye of the Needle—a tunnel carved through solid rock, just wide enough for our big F-250 4×4 (by the way, Ron was behind the wheel today!). We had just about 2 inches of clearance on each side of the truck, with the mirrors folded in, to avoid getting stuck. But the views made it all worthwhile – it was totally exhilarating!

I will let the photos tell the story – every picture tells a story, don’t it!

Staying at Custer State Park was absolutely incredible and truly unforgettable!

Monday, October 6 to Wednesday, October 8, 2025

The weather shifted to rain over the weekend, and by Monday night, temperatures dropped into the 30s. We kept an electric heater running overnight, and in the morning, we fired up Mr. Heater – it’s a powerhouse and had the place warm in no time. Along with our quilts, we both use wool blankets, but somehow mine ended up on the floor during the night. I couldn’t figure out why I was so cold until I sat up and saw it lying there.

Monday was mostly overcast, and it rained quite a bit overnight. I believe the area has been dry, so the rain was likely welcome. Tuesday started with clear skies and sunshine all day. We’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather throughout this trip, with just a couple of rainy days and mostly moderate temperatures in the 70s.

Fall in Custer State Park has been amazing. We met a couple from Spearfish staying in a cabin here. Stacey and Annabelle come to this area every fall because the weather is usually fantastic, and the autumn scenery is breathtaking. We couldn’t agree more—between the crisp weather, vibrant fall foliage, smaller crowds, and breathtaking scenery, it’s truly a wonderful time of year to visit Custer State Park!

Custer State Park offers several lodges, each with its own unique menu specialties. On Monday, we chose to visit Blue Bell Lodge to check it out. This 98-year-old lodge features massive timbers, a grand stone fireplace, log chairs, knotty pine siding, and local wildlife decorations adorning the walls. We both had the Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Pot Pie, Salad, and coffee but were too full to enjoy any dessert.

We’ve been wanting to make Sourdough Biscuits in the Dutch Oven to serve with Sausage Gravy. On Tuesday, we got them ready and baked them in about 15 minutes. They turned out great and we are looking forward to leftovers again today. The Dutch Oven has been a fantastic addition to our cooking gear. So far, we’ve made pizza twice, lasagna twice, sourdough bread, apple pie, and biscuits—all of which turned out amazing. We’re excited to try out more recipes on our upcoming trips.

The Custer State Park Visitors Center is just a short stroll from the campground, which we visited on Tuesday. It was impressive, and the walk there was lovely, with a cheerful stream bubbling along the pathway. The park host, one of the many seasonal volunteers, must have a tough job, but someone has to do it! We got our passport book stamped with Custer State Park and learned so much about the park’s origins and how it’s been maintained over the years.

Wednesday morning, we drove the Wildlife Loop again, hoping to spot some elk and other animals. While we didn’t see any elk, we enjoyed the stunning scenery along the way. At an overlook, we discovered a trail leading to the top of a hill, and the views from there were absolutely incredible—definitely worth the hike.

We visited the Custer Bison Center and learned about the roundup process and the importance of managing the park’s 1,100 bison herd. After the roundup, the cowhands work in the corrals, vaccinating, tagging, and sorting the bison to determine which will be sold for meat or to ranches to expand or start herds. It was fascinating to watch their work and see the bison up close. We also found out that older female bison stay in the park to guide the herds, teaching the younger ones how things work – how wise!

Tomorrow, we’re planning to visit Sylvan Lake and drive along Needles Highway! Tonight we are enjoying a campfire with a scenic view of the hillsides surrounding the Game Lodge Campground.

Friday, October 3 – Sunday, Oct 5, 2025

We decided to drive to Wind Cave on Friday, aware that the government shutdown meant the Visitor’s Center and Cave Tours would be closed. The drive was stunning, with breathtaking scenery and sightings of Bison herds and Prairie Dog Towns, though no Elk were spotted. We paused for a photo at the Park entrance before taking an alternate route back to the campgrounds, soaking in the vast open spaces of the area.

Friday, we also baked Lasagna in the Dutch Oven. It turned out great again, enjoying the meal on Friday evening with leftovers on both Saturday and Sunday. With rain in the forecast on Saturday, we decided to forego any travel and stayed in to watch the football games.

We mounted the Starlink on our camera tripod, but when it started raining, we got worried about the surge protector and tripod getting wet. So, we brought it inside and set it up in the skylight of the Airstream. It worked like a charm! We watched all the games without worrying about the weather.

