More Black Hills

 Good Monday morning to you, my friends and thank you for coming to visit me today. I have a LOT of photos for you today but it will finish off our Black Hills trip last week with Piper. I hope you enjoy them.

First is a view of some of the rock formations on the the Needles Highway. They are so impressive up close.

This one is a view at an overlook on the same highway. On a clear day you can see 50 miles away to the Badlands.

More Needles Highway views near The Cathedral Spires.

I meant to put this photo with last weeks post. As we went through one of the tunnels on the Iron Mountain Road there was a perfectly framed view of Mt. Rushmore which is miles away. A couple of the tunnels were designed with this view and it's pretty impressive, especially the first time you see it when you're not expecting it.

We went to dinner at the Ruby House saloon in Keystone one day. We took Mandy & Jamie well over 40 years ago and it looked exactly the same! It was built in the early 1900's and has the Ruby Saloon attached where there were "entertainment" girls back in the day. Today they have have reenactments of gunfights throughout the day. I just enjoyed looking at the photos on the walls and the antiques in the cabinets on on furniture around the restaurant.

I was able to show Piper the same exact table where we ate so many years ago.

One day Dennis and Piper hiked around the perimeter of Sylvan Lake and another day we drove up and they went kayaking in our double kayaking. They had a great time exploring the nooks and crannies of the rocks around the lake. My back was not cooperating for the majority of the trip so I did not get in the kayak at all. I would have never gotten back out without a crane! :-)

I sat in the truck and read my book and took pictures of them. They paddled closer to me and waved. 

Our campsite was only down the road a couple of miles from the lake and the lake is one of our favorite spots.

We drove the wildlife loop as always and although we didn't see nearly as many bison as usual, we found this one guy all by himself. We also saw a lot of prairie dogs.

There were lots of antelope scattered around the loop too. 

I thought this was a beautiful photo of the red rocks. This land borders Wind Cave National Park. 

I think I took this picture on the Wildlife Loop Road. Isn't she a sweetie? We sure do love this girl. When we got home, she asked Papa to leave the truck at her house for the afternoon. When we went back to get it, she had cleaned the entire inside. That was no easy task because Zoey's hair clings to everything. It's wiry and short and takes a LOT of effort to clean it out of cars.

This little kitty was at our last campsite on the way home. Dennis was outside hooking up the electricity and I was inside putting out the rugs, slides, etc. I kept hearing a cat and when I looked outside this little guy was on our picnic table watching me inside. I went out and sat down and he immediately climbed up on my lap and fell asleep. I sat there petting and snuggling him for almost an hour! I sure miss having a cat but Piper is very allergic to them. After he wandered off, I went in and showered and washed the clothes I was wearing so I wouldn't bring the allergens into the camper. When we were getting ready to leave the next morning, he came back to say goodbye. He must live there at the campground although we've never seen him before and we stay there on every trip westward.

I finished this blanket while we were gone. It's the Grace baby blanket which is free on Ravelry. I used 2 Mandala cakes in the Diagon Alley color way and an "H" hook. Zoey decided that her flamingo needed to be in the photo. :-)

I've also begun another Grace blanket using some scraps of white and a skein of variegated blue/green/white baby yarn that I have with no label. I like the way it's turning out.

I haven't been crocheting as much because my best friend Jenny from Spokane was here on Wednesday, just a couple of hours after we got home. She stayed until Saturday before leaving early in the morning and arriving in Maryland yesterday evening. She's on a 28 day road trip by herself that will have well over 9000 miles driven by the time she gets back home. She is visiting as many National Parks and relatives as she can fit in. Her southernmost point will be Key West, Florida before starting her journey back home to Spokane. She is quite an adventurer. She loves driving alone across the country. She retired last year and wanted to do this trip before she turns 70 next spring.

I hope you're all having a wonderful June so far. I apologize for such a long post but I wanted to finish off the Black Hills photos. Before we left there we made reservations for another week in August at the same campground and even the same site. We will go there on our way to Spokane for our annual visit. We'll also be stopping in Helena, MT for a few nights to see our son and grandkids there. Of course, all of this depends on whether diesel fuel is available for the truck. 

