South Dakota - 2016

We so enjoyed our first trip here a year ago, that we had to do it again. What a welcome sign, after leaving Iowa:

Our first stop in SD, was at another familiar spot, Camp America in Salem, SD

This is a nice little campground and an ideal stop-over place. We took advantage of it and stayed 2 days to rest up, get some laundry done and, for Mary, take advantage of the nice weather and swimming pool. And then it was off to the Black Hills.

Our first couple of stops were in Rapid City, the first being Hart Ranch RV Resort where we took advantage of a sales promotion to stay 3 nights and experience the place first hand.  Staying at Hart Ranch is not cheap- for a non-member it is like $90 per night. We stayed for $30 a night. After listening to the sales pitch, we thought it was something that might work for us down the road - especially the work-camping part. It was so attractive in fact, that we committed to a membership.

From the Hart Ranch, we headed to Box Elder and a stay at Americas Mailbox Campground. This place was our first stop last year. Besides being our mail forwarder, we got all of our residency requirements handled there last year. This year, the only thing that we HAD to get done was renewing registrations on truck and trailer. We also took advantage of our time here to visit our insurance agent and review our policies. It is not the nicest campground, but it works. Right near a lot of things.

Spotted in the Parking Lot at Americas Mailbox, Box Elder, SD

Spotted in the Camping Area at Americas Mailbox

The View from our spot at Americas Mailbox - looking off towards Ellsworth AFB

After a 4 day stay at Americas Mailbox, it was time to head in to the Black Hills. First stop was at the Black Hills Welcome Ctr, about  1/4 mile from Americas Mailbox Campground.

The Parking Lot at The Welcome Center

The Black Hills Welcome Center

Then it was off to Spearfish and Spearfish City Campground. We were blown away at this park. Nice sites, location right in the middle of the City Park with Hiking, Biking trails and a great trout fishing stream going right through the middle of it. Not to mention the DC Booth National Fish Hatchery right across the street.

A 7 day stop here was well worth it

And some pics of the park and local attractions.......

Our spot - site # 11

Our spot with a look down to Volunteer Village

Right across the street from the RV Park

On our way in to the Fish Hatchery

Brown trout tank from viewing area down below main level

Our tour of the Fish Hatchery Display

One of the stocking ponds - 8" browns

More

Workcampers from Camden, ME

Guadalajara Restaurant - great Mexican food

A midget - next to us

While at Spearfish City Campground, we took advantage of the location to do some day trips. Among them was a bucket list item: Devil's Tower in Wyoming. From Spearfish it was about a 65 mile trip one way. And what a scenic trip it was......

It all got started here.....

Rest Stop along the way

Devil's Tower - from a distance

The Missouri Buttes - just north of Devil's Tower

Seen along the way in Hulett, WY

Check out the climbers

It never ceases to amaze me at the different license plates representing states of the visitors. Devil's Tower was pretty neat and whetted our appetite for more of Wyoming and already the plans are in the works for an extended stay  next year - probably in the Cody, WY area, where we could do day trips to explore Yellowstone.

Next on our day trip list from Spearfish City Campground was a trip through Spearfish Canyon to Lead, Deadwood, and finally a stop in Sturgis for lunch.

The tour of the canyon was really interesting. It is amazing the tourist traffic, especially Motorcycles, touring this part of the country. Soon, we had left Spearfish Canyon and then it was on to Lead, and Deadwood, and then to Sturgis. What a town. What a reputation.

The Knuckle Saloon - one of my favorites

The Sign says it all

After a great lunch at The Knuckle Saloon(and of course a cold beer for me and a wine for Mary), a visit to the Brewery for a Growler fill-up, and the required stop at the Gift Shop, we were on our way back to Spearfish. Quite an enjoyable day.

And then it was time to leave Spearfish, a town we had grown to like, and one that we decided we definitely had to revisit some day. Now it was off to the heart of the Black Hills, Hill City. We had stayed here the previous year and again, so enjoyed it, that we had to return. In fact, we stayed at the same campground - Creekside Mountain RV Park.

This is not a large park, with at most 15 sites. But the owners are very friendly, the sites nice, and the location to everything in the Black Hills can't be beat.

Our spot

Inside the Silver Dollar Saloon / Restaurant just up the street

The Mickelson Trail - right behind our RV Park

View from Mickelson Trail as it goes over SR 385

A warning for Bicyclists  on the Mickelson Trail

Along the Mickelson Trail

Visitors in our back yard

While we were in Hill City, a not to miss place is The Alpine Inn......where we had a great German lunch and a return trip for their famous to kill for Filet Mignon steak dinner.

The Silver Dollar was one of the first places we visited when we arrived last year and we were so impressed by the friendly bartender/waiter/cook - Hector, that we had to go back. He is still there and the food and drinks are still good.

While at Creekside, I have to mention fishing. This is definitely trout fishing country and so, I had to do my thing. Which, of course, had to start here -

Cabela's in Rapid City

Here I bought waders, boots, line, tippets, flies..........and then I got to enjoy some quality time fly fishing......

Fishing at Creekside Mtn RV Resort

Spearfish Creek

Fishing in Spearfish Canyon

My mentor - fishing in Spearfish Creek

Spearfish Creek right behind our RV spot

One of the many Brook Trout I caught here

One of my spots at Creekside Mtn RV

We did take time to do some other things while in Hill City, like day trips to some of the local sites. First trip was a trip down 385 through Custer to Wind Cave National Park.

The buffalo in prairie dog city

One of the residents of prairie dog city

Yes, those are all buffalo

Some of the neat sites as we traveled through Wind Cave NP

From Wind Cave, we traveled right in to Custer State Park - this is always a wonderful experience....

At the entrance to Custer SP

Up close!

Up Close

Really up close

The Burrows are always a site and always draw a crowd....

They just kind of roam free, but for 2 years running now, we've found them in the same area. Must be they have the area staked out.

Day Trip # 2 from Hill City was a trip to Badlands National Park. For this we had to drive about 25 miles to Rapid City, get on I 90 east to Wall. From there we took the Park Loop to explore.....

Mary with her friends in the background

The very first overlook we stopped at - and there they were. What Mary has been dying to see.....

Unbelievable

The view from our parking spot at the Visitors Center.....

Day Trip # 3 was a visit to Wineries in the area. First stop was Stone Faces Winery, and then some more.....

We sampled wines at all but one of the ones we visited and we both came away with the same conclusion: They have a long way to go before they even come close to the Finger Lakes Region of NY wines. Anyways, it was fun, we even bought a few bottles.

Last day trip for us was the one to Crazy Horse Memorial. This is truly an inspiring place.

Author Ed McGaa - Eagle Man Oglala Sioux

Why Crazy Horse is revered by his people

Check out the paint and detail

Looking at the equipment kind of gives you a perspective as to the enormity of this project

Buda - Kaput!

One of Korczak Ziolkowski's sculptures

And so ends our stay in the Black Hills. We have been here a little over 3 weeks, stayed at 4 different locations, and enjoyed every moment. This is truly a wonderful area and we look forward to coming back. Tomorrow we head out. We'll travel in to Wyoming, down I 25 to Cheyenne for a night stop at Terry Bison Ranch and the following day travel through Colorado to Colorado City just below Pueblo for another nights stay. After that is the trip to Durango and a stay of 4 nights, where we plan on meeting up with old friends Dick and Patti. Might even take another trip to Silverton and enjoy the scenery along the way. The Aspens should be bright and golden this time of year.