Starting our trip to Mount Rushmore

[Joker]

And this never gets old. There’s so much open area where it would just bring you peace without a neighbor within at least 100 acres. It’s a bit boring but it makes you realize how beautiful this country is.

 

[Joker]

Crazy horse

 

[82daytona]

That’s crazy

 

[rivermobster]

You seem to be making plenty of stops at interesting sites along this journey. Did you spent time researching the route and attractions prior to your departure, then pre-book rooms, or just winging it as you go ?

Seems like his wife and daughter had a hand in the stops.

 

[Sharky]

South Dakota sucks, Don't go there.

If you need to buy firewood or ice and the store is closed. . . they have the gaul to have a box on the outside where you can drop your money.

People wave to you.

People say please & thank you. Premium (91 oct) unleaded, non ethanol is $3.90 a gallon Discount for cash.

There are no biden signs.

Hell, I even found a 10 acre spot, with a 1200 sq.ft house for $599,000. Yea, we made an offer.

 

[Taboma]

Seems like his wife and daughter had a hand in the stops.

On a trip such as this, I'd hope my best buddy for the past 41 years would be as well.
If it's fishin in Cabo, that's my department

 

[82daytona]

] the lurker says Deadwood is fun

 

[Joker]

Did Sturgis and Deadwood today after leaving Crazy Horse. Had a good storm up there

 

[Sharky]

View attachment 1386259

Did Sturgis and Deadwood today after leaving Crazy Horse. Had a good storm up there

We just left yesterday. Weather had been beautiful all week. Evening rain on the roof of the camper made for a good nights sleep.

While you are up there, take a drive down Sper Fish Canyon road.

 

[Joker]

We just left yesterday. Weather had been beautiful all week. Evening rain on the roof of the camper made for a good nights sleep.

While you are up there, take a drive down Sper Fish Canyon road.

We may head back up there tomorrow after golf. The storm had us leave early today so we were only in deadwood for maybe 45 minutes. It seemed as though there were a lot of gift shops and casinos. Maybe we missed something aside from how cool the town was ?

 

[DILLIGAF]

We may head back up there tomorrow after golf. The storm had us leave early today so we were only in deadwood for maybe 45 minutes. It seemed as though there were a lot of gift shops and casinos. Maybe we missed something aside from how cool the town was ?

Lots of stuff goes on there but it was Monday. Come on mannnnnn...lol

 

[Joker]

Started off today @ Crazy Horse

 

[Joker]

Went through Custer and took Needles Highway until we hooked up onto Playhouse Road which took us to Iron Mountain Road heading into Keystone.

The tunnels on the way there were really amazing.

 

[Joker]

Found a spot for a picture off of Iron Mountain Road. I’ve made one of my wife’s dreams come true. She’s been wanting to do this for years.

 

[Joker]

This was well worth the trip. Off to Colorado tomorrow.

 

[Joker]

 

[Joker]

I was leery about driving a rental with California plates and all went well until I pulled into a Safeway this afternoon and some old fart tells us to go back to California you assholes.
All I wanted was an avocado

 

[rivermobster]

I was leery about driving a rental with California plates and all went well until I pulled into a Safeway this afternoon and some old fart tells us to go back to California you assholes.
All I wanted was an avocado

You spelled Pepsi wrong!

What's your plan for CO??

 

[Joker]

You spelled Pepsi wrong!

What's your plan for CO??

Not 100 pct certain of what there is to do through Colorado. Only reason we’re utilizing Boulder is it falls within the 6 hour window. Going through Badlands was an option but that takes us through Nebraska and adds another 1.5 hours. Thoughts?

 

[Joker]

Sold the Havasu place and hoping to take a similar journey, in a similar manner, neither one of us has seen that part of the country.
Thanks for sharing and if there's any notable places to stay or avoid, please mention it.

Stayed at the Marriott in Provo, the Marriott in Casper and ate at the FireRock Steakhouse while in Casper. Best meal of the trip so far. First night in Rapid City we stayed at a historical hotel called the Alex Johnson which was great and in the center of town. The VRBO we got is 10 minutes from downtown but in an overall great location.
Food wise, do not eat at the Firehouse Brewery or Spagatinos. Best food we found in Rapid City was at the independent ale house downtown. There’s more from what we were told but those first two meals were garbage.
Along the way we just made sandwiches for lunch and ate at a park instead of fast food.

