PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Pikes Peak vs Mt Evans. Which do you think is better to go on if you had to go on only one of them?
Road Trip in July: TX-NM-AZ-Route 66-NV-UT-CO-TX (May Add WY-SD-ND-MN-IA-MO-NE-KS-OK)
- Thread starter PetitFrereArmada
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I went to the Denver Botanic Garden yesterday. Not too bad. It was simple and good.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Today, woke and drove to Mt Rushmore. I got there before 7am. They open at 7am. But if you show up before 7am, you get in for FREE. I did not know this, but my pass would have let me in for free. But I found this out from this family of about 8 that I met there that early and this guy who drove 9 hours from Minnesota to come and take pictures of the sun rays hitting the heads of the president just at sunrise. He says he is looking for "that shot".
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
From here, I drove to Custer State Park. Make sure to drive on 16A, which is a scenic and very windy road. Really fun to drive with a lot of sharp turns and switchbacks which can get you dizzy. I drove on the Wild life loop to see some Bison. Large herds.
One of these guys came up to me and basically rubbed its body against my truck as it went away. I had to pull over later on when I got out of the park to make sure he did not leave a dent. No dents found.
These guys decided to hold traffic for like 20 minutes. Everybody was wondering if these Bisons would get out of the way. Then a park water vehicle came by and it has no time to wait. I came and when it was close enough it revved its engine and they got out of the way pretty quick, then traffic started moving again.
One of these guys came up to me and basically rubbed its body against my truck as it went away. I had to pull over later on when I got out of the park to make sure he did not leave a dent. No dents found.
These guys decided to hold traffic for like 20 minutes. Everybody was wondering if these Bisons would get out of the way. Then a park water vehicle came by and it has no time to wait. I came and when it was close enough it revved its engine and they got out of the way pretty quick, then traffic started moving again.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
When you leave the park, it is wise to hit highway 87, which is the Needles Highway. Another fun drive with twists and then going through a very tight tunnel that you can touch the walls as you go through and when you come out, there is the Needle's Eye. Great place where people stop for pics and hiking.
Sylvan Lake
Crazy Horse. Really huge. Way bigger than Mt Rushmore.
Sylvan Lake
Crazy Horse. Really huge. Way bigger than Mt Rushmore.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
From there, I hit the road for Deadwood, SD. And have to go to main street to visit Saloon number 10, where Wild Bill Kickok was shot dead. And I was lucky to watch a little acting about it.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
And since the annual Bikers rally which takes place in Sturgis is in 10 days, the town is already growing with a lot of bikers coming in. As you guys know, the Full Throttle Saloon was burnt down last year. This year they bought a saloon and renovating this new location which will open in 10 days. It looks way better than the last one and I am sure this one would be a blast this year for all those attending. While I was there, many people stopped by and did not know the place was destroyed last year by fire. The new place is 7 miles away and I had to drive to see it. Looks really good. And when I was leaving town, I stopped at the Knuckle Saloon for a good lunch. The food was good.
Old burnt down Full Throttle Saloon
New Full Throttle Saloon set to open in 10 days
Knuckle Saloon. I don't know why I cannot rotate these images.
Old burnt down Full Throttle Saloon
New Full Throttle Saloon set to open in 10 days
Knuckle Saloon. I don't know why I cannot rotate these images.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Did my 10 hours drive today to get to Minnesota. I passed through Wyoming to see the Devil's Tower and then went through Montana, and through North Dakota. What a drive and I have been on some really isolated roads and cities that I even felt scared going through. And many a times, I have been on some freeways where I have been all alone for like 10 minutes. Then I stopped on Hwy 7 in Montana and just listened to the quietness and peace. It was amazing, but I felt scared at the same time. Then I looked around and all I could hear was the wind and then all a sudden a vulture. So it was time for me to quickly get back into my car, crank it up and hit 0 to 60 in no time.
There were very many people at the Devil's Tower today. I mena this structure is truly imposing. I couldn't believe when they told me people do climb up to the top often. Well, not me. I spent enough time to take pictures, ask questions and talked to complete strangers. There was a tour bus too full of people. It was just amazing being out there. And just at the entrance after the fee booth is a huge area with tons of prairie dogs. And visitors are not allowed to feed them. So just admire them and take pictures.
Is this truly America's First National Monument? That is cool to know.
The people in the tour bus taking pictures with the prairie dogs. And those dogs actually posed with those people for some of those pictures.
There were very many people at the Devil's Tower today. I mena this structure is truly imposing. I couldn't believe when they told me people do climb up to the top often. Well, not me. I spent enough time to take pictures, ask questions and talked to complete strangers. There was a tour bus too full of people. It was just amazing being out there. And just at the entrance after the fee booth is a huge area with tons of prairie dogs. And visitors are not allowed to feed them. So just admire them and take pictures.
Is this truly America's First National Monument? That is cool to know.
