Western trip is over

[FUZZY]

We left August 7th. And camped a different campground every night.

We stopped at:
Spam museum Austin, MN
Corn Palace Mitchell, SD
Camped at Lake Mitchell Camp Ground
Bad Lands South Dakota (spent time climbing around the bad lands)
Wall Drug Wall, SD (Packed with bikers for Sturgis)
Mt Rushmore SD (Atteneded the evening show with lights and presentation)
Camped at Stockade Campground.
Mammoth Site Hot Springs, SD (The boys earned there Archeology merit badges here, and had a lot of hands on fun) Oh and we had multiple herds of buffalo crossing the roads on our way there we had to wait for.
Crazy Horse Memorial SD (Didn't spend a lot of time here due to the mamoth site running over and the buffalo maiking us late to begin with)
Thunderbird Gold mine Keystone, SD (Toured the mine and panned for Gold. Most of the boys got lucky and yelled Uereka!!!)
Camped at Keyhole State Park (set up camp just before the rain came and had high winds till after midnight. Only lost one tent pole to damaging winds)
Devil's Tower Wyoming (hiked around the tower and did some rock climbing)
Shell Falls Wyoming (hiked around the falls and took some spectacular pics)
Rodeo Cody , WY (Atteneded the night rodeo in Cody. Boys participated in the calf tail chase on the rodeo field)
Camped at Parkway trailer and RV park
Drove through Yellowstone National Park stopping at Paint pots, mud pots, Norris geyser Basin (hiking), and visited Old Faithfull (She went off a little behind schedule)
Camped at Grant Campground (Had and evening campfire program that every on enjoyed, with a Ghost Story "The Mackenzie River Ghost", A game called " If I could go to the moon I would take with me......" Lasts till everyone figures out the game (which took a while), A song I don't remember, and our evening Scout Vespers as we let the fire burn down and went to bed.
The Grand Tetons Teton National Park (took a boat ride across the lake to the base of the Tetons and hiked up to the falls and then up to inspiration Point (7K plus ft in altitude) On our way back down we came across not one, but two Brown bears that crossed our walking paths)
Camped at Coulter Bay Campground (This place was solid rocks everywhere. We bent many a tent stake here trying to put them in.
Went to Jackson Hole to take our Whitewater Rafting trip down the Snake River (It was a bit Chilly that morning, so we opted for the wetsuits. As we paddled down river we hit some good Class 3 Rapids and got a bit wet. In a slow part of the river we were allowed to jump in if we dared. We'll our troopwas ready fro the challenge and all jumped in except for a few that had to stay in the raft to pull us back in. This was two thumbs up trip)
Camped at a KOA in Rawlins, WY (Very Nice place with wonderfull owners)
had to make an emergency stop on our way to the next destination to pick up our Scout Masters prescription as he fell ill the night before.
Stopped at Cabela's in Sidney, NE (didn't spend much time here due to being behind schedule)
USA Steak house Kearney, NE (The boys' one and only indoor meal. and they ate plenty)
The Great Platte River Archway Kearney, NE (Earned their indian lore merit badge with a lot of hands on again. The built a scaled model of an actual Pawne (sp) Mud hut using the same tools the indians would have used way back in the day, spent the night in a real mud hut that was just built this summer. Our Troop was the very first group to sleep in the hut over night (except for two of the Arikara Indians that helped build it), in the morning we finished the scaled mud hutand went inside the museum toleanr more about the Pawne ans Arikara tribes and to tell abotu the various tribes in our area along with the white Buffalo "Mirracle" that was born in our town, then they were insatructed on how to replicate ad make indian clothing articles, after which they got to play with a few ancient indian games) definately worth the experience.
S.A.C Museum Ashland, NE (Strategic Air and Space Command Museum. Had lots of planes indoors for us to see and even climb on some mock ups or simulators)
Camped at Mahoney State Park (For Tent sites it was all down hill no matter where you placed your tent. Wound up with my feet almost sticking out the door of the tent by morning.)
The last day was spent driving 473 mile back home. Second only n miles to the first day of 521 (home to Mitchell, SD)

You all know I love to take pics. So after I've had a chance to sift through 10-12 Gigabytes (aka ??K's) of photos I'll post a few with some anecdotes of humor.

