Our Vaca Trip to South Dakota and Yellow Stone

[Done-it-again]

Dave mentioned to post pics in the Memorial weekend thread.

So here is my attempt to bring everyone along. I’ve traveled quite a bit but have never been to SD, Wyoming, Mt

So off we go and first stop is Williams KOA as we do every year with family on Memorial weekend.

 

[rivermobster]

Such an awesome feeling to be hitting the road like that. Enjoy!

 

[Done-it-again]

Replaced a tire.

 

[Done-it-again]

Never seen a tire Mohawk in the middle all away around. Tires were rubbing while driving. No wonder like I felt I lost power. I have to admit I drove pretty far too and should have stopped sooner.

New tires going on in Flag tomorrow.

 

[Done-it-again]

Best drive. Route 66 to Seligman .

Beats the hell out of the 40.

 

[Icky]

Never seen a tire Mohawk in the middle all away around. Tires were rubbing while driving. No wonder like I felt I lost power. I have to admit I drove pretty far too and should have stopped sooner.

New tires going on in Flag tomorrow.

Had that problem earlier this year, one of the "good" ones I took off vs bad. Luckily I caught it in time.

 

[Done-it-again]

Had that problem earlier this year, one of the "good" ones I took off vs bad. Luckily I caught it in time. View attachment 1119904 View attachment 1119905

Yep same thing. Like it inflated, crazy.

Have 2500 more miles now I don’t trust the tires. Big O in flag has them will be there tomorrow. We leave Sunday from Williams to NM and everything is closed.

 

[angiebaby]

Best drive. Route 66 to Seligman .

Beats the hell out of the 40.

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I-40 is absolutely terrible. That was most likely the reason for the demise of the tire. We saw tire carnage all over the road.

 

[Done-it-again]

Tires off. On the way to Flag.

 

[Done-it-again]

I-40 is absolutely terrible. That was most likely the reason for the demise of the tire. We saw tire carnage all over the road.

We drive this every year and after the 95 the road seemed way worse, and that is why we take 66 around but I missed the bypass to crookton and hit the 40 in Seligman . AZ always had great roads. Like you said, tire carcass’s everywhere.

 

[RichL]

Tires off. On the way to Flag.

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Curious what that jack set-up is? Sure could have used something like that a few weeks ago when I replaced all the tires on our 30' Montana.

 

[Done-it-again]

Curious what that jack set-up is? Sure could have used something like that a few weeks ago when I replaced all the tires on our 30' Montana.

It’s the level up system from lippert

 

[Done-it-again]

Pulled in to Santa Fe NM. Had wind from Williams all the way in, Crazy as hell.

 

[Looking Glass]

Pulled in to Santa Fe NM. Had wind from Williams all the way in, Crazy as hell.

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Are you going to Mt. Rushmore?, if so and while you are in that area, check out Lake Pactola, beautiful Cold, Blue Water. I'm from the East side of the State, Sioux Falls. If your plans are traveling across S.D. on I-90 you WILL see signs for "Wall Drug" a huge tourist trap, but worth the Stop.

 

[Done-it-again]

Made it just over the boarder in Wyoming. Crazy winds through the plains made for tense driving for 450 miles. Glad to be relaxing with a drink.

Will be in Hill City SD KOA tomorrow.

 

[endobear]

If you end up within an hr of Hot Springs SD there is a little creek fed by a hotspring thats cool to check out. Just south of town. Used to be a locals only ,secret spot

 

[Done-it-again]

Are you going to Mt. Rushmore?, if so and while you are in that area, check out Lake Pactola, beautiful Cold, Blue Water. I'm from the East side of the State, Sioux Falls. If your plans are traveling across S.D. on I-90 you WILL see signs for "Wall Drug" a huge tourist trap, but worth the Stop.

Yes we are, going tomorrow night. I’ll try and roll that in when we do Mt Rushmore and crazy horse during the day.

Will make the stop then if it worth checking out.

Thanks.

 

[Done-it-again]

No pics. Had more wind and rain for most of the drive and missed the SD sign.

Arrived at the KOA near Mt Rushmore and booked our 7pm shuttle to MT Rushmore night lighting.

It’s a brisk 47 here today.

 

[Racey]

You gotta drive Iron Mountain Road, and the Needles Hwy. They are right there by Rushmore. Some of the coolest roads in the country.

Sylvan Lake is also an awesome spot. You can make a loop of it and end up back at Rushmore.

 

[Vib]

You gotta drive Iron Mountain Road, and the Needles Hwy. They are right there by Rushmore. Some of the coolest roads in the country.

Sylvan Lake is also an awesome spot. You can make a loop of it and end up back at Rushmore.

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Sylvan Lake is awesome!

 

[Done-it-again]

Some pics from today.

 

[Done-it-again]

This was neat. A friend first and a employee 2nd, his grandfather and great uncle both worked on Rushmore. Cool to see their names that will last forever.

Bradford.

The 2nd pic is their wage.

 

[Done-it-again]

You gotta drive Iron Mountain Road, and the Needles Hwy. They are right there by Rushmore. Some of the coolest roads in the country.

Sylvan Lake is also an awesome spot. You can make a loop of it and end up back at Rushmore.

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Thanks, going try and make it happen.

Deadwood tomorrow. Not sure how much of the day it will burn. Will see what we can fit in after.

 

[evantwheeler]

Get yourself a Kings Pastie from the Sinclair gas station on Broadway St. between Lead and Deadwood (not the kind of pasties we see in the channel at havasu). Sauerkraut and Sausage was the bomb.

 

[snowhammer]

Thanks, going try and make it happen.

Deadwood tomorrow. Not sure how much of the day it will burn. Will see what we can fit in after.