This morning, we relocated to our second campsite at Game Lodge, Site #1, where we’ll stay until Friday, October 10, before heading back home. The sky was heavy with clouds today, but with little chance of rain, we decided to make the 1.5-hour drive to Badlands National Park. After that, we spent another 1-2 hours on the scenic byway, making it an ideal day for the adventure.

The Badlands feels like another world, and we were blown away by the vastness of the landscape. The rock formations are incredibly unique and vibrant, which was an unexpected surprise. We learned that this area was once covered by a sea millions of years ago, and as the water receded, it became home to various animals, including alligators, rhinoceros-like creatures, dog-sized horses, and many other fascinating species. The climate back then resembled Florida’s weather today, creating a perfect environment for these animals. Over the years, fossils of these creatures have been discovered in the Badlands.

There are several scenic overlooks perfect for landscape photos. As we left one, I noticed a lone coyote on the hilltop—unusual in daylight. Ron quickly stepped out and snapped a photo of the still, elusive animal.

The skies were gloomy throughout the day, creating what we thought was the ideal backdrop for the rugged beauty of the Badlands.

October 2, 2025

Mt. Rushmore National Monument was a must-see for us. With the shutdown, we weren’t sure if it would be open, but we decided to go check it out.

It was another gorgeous day for a drive to the monument. We’re constantly amazed at how peaceful it is while driving through the area—sometimes it feels like we have the park all to ourselves. Visiting during the off-peak season has truly been the best decision for us. The route takes us through several tunnels carved and blasted into solid rock, and we captured some stunning views at an overlook spot.

Mt. Rushmore was an incredible place to visit. It’s amazing to think about the immense time and effort it took to create such a monumental work. Starting in the 1920s and finishing in the early 1940s, countless hours went into carving the faces of four great presidents, forever etched into history.

The attention to detail is stunning, from Lincoln’s beard to Teddy’s monocle, the workmanship is more than impressive. We read how over 450,000 tons of rock were removed with over 150,000 pounds of dynamite used to create the monument, and the countless hours of jackhammering that happened over the course of nearly 20 years of work.

The monument was open to the public, but the Visitor’s Center was closed, so we couldn’t get our Passport book cancellation stamp. Fortunately, the gift shop was open, and we managed to get a stamp for our book there. We took a lot of photos, and the guards then opened up the .6-mile Presidential Trail loop, and we decided to take the hike, capturing lots of good photos of the monument along the way.

It was a truly worthwhile visit to see this National Monument.

October 1, 2025

When we checked into the Spearfish City Campground, the staff informed us that the water supply to all sites would be shut off starting Wednesday, October 1st. She mentioned it might happen around 8:00 to 9:00 am and that we were welcome to stay, but there would be no water available.

In the morning, Ron got an early start flushing and draining the tanks. While he worked on this, one of our campground neighbors stopped by for a chat. They owned a 2015 Bambi Airstream, and as is common among Airstream owners, we ended up talking about travel and Airstream life, among other things. During the conversation, we noticed the water had gone off, but since we were nearly done, we packed up the hoses and got ready to leave. By 10:00 a.m., we were all set to head out. Our next campsite was about an hour and a half away, with a check-in time of noon, so leaving at 10 ensured we’d arrive right on time.

With some time to spare, we decided to explore the Historic Fish Hatchery next to the Spearfish City campground. It was on our list to visit before leaving, but we hadn’t realized it was a Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives. As you may know, due to the Government shutdown, most National Parks are either closed or offering limited services. We were able to walk around the grounds and were amazed by the trout swimming in the crystal-clear hatchery waters. There were also historic homes, a boat, a railcar used to transport fingerlings in the 1800s, and more. It was incredibly fascinating, and we wish we could have taken the full tour—maybe next time!

Game Lodge Campground is truly a top-notch destination campground and stands out among the many we’ve visited. Nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota, it offers stunning views of mountains, hillsides, and abundant wildlife. Custer State Park, the second-largest state park in the U.S., boasts nine campgrounds, and Game Lodge is ranked the best. It features spacious campsites, fire rings, trees, a pond, trails, plenty of wildlife to enjoy, and more.