 

[X Hoser]

Not 100 pct certain of what there is to do through Colorado. Only reason we’re utilizing Boulder is it falls within the 6 hour window. Going through Badlands was an option but that takes us through Nebraska and adds another 1.5 hours. Thoughts?

Not sure how long you are going to be in Boulder but the Red Rock Amphitheater is awesome if someone you like Is playing. The Coors factory tour is interesting too.

 

[Taboma]

Stayed at the Marriott in Provo, the Marriott in Casper and ate at the FireRock Steakhouse while in Casper. Best meal of the trip so far. First night in Rapid City we stayed at a historical hotel called the Alex Johnson which was great and in the center of town. The VRBO we got is 10 minutes from downtown but in an overall great location.
Food wise, do not eat at the Firehouse Brewery or Spagatinos. Best food we found in Rapid City was at the independent ale house downtown. There’s more from what we were told but those first two meals were garbage.
Along the way we just made sandwiches for lunch and ate at a park instead of fast food.

Thank You again, sure enjoyed this ride-along and the inspiration to hit the road and see America. That map you shared of the Custer State Park was great, I'd for sure have to fold the mirrors on my Raptor to get squeeze through that 8' wide Needles Eye Tunnel

 

[snowhammer]

Not 100 pct certain of what there is to do through Colorado. Only reason we’re utilizing Boulder is it falls within the 6 hour window. Going through Badlands was an option but that takes us through Nebraska and adds another 1.5 hours. Thoughts?

What's a couple hours when you are on vacation? I think the badlands are worth it, I also think that drive through the sandhills of Nebraska is unique-some very remote country so fuel up when you have the chance.

 

[ekbearly]

Bear Country is worth it if you have time. Powder House has great Prime Rib and a casual and very welcoming atmosphere.

 

[rivermobster]

Not 100 pct certain of what there is to do through Colorado. Only reason we’re utilizing Boulder is it falls within the 6 hour window. Going through Badlands was an option but that takes us through Nebraska and adds another 1.5 hours. Thoughts?

Grand Lake. And all the other little lakes up there that create the head waters of our beloved Colorado River!

We took a heli tour over all of it, and got to see the beginnings of "the river".

You can also hike the streams that flow into the head waters. It's a pretty awesome experience, and it's amazingly beautiful up there.

The Contental Divide drive is also breathtaking.

Just a couple of things you don't want to miss.

 

[Racey]

Not 100 pct certain of what there is to do through Colorado. Only reason we’re utilizing Boulder is it falls within the 6 hour window. Going through Badlands was an option but that takes us through Nebraska and adds another 1.5 hours. Thoughts?

I didn't think the badlands was all that impressive to see, i get why the east coasters find it interesting it's like silt desert, we have plenty of it out here in the southwest.

I-70 From Denver to Utah is the route i'd take back. Takes you through some really amazing scenery, When you get into Utah you can either do the 15 south, or get off early and take the 89 all the way down through to Zion etc.

 

[Joker]

Wyoming State Capitol

 

[OC Mike]

AWSOME TRIP!!!

 

[OC Mike]

View attachment 1385450
Some Dam in Utah

Flaming Gorge?

 

[Sharky]

I was leery about driving a rental with California plates and all went well until I pulled into a Safeway this afternoon and some old fart tells us to go back to California you assholes.
All I wanted was an avocado

That was probably me.


You still in CO? Sorry you are in the Peoples Republic of Boulder. Fort Collins is a much nicer college town.

Catch Red Rocks. Even if a concert is going and you don't have tickets, go tour the museum.

 

[Joker]

We’re actually in some town called Broomfield. It looks like red rock is 40 minutes away so we may hit it on the way out tomorrow

 

[Sharky]

Catch Red Rocks during the day. Just a visit and a tour through the museum is worth it. Its a fun drive through the park and exploring the concert venu. Lot of historic music memeobilia in the museum.


