Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota

Long drives through open country. Traveled from Jackson east through some beautiful ranch land and MTs. A gorgeous canyon drive, called Windy River Canyon brought us up to the MTs again, into a surprisingly pretty area called Bighorn National Forest. We didn't stop to camp unfortunately had to keep going. Many forest service campgrounds and hiking trails through this area. We dipped into flat land again in a cute little town on the edge route 90 called Buffalo. We then drove to Black Hills National Forest which was a disappointment. MT Rushmore area was covered with motorcycles from a big rally in Sturgis and the monuments were costly and not too appealing to us.
More exciting were the Badlands National Park. You can drive right into the amazing formations on a scenic loop road right off of I-90. We camped one night in a grassy area at the base of these moon like formations. 1/2 price at national campgrounds is always appealing and this was a very nice spot. The wind howled at night, and then an intense rain storm hit us and followed us the next day into Minnesota where we had hail so bad we had to pull off the road, the dangers added to by hundreds of motorcycles trying to navigate through the rain also. Drove on 90 through Minn and now we have just entered Iowa and plan to see the Mississippi River today. Needless to say we were exhausted last night and Louie was quite eager to get out of the car.

Grand Tetons National Park

We have spent the past 6 days in the National Park and are now in a RV park in Jackson Hole, about 1 mile from my conference. The park is definetly a hikers park, many people with kids do both the Tetons and Yellowstone as they are so close. We find the Tetons less commercial and touristy. We rented a kayak yesterday on Jackson lake, started out smooth and easy, but the swells started when the storm clouds grew over the peaks. We paddled like crazy to get back to shore before any lightning and then the storm passed. Oh well, it was fun anyway. Louie had to go to the dog sitters, as they have many strict rules about dogs in the park. We did do one long 10 mile hike, that wore me out. Ouie made many new friends with lots of kids in the campground, he now can catch a ball at the first throw!
Jackson Hole is a nice town, pretty touristy, but has great restraunts and a very nice whole foods grocer where you can get anything, so I stocked up. There are many rafting trips down the snake river,an alpine slide, and a bungy jumping thing, that made me think of Dylan and Genna as lots of kids were doing summersaults on it, looked like fun! Our RV park is right in the center of town at the base of the ski area, fairly quiet and convient for what we have planned. I know everyone is hot in the country, it is even hot here right now in the afternoon. Mornings tend to be in the 40's and takes late in the day to get hot, we are grateful not to be in the desert right now of 104 temps. Travis you may recognize Sundance lodge, a front view and a view of the gardens with Joe and Louie