We arrived on time and got set up in site #18. There is electric at the site, but you have to fill up your water tank upon entering the campgrounds. They have a dump station to empty tanks before leaving. We read and saw videos about the Wildlife Loop at the park and decided to check it out. Before leaving a herd of Bighorn Sheep made their way through the campground and Ron was able to get some photos.

The Wildlife Loop stretches 20 miles of winding roads through vast grasslands, climbing hills and peaks that offer stunning views of the immense pine forests. There are plenty of pull-offs for enjoying the scenery or spotting wildlife. Early in our trip, we came across a large bison close to the roadside. To snap a good photo, we had to turn around and park near the enormous animal. Each year, Custer State Park rounds up the buffalo and moves them to a grassland area to manage the herd. The round-up happened the weekend before we arrived, so we wondered if we’d see any buffalo. But as it happened, we came across a large heard of several hundred roaming across the prairie.

We passed by several Prairie Dog Towns, spotted more Bighorn Sheep, saw Pronghorns—the fastest animal on the North American continent—and encountered wild Burros and deer. It was an incredible day, and we were both amazed by the stunning countryside and the abundance of wildlife. As we paused at scenic overlooks to snap some photos, we took in the pine-scented forest air and immersed ourselves in the breathtaking views. It was definitely an unforgettable day.

We’re staying at campsite #18 for four nights, then moving to site #1 in the campground for another five nights before heading home. Game Lodge is an excellent base for exploring Wind Cave National Park, Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, Needles Highway, and other attractions in the Black Hills area.

September 30, 2025

Deadwood is conveniently located just a 20-minute drive from Spearfish, making it an accessible destination for a day trip. The journey itself is remarkable, offering breathtaking mountain views, stretches of pine forests, and trees adorned with vibrant golden leaves that highlight the natural beauty of the Black Hills region.

Founded nearly 150 years ago after miners arrived in Deadwood Gulch, the town of Deadwood is renowned for its colorful and storied past. The legacy of its early days is still visible throughout the town. Notable figures such as Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock, and Potato Creek Johnny have all called Deadwood home. Wild Bill Hickok, arguably the town’s most famous resident, met a tragic end when he was shot by Jack McCall just a month after settling in the area. Today, both Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery, a testament to their enduring connection to Deadwood.

Many of Deadwood’s historic buildings remain standing in the downtown area, maintaining the town’s unique Old West ambiance. Former gambling houses have been transformed into lively casinos featuring slot machines, while the streets are lined with a range of eateries, hotels, and shops offering clothing, jewelry, and liquor. This blend of preservation and modern activity gives Deadwood its distinctive character.

As we approached the city limits, Ron asked me to stop so he could capture a photograph. He grabbed his camera and hurried towards the hillside, where we spotted two long-horned sheep grazing right at the edge of Deadwood. The town, situated at the border of the Black Hills National Forest, is home to these sheep, which have adapted to the presence of people and the noise of the streets as they search for food. Ron managed to take several photographs of the sheep before we continued into town.

While the architecture throughout Deadwood caught our attention, we decided not to enter the many stores and casinos. However, we did make a stop at the Adams Visitor Center. There, we enjoyed viewing an array of Deadwood memorabilia and local historical artifacts, making the visit both informative and worthwhile.

During our time in Deadwood, we visited Mt. Moriah Cemetery, a historic site perched on a steep hillside overlooking the town. Here, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried side by side, their gravesites offering a poignant reminder of the area’s storied past. From the cemetery, we enjoyed sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding hillsides, providing a unique perspective on the landscape that defines Deadwood.

After taking in the history and scenery at Mt. Moriah, we made our way back to our campsite. To prepare for the next part of our journey, we stopped at Walmart to restock groceries and essentials. Fully supplied, we looked forward to our upcoming stay at the Game Lodge campground in Custer State Park.

September 29, 2025

We left 7th Ranch early this morning around 8:30 AM MT to head to our next campground, about four hours away. While leaving the campground, we spotted a Magpie on a fence post near the Ranch entrance and got a photo of it.

The interstate from Montana to South Dakota was smooth with minimal traffic, and even though the views were similar to what we saw on the way to the Ranch, we still loved the beautiful scenery. Montana has been our favorite state so far, and while we didn’t see much of it, what we did see was absolutely breathtaking.

