Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Tires, Wheel Bearings, and a Firm Departure Date!

We are still taking care of the details. We are trying to get everything in order with the rig so we will have a good exit from Washington state and our travels south into Texas goes smoothly.

I ordered 4 new tires for the 5th wheel. I chose Goodyear G614 RST Load Range G. I bought them from Walmart for $1605.36.



They were made the 24th week of 2013.


I took the rig to Les Schwab Tire center. I am having the wheel bearings repacked, and the  new tires balanced and mounted.


The old tires weren't all that bad looking, but while doing some research on the web, they didn't rate very well. They were Freestar FS-574 tires.



And the main reason to replace them was the date. They were made the 6th week of 2008.  They were 5 1/2 years old.


I feel much better knowing we are starting off with new tires. After $313.82, it is done.


AND...We found out today our FIRM departure date. Our house-sitting duties will be completed Sept 5th! We are soo ready.

Our first stop will be Thunderbird RV Resort in Monroe, WA for 3 days while we visit our Son and family. Then a quick stop in Vancouver, WA to visit our daughters. Then south, south, south. The only thing that is firm, is getting to Albuquerque by Oct 3rd for the International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

...feeling GOOD!

Friday, August 16, 2013

SD to WA

Thursday, Aug 15, 2013

Left the Happy Holiday RV Park in Rapid City, SD around 5:15 AM. Our first stop was at Devil's Tower.



It sure is big.


There were several climbers getting ready to scale the peak. We would have enjoyed the show, but had to continue on.


Next stop was the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.


We watched the movie, and toured the grounds. Makes you feel kinda bad for the Indians, even though they won this battle.



 Lots of people died here.


After 555 miles, we spent the night in a Super 8 motel in Bozeman, MT. We did call ahead earlier and made reservations.

Friday Aug 16, 2013

Hit the road after breakfast around 7:15 AM. We made good time and arrived in East Wenatchee, WA at 4:30 PM after 569 miles. We got the car unloaded and turned back in by 5 PM.

Now we are South Dakotans


.

Next on the agenda, is tires for the 5'ver, and have the wheel bearings repacked.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

It's a Crazy Horse Day

Wednesday Aug 14, 2013

Bright and early, we are off to see Crazy Horse. Many of our friends said to not miss this one.

We arrived around 9 AM.



And here he is.


But there is much much more to see besides the mountain sculpture.

The place is huge. A wonderful museum and cultural center.



There were many wonderful works here.




A native American danced and told of their ways. Very interesting.


Yep. Crazy Horse is a must see.

We then headed downtown Rapid City and walked about 24 city blocks. why???

Because on each corner, there is a life-size bronze statue of our American Presidents. These were really cool. We travelled to each one and took pictures and read all about them.

Here is a few of them.







We then met up with Ruth & Dale at the Firehouse Brew Pub for diner.



We had a good meal, and better fellowship.



And said our good-byes and see-ya-latters.


We boogied back to Happy Holiday RV Park to say our good-byes to Ann & Hank, and Loretta & Bill.

Heading back to our RV in East Wenatchee early tomorrow morning.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

South Dakota Tourists

Tuesday, Aug 13, 2013

We headed out early (7 AM) to the DMV to get our South Dakota drivers licenses. We brought lots of paperwork we thought we would need. Mine went smooth and in 10 minutes, I had my license. But when Donna got up to the window, the first thing they asked for was her marriage license. Oops. I forgot that. She couldn't get her license.  We will get it when we pass through here next April.

Then to the County Treasurers office. We registered both the truck and fifth wheel with no problems. We are South Dakotans. Well....me anyhow.

Then we headed over to Box Elder to check our mail at Americas Mailbox.

Here is what their facility looks like.


And their campground. No frills here.


Then off to see the sights. First stop...Mount Rushmore.



And there it was.  Pretty cool!



Then we travelled some very pretty roads with lots of switchbacks and tunnels.


We entered Custer State Park. A nice big park with lots of wildlife.

Buffalo.


Lots of buffalo.


Big ones.


An small cutie pie ones.


Some pronghorn antelope too.


From there we traveled into Wind Cave National Park.




The tours were full up and we couldn't wait around for 2 more hours, so we watched the film and got our passport stamped, and left.

On to Jewel Cave National Monument.



Their tours were booked up as well. So we toured the place anyway.


Back to Happy Holiday RV Park for the big potluck.

Ruth watching us do the grilling.


Ann & Hank, Ruth $ Dale, Loretta & Bill, Donna and I, and several more friends all had a good time.




Good times catching up.




Lots of tales were told.




Happy, Happy, Happy. What a day.