We began RVing in 2004, but this blog did not begin until we went into fulltime RVing in 2007. The blog has evolved to a time when we no longer have a RV, but we still consider ourselves vacationing on a perpetual basis.
WHEN? Friday · August 24
WHERE? Custer, South Dakota · find us on the map
Wendell and Mae Dean took in the beauty of one of Black Hills National Forest's natural wonders, Jewel Cave National Monument, named for its sparkling calcite spar crystals. Ranger Kenneth Zortman crammed lots of information into the half-hour Discovery Tour presentation.
See more Jewel Cave photos on flickr
WHEN? Saturday · August 18
WHERE? Devils Tower Amphitheater
WHAT? Devils Tower Cultural Program Series presents Little Sun / High Eagle Drum and Dance Troupe
Arapahoe and Lakota natives of all ages performed traditional tribal dances. Can you tell there was a whole lotta shakin' goin' on?
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See more Drum and Dance photos on flickr
WHEN? Last weekend
WHERE? The Badlands of North Dakota
Wendell and Mae Dean's summer travels have certainly been an educational field trip:
- Today's lesson:
Scoria Point is named for the area's geological features.
WHEN? Sunday · August 12
WHERE? Hulett, Wyoming · find us on the map
 Two churches in nearby Hulett |  |
A noticeable difference between the Southern states and the rugged Midwest is the number of churches. After being members of Wells Memorial UMC for twenty-plus years, Mae Dean and Wendell keep up with Keith Tonkel's sermons by subscribing to monthly CD's. Wells also provides sermons in MP3 format on its website to farflung worshippers.
This Hulett flowerbed suggests that fewer churches
certainly doesn't mean less of God's beauty
WHEN? Friday · August 10
WHERE? Medora, North Dakota · find us on the map
Today's sightseeing included:
See more North Dakota photos on flickr
WHEN? Thursday · August 9
WHERE? Devils Tower Administration Building
Park Management generously hosted a Thanksgiving meal, complete with turkey, ham, stuffing and potatoes.
WHEN? Wednesday · August 8
WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument · find us on the map
It's Bike Week at Devils Tower!
| The National Park Service makes special arrangements in anticipation of thousands of bikers at Devils Tower each August. This 15-page Incident Action Plan to promote safety and smooth park operation was given to each staff member and VIP ... and includes a wise suggestion for those working around motorcycles to wear earplugs. |  |
Business was brisk at the local Trading Post
 Antique Harley |  Indian Motorcycle |
WHEN? Last weekend
WHERE? Spearfish, South Dakota · find us on the map
Mae Dean was graciously invited for an impromptu tour of the cottage gardens at Devashan, a Spearfish antiques business.
Since devachan means a little piece of heaven in the Hindu religion's ancient Sanskrit language, it's a fitting name for this charming local landmark.
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Devashan's owners also provide Up The Creek's annual breakfast and lunch buffets at Spearfish Campground during Bike Week.
See more Devashan garden photos on flickr
Witnessing tour buses pass through the highway's narrow tunnels was an unexpected but remarkable event
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See more Needles Highway photos on flickr
WHEN? Saturday · August 4 · (today's first post)
WHERE? Spearfish, South Dakota · find us on the map
Perhaps today's visit to D. C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery provided inspiration for an upcoming volunteer assignment?
See more Spearfish fish hatchery photos on flickr
WHEN? Saturday · July 28
WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument
WHAT? Professional Photography Workshop
Award-winning photographer and art teacher Catherine Cardarelli treated park staff and guests to a photography workshop this afternoon. Mae Dean expects to improve her shutterbug skills by focusing on three important elements of design:
WHEN? Thursday · July 26
WHERE? Devils Tower National Monument
Remembering that the Blue Angels were scheduled to fly over Devils Tower for a photo shoot this afternoon, Mae Dean planned ahead by bringing her camera to work with her.
Mae Dean's photo shoot: A soaring success!
See more Blue Angels photos on flickr
WHEN? Last weekend
WHERE? Wall Drug in beautiful South Dakota
Forgot to mention this earlier ...
Wendell and Mae Dean recently had the displeasure of meeting South Dakota's ugliest cowboy:
On the bright side, this guy
could make Elwood feel attractive
* Yo momma says you oogly
... is from Wildcats ghetto-riffic cheerleaders' version of The Ugly Cheer. View the link here to see the Wildcats U-G-L-Y Cheer on YouTube.SNL's Spartan cheerleaders made this cheer a pop-culture favorite, YouTube users began posting their own goofy versions.
After
WHEN? Saturday · July 21 (today's second post)
WHERE? Wall, South Dakota · find us on the map
Planning ahead for next weekend's photography class, Mae Dean purchased a pair of reading glasses at South Dakota's historic Wall Drug. Since the brightly-colored shopping bag she carried them home in is a souvenir on its own, she scanned it to share with her travelblog readers:
Mae Dean shares the good news of her recent
Wall Drug purchase with an unresponsive Santa Claus
No visit to Wall Drug is complete without
photo-opping alongside Annie Oakley
See more Wall Drug photos on flickr
WHEN? Saturday · July 21 · (today's first post)
WHERE? Badlands National Park · find us on the map
The afternoon's 104° high temps combined with 25 mph winds made the Badlands feel like an oven. The visitor center's 20-minute movie, Land of Stone and Light, allowed air-conditioned relief while teaching viewers about the area's geology, history and wildlife. Mae Dean compared the mountain views to a much taller version of Arizona's Painted Desert.
See more Badlands photos on flickr
WHEN? Friday · July 20
WHERE? Devils Tower Amphitheater
See more Buffalo Bill photos on flickr
WHEN? Sunday · July 15 · (today's second post)
WHERE? Cook Lake Recreation Area in Wyoming's
Black Hills National Forest · find us on the map
After a scenic 20-mile drive along a gravel road that ended up in a remote campground at Cook Lake, Wendell and Mae Dean's only regret was not bringing along a picnic lunch to enjoy while visiting this unspoiled neck of the woods.
See more Black Hills photos on flickr
WHEN? Sunday · July 15 · (today's first post)
WHERE? Sundance, Wyoming · find us on the map
Passing by Sundance's Crook County Museum on the way to the Black Hills National Forest, Mae Dean and Wendell noticed an irresistable photo op:
The Sundance Kids
WHEN? Friday · July 13 (today's second post)
WHERE? Spearfish, South Dakota · find us on the map
Take the night off from cooking!
A taste of Old Mexico at Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, where Mae Dean and Wendell enjoyed authentic Mexican cuisine in a bright and festive atmosphere.