The couple we met at Mountain View Campground in Sundance, WY, told us about their visit to Spearfish Canyon and how amazing it was. With two nights to spare before our reservations at Game Lodge, we decided to check it out. We’re so glad they mentioned it because it truly is incredible. I looked into nearby campgrounds and found Spearfish City Campground. After reading the reviews, we booked two nights, and upon arrival, we completely agree with all the positive feedback and could see ourselves making a return trip to the area.

Spearfish Canyon, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a stunningly deep and narrow gorge carved by Spearfish Creek. Its limestone palisades, older than the Grand Canyon, are awe-inspiring but much closer together. The towering 1,000-foot walls offer incredible views and feature highlights like Roughneck Falls, Spearfish Falls, and the Savoy Pond area. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, wildlife spotting, trout fishing, and relaxing picnics amidst this natural beauty.

After checking in, we decided we still had time to drive the 20-mile Spearfish Canyon scenic byway. As we entered the byway, we were immediately awestruck by the stunning scenery. Partway through, we noticed several vehicles pulled over on the roadside and assumed there was wildlife nearby. After parking and stepping out, we spotted Mountain Goats on the cliffs above Spearfish. Fortunately, Ron had brought our camera, and we captured some incredible photos of these amazing animals skillfully navigating the steep, rocky slopes. On one outcropping, we saw a baby goat with its mother. A local observer told us the mother is called ‘Broken Horn’ and mentioned a public Facebook page with photos of the canyon, the Mountain Goats, and other wildlife in the area.

We traveled along the way, stopping often to snap photos of the stunning cliffs, vibrant fall foliage, and the three waterfalls. The water is crystal clear and evidently cold, home to Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout. There was plenty of fly fishing happening in the stream, which is strictly catch and release. We spotted two deer crossing the road but didn’t see any of the resident Golden or Bald Eagles. A unique bird native to this area is the American Dipper, an aquatic songbird known for its bobbing movements on rocks. We haven’t managed to get a photo of it yet, but maybe tomorrow. At the end of the byway, we spotted a sign indicating that the famous movie ‘Dances with Wolves’ was filmed just over two miles north of the canyon.

Rain began to fall as we made our way back to the campground, and by the time we reached our campsite it was coming down hard with hail mixed in with the rain. The camp host mentioned they needed rain since there hasn’t been any since mid-August. I told her we drove through some on the way, and she said, I hope you brought some with you – and I guess we did. Tomorrow morning, we’re heading to the legendary Deadwood, a place filled with Wild West history.

Friday, September 26 – Sunday, September 27, 2025

After several extended trips in our RV, we soon learned that things happen. Things break, minor repairs, chores, and in some cases, medical issues come up. Fortunately, we have not had any medical issues to date but in speaking with our campground neighbors at Mountain View, they do happen. The couple was on a 5-week excursion from Gulf Shores, Texas, and had explored Yellowstone before making their way to Sundance. Sometime after arriving the man started experiencing pains and after a trip to the hospital, learned he had a kidney stone that required surgery. They extended their stay at Mountain View and arranged for surgery the next day, but plan to still continue their travels after it is removed. The few things we experienced now feel quite insignificant. We exchanged wishes for safe and happy travels before going our separate ways.

Today was a long day with nearly four hours of driving. We made a stop at Walmart in Gillette, WY, to grab groceries since they’re hard to find where we’re headed. The scenery along the way was stunning, with rolling hills, wide valleys, and the Rocky Mountains off in the distance. At first, the mountains looked like a mirage, wrapped in clouds and painted in shades of purple and gray, but as we got closer, they became clearer and more massive. Traveling on I-90, we climbed some hills while the Rockies stayed to the south. The valleys stretched wide, dotted with creeks, rivers, and trees lining their banks. The deciduous trees were especially striking, their vibrant yellow leaves adding to the beauty. Before we knew it, the miles flew by, and we arrived at 7th Ranch.

The campground is situated about 3 miles south of the Little Bighorn Battlefield, which we planned to visit on Sunday. Saturday was reserved for a full day of rest and relaxation, enjoying football, and making Dutch oven pizza. The campground is beautifully perched on a hillside overlooking a tranquil valley with scattered trees and pastures. It’s quiet since it’s the off-season, with only about 10 other campsites occupied when we arrived. The hostess welcomed us warmly and offered a free ice cream bar after we got settled, which we happily accepted. The facilities include a centrally located bathroom/shower area and a laundry room as well. The campground is well-maintained, and it’s easy to see why it has such great reviews.