Our oldest granddaughter, Kyleigh, is flying to London next week to spend 10 days with our son's, (her uncle), family and meet her two youngest cousins. Kyleigh just finished her third year of college in Bozeman, MT. We're excited that she will meet our two youngest grandchildren and she is too.

I'll be back soon.

Blessings and hugs,

Betsy

JESUS LOVES EVEN ME

by:  Philip P. Bliss

1

I am so glad that our Father in heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see:
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

 

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
  Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
    Jesus loves even me.

2

Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.”

Homeward Bound

 Good Morning to all of you! It is 9:05 mountain time and we are leaving the Black Hills. Boo-hoo. We are currently driving through Custer, SD. We will stay tonight in Mitchell, SD and be home tomorrow afternoon. My best friend Jenny from Spokane will be at our condo tomorrow night. She's currently in Teddy Roosevelt National Park. She started a 9000 mile solo driving trip across the country and back to see all of the National Parks that she can. We'll just miss her here. She's planning to be within 20 miles of where we were camped by this afternoon her way to Wind Cave Nat. Park and Rushmore. But she'll spend three days with us, from tomorrow till Saturday and I'm so looking forward to it. It's been a year since we were together to gab and chat like teenagers. One time we drove all the way from Spokane to Portland, OR when we moved Mandy years ago. The guys were in the moving truck and we were in my car. Mandy was sandwiched in between in her car. The guys didn't talk much, (they're best friends too). Meanwhile we couldn't believe it when we got there. We talked the entire trip! To say I'm looking forward to seeing her would be an understatement.

And now back to the Black Hills. I have just a few photos today and more next time. I didn't want to make it too long. This is the Needles Eye Tunnel on the Needles Highway. (obviously). There are three more tunnels like this on the highway. Our big truck barely fits through.

We had to wait in the middle of this tunnel until the goat decided to stop eating. :-)

Then it joined the rest of the family outside the tunnel. They weren't bothered by the traffic at all. The baby was so cute. Piper was enthralled.

Papa and Piper went to Mt. Rushmore. My back was NOT happy and spasming so I stayed at the camper and did laundry. I've been there many, many times so it didn't bother me too much, but the night lighting never ceases to raise every patriotic feeling you've ever had. 

Two of my favorite people.

Beautiful.

Just a bit of the beautiful drive through Custer State Park.

We always enjoy driving the Pigtail Bridges. It's hard to get a good photo because of the many trees but you go round and round on log bridges. The begging burros used to be on this road, (Iron Mountain Road) years ago when our kids were small. Now they have migrated to the Wildlife Loop Road. Here's a little information on the bridges if you're interested.

And around we go!!

The engineering is amazing on these bridges.

I have lots more photos of the Wildlife Loop Road that I'll show next time. We had such a fun week with Piper. Yesterday we hung out around the campsite and just had a great time. Piper made a music video with Papa and I. She had us doing things all over the campground. Dancing, holding hands etc. It was lots of fun. We ate leftovers for dinner and then watched The Princess Bride and Ever After. Lots of thunderstorms throughout the last two days we were there and during the night last night. Hail, lots and lots of hail. Dennis checked the solar panels this morning because it was BIG hail during the night last night. All is well. The camper hooked up perfectly and now we're beginning our journey home. 

I finished one baby blanket and started another, read 6 books late at night. (Christian Intrigue Romances, don't judge me.) :-) They are light reading and yet leave you guessing who did it. Perfect for vacation. Piper snuggled with me every day. I love that girl. She loves her Papa and me too. She and Papa went to Evans Plunge twice and had such a great time. It's a mineral hot spring indoor pool with water slides and water basketball. Again my back had me staying behind but since I'm not much of a water girl, that was fine. They had a blast. At 70, Papa still does all of the things with her. Waterslides, rings, hiking, etc. She's a lucky girl to have him. 

I lost a few photos that I uploaded and now I have no internet available as we drive so I have no Bible meme for you. I'll share my Mom's favorite Bible verse instead.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. He who watches over you will not slumber or sleep." Psalm 121:1-3

I'll see you all soon.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

(We're now in Rapid City with internet so I'm going to try to send this. Fingers crossed.)