The people in the tour bus taking pictures with the prairie dogs. And those dogs actually posed with those people for some of those pictures.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I left the park and hit the road. And soon, I was in Montana. Wow. What a picturesque landscape. Then I get to this point where I feel as if all other cars have decided to leave me alone on the freeway. No cars behind me and none infront of me or coming the opposite way. I check my GPS to make sure I am on a safe route and on the correct way. GPS provids good map and directions. I am on task. So, I decided to stop to see how it feels being in the middle of nowhere. Wow. It is quiet, cold and the storm is about to set it. Then this vulture flies overhead. At that point, I quickly got into the car, crank it up and got to 60 pretty quick. Then a torrential downpour of rain and thunderstorm starts. I ride in it for a while.
Then I come to a road construction. LOL, at first I thought it was a fake road block to rob me. My hand was already on gear lever to put it into R and make a uturn you will only see in the movies. This lady walks up to me and tells me I cannot go further and shows me a dirt road that she says is 10 miles long and tells me how to get to the freeway ahead. Ok, now I am thinking I am being sent to where I will truly be robbed. But hey, she was sweet and all, so I am just over thinking because that road was just too quiet and I barely met a soul. So, I get on dirt road. Then in about 2 miles another road block! I meet this herd of cows. Ok, I am in a hurry and need to get by, but they have other intentions. They position themselves in the middle of the road and tell me we should have a starring contest. What? Ok, we play that for about 2 minutes and I give up and had to put down the windows and ask them to moooove. At which point they did with a grin on their face. I continued my journey on dirt road in total silence and being the only one on this road until I by passed 2 vehicles coming the other way.
Then just as I made the last turn to drive the last half mile to get back on the freeway, I meet another road block!!! Ok, if this did not look like a true road block, I would have felt this is where I would be robbed. This 18 wheeler had been asked to use the dirt road too and I guess he overtook this bend and there he is. He ended in a ditch. Ok, this people stopped traffic and other vehicles came and met us and stopped. And I took advantage to take pictures, just as they were doing. Then I heard them saying they will call for a big tow rig and they will have to stop traffic for a while. Well, that was enough for me to jump back into my car, set it into 4wd and go through a slippery place and I was gone before they had the road blocked for traffic. What an adventure on highway 7 in Montana!
Then I come to a road construction. LOL, at first I thought it was a fake road block to rob me. My hand was already on gear lever to put it into R and make a uturn you will only see in the movies. This lady walks up to me and tells me I cannot go further and shows me a dirt road that she says is 10 miles long and tells me how to get to the freeway ahead. Ok, now I am thinking I am being sent to where I will truly be robbed. But hey, she was sweet and all, so I am just over thinking because that road was just too quiet and I barely met a soul. So, I get on dirt road. Then in about 2 miles another road block! I meet this herd of cows. Ok, I am in a hurry and need to get by, but they have other intentions. They position themselves in the middle of the road and tell me we should have a starring contest. What? Ok, we play that for about 2 minutes and I give up and had to put down the windows and ask them to moooove. At which point they did with a grin on their face. I continued my journey on dirt road in total silence and being the only one on this road until I by passed 2 vehicles coming the other way.
Then just as I made the last turn to drive the last half mile to get back on the freeway, I meet another road block!!! Ok, if this did not look like a true road block, I would have felt this is where I would be robbed. This 18 wheeler had been asked to use the dirt road too and I guess he overtook this bend and there he is. He ended in a ditch. Ok, this people stopped traffic and other vehicles came and met us and stopped. And I took advantage to take pictures, just as they were doing. Then I heard them saying they will call for a big tow rig and they will have to stop traffic for a while. Well, that was enough for me to jump back into my car, set it into 4wd and go through a slippery place and I was gone before they had the road blocked for traffic. What an adventure on highway 7 in Montana!
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I finally get on a real highway, I-94, which runs across North Dakota. So, I basically drove the whole length of North Dakota today. And how would you drive through North Dakota without stopping to say Hi to Salem Sue? So, I stopped by and said Hi.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
You didn't stop at Teddy Roosevelt National Park? Too bad, it's awesome.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Oh no. I just passed by it.
I drove a total of about 10 hours on that day. When I was doing my research before the trip, I found out that this park with Custer park has the same kind of animals, so, since I was limited on time, I did not stop at Roosevelt National Park. But I was very glad that I did visit Custer park and got to see the Bisons really close from my driver seat.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Yesterday, drove through ND, SD, MO, NE and KS, where I spent the night. Not much but enjoying the road and driving with traffic. But stopped in Sioux Falls, SD at this very popular park in SD. Took a 30 minutes break and walked around and it was time to be on the road again.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Today, I drove through KS, OK and spending the night in Dallas. Nice and simple drive, though halfway into the 7 hours journey there was a 6 miles backup on the freeway (I-35) because of an accident. My GPS was smart enough to show me alternative routes and I turned my CB radio on to get good info from the truckers who were not stop helping each other and telling what alternative road to take.
My GPS showed me a good road to take that had little traffic on it and before I got on the freeway, I realized I was in Arcadia where POPS is located. Since it is a great route 66 attraction, I decided to make a pit stop there.
My GPS showed me a good road to take that had little traffic on it and before I got on the freeway, I realized I was in Arcadia where POPS is located. Since it is a great route 66 attraction, I decided to make a pit stop there.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
So, my trip has been really great and successful as I leave Dallas tomorrow for 4 hours 30 minutes drive home to resume work as from Monday. It has been a great adventure on this trip.