We spent the day watching football, making pizza (so good!), and went to bed early. During the day, temperatures have been in the upper 70s and low 80s, but once the sun sets, the air cools down quickly. Overnight temperatures drop into the 40s, so we had to pull out a couple of wool blankets for the night and use a small electric heater in the morning. We’re convinced that the locals here are tough, thriving in this environment and enduring the winter weather.

Our visit to Little Bighorn was unforgettable in so many ways. Growing up, we had read about the legendary battle, one of those captivating Wild West tales that sparked the imagination. The battlefield and cemetery were solemn, rich with the history of both the American settlers striving to claim the land and the Native Americans fighting to protect their homeland. I could almost picture the fierce clashes and hear the cries of those who fell on these hills. Most of the fighting happened on the highest point in the area, and we were struck by the beauty of the landscape, with grasslands covering the hills and bluffs, and the Little Bighorn River winding peacefully through the valley surrounded by trees and pastures.

There are several monuments there and walking trails to various parts of the battlefield. During one of our walks, Ron suddenly stopped me and said, “Watch out.” He had spotted a rattlesnake just a few feet ahead on the sidewalk, directly in my path. The park has signs warning about poisonous snakes, and we found that to be true. It was a young snake that quickly slithered into the brush before we could snap a photo.

We also drove the loop that took us to other areas of the battle, learning a great deal about how the events took place that fateful day. Partway on the loop, the national park ends, and we travel through the Crow reservation lands before re-entering the National Park. It’s a day to remember at Little Bighorn.

Tomorrow, we head back east with our next stop in Spearfish, SD, staying at the City Campground. The couple from Texas told us how stunning Spearfish Canyon is, so we plan to explore it during our two-night stay. We’re also close to another iconic Western town, Deadwood, and are planning to check it out too.

September 25, 2025 – September 26, 2025

Today, we journey to Sundance, Wyoming, marking another new state for both of us. The landscape shifts once more to rolling hills and mountains, with expansive valleys sprinkled with trees and ranches. Pine forests blanket the hillsides, interspersed with deciduous trees whose leaves are turning vibrant yellows. Against the backdrop of the pines, the scenery is truly picturesque.

The towns and cities are more spread out, which means more dispersed camping options as well. While some seemed less appealing, Campendium had great reviews for Mountain Campground, located in the quaint village of Sundance, WY. It’s just a 30-minute drive south of the famous Devils Tower National Monument. Back in 1977, we watched “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” the iconic Steven Spielberg film starring Richard Dreyfuss, and we knew this was a must-see for us.

Our journey today was a relatively short two-hour drive from Wall, SD, to Sundance, WY. After checking in, we got ready to visit the monument. The campground host was incredibly helpful, providing us with a map of the area and suggesting a scenic route to Devils Tower. She also recommended the best nearby spot to eat—Longhorn Saloon and Grill, a family-owned restaurant in downtown Sundance that features local beef on the menu. We made plans to stop there after our trip to Devils Tower.

As described by the host, the scenic drive was breathtaking with epic views in every direction. About 15 miles into the drive, the road climbed a hill and rounded a bend, where we first saw the iconic mountain. We can’t imagine how early settlers felt when they came across the mountain, but it soon became a way marker for wagon trains as they travelled west.

Upon arriving, we had our National Parks Passport stamped with the date and an image of the monument. A 1.6-mile paved trail loops around the mountain, and we began walking it, taking photos along the way. While walking the trail, we noticed bandanas and other fabrics tied to trees, which we learned are prayer bundles left by visitors. We knew rock climbers scaled the famous mountain and spotted a rappelling rope hanging from its side. As we rounded a bend, an EMS staff member stopped us, informed us of an accident, and asked us to turn back. Later, as we left the visitor center, we noticed an EMS vehicle and realized they were on the mountain trail providing assistance. We suspect it might have been a climber needing help since they were near the rappelling rope. We hope everything turned out okay for whoever required assistance.

After leaving the monument, we came across a Prairie Dog town and stopped to snap a few photos. They seemed pretty cute to us, though I imagine the locals might think differently. We also spotted a few bison resting near a herd of cows, with Devils Tower standing majestically in the background—a classic western scene straight out of a storybook.