For now it's time to rest

[Flassh]

Great review of your trek. Many of your stops bring back great memories of the trip. Apparently I missed one very important stop.

Made the Corn Palace, Mount Rushmore, Devil's Tower, Wall Drugs, Yellowstone, Crazy Horse, but somehow...........................................................................................









There's such a thing as a Spam museum?

[MoodyBlue]

That is quite a Trip there Fuzzy. I'm glad you had fun and made it back Safely.

[DOOPHUS]

WOW, FUZZY . . . when did you sleep?

That looks more like an endurance run than a vacation. You're gonna need at least one more week off just to recover.

! ! ! ! ! !

[blueroadster06]

not many buffet on the list.....

[turnheadz]

rest..................then pictures

[Greg Ducato]

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime!

[Flying Dog]

Originally Posted by Greg Ducato

Sounds like a trip of a lifetime!

And those kids will remember it fondly for the rest of their lives.
Great adventure for them.

[Bondo Princess]

Fuzzy................Wow, what a scout trip. Those boys in your troops had a "life time" experience. I've said this before......your son and the other scouts are so fortunate to have you and the other leaders. This kind of trip takes so much organization and "unselfish" time from your personal lives. Keep up the good work!

Gerry

[Red Cat]

Wow!

[wildcat66]

what a wonderful trip, the boys will have a lot to write about at school, How I Spent My Summer Vacation looking forward to seeing the pictures !

[FUZZY]

Sorting through all the photos

We had six cameras going between the leaders that went along and I think we cover pretty much everything. Some of it multiple times from differant angles.

I had to open a new photobucket account to put them all in. MAN THERE'S A LOT OF PHOTOS.

I'm so tired of looking at the screen today that I'm going to bed to watch a movie. I'll post Story and pics Starting tomorrow after I register the kids for school. Glad to SEND EM TO SCHOOL. Hate the rediculous high fees involved.

I'll start with day one and go from there.

[wildcat66]

Fees for school? night

[FUZZY]

Originally Posted by wildcat66

Fees for school? night

Yep, Round here you not only have to pay taxes for the school system, you have to buy all you materials and then go in on registration day and pay more fees on top of it. by the time its all paid and done each kid costs 700-1k each year. (lunch acct., book fees, lab fees, athletic pass fees, parking fees, field trip fees, then the new clothes and shoes, paper, folders, binders, book covers, pencils, pens and more)

[FUZZY]

Here we go!

Almost everyone is here. Two scouts cancled at the last minute. Evidently with crossed departure dates and weren't ready.

For those that arrived. We loaded the gear in the truck and van and said good by to the moms or dads left behind.


Before they left we had someone snap a few group photos. This one turned out the best.

You could tell every one was bright eyed and bushy tailed to be headin out for this incredible adventure.

Then proceeded to load the vehicles with passengers. 18 People stuffed into three vehicles along with gear and food.




Since we did have along drive ahead of us, one of the leaders brough his lap top and some movies to play along the way, and some of the kids had nintendo DS's which made it not so fun for those that didn't.

A few hours later we arrived in Austin, MN at the Spam museum. No this is not a museum forthe most rediculous or famous Spam in your email box. this is truely a museum for the product of Spam. It was developed to supply a ham product to our troops during the World Wars and has grown to become a global company.


As we arrived we noticed another van in the parking lot that had boy scout in it. We talked with one of the leaders while our boys were getting their scout trip shirts on. And found that they were from Beaver Dam, WI (just a few miles north of our town). They were all dressed in Class A uniforms.

Where as our boys were dressed in class B (Scout trip shirts) so they couls save the Class A for more important things.

Inside the museum we a number of displays the first of which was the Spam can. Looking at this pic. You don't think some of these kids like Spam Do you?

[FUZZY]

Spam has been continualy reinventing it products. The are anumerous variations of spam today. You have smoke , honey, BB-Q, spam n cheese and much more.



