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