After arriving back at the campground and taking quick showers, we went downtown to the Longhorn Saloon & Grill. We were seated immediately since it wasn’t too busy yet, though it got busier while we were there. Having checked the menu beforehand, we saw they had various steaks on the menu and since we knew they served local beef, that’s what Ron chose. He had a 14 oz Ribeye Steak with chipped fries and a salad. I opted for Honey Garlic Salmon with Sweet Potato Fries served with Honey Butter, along with a salad. We both agreed it was the best meal we’ve had in years. Everything was absolutely delicious – one of those meals that leaves you with a warm glow inside and out. I never imagined dipping sweet potato fries in honey butter, but it made my taste buds come alive!

We went to bed early as we had a four-hour drive to a small town near the Little Bighorn National Battlefield Monument. The 7th Ranch Campground in Garryowen, MT, has earned high praise as a top-notch spot, so we booked a stay there. Montana is a new state for both of us, and we’re thrilled to visit. We plan to stay at the campground for three nights, giving Ron a well-deserved break from driving. This will be the farthest west we go before heading back to the east.

We forgot to take a photo of Sloopy’s campsite at Mountain View!

September 23, 2025 to September 24, 2025

We left Mitchell KOA around 10:30 a.m. CT, knowing we’d cross into the Mountain Time Zone before reaching Wall, South Dakota. The countryside began to change, with fields of short cornstalks, soybeans, turnips, barley, and sunflowers appearing. The turnips had deep mauve flowers, with some fields stretching all the way to the horizon. Other fields were blanketed with yellow sunflowers, also reaching as far as the eye could see. When they call the West “Big Sky country,” it’s absolutely true—you can see to the horizon in every direction. The landscape then changed to grasslands with large herds of cattle grazing. It is quite beautiful here.

GPS is an incredibly useful tool in many situations. It can warn us about upcoming road construction, police presence, or, like today, notify us of an obstruction ahead. This gave Ron a heads-up to stay alert, and thankfully so, because there was a full-size bumper lying in the middle of the road. He managed to steer to the right while the semi in the left passing lane swerved to the left, and we both avoided the dangerous obstruction. Hopefully, someone removed it soon after.

On our way, we noticed a rest area ahead and decided to take a break. We’re so glad we did! It turned out to be South Dakota’s Welcome Center, and it was absolutely incredible. It’s honestly the most beautiful rest area we’ve ever seen, which might sound odd but is completely true. This spot marks the location where Lewis and Clark camped during their historic journey along the Missouri River in 1804. The views of the Missouri River and surrounding hills are breathtaking, and the impressive Dignity of Earth and Sky is truly inspiring. “Standing at a crossroads, Dignity echoes the interaction of earth, sky, and people.” Hats off to South Dakota!

We came across a herd of antelope near the interstate during our journey today, but sadly, we missed the chance to capture a photo. The scenery is shifting, and we caught glimpses of the Badlands, which we’re planning to explore when we stay at Custer State Park and anticipate we will see some wildlife while staying there.

Our overnight destination today is the world-famous Wall Drug, a well-known tourist attraction near Badlands National Park, advertised by over a hundred billboards along I-90. The town of Wall is small, but the attraction draws plenty of visitors and should bring significant revenue to the community. While the 72,000 sq ft store is mostly a tourist trap, we enjoyed browsing old-time photographs of famous Native Americans, paintings of western scenes, and dining at the Wall Drug Cafe. Ron had a buffalo burger, I had an amazing grilled chicken sandwich, and we both indulged in homemade blueberry pie.

We’re camping right in town at the Sleepy Hollow Campground. It’s not too bad, though it’s a bit of a step down from our last spot in Mitchell. The weather is perfect, with daytime temperatures in the mid-70s and cool nights in the mid-50s. Hopefully, these lovely conditions stick around for the next couple of weeks.

Tomorrow, we travel to Sundance, Wyoming and have reservations at the Mountain View RV Park and Campground. It’s a shorter drive tomorrow of 130 miles and a little over 2-hour drive. The campground has great reviews, and we are excited to enter another new state for us!

September23 to September 24, 2025

It was a relatively short drive of 2 1/2 hours today. We’re excited to visit South Dakota, as neither of us has been there before. It’s been a bit of a slog since leaving Ohio, traveling daily with overnight stops, but it’s all been necessary to reach our destinations at both Little Bighorn and Custer State Park. At 7th Ranch RV Campground near Little Bighorn, we stay for 4 nights and at Custer State Park, we are there for 9 nights before heading back home.