While in the museum the kids had a chance to visit the Spam Virtual Diner.

Take in a movie of the history of Spam.

Work on a modern day spam assembly line to test their efficiency.

And test their strength with the old pully system for moving the crates around.

Just before we left the kids were treated to a spam sample before hitting the road.

From there it was back on the road again. Headed for Mitchell, SD.

[FUZZY]

Gotta take a break and go register the kids for school.




Well. Its a good thing I checked the school web site before I left. They changed there registration time from 8am on to 10 am -5pm.


I'll work on more of the story till then.

[FUZZY]

But finally made it to our camp ground in Mitchell, SD.

After driving all day with the air on in the vehicle. we stepped out of the van and about fell over. It was hot! Temp on the mirror read 99.


We immediatly set up camp (tents and camp Kitchen) and cooked up hamburgers for Dinner. The boys all had rotational cooking and cleaning duties so each of them didn't have to cook every day.



MMMMMM THIS IS GOOD STUFF!!!!


After dinner we went into town to the Corn palace. No, it's not a palace made of corn, but rather a palace decorated with corn. The scenes are changed every fall.

There are a number of artworks on the building

But this one was our favorite. Comemoratiing the 100th anniversary of Scouting. It was like they put that there just for us.

We took in a movie about the history of the corn palace.

Then walked the interior of the building and auditorium where they play basketball, have concerts and aeven rodeo's from time to time.

Then gathered for a group photo at the entrancebefore heading beack to camp for the night.


Did I mention it was hot that night?

[FUZZY]

We survived the heat through the nite and probably lost a few pounds sweating too. I did mention it was hot rite?

Ok so now we're on the road towards the next destination. The Badlands of SD.


Since we took a lot of photos here I'll post just a few and a link to the rest of you wish to page through them.

At first the boys thought we were just going to drive through them, but soon found out we were stopping and they were allowed to climb arond on the rock formations. That was like opening the cattle gate folks. The boys scurried off to anywhere they could climb on or in.



The badlands are quite beautiful in there own way. I walked and climbed around too to get some very nice shots without people in them.



Before we left we had Lunch at tone of the visitor centers in their picnic areas.

Then it was time to gather for the group photo. One of the leaders had brought along a tri pods so we set the timer and made a run for it toget in the picture.

Success he made before the camera clicked.

Then back on the road again towards Wall Drug.

Link to badlands photo album Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

[FUZZY]

Not as many photos here. This place was packed. of Corse Sturgis bike week was going on while were there too, so there were Motorcycles everywhere you looked.

Some of us made it to the ice cream shop and had a treat. Mine was cheesecake ice cream. OH SO GOOD!!!

Hangin out with some celebs.

And this poor leader next to the ATM machine. just look at the expresion on his face. Pricelss.

Some one even found a Jack-a-lope to ride.


Then we were off again.

[FUZZY]

When we go for a drive in the country we usually see scenic views along the hi-ways and by-ways of this country like these.




Making our trip relaxing and enjoyable.
Along the way we may see some of these seemingly cute littel fellas

Lots of em

But sooner or later you come around a curve in the road or over a hill top and find this.

So much for making good time to our next destination.

Especially when this guys turns and loks me rite in the eyeball.

[FUZZY]

We made it past the herd of Buffalo unscathed and a little behind schedule, but we made it to our camp site and set of camp for the evening. It was a bit cooler but nothing us Wisconsin folks couldn't handle in t-shirts and shorts.



After dinner we proceded to Mt Rushmore for the evening program and a little hiking around the grounds.

Let's start with a picture of what Mt Rushmore looked like before it was carved out.

And now it look like this.


We found the walking paths they used in the Movie " National Treasure 2" but they sure didn't lead to the city of gold.

The nites program in the amphitheater was a history of the carving of Mt Rushmore and a tribute to all the vets past present and future.


And the solemn face lit up at night.

[MoodyBlue]

Thanks for the Pic's Fuzzy. I know how much time it takes to load that many of them.

I remember the Trips I took as a Kid. They were some of the best times of my life.

[Greg Ducato]

Very Cool!! Thanks for sharing your trip

[FUZZY]

Lots more.....

