We started the move westward towards our destination of Battery Point Lighthouse, Crescent City, California. We are confirmed to be the lighthouse keepers for the month of November.
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| Battery Point Lighthouse and its museum are located at the foot of Lighthouse Way in Crescent City, California. This is an active lighthouse that serves as a private aid to navigation. Its oil lamps were first lit on December 10, 1856. Lighthouse keepers still reside there. The Battery Point Lighthouse is open to the public for tours which include the opportunity to look into the personal quarters of keepers and their families and at the furniture and artifacts left behind since the 1850’s. Tours include a climb into the light tower. There are displays of many maritime artifacts, photographs, and documents that chronicle its history. |
We left Alto, MI to start our journey, first stop Camp Buckwood, Morgantown, IN for a couple of days 274 miles south of Alto. We were met by Ben in the office, we met him in Vitambi Springs in January 2021. Nice to see him again, we walked the park after parking, then spent the rest of the day by the pool and hot tub.
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We made it to Camp Buckwood
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| Our view from Site 21, new pavilion area with salt water pool. Bucky's Grill is set up near the pool within the enclosure. Fresh water pool, covered area for rainy days. Huge hot tub. |
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| For a camp this size, they have it all. |
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| The permanent guys have made this epic, they all made this an inviting community. |
We were here for the Chili Cook-off with 20 different chilis to chose from under the pavilion. We got to meet a lot of the regulars here, played Rummy Kube, and hung out in the hot tub. We really enjoyed our time at Camp Buckwood, made some new connections and were able to spend some time with Ben. We do plan to come back in the future.
After leaving Camp Buckwood, we started our trek West. On day 4 of our journey we entered Stacks and Stills National Heritage Area, beautiful rolling hills and farms in Waterloo, IA. We drove along Iowa Scenic Woods By-Way (Y31).
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| Welcome to Iowa |
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| Monmouth, IA |
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| Bernard, IA |
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| Haystack Sunset, Holstein, IA |
Our 6th day on the road since leaving Camp BUCKwood we arrive in Nebraska. First we stopped in Sioux City, IA at Stone State Park. We grabbed showers in the Campground. We drove to the Stone Lodge and found the Carolyn Benne Nature Trail and hiked 1.04 miles on this interpretative hike with loads of detailed information on the flora and fauna, environmental and geological details.
We hiked the Dakota Point Trail Scenic looking over the Big Sioux River towards South Dakota, we were on the Lewis & Clark Trail (National Historic Trail) above the Big Sioux River.
We started back towards Sioux City to 29 Loess Hill Scenic By-Pass stopping at the Sergeant Floyd Welcome Center on the barge. The visitors center highly recommended we stop at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, really nice exhibit with animatronics of Jefferson, Floyd, Lewis and Clark.
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| Stone State Park, Dakota Point Trail Overlook of the Big Sioux River |
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| Stone State Park along the hiking trail |
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| Sergeant Floyd is the Visitor Center and Museum for Sioux City, IA |
Sergeant Floyd is a historic museum boat, serving as the Sergeant Floyd River Museum & Welcome Center. Built in 1932 as a utility vehicle and towboat, she is one of a small number of surviving vessels built specifically for the United States Army Corps of Engineers in its management of the nation's inland waterways. The boat has been restored and drydocked, and now houses exhibits about the Missouri River and local tourism information. The Visitor Center is near the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. We received a lot of information on places of interest in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota serving Siouxland (3 cities named Sioux City in 3 states).
We entered Nebraska at 14:30 South Sioux City. We drove on 20w to 12w. We stopped in Newcastle to see the historic area along the OutlawTrail Scenic Byway to Niobrara National Scenic River. Our drive took us Niobrara State Park, part of the Lewis & Clark Trail, the expedition discovered the Niobrara River was not navigable. The park overlooks the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers.
We found a place to boondock for the night in iOverlander at Hastings Family Habitat Complex. We took a 1.38 miles hike along Medicine Creek, we could see the Missouri River, Jones Island and South Dakota. We are parked in the confluence of Medicine Creek, Niobrara and Missouri Rivers beautiful views of the river and creek over to South Dakota.
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| Niobrara State Park |
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| Hike along Medicine Creek and Missouri before dark |
The following morning we woke at sunrise then hiked from Hastings Family Habitat Complex along the Medicine Creek and Missouri to the Niobrara State Park. Took us almost 2.5 hours of walking (4.32 miles). Beautiful morning along the Missouri National Recreation River area easy trek, wet feet and sneakers from the dew and moisture. We did see one hunter below us when we were on the bluff in the State Park. Beautiful morning hike, dew on the ground and nature all around us, before we left for the Niobrara National Scenic River.