There was a lot of road construction on today’s travels, too, north on I-90 but traffic was moderate. The weather is still warm during the day, cooling off most nights into the 50s and 60s. In addition to moving into the Fall season, we are also crossing time zones and that is a bit challenging in planning travel time. Today we will cross into MST, a two-hour difference from EST. We are monitoring the weather also, since it can change quickly in this part of the country but so far, it’s been great.

Mitchell KOA Journey campground is located on the outskirts of Mitchell, SD. It is a well-maintained KOA and the scenery is quite lovely. This is a first for sharing photos of a campground bathroom, but it is so amazing – very clean with beautiful fixtures. The campsites are fairly large, most are pull-thru with full hookups, the staff are friendly, making it a destination campground.

Mitchell, a 1,000-year-old farming village, is one of the earliest corn-growing sites on the Northern Plains. While traveling, we discovered that the Corn Palace of the World is located in Mitchell and decided to visit after settling in.

The Corn Palace is a unique structure that attracts over 500,000 visitors annually to admire its intricate corn murals. Built in 1892, shortly after Mitchell, SD was established, it served as a gathering spot for city residents and rural neighbors to enjoy fall festivals and entertainment. Celebrating the crop-growing season and harvest, the palace is redecorated each year with naturally colored corn, grains, and native grasses, making it a global agricultural showcase. Each year features a new theme, with murals designed to reflect it. Corn is carefully nailed onto the Corn Palace to create the scenes. This year’s theme was the 7 Wonders of the World, and in October, they will begin dismantling it to prepare for next year’s theme.

Our next campground is located in Wall, SD, near another world renown attraction, Wall Drug. A drug store, gift shop, and eateries are some of the amenities at the 76,000 sq ft building.

Sunday, September 21 to Monday, September 22, 2025

We were excited to arrive in Iowa today since neither of us had visited this state before. However, our excitement quickly vanished when we reached the Beyonder Getaway Lazy Acres campground near Center Point, Iowa, where we planned to stay overnight. The name should have been a warning—Get Away and Lazy Acres turned out to be quite fitting. What may have once been a thriving and pleasant campground has sadly fallen into neglect and is now in a state of complete disrepair.

I wish we could say something positive but other than the Wifi working enough to watch a couple of shows on TV and reading our books, there is nothing. The lots were overgrown, filled with thistles. The drives in the campground had huge potholes and washed-out areas, and the sites were not level at all. It was one of those camping experiences you want to wash from your memory as soon as possible.

Our campground disappointment quickly faded as we began today’s drive to Sioux City, Iowa. While planning the route, I noticed that US 20 spans the entire state. It appeared straight as an arrow, and upon researching, I discovered it’s a four-lane highway with a 65-mile-per-hour speed limit from Waterloo to Sioux City—exactly our destination today. It runs close to I-90, but since interstates often have heavy traffic with semis, it’s refreshing to take a less crowded route when possible.

This turned out to be an excellent choice. Traffic was light, the roads were smooth, and the countryside, sprinkled with small farms and occasional towns, was a pleasure to see. The endless fields of corn and soybeans stretched as far as the eye could see, while 60s Gold played in the background, making the miles fly by.

Mid-morning, we needed a quick stop, and I noticed Marker 26 up ahead with gas and a market. As we pulled into the lot, we were surprised to see it was a Sinclair Gas station! It brought back memories of my Grandpa Ralph Miller and Uncle Carl Maxwell, who owned a Sinclair Oil station. The large green dinosaur signs were everywhere in our youth, but you don’t see them in the east anymore. At first, I thought spotting one was a rare coincidence, but I quickly realized Sinclair stations are actually quite common in this part of Iowa.

We chose Scenic View Campground in downtown Sioux City for an overnight stay. After reading and rereading the reviews, I felt confident it was a good choice. It’s located across the Missouri River in Sioux City but is actually in Nebraska, not Iowa. I discovered this while chatting with the campground manager during check-in. She was very friendly, gave me a warm welcome, and asked if we’d been there before. I told her it was our first time here and our first time in Iowa. She laughed and said, “Honey, you are in Nebraska!” Ron found that pretty amusing too.

We’re at Site #9 with a great view of the Missouri River and downtown Sioux City. It’s our first time staying in a city campground, and it’s surprisingly quiet and peaceful. There’s a St. Bernard dog show happening in the nearby park and sports complex, and many of the participants are staying here too. Those are some massive dogs!