A good lunch and beer stop is Jacobs Brewhouse. They have some really cool local artwork, including the custom metal handrail. The wine rack is an old hand chain operated elevator which lowers the wine bottles into the cellar.

 

[Done-it-again]

Did Deadwood today and it took most of the day as it was just little over an hr away. Kids did good but not much for them to stay entertained. I would have passed on it if I knew more about what was there.

Check out Sheridan lake

Also checked out Pactola lake

Did the tour of the Adam’s house. Really neat and all the modern amenities for the late 1890’s.

Did the cemetery walk.

 

[Done-it-again]

I’ll have to update later. Internet is SLOW.

 

[rivermobster]

Thanks for taking us along...

 

[Done-it-again]

Some pics of downtown Deadwood. Also watched a few gun fights.

 

[Done-it-again]

Some quick pics from today while I have good service. These are from Custer st park and of Crazy horse.

 

[Done-it-again]

 

[Done-it-again]

 

[Mcob25rg]

I went to all those spots for the first time last year - looks different without the 600,000 bikes. The Bad Lands was a spiritual awaking for me - I’d go there again in a second

 

[angiebaby]

If you get a chance, the Little Bighorn Battlefield is a pretty cool experience. Not sure if it coincides with your route, but it's a worthwhile stop if it's not too far out of the way.

 

[evantwheeler]

Was that crazy horse tour a special deal, or can anyone get that up close and personal?

 

[snowhammer]

Have some buddies headed that way right now from Minnesota. They ran out of fuel in the excursion so they unloaded a SXS from the trailer and drove to the nearest farm to buy fuel.

 

[Done-it-again]

Was that crazy horse tour a special deal, or can anyone get that up close and personal?

It’s $125pp as a donation. Kids under 12 were free. But honestly I would have paid for them now knowing. It was a great experience.

I told my kids when they have their own family the need to take their kids up there. There are 9.

It could be another 75yrs before it’s done.

 

[Done-it-again]

If you get a chance, the Little Bighorn Battlefield is a pretty cool experience. Not sure if it coincides with your route, but it's a worthwhile stop if it's not too far out of the way.

We past it not knowing on the 212 coming from SD towing the trailer. I should have turned around but didn’t. Making room for next trip, as we will be back for sure.

 

[evantwheeler]

It’s $125pp as a donation. Kids under 12 were free. But honestly I would have paid for them now knowing. It was a great experience.

I told my kids when they have their own family the need to take their kids up there. There are 9.

It could be another 75yrs before it’s done.

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I was there last October, but only stopped in the parking lot. I had a funeral to get to in Idaho so didn't have time to do all the tours. I will be back for sure. Love the idea of your kids making their way back as adults, with their own kids! Thanks for sharing all your photos.

 

[snowhammer]

We past it not knowing on the 212 coming from SD towing the trailer. I should have turned around but didn’t. Making room for next trip, as we will be back for sure.

How long will you be in the area? Our friends should be there this weekend

 

[Done-it-again]

Have some buddies headed that way right now from Minnesota. They ran out of fuel in the excursion so they unloaded a SXS from the trailer and drove to the nearest farm to buy fuel.

That sucks. We went down some farm road in Wyoming towing thinking I was going to run out, no one around for 70 miles till we hit a more popular road. Had 150 miles left on the register and not sure if I was going to hit any mountains nor more wind getting to south Dakota.

 

[Done-it-again]

How long will you be in the area? Our friends should be there this weekend

We left this morning making our way to Yellowstone for a week. 3 days was NOT enough and our campground was booked for an extra day.

Crazy Horse has a 6 mile round trip walk this weekend. Only happens 2x a year. Would have done it if we knew and planned it better Its like $10 and you go all the way to the top and get a medal.

 

[snowhammer]

That sucks. We went down some farm road in Wyoming towing thinking I was going to run out, no one around for 70 miles till we hit a more people road. Had 150 miles left on the register and not sure if I was going to hit any mountains nor more wind getting to south Dakota.

You definitely fill up when it is available, especially at a half tank or less. Safe travels to you

 

[Done-it-again]

Made the drive to Montana today, was a easy drive on the 212. Trailer felt like it was home as it had Montana plates, lol. Not many pics as the photos do not do the terrain justice.

First impression of Montana. If Wyoming and South Dekota had a child it would like like Montana.

Billings is nothing special as we went shopping and out to dinner. A lot of freaking weird people, maybe it was the area we are in but it felt like I was in San Bernardino.

Anyways, sitting in the trailer and it’s pouring out with lightning.

 

[Done-it-again]

 

[crzy2bealive]

Awesome planning to do something like this next summer!

 

[Done-it-again]

You definitely fill up when it is available, especially at a half tank or less. Safe travels to you

For sure, next time I’m not passing a station for the next one.

Your friends picked a perfect time. Not crowded and cool weather. Would hate to do this trip in summer. To many people and hot

 

[Done-it-again]

Awesome planning to do something like this next summer!

Book asap and if you want no crowds and cool weather this time next year.

We might do it at the end of summer next time (depending on kids school) but the buffalo stamped is in Sept/Oct in Custer park. Weather would be either warm or cold then.

 

[Done-it-again]

Made it to Grizzly RV in West YellowStone. Relaxing this afternoon and all day tomorrow. Might just cruze the nearby town.

 

[Done-it-again]

Woke up with no alarm. Just going to hang out today as we are supposed to get some good rain with lightning.

Been having an issues with propane and Believe my regulator is going out. Won’t feed my stove or my water heater and I have to depressurize the system then it will work for a while. Have a Rez fridge so no biggy there and kids use space heater in the back and also have electric for the water heater as well.

Crazy part is the furnace will work, but I believe that draws a lot of BTU’s vs low BTU for the stove and water heater.

I hate things that don’t work.