So we bugged out of Rapid City early on Sunday morning (08/25) so we could start making our way across South Dakota
Through Wyoming

And into MONTANA

Two really long days of hot (90 degrees) driving. Spent the first night at a cute little KOA in Livingston, Montana just outside Bozeman. Our campsite:

It was a nice little campground on the river, the camp hosts were really nice and Basil Boy seemed to really like it.

Basil Boy is Kim’s basil plant that decided to make the trip with us from Boulder. So far, he has provided his own unique contribution to many of our meals. We have provided him with a high-class container (a shout out to Ted and Claudia and the FIREBALL) for the trip and other than leaning over a bit, he seems to be enjoying the trip. Whenever we arrive at a new location, Kim takes him out, makes sure he has sufficient water and sunlight and asks him to contribute a leaf or two for dinner. She seems a bit obsessed with Basil Boy and as hard as it might be to believe, it is not the first time she has had a thing for a boy.

If you are Kimm Gillogly and you decide you need some adventure in your life years ago, you buy a camera.  And if you buy a camera, you will want to go someplace exciting and take some pictures.  And if you want to go someplace exciting, you might think about Yosemite National Park.  But you might decide against Yosemite because of bears.  And if you were afraid of bears, you might decide on Badlands National Park instead.   And if you decide to take pictures in Badlands National Park, you might be walking along a trail and decide to disregard the trail markers and climb up the nearest hill.  And if you climb up the nearest hill for a picturesque shot with your camera, you might get lost and have to yell for help.  Don’t be Kimm Gillogly and disregard the trail markers and get lost in the Badlands!!!

We spent the day at the Badlands.

OK,
So I am too lazy to go to the car and get the book to figure out how to add my image to the previous post. Not to worry, I WILL figure it out. Although, I wouldn’t recommend anyone hold their collective breaths.
So a few others things from Day One to share before we pack it up and prepare for a hike in the Badlands tomorrow. We drove through Lusk, Wyoming and thanks to a partially obscured sign wondered why anyone in the world would name their drug store “Peckers”. We subsequently extended our heartfelt apologies to Mr. or Mrs. “Decker”. About an hour out of Lusk, we passed a sign for the “Reed Ranch” at which point I laughed and noted that my peeps must be flush to own such an expansive and majestic homestead. Just across the street from the Reed Ponderosa, we saw a very pathetic, decrepit abandoned site which we immediately dubbed the “Hodges Ranch.” Probably should have been the “Hodges Hut.” Of course, knowing Kim, that wouldn’t have phased her in the least and she would have immediately set about fixing it up.
We finally made our way through Custer, South Dakota and to the campsite which is perfect. It is a heavily wooded site and although many of the sites are a bit close to each other, ours has quite a bit of privacy. I think Kim started her campfire before her feet got out of the truck. She loves them and we aren’t at all sure how often we will be permitted to have them with all the wildfires still burning in this part of the country. When we entered the park, there was a sign reminding folks that the Buffalo are indeed dangerous. We immediately thought of Uncle Bill and our trip to Yellowstone years ago. Although that is a story for another time, suffice it to say, despite being a very bright man, he got overly familiar with a buffalo and now is on the Ranger’s 10 most wanted list.
Signing off. More to come and thanks for reading.

August 21, 2013 (9:00 PM) Greetings from Custer State Park, specifically the North Stockade Campground-Site 24E. We left Boulder at about noon and made it here about 7:00 pm. Would have gotten here sooner but the GPS steered us wrong before we invoked the time-honored tradition of actually reading a map. We also drove through one of nastiest thunderstorms I have seen. Lightning striking all around us and really compromised visibility. Luckily the truck (heretofore known as Harriet), kept us safe and on the road. We were cruising along in Wyoming which was absolutely gorgeous. The sky alternated between black and bright blue so it cast some amazing shadows and colors on the yellow prairie. We came along a sign for Lost Springs, Wyoming and we were amused to see the population was “4”. We immediately looked left to see what a city of 4 looked like. I can only tell you the only discernible sign was “BAR”. We wondered why you would need a bar for 4 people. Couldn’t they just go to each other’s house and drink. After consulting the internet, we learned the population had been one (the mayor) until it was discovered that the census had overlooked the other three councilmen and so the sign was updated.  We also learned that the bar is only open on holidays and during hunting season. Apparently, Lost Springs is the smallest municipality in the US. As such they are eligible for state funding which has allowed them to pave the main road as well to pay for trash pick up. I believe I have an image to add but am not sure how. Wish me luck.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Springs,_Wyoming

OK everyone,
Thanks for the encouragement and support. Love you all!!!
So here is my first blog! Yippee! Since I am learning as I go, you all need to cut me some serious slack. Feel free to make suggestions. Just want to thank EVERYONE (our family and friends and everyone we love). There is no way we would be out on this grand adventure without you all.
We will be carrying you ALL in our hearts as we go on our epic tour of Northwest America. Kim suggested we call it the “Tub Tour” since I was insistent that most everything be packed in lovely, plastic containers. She should just count herself lucky I did break out the label maker.
More to come soon. Just trying to see if I can get something/anything posted.
Hugs to all….