Skip Coors. . . it's OK but it's basically the worlds biggest grain silo. That happens to make beer.


Stop in Glenwood Springs on the way to Utah. Go for a soak and some fine dining in Glenwood.


Stop in Palisade CO. Tour a winery. Pick up a case of wine. You can eat the grapes that go into your wine.. You are waaaaay too early for peaches and Olathe corn though.

Gas up in Fruita. Its a long drive to the next gas in Green River.

There is a gas station at 191 (exit 182) that is before Green River but, its expensive.

 

[Joker]

Catch Red Rocks during the day. Just a visit and a tour through the museum is worth it. Its a fun drive through the park and exploring the concert venu. Lot of historic music memeobilia in the museum.


Skip Coors. . . it's OK but it's basically the worlds biggest grain silo. That happens to make beer.


Stop in Glenwood Springs on the way to Utah. Go for a soak and some fine dining in Glenwood.


Stop in Palisade CO. Tour a winery. Pick up a case of wine. You can eat the grapes that go into your wine.. You are waaaaay too early for peaches and Olathe corn though.

Gas up in Fruita. Its a long drive to the next gas in Green River.

There is a gas station at 191 (exit 182) that is before Green River but, its expensive.

I’ll do what we can off the list. It appears Red Rock opens up at 7. Thank you

 

[Joker]

Somewhere in Wyoming

 

[ChumpChange]

View attachment 1386055
Crazy horse

That’s how close I got as well. Expensive to drive in there.

 

[Orange Juice]

I was leery about driving a rental with California plates and all went well until I pulled into a Safeway this afternoon and some old fart tells us to go back to California you assholes.
All I wanted was an avocado

Rental cars with New York plates are just as bad.

 

[Joker]

Colorado state Capitol building

 

[Joker]

On our way to Moab

 

[Joker]

The view from our room along the Colorado River

 

[Sharky]

Looks like you might have taken 128 down to Moab. . . . Following the Colorado river

Incredible drive!!!!

 

[Joker]

Looks like you might have taken 128 down to Moab. . . . Following the Colorado river

Incredible drive!!!!

Honestly this was one of the highlights. That area is beautiful.

 

[throttle]

Wow!!! I'm following you but not really this time.

Looks like such an awesome trip!

 

[Sharky]

Honestly this was one of the highlights. That area is beautiful.

Yea, 128 is an incredible drive following the Colorado. Everybody else takes 191. It's boring as hell.



Bucket list adventure for me is taking the Kokopelli Trail. It follows the Colorado river. Starts in Fruita/Loma CO and ends in Moab. Can be done in a RZR.

Kokopelli Loops

www.fruita.org

 

[Joker]

 

[Joker]

It’s been a great trip and something I’d do all over again if time permits. By the time we left South Dakota we were pretty exhausted from non stop activities and driving along with living out of a suitcase. I’d try to extend it out a few more nights in order to stay in each town for a couple of nights. Deadwood would have been a good place to stay in lieu of just walking through town and getting run out by a storm. Never made it into Arches since I completely forgot to make a reservation but that would have added another 3 hours onto our 8 hour drive back to Arizona today. We’re lucky to live here in the United States . There’s so much else to see aside from California and Arizona.

 

[Joker]

Yea, 128 is an incredible drive following the Colorado. Everybody else takes 191. It's boring as hell.



Bucket list adventure for me is taking the Kokopelli Trail. It follows the Colorado river. Starts in Fruita/Loma CO and ends in Moab. Can be done in a RZR.

Kokopelli Loops

www.fruita.org

That area in Grand Junction has some beautiful homes going up with some land. That’s another option

 

[Joker]

If you can spring the cost for the trip to crazy horse’s face, you won’t be disappointed.

View attachment 1385283

This happens only after 4pm.

 

[LuauLounge]

No. There is side table off the main floor and very discreet. They sell trips to the top as a donation and kids under 11 or 12 were free.
There was only 6 of us in our group and 4 was our family. I would skip the tours they sell in the lines when you enter the face trip was so much better.