Devils Tower, Medora, and Aberdeen

Well we did it again, Becky’s parents left the Rockies on Tuesday and we had Wednesday just to ourselves but instead of just chilling out we decided to break camp early again and add another unplanned stop to break up the long drive we had planned for Thursday.  KOA to the rescue again and we booked a spot in the Devils Tower KOA a little more than half way to next stop in Medora,ND. We had been to Devils tower when the kids were really little on our back hills vacations.  We also stopped at it three years ago with our middle west journey, but it was just for the night and we didn’t explore it at all. This time we pulled in with plenty of time to drive in and walk around a little bit before it got dark.  Good thing too the next day when we left mid morning there was a long line to get into the monument.

The next stop was Medora in North Dakota.  I had never been but Becky had fond memories of a Family vacation there.  It was a good stop we were back in the heat but 90s at least instead of 100s. We did the drive and some walking around in the National Park. Learned a lot about Theodore Roosevelt and hit the Medora Musical. There were a lot of kids in the campground and Marcus spent a lot of time playing some pick up basketball with the other kids. In the heat I was worried he'd stroke out and I delivered water to him a few times. He was having a blast, he's always the best at making friends where ever we go.

The Musical was pretty good and the boys all really enjoyed it which I was a little worried about going in. I wasn't sure what to expect and it's no Broadway musical or anything but it was a fun show and I was surprised at the the number of people they get each night way out in the middle of now where North Dakota. 

After Medora we stopped in Aberdeen for the fourth. It's really dry out so there won’t be any fireworks which is a bummer as that's usually a favorite when we come to Aberdeen for the 4th. We pulled the camper in and set it up in Becky’s parents yard. Marcus and I still slept in the trailer but the rest of the family stayed in the house. The vacation was coming to a end.  While in Aberdeen we were able to attend the somber burial for Becky's cousin Tyler and her beloved Grandfather Jerry. We had a fourth of July supper get together with Becky's family and we got to see my Mom.  And then after two nights in Aberdeen we headed for home on the 4th of July.  We're back home now and half living out of the camper which is normal for a few days after the trip. The vacation feels so long when we're on it, new things almost every day small struggles and triumphs makes the days feel long where time almost stops.   But when we pull into town, into our familiar neighborhood all of a sudden it seems like it went by in a blink of a eye.  Like we had just left. Time is so strange.  

 

Well we survived another trip, and with the heat we endured feels like just barely.  The camper is pretty beat up but made it without any significant issues which was a major concern after the big rebuild we finished up last year.  Inside a lot of things came loose and will need some repair.  The heat seems to have started de-laminating the front of the camper as well which looks like might be a pretty big job to fix up but we'll need to do before it gets any worse.  So we'll have some projects but I'm sure it'll just sit for a while here. Here are my pictures from our last stops this year.

Family at Devils Tower

We got back to the campground at about 9 and the showing for Close Encounters started at 8 so we missed that.  Instead since we had good data service there we bought it on Amazon.  I hadn't seen it in a long time, pretty weird  movie.

No places to grab lunch from Devils Tower to Medora so we pulled over at a point of interest and made some Mac and Cheese in the camper.  Here we are at the Old Wagon historical marker in eastern Montana.

Medora Campground

Out and about in the National Park, we were in a ton of national Parks, monuments, and a seashore this trip.  Got good use out of our National Parks pass.

Marcus taking a "creative" shot for us.

North Dakota Badlands

There was a coal vein that has been on fire for a few years.  So could see some smoke and smell the fire.  They had lots of signs not to report fires unless you see flames.

Marcus on point

Took in a couple of short trails

 

 

We finally made it the Medora Musical, this is the escalator ride in

Here's part of the musical, tap dancing.  We were really close to the action, 3rd row.

Last night in Medora, no campfires allowed but I sat outside and attempted to drink up my remaining beer.  I didn't quite make it but gave it a good effort.  Took some star pictures, only a couple turned out if you can call it that.  Here's the big dipper.

And one of my favorite consultations, Cassiopeia.

We didn't have any major break downs but on the way to Devils Tower we lost a roof vent hatch.  There wasn't any chance of ran so we left it off for a few days but there was a chance of ran in Aberdeen (didn't happen, but they really need it) so Sam and I cheerleader style hoisted/tossed Bec on top of the camper to take some pictures at a truckstop on the way to Aberdeen.  Becky's dad then ran and got us the part so we could plug the hole in our roof once we arrived.

Our spot at the Van Dover campground in Aberdeen

Was a good place to camp. Look at that grass, a tinder box. Would have to be crazy or stupid to shoot off fireworks their this year.  

 

 

 

 

The boys with my Mom, Grandma D

And finally my favorite part of the blog.  The family truckster update!

Miles Driven: 6788
Gallons of Gas: 709
Time in car: 155 hours

Looking at those figures this was the longest trip we've done.  I guess there's a reason we were really sick of driving this year, that's a lot of time in the car. I had thought cutting out California would have made it a little shorter but not sure it did.  Our first year big trip was the previous winner at 6400 miles. 

 

While we avoided major break downs this trip.  We did have a pretty big issue right at the end as we left Aberdeen. The camper brakes weren't working. I knew they were working when we left Medora but must have lost them somewhere between there and Aberdeen.  We pulled over in the Budget Furniture parking lot and I took a look. Well it was apparent what the issue was so I took some time and repaired it right there. I'm sure glad it happened in super flat South Dakota and not in the mountains. 

