Less drama ~ more relaxing!

 

We are so happy to report that Mom and Dad Thomas are doing better! Praise the Lord!! They are home and recuperating thanks to the help of Ivy & Bearl and so many others who have helped out. Thanks to them we were able to return to one of my favorite spots from last year, Horsetheif Lake campground in the Black Hills of South Dakota. No hook-ups but beautiful views and trails! Enjoy the photo dump below...

 

After a nice hike, it's good to sit and relax for a bit by the fire. Noodle loves being outside and thanks to Julie for the Mosquito protection!

A few more amazing shots of the flowers and animals along the way! Next stop is Chimney Rock along the original Oregon Trail.

Upon arrival we were treated to a rain storm (which did kind of stink because we had just washed the RV and truck!) but the sunset afterwards made up for it.

 

They even have it lit up at night; it is quite a site. Too bad the early pioneers on the trail didn't have it lit for them! 😄

 

We went to the museum and I found myself oddly connected to those pioneers with packing for the unknown. Today I probably over-pack, thanks to Costco!

From Chimney Rock in Nebraska to our Harvest Host tonight in Kansas. Lots of corn and farms on the way. Thanks to all the farmers and ranchers that we dine so well!

 

On our way today we turned over 60,000 miles (Phoebe had 31,000 when we got her!). You can tell I was driving since the speedometer is showing 62. 😎

Pappy is excited for our next stop at Rocky Mountain National Park! Prayers for our continued safe journey and healing for mom & dad.

Des Moines & Wind Cave National Park

 

Hello from Des Moines, Iowa! We had the best start to our visit with Greg & Lori (friends from Royal Coachman RV resort where we stay in Florida) by going to church with them. Absolutely amazing to be at such a vibrant, thriving Lutheran church! VBS was next week and they are expecting over 6000 kids!! That's a LOT of kids!!

Enjoyed seeing Lori "at her office" on the golf course and I even got a little lesson in. Thanks Lori!

We went downtown Des Moines and walked thru the Pappajohn Scultpure Park. Such cool art work! Also, saw the very stately Iowa capitol building.

We had the most perfect weather and spent the whole day enjoying their pool and their cooking/grilling for us. It was such a relaxing and wonderful day with friends!

 

 

Their pool and yard are as beautiful as any resort!

The kitties didn't get to swim...but they did like the nice weather and getting to sit by the door and get some fresh air. Below is another Harvest Host stop at a vineyard with a lovely view for all of us.

 Next stop was Wind Cave National Park. This was a little repeat from last year but you may remember we didn't actually make it into the cave. So, to make sure my stamp in my National Park book wasn't fraudulent we returned this year with a few more days to see all the sights.

 

 

Pronghorn antelope out enjoying the grasses...

 

Noodle & I out enjoying the nice day...

 

 

 

 

 

 

...as well as the Prairie dogs!

 

We hiked Rankin Ridge Trail and it had the most amazing views!! Sorry in advance for the photo dump but the flowers were all so pretty and the views, well see for yourself! 😎

 

We were surprised to see this patch of cactus on the ridge.

 

I know it looks like I'm lost but there really was a trail there!

 

 

The path was pretty rocky at times but Dave did terrific! Good thing he has those sturdy hiking boots!

 

It was such a gorgeous day and spectacular views!

Even the drive back to the campground was lovely and then we were treated to a breathtaking sunrise the next morning (well Dave did and I got to see the pictures once I got up!!).

 

The next day we headed into the cave and it was cool...literately 54 degrees! 😅

This is Boxwork which is what Wind Cave is most known for. This part of the cave was called the mail room because the boxwork looked like mailboxes to the first explorers (remember they only had candles to see by!).

This is the natural entrance to the cave (small hole to the bottom left), which thank goodness we did not have to enter thru today. The site is considered scared to the Lakota tribe as they believe it was the origin of life.   It's interesting that the story somewhat parallels that of the Garden of Eden story.

Another repeat that we had to make was to Moccasin Springs Resort and Buffalo Dreamer restaurant in Hot Springs, just outside of Wind Cave. The menu is all gluten free so it is such a delight to get to pick whatever I want from the whole menu. The food is a culinary masterpiece from the presentation to the amazing flavors!

The hot spring pours into several pools for people to float in and enjoy. It was an 85 degree day outside so we didn't spend as much time in the top pools at 106 degrees as the lower pools at around 90 degrees. A lovely day to make us forget as least for a while that the bloody engine light came on again!!!

Yup, back at another Cummins dealer and two more missed stops Paladin pool people! This time it was a NOx sensor (Nitrogen Oxide) that needed to be replaced. The guy had to stick his head way down in the engine compartment to reach it. Unfortunately this one wasn't covered under any recalls. 😩

We are now in the Black Hills area and headed for Horsethief Lake for a few quiet days. We do ask for your prayers for Dave's mom & dad who had COVID and are recuperating now at home after being in the hospital. At 93 & 95 it will be a big road of recovery for them. We are thankful for God's provision that is allowing us to still be enjoying this journey. Specifically thankful for Dave's sister Ivy and brother Bearl who also live in Alabama and are caring for mom and dad. Hopefully by the next post there will be no more engine trouble for us and mom & dad will be feeling stronger again!