2011-06-30 Little Bighorn

We are camped tonight at 7th Ranch RV Park


We left Fort Casper a little after 7:00am and headed north on I-25/I-90. We were in Montana before noon. But about 14 miles before reaching camp, Joe phoned at he had a flat tire. We continued on to 7th Ranch Camp at Garryowen, MT, dropped the RV and drove back. Joe was having trouble getting the spare off the trailer. We unhitched their camper and I, Karen and the kids drove to camp while Jim stayed to help Joe. They arrived about 45 min. later with the camper hitched to our truck. Joe made arrangements to get a couple new tires in Billings, MT early tomorrow.
After noon and a rest, we drove to the Little Bighorn Battlefield N. M. Very interesting to see the area covered by the various battles. It gave a very different impression of what happened during the battles that took place there. I was surprised to learn that some tribes were fighting with Custer and some were fighting against.
The Little Bighorn River is still over its banks. The RV park was closed for 10 days... not because they were flooded... because the road to get get here was flooded. They are very happy to be open again.
Tomorrow we'll be exploring in and around Billings before heading to Livingston to camp. The kids are all hoping for a pool.

2011-06-29

Devil's Gate & Martin's Cove

Day Trip to Martin’s Cove and Devil’s Gate

Today was sunny and windy. We headed down Highway 220 to find the Devil’s Gate – another site that Dad Zastrow talked about in his journal. There is a historical wayside with info about the Gate where we stopped to look around. Lots of different wild flowers and one Pine Snake. Wonderful views.

We could see down a hill to a very busy settlement – folks in period customs and many buses. Looked interesting so we drove down. Turned out to be the Sun Ranch/Martins Cove – Mormon run historical site with special interest for Mormons. A group of Mormon Handcart emigrants were late building their carts in Iowa and were caught by a blizzard in late October. They managed to move on across the Platte River and were met by rescuers from Salt Lake City. They were holed up at Martins Cove for a time and many emigrants and rescuers died before they finally reached Salt Lake City the end of November.

It was an interesting site. We were guided through the building and displays by a missionary Elder of the church. He was very interesting… held the kids attention for longer than I’d thought possible. After the tour, Jim, Joe and Tess hiked out to Devil’s Gate. Joann was not feeling well and they headed back to camp. Karen, Beth and I waited for the hikers.

After they returned, we drove a short distance on the “old” road that Dad Z probably drove on and found Independence Rock. This was a landmark used by pioneers to find their way across the plains. Jim, Joe and Beth climbed the rock.

We ate lunch before driving back toward Casper. Found the old “highway 319” which was more cow path than road. Saw many Antelope at first, then even more cattle as we drove over cattle gates between ranches. The road finally got us back into Casper and the campground.

Had a little rain and much wind in the evening. Tomorrow we move on to the Little Bib Horn.

2011-06-28 Hat Creek

2011-June 28 Trip to Hat Creek, & Signature Rock - Camp at Fort Casper,WY


We started out early yesterday and drove up to Hat Creek. Jim's Dad camped near a big sandstone rock about a mile from Hat Creek. We were searching for the rock they scratched their initials in. There were 2 other large sandstone rocks close to the highway. But we chose to try the old Stage Road first. The stagestop was rundown but next to a ranch. The dog was guarding the stage building, but when he decided we were friendly, he wagged his tail and looked for a handout.
We continued down the stage road, as it
changed from road to path... to sorta private... with cattle gates. We found the rock and pulled over. Horses came running. Don't know if they thought we were a horse trailer or what, but they stuck around. Tess was thrilled. We don't know if we found the right carving but we tried.
We drove into Casper and found Fort Casper... looked like a nice park, but turned out to be another parking lot and crowded. But we had a good time anyway.

2011-06-27 Wyoming Capitol

We departed Rock Springs KOA before 7:30 this morning, traveling I-80. Another lovely sunny day. Saw many Antelope in the hills.
Our first stop was in Rawlins. Dad Zastrow's Journal mentions stopping here to see the old prison. It's still there - as a museum. Interesting place. The kids were fascinated with the model gallows.
We arrived at the Cheyenne KOA around noon. It's a gravel lot, like the last one, but as a few trees. Like most KOAs, it's
right off the highway, with railroad tracks near by. But also a swimming pool for the kids.
Had no trouble finding the capital. It's smaller than some that we've seen, but like Iowa's capital, it has a gold leaf covered dome. There was no security check, and the very friendly Head of the State Patrol took a picture of our group for us. We wandered around the capitol, then walked to the State History Museum where we spent more time looking at the exhibits while the kids played dress up in the Living History Room.
A good day for all of us.

2011-06-26 From Utah to Wyoming

Today we found the Devil's Slide


Jim's Dad had a picture that he'd taken on his 1932 trip. It's near Salt Lake City and now has an overlook right along the highway.
Short trip today. We are camped at the Rock Springs KOA. The only trees in sight are in the "Rock Springs National Forest"... a group of little Aspens.
It is windy and dusty - but the wind in nice and cool. We'll get to the WY capitol tomorrow.

2011-06-25 Salt Lake City, UT

Salt Lake City Utah


We camped at the Salt Lake City KOA - right in town. Very large park with big trees and pull thru sites.
After we were set up, we drove to the capitol. We were able to find parking and go inside. Simple, elegant building. We spent some time walking in the city. Found the Temple and lots of flowers. Later we drove out to the lake. Actually saw the lake as the sun was setting. Beautiful! Great day.

2011-06-23 Pike's Peak

Thursday, June 23, 2011 - Pike's Peak



We drove up to the top of Pike's Peak today.
Maddison and Katie rode with us as Don and Joann were not feeling well.
It was a beautiful, sunny day and we could see for miles. We had a good time - and none of us fell off the mountain!