There's your problem. Looked like a zip tie came loose and the trailer brake wires were just hanging there and must have rubbed up against the tire. Luckily we had some wire nuts in the camper and was able to fix it up fairly quickly

 

 

 

Rocky Mountain Pictures

 The Rockies were cool.  So very cool, almost cold it was awesome. The highs were in the mid 50s and it rained every day, multiple times. It was all welcome after the heat we had been in.  Blankets were added to beds again after not using then since the first couple nights. We stayed at Hermit Park and upon pulling in from a long and rainy drive through Colorado. Which for some reason didn’t have any fast food places to grab a quick lunch or gas apparently.  We had a bit of a shock as we’re pulling into a small town in desperate need of gas to find the first station with its pumps bagged up and out of gas.  So we headed to the next small station and pull in and I just start filling gas when the attendant came out with bags in her hand and said they were out of gas.  My pump was going and I said I’m getting gas.  She turned and yelled at me to stop pumping, I’m screwing up her tanks! Ah ok, I slowly stopped pumping gas to squeeze another gallon or so out of it.  Glad I did we ended up coming into the next station on empty and that station was a mess of people all jocking for position at the pumps. We finally got to the pumps but kept getting boxed in so couldn’t get out with the camper it was a lot of fun. Guess there’s a gas shortage or more of a truck driver shortage causing a gas shortage.  I’m glad it worked out for us that could have been a crazy day if we had ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere Colorado. Once at Hermit Park we had to dive up these crazy steep switchbacks with the camper.  It was crazy and a what and where are we going type of situation. Ask Becky my biggest fear is always getting the truck/camper combo into somewhere it shouldn’t be.  There were mirrors on one of the switchbacks it was redonks. But we made it and the campground was wonderful. But we had to drive out and in the switchbacks every day to do anything so probably not the best base camp for running around but it was the only thing with spots available when we got around to booking so we took what we could get and it really was a good campground just tough to get to which any other time might be a plus.

Becky’s parents met us in Estes this stop. They stayed at the YMCA of the Rockies, it’s some sort of pretty big resort out of a old YMCA camp or something like that. It was a huge and slightly confusing operation. They had a lot of stuff to do so we spent a lot of time there playing frolf, swimming, hay riding, and just playing in the park.

A good part of this stop we rehashed things we did our first time to the area, minus the hike.  We shopped in Estes, played mini-golf, visited old family friends, and did the trail ridge road ending with a picnic at Irene Lake.  It was a fun stop and interesting to see how things have changed.  The kids of course don’t remember much of anything from the last time we were here 3 years ago.  Or as we found out recently much of any of our trips. I can see how the early trips might be tough and things could blur together but as they tell it they don’t remember a thing. 2 or 3 years back I figured they’d have some clue. Anyway good thing we kept this blog it might come in handy for them in the future. The results of our comparison is, the mini golf we loved has gone way downhill, Irene Lake is really as gorgeous as we remember it, and yes we could live here it’s so beautiful.

The highlight of this stop was the whitewater rafting outing we had booked. We love whitewater rafting and this was our third time.  It was fun for the boys to share it with their Grampa and Grandma who had never been rafting before.  Since it was a water activity I didn’t have my phone so no pictures. I think Becky bought the picture package so she might have some to share. Here’s some of the pictures I did take.

Having fun at the YMCA

Playing some Parcheesi while it rains

Marc making himself sick at the Playground

Went to downtown Estes and got some ice cream. We are drawn to things with “Munch” in the name even if it is spelled wrong.

Walking around and shopping

Kids with Grandpa and Grandma 

Got rained out mini golfing. We finished but sprinted through the last holes and gave up keeping score. This was the mini golf place that reminded us of the old one in Aberdeen by the old Dairy queen. It’s only been three years but has gone downhill. So no longer the best mini golf course in the world but we still had a lot of fun.

If you look close you’ll see a marmot by a rock

View off trail ridge road

Brothers by the visitors center.  A little chilly up there. Short sleeves were a bad choice

So we proceeded to spend WAY to much money outfitting everyone for the cold

Walking up the trail to get above 12000 feet

Almost at the top of they trail by the visitor center

Becky and her parents.

Tundra

At the top

 

 Irene Lake 

Hiked around the lake

Lunch, we have tons of backpacking meals I had made for our Grand Canyon hike so we used those for lunch.

It was a bit of a cluster getting everything made for seven and Dar was super excited to be eating his meal. We all got fed and had a good laugh. Unfortunately it was mostly at my expense… I’m not sure how requesting we boil water on the ground instead of on the table right above our crotches makes one the subject of ridicule but I assure you it does.  

Look closely Moose in the middle. This was at Lake Irene still we took a break from lunch when someone said a moose was spotted.  Was quite a ways out already when we got there.

On our way back on trail ridge road by the visitor center there were some big horn sheep.

It was snowing out pretty good

YMCA hayride, the little guy by Marcus had been on it three times already in his short life thus far.  He was full of information and told us all about it.

Becky loves horses

Sam making friends 

Raining again which it did often while we were in the Rockies. Hiding out under a tree

Marshmallow mess

Becky showing off her mad Gaga ball skills. I guess recess duty pays off.

Some four square where Dar was dominating 

Our campsite at hermit parks bobcat campground.  We were running around a lot at this stop so didn’t get a lot of time here but to sleep.  It was a nice campground better suited for some serious camping rather than just a place to flop.