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| Sunrise along Medicine Creek to the confluence |
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| Sunrise Medicine Creek |
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| Sun refection on the grass |
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| Missouri River |
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Medicine Creek, Missouri River Confluence and South Dakota
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Niobrara River
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| Bridge out on the Niobrara River hike |
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| The bridge was partially washed out into the river |
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| Lilac Tasselflower |
We continued on US 12, at this point Lewis & Clark Trail that turns into the Outlaw Trail. We saw a Bald Eagle on a fence post, fox crossing the road, snake slithering on the road and many, many cows. The tapestry of the land is amazing.
On our way to Valentine we stopped at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness Overlook, absolutely beautiful vista of the prairie and Niobrara River. About a mile down US 12 (Outlaw Trail) to enter the preserve.
We drove the loop road around the Prairie and Prairie Dog Town. We did not see any animals since they were moved to winter range. We did hike the 1 mile loop for Fort Falls then along the swift moving Niobrara River. Moderate hike up hill back to the parking area.
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| Bald Eagle on fence post |
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| Confluence of Missouri and Niobrara Rivers |
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| Valentine, NE |
Keith was not feeling well still, we are in the prairies with a lot of pollen. We went to the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center spoke with the Ranger and watched a 15 minute film on the River. Best time kayak is June and July Monday thru Friday on none Holiday weeks.
We decided to move on to South Dakota up to the Badlands National Park. We left Valentine at 15:01. Taking 83n into South Dakota we entered Rosebud Sioux Tribe Reservation to 18W/ 83N in Mission. Left on 44W in White River. 81° here.
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| Topography starts to change in the distance when we were in Long Valley approaching Badlands National Park |
We did a COVID19 check entering Wannble, for the protection of native people we were told no stopping in Wannble, Oglala Sioux Tribe Reservation. We arrived in Badlands National Park entered the Cedar Pass Campground at 16:41 taking site 89. What a great spot, love it. The landscape around us is surreal, we both had huge smiles on our faces looking around us.
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| Beautiful way to be introduced to Badlands |
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Badlands National Park, Cedar Pass Campground vista
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| We found a place to settle for the night within this gorgeous location |
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| We were able to get the grille out and eat outdoors |
Badlands National Park is remarkable and other worldly. We did several hikes in different locations exploring this park. We spent 2 nights at Cedar Pass Campground, wonderful experience. After stopping at the Visitor’s Center we stopped at Cliff Shelf Trail .25 miles, stopped for hikes on The Notch 1.3 miles, The Door 1.0 miles and The Window Trail 0.3 miles for a combined 2.6 miles.
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Sunrise Badlands National Park
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Storm passing at sunrise
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Just before we went out the flares appeared
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Cliff Shelf Trailhead, first stop
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| View from the Cliff Shelf Trail Hike |
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Bird houses under the eaves of the parking lot shelter
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The Notch Trail vista
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Keith on the Door Trail
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At the Door Trail
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The Window trail
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| Keith at the Window |
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View of the canyon
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Sitting on a Pinnacle above the canyon
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Window trail
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Blue skies during this hike
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| We made it to the top of the Window |
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| Amazing views no matter where we are |
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Another beautiful hike
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| Following the trail and climbing up and down |
We had lunch then proceeded to the Badlands Scenic Byway Loop Road. We stopped at Saddle Pass Trail for a hike, strenuous short hike uphill on loose gravel. Caused slippery situations with gravel. Completed hike of 0.5 in 34:26. Worth the exertion to climb to the top and come out on prairie lands, flat area. We did Fossil Trail 0.3 trail for total of 3.4 miles.
Saddle Pass is a short trail that climbs up the Badlands Wall to a view over the White River Valley. The trail ends where it connects with the Castle and Medicine Root Loop trails. Despite being one of the shorter trails in the park, Saddle Pass is one of the steepest, with approximately 300 feet of elevation change.
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| Saddle Pass |
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Looking down into the pass
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Medicine Root Loop Trail
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Fossil Pass
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We started the Badlands Loop Road stopping at some of the overlooks and view points, but when we got to the Panoramic vista a strong wind storm let loose heavy rain and pea to quarter size hail. We returned to the campground which was lower elevations fast as we could to out run this powerful storm.
We saw one big horn sheep, a few chipmunks and white tail deer. Gorgeous day and lots of fun, Keith still congested but a good sport to still do the hikes (as he said a once in a lifetime experience).
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Cedar Pass Campground sunrise
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| Badlands sunrise |
We broke camp while the sun was rising to get as much traveling done to beat the cold Arctic weather coming to the Pacific Coast. We retraced our prior journey from the day before through Dillon Pass and stopped at the Panoramic Vista.