DAY THREE

When I woke up in the morning (way before everyone else) I spotted these yearlings wandering through the camp site. There were more later on.

On the way to the Mammoth site we encountered more of the buffalo herds.Making it difficult to stay on schedule.


We arrived a the site a little late. Got our tickets and waited for our guided tour

During the tour our as the boys would gather round a site like this.

Our tour guide would talk to them on a pnoe line system so they didn't have to shout or disturb anyone working in the site.

After the tour we were greeted by our archeology merit badge instructor. He took the boys to a class room and showed a power point presentation. From there it was time to dig in the mock excavation site.

This is the part the boys really enjoyed. Diggin up bones and artifacts, and getting dirty too.

The boys each had their own square and had to map their finds as they excavated. Once they were done the put all the maps togethr to create a larger map of the entire site.

From there we went another area where the boys were taught how to use ancient hunting implements. They were shown how to use it and then allowed to attempt to hit the targets they had set up.

[FUZZY]

Needless to say the boys weren't very successful hunting today.
But they did enjoy it.


Link to the mammoth site slide show Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket


After lunch we went up the road again towards Crazy horse. Missed a turn or two but back tracked and got back on route. this is what you see from the hiway.


Its much bigger up close.

And the original sculptors piece of the finished mountain some day.


Even Our home town was mentioned here. As "Miracle the White Buffalo" was born in our town next door to our assistant scout masters home.


From there it was back on the road again to Keystone and the Thunderbird (AKA Big Thunder) Gold Mine.

Didn't look like much from the out side.

Took the tour deep inside the mine with our tour Guide Jim (or Tim if you didn't like his presentation).

Yes, they got me in the pic too.

Outside panning for gold.

EUREKA!!!!!!!!!!! i FOUND GOLD BOYS!!!!!

[FUZZY]

Off to find our camp site at Keyhole State Park. This place is out in the middle of nowhere. We arrived late and had to set up in the dark. I and a few other leaders commented on how clear all the stars were and the view of the milkyway. it was stunning. Shortly afterwards it began to rain and the winds kicked up.

By morning it was frosty and cold out. Frost on the windshields, tents and well what there was of grass.

Pancakes and sausage for breakfast

Packed up the tents and hit the road for another day.

This time we're headin to Devil's Tower. The very same one in "Close encounters of the third kind"

Here we did some hiking and rock climbing (others were really climbing up and repelling back down)

Now there area a few variations of how the tower was formed. the scientific way (all speculation)

And the indian lore way (More plausible?)

Back to the hiway once again toward Cody, WY

[FUZZY]

On our way from Gillette, WY and the Devil's Tower we stopped by a little place in the mountians called Sherry Falls. Nice spot with a waterfall and room to stretch your legs.



Some of the boys picked up these funny looking head gear while we were there.

Made it to our camp for the nite. Set up and made dinner. Spagetti & meatballs with garlic bread (heated up on the engine manifolds. Still in the packages though).


FULL TUMMIES AND WE'RE OFF TO THE RODEO

These pics at the rodeo may not be the clearest, but it hard to get a stop action photo ina fast action rodeo from up inthe nosebleed section.

[wildcat66]

awesome pictures

[FUZZY]

Hard to believe we were half way through the trip already.

Today was a long leisurely drive though Yellowstone National Park. Stopping at places like this. Boiling mud pots and caldrens.

Off we go on another hike. This time sticking to a specified path.

One of the larger mud pots named " Black dragons caldron"

onward to the Norris Geyser Basin. This is still very active. so much so that a new thermal heat/vapor rissor was forming while we were there. Park Ranger were rushing to build and alternate walkway away from the dangerous hole that was right next to if not under one of the walk ways.

The shallow creeks running through this area are pretty but are hazardous.

Next stop. Victory Falls (upper falls)

The on to the lower falls

Rounding out our trip through Yellowstone was the most famous Geyser of all "Old Faithful" You can tell she's gettin old. she aint to prompt on timing like she used to be. But still spectacular when she goes off.


All our hiking is really tiring these boys out