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Verse 1]
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

[Refrain]
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

[Verse 2]
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

[Refrain]
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

[Verse 3]
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin

Black Hills

We made it here to Ft. Welikit in the Black Hills of South Dakota. After miles and miles across South Dakota with this view, we arrived yesterday afternoon. It is gorgeous here. Low humidity, temperatures in the low 70's. Perfection. All three of us slept like logs last night and we're very happy to be together.

Last night we took a walk and ended up at the playground where Piper challenged Papa to a game of tetherball. My photos are out of order, that one is below the next one. While they were playing, a group of little kids gathered round asking Piper to play with them. She's just like her Uncle Alex, he's the Pied Piper of little kids and always has little ones following him around. He's always been like that. He was a great elementary school teacher in Japan before he moved to London. Piper seems to have inherited that gift of being great with little kids.

She ended up playing with them for over an hour, organizing games of tetherball and volleyball. They all yelled, "same time tomorrow," as they left for their campsites!

Here she is with Papa. They played several games and I think they both won several. You can see her laughing like crazy for some reason at Papa in this picture.

Here's the view outside our camper door this morning. We love this place. I really think it's my favorite place to camp of anywhere we've been. We have a flat top grill that you see on the picnic table. It's used a LOT when we're camping. Last night Papa made burgers when we got here. Tonight is spaghetti and meatballs, (but not on the grill). Ha!

The reality of life in a camper with a teenager! This is the sofa that makes into a queen size bed. We've put a memory foam topper on top of the sofa cushions for her and she says it's really comfortable after two nights.

I'm in the process of doing a load of laundry as I type this. I have to say, this was an amazing and wonderful addition to the camper. Who would have thought I would be so excited over a washer/dryer? No more trying to find enough quarters to wash and dry clothes. Not to mention lugging them to the laundry room. This machine does both, wash and dry. I love having it.

I didn't go with Papa and Piper today. They're heading to Wind Cave for a cave tour and then to Evans Plunge, in Hot Springs to swim. It's an indoor natural hot spring pool. Lots of fun for everyone. Except me. I woke up to back spasms this morning before I even got out of bed. I think I tweaked it yesterday when I got out of the truck at one stop. I opted to stay at the camper rather than put a damper on their day of fun. I don't mind. I have my yarn, books, laundry to do and a recliner as well as that beautiful scenery to sit outside and look at. They both seemed disappointed, although I think with me and my issues, they should be used to me disappointing them. 

Meanwhile, Zoey stayed home at Piper's house with her sister, Lizzie. She doesn't seem too upset does she?  Look at those cushy blankets those babies get to sleep on. This is in Mandy's office while she works. They want to be with her. Mandy said Zoey did spend quite awhile sitting on the back of the sofa when we left her, staring at the door waiting for us to come back. I know how much she loves it there though and being with Lizzie so I don't feel too bad. We do miss her. Dennis and I both find ourselves looking for her here in the camper. Both Brad and Mandy work from home so the puppies have lots of attention and company.

Take care. I'm trying to comment on blogs while we're here as the internet seems pretty good this year. They must have installed upgraded WiFi. I hope you're all well and enjoying the end of May. I'll be back soon! We have a visit to Mt. Rushmore planned for tomorrow. We're letting Piper choose the activities she wants to do and she asked for a return visit there. We always enjoy it and it's pretty impressive to see.

Blessings and hugs,

Betsy

The Unclouded Day 

Words and music by Josiah K. Alwood

Verse 1
O they tell me of a home Far beyond the skies
They tell me
Of a home far away
O they tell me of a home Where no storm clouds rise O they tell me
Of an unclouded day

Chorus
O the land of cloudless day
O the land of an unclouded sky O they tell me of a home Where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me
Of an unclouded day

Verse 2
Well they tell me that He smiles On His children there
And His smile
Drives their sorrow all away And they tell me
That no tears ever come again In that lovely land
Of unclouded day

Chorus
O the land of cloudless day
O the land of an unclouded sky O they tell me of a home Where no storm clouds rise
O they tell me
Of an unclouded day

Repeat chorus