Thursday, November 2, 2017

Road Trip/Bucket List Vacation...

Hubs & I got back last Friday from a 4,000 mile road trip...and Bucket List vacation.  Our main goal was to go to Mt. Rushmore.  I also knocked 4 more states off my list...South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana and Nebraska.

Day 1  (Oct. 20) ended in Davenport IA.  We had enough time to check the place out and walk up to the Skywalk that overlooked the Mississippi River.  Amazing!!  We had a great dinner at Lynn's BBQ & Saloon.

Day 2 had us driving all the way west...then all the way north...before we were finally OUT of Iowa!!  We stayed in Wall SD in a little (individual) log cabin.  It was very cozy and nice...and the people we met the next morning at breakfast were so friendly!!  Dinner was at a recommendation from Yelp at Two Bit Saloon.  I have to say...the was the first time Yelp was totally WRONG.  This place did not fit a 4-5 star rating!!

Day 3 took us to The Badlands, Ellsworth AFB Museum, Minuteman Missile and seeing Mt. Rushmore lit up at night.  WOW!  Dinner was at Gas Light in Rockerville SD...and our hotel was in Rapid City SD.
This is us at the Badlands.  Almost like a mini Grand Canyon without all the color.

And...we saw the most spectacular sunset on our way to dinner near Rapid City SD!!

Day 4 was Custer State Park and Mt. Rushmore.  Luckily, we stopped at the Visitor's Center at the state park.  We happened to hear them talk to someone else about 'the tunnels', so I asked.  From the scenic drive around the state park, there are 3 tunnels (the direction we were driving).  When you get through 2 of the tunnels, Mt. Rushmore is straight ahead.  The 3rd tunnel it's in your re-view mirror.  There are just no words to describe the beauty of that monument!!  Dinner at Firehouse Brewing Co. in Rapid City was pretty good!


Day 5 we drove 2-1/2 miles up a curvy, gravel/dirt road...THEN hiked almost 1/2 mile up the mountain on a gravel trail to get us to Mt. Roosevelt.  Spectacular views!!  It was soooo  worth the effort to get there!!  Then we were off to North Dakota & Montana...hey, have to check them off my list, right?!  We stayed that night in Sundance WY to be ready for our next day's outing before heading home.
Mt. Roosevelt

Day 6 was fairly short drive to Devil's Tower.  We kept seeing it in the distance, but once close up, it was unbelievable!!  Then we started the trek home.  We stayed in Rapid Falls SD...and it was there, at Taphouse 41, that I had my best meal!!  Bill had a burger, I had a burger salad.  Oh.My.
You can see how tasty it looked...well, it was very tasty!!


This photo is of us in Custer State Park.  Weather was beautiful our entire trip (just rained a very short time on our way out...and again on our way back, while driving).  But...it was VERY windy the entire time!!

Day 7 was another driving day, staying in Peoria IL.

Day 8 had us arriving home early/mid afternoon.

It was a long drive, but it was one of our best vacations for sightseeing.  I'd recommend it to everyone!!  Our only complaint was the food...or lack thereof in tastiness.

P.S.  AND...I lost 1 pound while on vacation!!!