2011-06-22 Colorado

June 22 Travel to Colorado Capitol and Mueller S.P.


Beautiful day today! Sunny, not a cloud in the sky and cool enough to wear long pants! WAbout noon, mountain time,e drove most of the morning before we finally saw mountains in the distance. About noon (mt. time) we arrived in Denver and drove to the capitol... campers and all. Traffic was terrible. There was no parking anywhere. After going all the way around the building again, we decided seeing the outside of this capitol was good enough and headed out of town.
We are camped in the mountains. (foot hills) Tomorrow we'll decide if/how we get across the mountains to Salt Lake City or stay in CO.

2011-06-21 Massacre Canyon, NE

Traveled across Nebraska today. Rain in the morning was followed by a rainbow - right in front of us. You can just see it in the pictures.


We stopped at Massacre Canyon... another place Dad Zastrow visited in 1932. Saw the monument. It's not in exactly the same place as it was in '32 because when they moved the road, they moved the monument. It was so windy, we could hardly stand up! We were worried we wouldn't be able to set up the pop-up campers. But when we got to the campground at Swanson Lake, there was no wind.

2011-06-20 Lincoln NE / Mahoney S.P.

June 20, 2011 Lincoln, Nebraska


The Nebraska Capitol is really different. It's central tower is 15 stories high, topped with the dome and a 19 ft. tall statue called The Sower. Many murals on the walls have apparently been added since Jim's Dad was here - but many halls are dark with comparatively low ceilings. Since 1937 Nebraska has the only Unicameral legislature. The senators are part-time, paid $12000 per year and work only 3 months one year and 2 months the next. They run as individuals - no party affiliation.
Another hot humid day... started around 3am with a hail storm which cracked a vent on the RV. Another storm in the evening cut short the kids swim and sent us all to the basement of the park lodge. Lots of rain, thunder and lightning and wind but no damage to the RV.

2011-June 19 SAC Museum

We arrived at Mahoney NE State Park early Sunday, so we spent a few hours at the SAC Museum right next door to the park.
Mahoney is a beautiful park, but it was almost to hot/humid to enjoy it. Stormed during the night and hail cracked one of our vents... now duct taped.
We'll visit the state capital today (Monday) in the morning so the kids can spend the afternoon in the water park.
We are now a caravan of three as Jim's sister, Jo, husband Don and grandkids Kati and Madison met us here.

June 18, 2011

Tess’s Journal:

In the morning we got packed. Last night we had a big storm. The wind was so strong it moved our camper and made our canopy go on our roof. We got on the road wondering what we were going to have for breakfast. We finally found a Casey’s. I got the most delicious breakfast pizza in the world! Then I watched movies the rest of the way. When we were 3 miles to the camp, the movie player went dead. But it was only 3 minutes away, so it wasn’t too bad. We got to the camp and it turned out we were going to camp at an RV park. We were the only pop-up in the whole park literally. After we went to the state capital of Kansas, (which was under construction) I went to the swimming pool. That was refreshing. After that I went to play at the park – which was right next to the pool. I scootered a lot. I went back to my grandparents camper and wrote this.

2011-June 18 Topeka, KS

The Kansas Capital in Topeka is being refurbished. No one was there except a security guard who allowed us to wander around. We saw the senate chamber and old supreme court chamber. Most of the building was blocked off. We couldn't get near the dome or much of the rest of the building. After the storm last night, it was hot and humid today.

2011- June 17

From Tess:

Friday, June 17, 2011

I got up and rode my scooter. On the way back I saw a SD, MT, MN license plates. I went to my grandparents camper after that. We talked a little and had breakfast. Before we got on the road it started to rain. Not much but just enough to make the road wet. We got on the road and it got really hot.

When we got to Rocky Ridge Farm – Laura Ingalls farm – we had lunch. After that we looked at the last homes of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We went to the gift shop and I bought a post card for Elle. It had a picture of Laura and Almanzo Wilder.

For supper, Mom says we are having fried weinies and pancakes. Did I like it? YES or NO? YES!!!!

PS – The weinies were so juicy! And the pancakes were great!

From Beth:

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Most of what I can remember of today went sort of like this:

We got to camp. I took a ride on my scooter. I went KABOOM! ! ! ouch…

Addendum from Mary:

Beth had skinned knees, elbows, sides and head. She lost her glasses - but her Dad found them - just slightly scratched. The scooter made it though in fine shape. Lots of tears, but she'll be OK.

2011-06-16 Jefferson City, MO

Today we visited the Missouri state capital at Jefferson City, MO.

This is from Tess’s Journal:

June 15, 2011

This morning when we got up we started packing rite away. It was harder than unpacking. I went to gramma and grampa’s camper after we were done packing. The forecast said in the morning it was going to be mostly cloudy but in the afternoon it would be mostly sunny.

When we got on the road we had breakfast. We had granola bars, bananas and orange juice. After that I had a piece of juicy fruit gum. After that we have a BORING CAR RIDE. We got to the camp and it was NOISEY. It was full of Cicadas.

After we ate supper (which was great) we watched a movie. We watched Megamind. It was funny and weird at the same time.

Beth and Tess are keeping journals of our trip and I'll post from them as we go along.

This is the first entry in Beth’s Journal:

Tue, June 14, 2011

Today was the first day of traveling. I had to get up early this morning. It was all rush, rush, rush! It was a lot less boring than I thought! Our doodle books kept us occupied most of the time. When we got to camp, I realized that we had reserved a place in a private campground! It turned out to be nice place, with a swimming pool and all!

After we got set up and ate lunch, we all went to the Iowa State Capital. It was cool! I took a lot of pictures on dad’s old camera. When we got back, me and Tess went swimming. The water was cold but refreshing. We had brats for supper. It was a very good first day of Camping!