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| Badlands sunrise in Dillon Pass |
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| Big Horn Sheep female and two kids |
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| Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway |
We took the Sage Creek Rim Road, dirt road that goes through the Badlands, Sage Creek Wilderness Area and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands truly a beautiful experience going through the wilderness with hardly anyone else around.
We saw so many Prairie Dog towns along the way on both sides of the road. You just have to stop and watch this comical little guys.
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| Curious little guys right off the road |
We continued our journey westerly on 44 stopping in Rapid City for the night, we had dinner at Sickies Garage, a converted mechanics garage to restaurant. We boondocked in Cabela's for the evening.
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| Buffalo Gap National Grasslands |
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| Beautiful views, foliage changing to autumn colours |
We are 11 days into our journey west, after checking the weather in the morning we knew we had to move west quickly as an Arctic Blast was coming across. We decided to go to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse through Black Hills National Forest, then scurry through WY and Nevada staying further south as we could without getting into 12" of snow and freezing weather.
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| Mount Rushmore National Memorial |
As one drives into the Black Hills, a region considered sacred by its original residents, who were displaced by settlers, loggers, and gold miners—the roadside attractions offer a vision of American history that grows only more uncanny. (taken from The New Yorker) Quoting this has significant historical merit, regardless of the idyllic symbolism of this memorial but also the lack of respect for the original people of this country.
Crazy Horse Memorial was remarkable, the artifacts and history for the preservation of culture of the original people of North America. This is a memorial to the spirit of Crazy Horse and his people, designed by Korczak Ziolkowski. Ziolkowski is the descent of Polish descents, he was born in Boston in 1908. He was invited to the Black Hills after gaining recognition in the 1939 World's Fair for his work.
The monument is meant to depict Tasunke Witko, best known as Crazy Horse, the Oglala Lakota warrior famous for his role in the resounding defeat of Custer and the Seventh Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and for his refusal to accept, even in the face of violence and tactical starvation, the American government’s efforts to confine his people on reservations.
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| Crazy Horse |
We left Custer to start a 12 hour drive through WY to Rock Springs on interstate 80. We saw two pronghorn Antelope, several Big Horn Sheep, Buffalo and cattle. We are trying to beat the winter storms coming across the mountains of WY and northern UT to enter southeastern OR in the flatlands.
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| Route 16W before we entered Wyoming |
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| Foliage making its appearance in the Black Hills |
We saw so much wildlife when we entered Jewel Cave National Monument, big Horn Sheep on the side of 16W. Checked the weather and looked at the temperature real time on the dashboard. We have dropped from 63° to 43° in Wyoming, it has gotten cloud covered with really ugly winds knocking us around.
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| We made it into WY, 11Oct21 |
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| Large herd of Ta’Tanka, Buffalo in Lakota |
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| Driving down the highway |
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| Foliage and sunset along the highway |
It was incredible to imagine we continued to climb in elevation Lamont elevation 6622ft. In the Great Divide Basin we crossed the Continental Divide elevation 7,000 ft. We have now crossed the Continental Divide from East/West and North/South. We stopped for the night in Rock Springs, WY to sleep for the night. The winds were howling and we were able to get some supplies.
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Snow capped mountains
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| Great Basin National Park from I80 near Wells, NV |
The weather became a significant factor in our travel west through WY, UT and NV. We saw high wind alerts, 40+ mph, we were pushed sideways a few times but continued our way along I80 west. Temperatures continued to fall, making it unfavorable to stop in UT and NV. We also had a small diesel fuel leak, the generator and furnace would not work in these elevations. So no heat.
We entered snow covered hills of UT with high winds across the Great Salt Lake and Great Salt Desert. Once in NV we stopped to get information on the weather and conditions of the roads at the Visitor Center in West Wendover, NV. We will be entering OR from Route 140 into Southeastern OR just over the state-line and lower elevation out of the mountains. She did warn about the switchbacks and lack of guardrails in OR, we found that NV did not have them either.
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| We entered Nevada on 12Oct in the cold |
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| Scenic Nevada along SR95 |
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| West Wendover, Nevada |
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| Shoshone Range, West Wendover |
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| Switchback railway in West Wendover, NV |
The drive was hair raising, we were trying to get out of the cold but, more so, away from snow and freezing pavements.
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| Winnemucca, NV |
Traveling on Denio Highway 140N to Denio at sunset. We entered Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge when we turned onto NV 140. We had crossing signs for antelope and cattle.
We pull off the road staying over night in Charles Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge off NV 140N. Keith found it in Google maps as “Sheldon National Antelope Refuge”.
