Minuteman missile and Mt. Rushmore

Friday we fought a terrific wind trying to drive around to see the sights.   We toured a Minuteman missile command center and also the missile silo.  The photo of the missile is the actual missile underground with the nuclear warhead deactivated.   The command center shown is 90 feet underground with 4.5 feet thick concrete around it.  They were taken out of service in 1993 with one of the treaties with Russia.    It was very interesting.   Today Saturday,  the weather turned worse with cold and rain.   We seen Mt. Rushmore and headed to Custer State Park where we are camped.   Here are some photos.  The indian photo was taken at Wall Drug.

Badlands National Park

Last night we stayed in a Lake Vermillion state rec. area near Montrose, SD.  It was a beautiful campground on the lake and we were the only ones there.  Temp was again near 85.  Today we fought a side wind all across SD to the Badlands.  Speed limit was 75 on I90 but had to drive 55 a lot.  We had left the campsite early to avoid the wind, but in the late morning the wind picked up speed.  Not good when your driving a truck camper.  In the badlands we did a lot of hiking to the scenic views.   The highlight was when we climbed a log ladder.  Got a National park campsite for the night.  Electricity and all for $14 per night for us with National park golden age passport.  There are thunderstorms coming thru the area now.  It has been dry here for quite some time.   I guess we brought them Ohio weather.  Here are a few of the many photos we took.

New trip heading somewhere out west.

Left Monday for somewhere out west.  We kind of make the destination up as we go along.  At the moment we are heading for the Black hills of  South Dakota.  We stayed in a state park just inside the Illinois state line on Monday.  Tuesday we made it to a campground just off I80 close to the center of Iowa. Beautiful weather and 85 today.  Not much else to talk about.   I guess I will send emails, to let everybody know we are on our way.   Maybe we will have photos later.