Chicago

The View just barely fit.

We sped across the rest of South Dakota. Our fair weather had given way to driving wind and rain. We all began to think of home and only stopped for dinner and sleep in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We will have to return another day for exploration.

Our destination was in a Chicago neighborhood not far from Wrigley Field. Tom and his wife Thu graciously opened their home to us once we had wedged the Winnebago on the parking pad of the lot they own next door! Our first night was spent together with their children Nate and Maggie watching the Boston Bruins conquer the Vancouver Canucks in the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs!

The following day, June 16, was Caroline's 8th birthday! We followed a tip from Tom and visited a German bakery to have her choose her cake for the evening's celebration! We spent the afternoon with Tom and the kids as he toured us around the city. We visited the Loop, the Willis tower, Millenium Park, and  Lakeshore Drive.

Nate is a future hockey player.

The famous home of the Chicago Cubs.

The Chicago River.

The famous Willis (formerly Sears) tower.

At the entrance of Millennium Park.

Tom and the boys.

At the concert amphitheater!

Looking in "the Bean" sculpture.

Tom helps Maggie try out the fountain.

Huge faces on the fountains.

Nate and Will cooling off!

The water fall.

The birthday girl gets ready for the celebration.

...and now the cake!

The gifts!

Relaxing with Maggie and Thu.

Will and Nate enjoying Scooby Doo.

Maggie seemed to enjoy the kids!

Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands National Park, South Dakota

A large bison greeted us on our arrival at Wind Cave National Park.

Our trip took us from Colorado north through the west end of Nebraska. We arrived in South Dakota and paid a quick visit to the Wind Cave National Park. This park is re-known for the surrounding prairie grasslands, mega fauna, and the famous Wind Cave- an underground network of caves discovered in 1890 extending two hundred feet under ground.

The weather was warm and sunny when we arrived.

The wind was so strong it almost blew the paper out of Will's hand!!

We spent the night at a campground near Rapid City. After the heat of the day there were numerous thunderstorms, and tornado warnings, but the next day dawned bright and hot. We made a stop at the Crazy Horse Monument on the way to Mt. Rushmore.

This privately funded memorial was commissioned by the Lakota Indians to honor the famous Crazy Horse who was murdered tragically at the age of 26 years. Korczak the sculptor died in 1982. The sculpture is still underway and when complete will depict the Crazy Horse pointing to the lands of his people.

The Crazy Horse Monument.

Model of the Crazy Horse Monument.

Mt. Rushmore!!!

We were so excited to arrive at Mt. Rushmore and see the sculpture in person. We were able to join the Ranger talk along the Presidential trail which loops from the Visitor Center to the base of the mountain and through the sculptor Borglum's studio before returning to the amphitheater.

Each of us had a chance to see our favorite president close up, Caroline- Teddy Roosevelt, William- George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Peter -Teddy Roosevelt.

The Wanderers in front of Mt. Rushmore!

We stopped for milk-shakes at the famous Wall Drug!

What would a visit be without a ride on the Jackalope.

Badlands National Park.

We arrived at the Badlands National Park in the evening, racing ahead of a huge thunderstorm system. The sky was dark and the wind was gusting when we set up at the campsite. The rain, wind, and small hail buffeted the camper as we settled in for the evening. When the storm finished the clouds raced past and we were treated to a lovely view of the sun setting on the hills across the street.

The Badlands highlighted by the green grassland.

Thunderstorms approaching the Badlands.

Sunset on the Badlands following the storm.

Badlands are a unique mixture of prairie grassland and grayish black sedimentary rock (Pierre).

Climbing on the Badlands formations.

Sedimentary rock looks as if painted by brush.

Soil baked by the sun.

View looking out through the "notch".

Pierre shale was perfect for climbing.

Looking quite the part.

Colorado Friends in Boulder/Denver area

Our first stop after the Rocky Mountain National Park was to Lafayette, Colorado. We spent a night with JT.(Jim) and his family.  JT and Bonnie, had also invited  (Shu)Mark and Kerry to join us for a pizza dinner with their family.

The kids had a great time playing in the yard while the adults had a chance to catch up and reminisce.

The kids had their own pizza feast!!

The play house was the head quarters!

UVM Alumni.

 We spent a great day sightseeing in Boulder while our RV had the oil changed. It is a vibrant town with lots to see and do. Our time was spent along Pearl Street taking in the shops and street performers. The next stop was with Nancy-Jane's childhood friend Sarah and her family.

Sarah and her husband Dave are both teachers. We had a chance to visit the school and where Sarah teaches and her son Jason, and daughter Jessica both attend. All had just finished up school and were beginning their summer break!

Back at school to show us the campus.

Jason checks out his mobile in Sarah's classroom.

Art teacher extraordinaire!!!

Solar paneled golf cart??a new idea??

After our visit to school and lunch we hit the local pool. The kids kept us entertained with the stunts on the slide and the diving board! The adults enjoyed the warm Colorado sun and caught up. We also were anticipating the Bruin's playoff game that evening!

The super slide!

Jason doing stunt dives off the board!

Jessica on the waterslide.

Caroline on the slide.

Caroline on the diving board!

Jess does a show jump!

The final farewell to Colorado with Dave, Sarah, Jason and Jessica