This post will cover the past few days and on our way to Yellowstone.  I will write very little as it's covering a long time, but will post the pictures.  We hope you enjoy them.

Monday, May 20, 2013

 

We began today by going to Thunder Mountain Gold Mine. It was interesting but the mine never produced more than 20 ounces of gold during 10 years of being open.

We went to the town of Hill City, for dinner at the Alpine Inn. Volunteers at our campground raved about the $9.95 bacon wrapped fillet Mignon that they served nightly beginning a 5:00. They do not give you a menu as that is all they serve. It comes with a lettuce wedge, and baked potato.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

 

Today we went to Wind Cave National Monument.  The drive was beautiful.  The land above the Cave is all prairie and mountains, similar to Custer.   We did the short cave tour as it was easier than the long one.  It is 140 miles long  and know for it’s box work tunnels.  We really enjoyed it. 

 Ton, enjoying life in the Wind Cave Nat'l Park

 

 This and the following pics are in Wind Cave cave

 

 

 

 





The pronghorns were in the Wind Cave Park

 

Then off to Hot Spring, Wyoming. It was a quaint very old city. There are over 170 Thermal Hot springs still operating in the city.

 

The old Jail in Hot Springs

and the Train Station

 

The architecture of Hot Springs is all original

 

 

 On the way back through Wind Cave National Park we saw some Elk.We were hoping to see them, as that was the one type of wildlife we had not seen yet

 

 

The Illusive Magnificent Elk

 

 

We stopped here at the Blue Bell Lodge in Custer on our way home.

 

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Today it was Jewel Cave.  It is over 170 miles long and a prettier cave.  The two couples on the short tour with us were from Pensacola, Fl.  We have met lots of other campers from Florida.

 

Thursday, May 23, 2013
We pulled out early this morning and had a beautiful drive to Cody, Wyoming. Snow capped mountains, and lots of other scenery and very twisty roads. We drove around the highest part of the Bighorn Mountains as it was safer and the quickest way. Very interesting drive. 

 Forget the pedestrians

You must yield to the Cows here!

 

This shows our road down below

 

 

 We are at Yellowstone Valley Campground right now and it is only 12 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone.Our campground in the park is 68 miles into the park and is pretty much in the center of Yellowstone.I hope it’s warmer when we get there.The forecast for Cody tomorrow is 70 but in the park it is supposed to be 29 degrees tomorrow night.Who knows what the day will be.

 

 

 

We don’t expect phone service in the National Park and after Yellowstone we are going to the Grand Tetons National Park and Craters of the Moon National Park.   We will not have any hook-ups at any of these parks so will check emails if we go to a lodge.

We hope all of you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.