South Dakota Black Hills Pt. 1

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO.   H 84 L 55

Judy and I found ourselves with a 10 days off period so we took a little (800 miles) trip to the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is very rare that workampers have that many days off in a row so we took advantage of it in a big way. I had last visited the area 10 years ago when I rode my Harley from GA to the Black Hills. Now that was  road trip.

We also were able to meet up with George and Laurie, fellow bloggers and RVers. They were workamping at a campground in Custer, SD. We last saw them in FL a few years ago.  Judy and I also caught up with former fulltime workampers Phil and Rudee. After working a few seasons at the “Crazy Horse Memorial” they took  year round positions at the memorial. Phil put us in contact with Steve and Joan who were working at the visitor center the day we visited the memorial.  I have been following their blog for a couple of years. Once we arrived at the memorial, Joan and Steve went to great lengths to make our visit to the memorial very special. Judy and I hope we have the opportunity to repay their kindness “down the road”.

Laurie and Me at Buffalo Ridge Campground 

We stayed in Hill City during our time in the Black Hills. It was a great base for visiting the sights in the area. Judy and I were able to get to most of the  “must see” attractions during our stay. Below is a few pics of our trip. It is almost impossible to fully capture the beauty and splendor in photos. I recommend a trip to the Black Hills be on RVers “must See” list.

Deadwood, SD -  Click here to read the history of Deadwood

    

Wild Bill (L)       Calamity Jane (R)

    

Wall Drug Store – I first visited Wall Drug ten years ago on my Harley road trip to Billings, Montana. Wall’s has been a favorite tourist stop for many years.

 

    

Badlands National Park - Click here to learn more

    

  

Taken in 2006 during my last visit. 

The next installment will include; Custer SP wildlife loop, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Scenic byway and The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday Celebration 2016

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO.     H78  L49

Once again my birthday showed up right on time, just like it has for the past sixty six years. As usual Judy worked hard to put together a nice celebration. I don’t know how she can surprise me each year, but she does. She enlisted the help of all of the staff here at the park.

First thing that morning, we went to the park’s “Chuck Wagon breakfast”.  There I noticed posters with my first grade picture and the caption “Guess whose Birthday is today”.  I didn’t get off with just that though.  She also organized a karaoke party and pot luck that evening.  I can truly say that everyone had a great time especially me! Thanks to everyone who made this a BD to remember.

I am posting a lot more pics than normal.  Remember “click” on the pics to enlarge.

Mike, Marc, Hazel & Gina               Karen, Teresa & Sherry

    

Boss Bob serenading me                Jim (singing “GA on My Mind”

    

Dancing to “GA On My Mind”      Boss Bob & Joan

    

Richard (Texas Boy) Teresa, Byron         Susan & Larry

   

 The Workamper Crew                      Teresa, Donna & Ken

   

AJ & Bruce, me

    

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: In about a week

 

 

 

 

 

Day Trip: Mesa Verde

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, Colorado   H78  L51

Judy and I are still a little infatuated with our workamping area because the weather is so nice and there are so many choices of interesting places to visit nearby. A few days ago we drove about an hour east of Durango to Mesa Verde National Park.

Mesa Verde, Spanish for green table, offers a spectacular look into the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years, from A.D. 600 to A.D. 1300. Today, Mesa Verde National Park protects over 4,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the United States.

Here are a few pics

     

     

   

View of the area

    

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: In a week or so

 

Day Trip: Silverton, Colorado

Alpen Rose RV Park, Durango, CO.     H 85  L 50

Judy and I headed north from Durango to Silverton, Colorado a few days ago. The weather was perfect for the fifty mile scenic drive along part of the San Juan Mountain Skyway. The drive took us through the “Coal Bank Pass” at an altitude of 10,640 Ft.  The trip loosely parallels the route of the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge railroad.

    

Silverton was a gold mining town when it was first founded.  Today the  population is a mere 500ish and its economy is tourist based.

    

Around the Park – A nice perk with this job is free breakfast at the park’s daily “Chuck Wagon Breakfast” buffet. The campers pay $8.49. Thanks to fellow workampers Ken and Donna and now AJ and Bruce for their morning treats.

Ken and Donna (13yrs at Alpen Rose)

   

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next bog: In a week or so

Meeting Up with fellow Bloggers Steve and Debbie

Durango, CO.     H 66 L 36

Last Sunday Judy and met up with fellow RVers Debbie and Steve.  They have been on the road for about two years and are having a great time living the nomadic life style. The weather was not very cooperative during their stay in Durango, rainy and cool everyday of their stay. Steve and Debbie were able to stop by Alpen Rose RV park for a quick meet and greet and a short park tour. I am looking forward to them staying at Alpen Rose on their next visit.  Once Judy and I got off of our shift we joined them at Serious Texas Barbeque, a local eatery to continue our visit. This was our second visit there and it was much better than the first. Things are usually better with friends and good conversation.  Click to checkout Debbie and Steve's Blog.

Judy and I invited Debbie and Steve to share an evening out at The Diamond Belle Saloon for Monday evening Happy Hour. We already had plans to go there with fellow workkampers Ken & Donna, Mike & Gina, and Mark & Hazel. I thought it would be a nice way for Steve and Debbie to spend their last night in Durango.  We all had a fun time visiting and enjoying the local entertainment in a very relaxed environment. Judy and look forward to seeing Steve and Debbie when they return to “The Valley of the Sun” next winter.

Fun Evening at the Diamond Belle Saloon

Debbie and Steve                           Mark, Mike & Gina

   

Ken & Donna

     

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog in about a week

Honeyville and Diamond Belle Saloon

Durango, Colorado     H60   L32

The weather continues to be unpredictable. A couple of days ago we had rain, hail, sun, snow, and a frozen mix, all in one day!  It sure makes it hard to plan for any day trips. Our RV friends Doris and Greg have been staying at the park for the past week and we haven’t been able to go on one day trip.  We last saw them about a month and half ago when they visited us during their stopover in Mesa, AZ. They will be heading out tomorrow on their journey back to VA.

We have not been confined to the RV though. A few days ago Judy and I visited “Honeyville”, about ten miles north of where we are living in the Animus Valley.  You can purchase just about anything that has to do with honey.  The products include; mountain honeys, whipped honeys, jams & jellies and wines and honey bourbon.  To learn more about Honeyville, Click

    

    

Monday evening Judy and I were invited by fellow workampers Donna and Ken to join them at the Diamond Belle Saloon, housed in the Historic Strater Hotel. The hotel was built in 1887. Click here to learn more about the iconic western hotel.  Doris and Greg also joined us in fun filled evening of entertainment.

   

 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

PS.  Guess who got the first slice of pizza of the season at Alpen Rose RV Park? 

Thanks Bruce and AJ.