Santa Monica

We are at the airport waiting for our flight home. Paul is flicking through his camera at all the great photos. We have spent our last day at Santa Monica, for a change of pace we hired bicycles and rode along to Venice Beach and sat in the sun.

Paul's Comments:

I have learnt to stay on the right side of the road.

I have learnt to stay clear away from American politics in the pub.

I have learnt a little about American football and baseball.

I have learnt not to get to close to a buffalo.

I have learnt Park Rangers don't always drive marked cars.

I have learnt draught beer does not come in a bottle.

I have also learnt that the GPS (we bought on sale) is not always right.

Salt Lake City

Twelve states across America, 3,480 miles in 14 days!

Safe in Salt Lake City! Paul has driven brilliantly!

Fortunately we have had great weather, travelling in the RV has been a fabulous experience. We have loved meeting so many friendly people, enjoyed the excitement of New York, the passion and inspiration in Providence at the Zentangle seminar and the thrill of the open road driving across the country.

Snow on the mountains and bags packed.

Yellowstone National Park

Buffalos, snow and Old Faithful!

We spent a couple of days with cameras at the ready for what ever animals we could see, plenty of buffalos and antelope but we didn't see a bear. There were only 3 campgrounds open in the park and the ranger suggested we go to Mammoth Hot Springs up North. On our way we stopped to see the famous geyser Old Faithful erupt, it spurts at about 90 minute intervals give or take 10 minutes.

The hill behind the campground was large and just the shape of a huge mammoth. Deer roamed casually around the hot springs. We woke to a slight frost and to our delight as we drove around the loop and south the snow fall during the night was spectacular with steam from the springs adding to the amazing scenery.

The next night we spent at Jackson Hole, a popular ski resort village. We went out to dinner and Leon Russsel was playing at the Centre for the Arts so 'great balls of fire' we joined the locals for a night of rock and roll.

When I 1st saw these arches made from antlers on each corner of the town square I thought 'Oh dear' but the deer's antlers naturally fall of every spring. The boy scouts collect them, then have a large charity auction.

Cowboy Country

I have had a little time to tangle of an evening and we have made it, way out west. Yesterday we stopped at the famous motorbike rally town of Sturgis. Every August about half a million motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world gather and ride the fabulous roads around the Blackhills. It is very quiet at this time of year but at least we could wander around the museum and shops with ease.

Next stop was the cowboy town of Deadwood, rich in the wild west history of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. We had lunch at an old hotel and check out the beer!

Just on sunset we drove up and around Devils Tower, America's 1st National Monument, a huge stone pillar, it is the core of a volcano and sacred to the American Indians.

There was a campground close by which looked quite deserted and fortunately the caretaker was happy for us to stay the night as long as we didn't need the restrooms. Glad our RV has a beaut heater, fabulous hot shower, good toilet and everything we need.

Today we ventured over the Big Horn Mountain Range, Wyoming, to Cody, Buffalo Bill territory.

The weather is quite mild but there is snow on the mountains, we hope the roads are clear for the next couple of days to explore Yellowstone National Park.

The Great American Road Trip

All along Interstate 90 were signs about the Corn Palace at Mitchell, intrigued we made a stop, the whole building which is a community and sporting venue is decorated each year with corn cobs, stalks and grasses from the region. This seasonal event has been happening for over 100 years. A Tangler's delight!

We have continued into the Badlands, the roads and scenery are picturesque with the changing colours from desert to the green and gold of the trees in the Blackhills of South Dakota. We have seen the small prairie dogs dart down their holes, deer grazing on the side of the road, even a large buck with beautiful antlers. Last night 3 huge bison just roaming calmly while people stopped to take photos.

Luckily the weather has been good to us, we woke one morning to a slight frost, with a clear sunrise, gorgeous! Yesterday we were able to miss the rain while admiring the amazing carvings on Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse.

As we came into Rapid City last night just on dark we spotted a campground with the most wonderful view over the city, perfect except for the 'Closed for the season' sign!! Ok the GPS guided us to another campground 2 miles down the road but no, that was completely gone so we settled down in a Baptist Church car park, safe and quiet.

Fields of Gold

Our 1st 2 nights on the road were spent in Travel Plazas, large flash truck stops. They are very clean with everything you need. The 2nd Travel Plaza even had power plug ins, it cost $20.00 but good for charging up our gadgets (like the computer).

Paul is driving well in the traffic, he drove straight through the centre of Chicago. We parked on a parking meter to go into the Navy Pier area and had to pay with the credit card, that was a 1st!

Although we did have a hiccup coming into Milwakee, I entered a camping ground address into the GPS but when we arrived a 6 lane Freeway had been built right through the middle, all we could see was a broken gate! It was dark at this stage so we stopped the night in a Bank carpark, we had a 24 hr MacDonalds on one side and a drive through ATM on the other, luckily it was quiet and no problem.

A photo of our RV in the Harley-Davidson Museum carpark in Milwaukee, we spent half the day looking about. We had planned to be here in 2003 for the H-D 100th Anniversary but that didn't

happen. We actually had a better look because back then the whole place would have been crowded. Amazing how things are meant to be!!!

Today we crossed the Mississippi River and drove most of the day through thousands of acres of corn fields across the southern part of Minnesota. The area must look stunningly lush and green in the summer. I love the old barns and farm houses. Some of the signs along the roadside are fun to read but I'm not quick enough with camera, one advertised an 'Adult Shop and Bakery' that's OK, I've heard many folks say they are off to the bakery for a tart!

Tonight we are just east of Sioux Falls in a lovely camping ground looking over a lake. It's a bit to cold to get the camp chairs out but the wine is good and we are warm inside.

It's Official!

What a day and celebration!


Plenty of tangling and official business, photographs, more tangling, more laughs and wonderful friendships formed.
I know I wasn't the only one feeling emotional and thrilled about receiving our gorgeous certificates.



With Kit (also from Tasmania), Rick and Maria.