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