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| Taking 140 from Nevada to Crescent City, CA was on our last itinerary depending on weather in Oregon |
We woke up to high winds and a snow flurry at 3:25 am, we put on the ceramic heater, started coffee and prepared to leave NV. The Arctic Blast has hit, we have warning signs for antelope, horses and donkey on this very curvy road with switchbacks, downgrade changes with no guardrails. Quite the wild ride in the dark.
At 4:12 we entered Oregon at milepost 110 and speed change from 70mph to 55mph. Oregon mile marker 65. The Lake District. We did an 8 degree downgrade in the dark with left side fall off and no guardrails for 4 miles. Good thing the roads weren’t wet and temps increased from 30° to 42°.
It started snowing before the next downgrade of 7% for 6 miles around mile marker 43. Entered Fremont Winema National Forest at 6:00 on OR 140. Warner Summit 5800 elevation. We stopped within 300ft of our turn with junction 395/140 to sleep at 6:30, we were exhausted from getting up so early, the stressful drive in the dark, downgrade travel and cliffs off the sharp turns.
We woke two hours later, got back on the road. We continued on to Klamath Falls, decided to pull off the road to Stevenson Park off 140 on Lost River to grab lunch.
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| Bonanza, Klamath County, Oregon |
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| Stevenson Park, Lost River |
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| Break for lunch at Stevenson Park off OR 140 |
We spoke with Jonnie Dale Lieberman, a fellow alum of s/v Lungta, she lives in Ashland, OR and invited to stop over before we started heading north on I5 towards Portland. She gave us tips on places to see as we made our way towards here home in the hills around Ashland.
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| Pull off for the Applegate Trail |
We stopped at The Applegate Trail - Southern Route of the Oregon Trail, In 1846 Jesse and Lindsay Applegate, together with Leon Scott, headed a party to locate a less dangerous route to the Willamette Valley. Rather than bring families, oxen, and wagons over the Blue Mountains and along the daunting Columbia, the new route would lead emigrants through the southern mountains of the Cascade Range. The road that Scott and the Applegates built went through Nevada desert, passed Goose Lake, Tule Lake, and Lower Klamath Lake at the California-Oregon border, crossed the Cascades into the Rogue River Valley, then headed north toward the pioneers’ destination.
We stayed in the RV overnight at Jonnie's home, we spent the morning outdoors socially distancing, have super interesting conversation. We left for destination towards our friends, Nancy Gilliom and Heidi Wasson, who are in Portland for a couple of weeks. We are excited to make our way towards them and spend a couple of days together.
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| Enjoying the sun, spending the morning with Jonnie |
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| Roseberg, OR off I5 north |
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| Yoncalla, OR view from I5 |
Prior to meeting up with Nancy and Heidi we were having an issue with the right front tire, made an appointment at Discount Tire in Eugene. We found a really nice LGBTQ+ owned restaurant, called Mandy's Family Restaurant. The food was amazing, takeout services.
We met Nancy, Heidi at the trailhead Lacamas Creek Loop Trail in Camas, WA on the Columbia River, hiking 5.99 miles. Nice to see their smiling faces, Heidi came running arms wide open for a huge hug. Warm greetings from the both of them. The hike was fantastic, the trail was easy to follow. We met Kathy, who was here visiting from San Diego. We had an enjoyable moderate hike then went to lunch in Camas for lunch at Feast 316.
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| Kathy, Nancy, Heidi and Keith on the trail |
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| Fall foliage and water vapors coming off the ground |
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| Lacamas Creek Falls |
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| Nancy, Heidi, Wayne and Keith reunited |
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| Lacamas Creek |
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| Beacon Rock |
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| Lacamas Creek Upper Falls |
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| Chasing foliage along the Columbia River Gorge |
We met up with the girls for a hike on the Washington side of the Columbia River at Hardy Falls and Pool of the Winds Falls trail Hamilton Mountain, Beacon Rocks State Park, North Bonneville, WA. Hiked Beacon Rock Trail in Beacon Rock SP with Nancy, Heidi, Kathy and Chandra.
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| Keith, Kathy, Heidi, Chandra and Nancy |
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| Keith on the hike up Beacon Rock |
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| Switchbacks walking up and returning down |
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| Columbia River Gorge and Oregon from Beacon Rock |
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| Fall in the Columbia River Gorge |
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| Sunflares when we got to the bottom |
After the hike we ate lunch at Red Bluff Tap House in Stevenson, WA. Steak Street Tacos and Fish & Chips. We had a great time with Heidi and Nancy hiking and seeing them.
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| 2,551 miles from Morgantown, IN to Ashland, OR |
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| 308 miles Ashland, OR to Camas, WA |
We had an awesome time meeting friends along the way. We did have to rush through WY, UT and NV but we have states to go back to tour. We have traveled 2,859 miles during this trip.