The campground is in tune with the both the reviews and its name, Scenic View. We feel relaxed, refreshed, after getting groceries, dinner, and a hot shower.

Tomorrow we are excited to travel to Mitchell, South Dakota KOA Journey.

Saturday, September 20 to Sunday, September, September 21

This was another first for us in booking a campsite at a Love’s. It was also the first time we’ve seen a Love’s with full hookup, as some may allow overnight camping, some with electric, and some with a dump station. Site #34 was a pull through with full hookups including Wifi.

We continued on US 24 across Indiana. It is a smooth highway, some 4 lanes, but mostly 2 lanes. It is some of the smoothest roads we’ve travelled on our trip so far. Soon after crossing the state line into Illinois, we took I-55 South. The Love’s campground is right off the interstate and has 55 campsites. We made our reservation enroute and it was a good thing because it was the last site available. In looking at the area, we noticed it is near the Illinois State University, and they were having a football game there that night.

Also, enroute, we crossed into the Central Time Zone, making our arrival around 1:30pm CT. With the Wifi, we were able to watch some football games and relax for the day and evening. It is located near the Interstate, but it had rained and cooled off, and we kept our windows closed overnight. The traffic noise did not keep us awake.

Our original trip planned to go to Utah to the mighty 5 but after leaving Jackson Center, we changed our plans and decided to travel to South Dakota. We had made plans to go through a couple of years ago, but changed our plans due to selling our home. Custer State Park is a destination campground and nearly impossible to make reservations with less than 6 months out. We anticipated not getting into the State Park, but there are many other privately owned campgrounds in the area. The area has quite a few attractions, including Mt. Rushmore, Wind Cave, the Badlands, and more. Also, Little Bighorn is located a little over 4 hours west which is a bucket lister for us.

I’ve been checking Custer State Park ever since leaving Jackson Center in hopes of snagging a campsite there but never dreamed it would work out. Well, it did. While staying at Love’s and searching Custer State Park, I found a site at Game Lodge Campgrounds for 4 nights – unbelievable! I quickly made the reservation, before going back in to check is another site was available for a night or two, to make our stay a bit longer. I found another 5 nights and reserved them as fast as possible. We are now booked starting October 1 to October 10 at the Game Lodge State Park campground -awesome!

With a few days to fill before our reservations, we are planning to go to Little Bighorn National Battlefield first for a few nights, then onto Devil’s Tower, before reaching Game Lodge.

Love’s Truck Stop was a highly productive stay! From here, we’re taking I-74 to travel to Beyonder Lazy Acres in Cedar Point, Iowa, with plans to arrive on Sunday, September 21.

Friday, September 19 to Saturday, September 20

We’ve only stayed in one Harvest Host campsite prior to tonight’s stay but we know this one is very special. It is located about 6 miles south of Peru, Indiana, right along the Mississinewa River. After turning on the road to its location, we saw a historic marker near a home. In reading about it, the house was built in 1827 by a Chief Richardville, son of a fur trader and a Chieftan’s daughter of the Miami tribe. Chief Richardville and his mother were entrepreneurs, establishing a trading route along the rivers in the area, and was considered quite wealthy. The stately home is brick and was renovated by a local historical society to its’ original state and tours are available. These are the kinds of tours we enjoy, but unfortunately, we didn’t have the time.

As mentioned, Camp Ames has full hookups, which is very unusual for a Harvest Host. They also have a camp store, and campers are encouraged to buy goods from them too to support the campgrounds. We had received an email to confirm our reservation for Site #2. Entering the grounds, is a large gravel area. The host told us to drive through the grass to pull into our site. The site was very level, the full hookups were great, and the cost can’t be beat.

We ran into Peru for a few groceries, since we had to dispose or leave at home our refrigerated items while Sloopy was getting repaired. We also grabbed a quick bite to eat at Wendy’s before heading back to our campsite. Google Maps most of the time is spot on, but for some reason on our return trip, it was wonky, and we went over 10 miles out of our way before finding our way back. It was a quiet spot overnight and, in the morning, we bought a dozen eggs from their flock, a jar of honey they collect from their hives, and a few other items. Altogether we spent $35 for the overnight stay but had some food items and a good night’s rest.

Tomorrow, we head further west to Bloomington, Illinois at the Love’s RV campground near Normal, Illinois.