2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (91)

08/10/2019 No -Travel Day – Cooking & TV

Start Location:

• Holiday RV Park & Campground
• 601 Halligan Dr, North Platte, NE 69101
• 308.534.2265

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  58,027

Cost Per Night: $38.99 USD
Weather: 67 – 85 F Cloudy & Very Very Muggy

We learned that there is really not much to do in North Platte. Nevertheless, we managed to fill up our day quickly.

After a simple breakfast (Toast & Cereal) we went to explore the local Farmer’s Market. (We tried to go yesterday when I thought it was Thursday – but no one was there!!!) Paul really enjoyed the market because the venders were actual farmers selling their wares. We bought a bunch of green onions, Strawberry Bread, a tomato and a hot pepper.

Since the Farmer’s Market was located in the Platte River Mall, we decided to check out it out. Talk about small town. They had a jewelry store and a few others establishments. We walked it in under fifteen minutes. There were very few shoppers and the air conditioner was either off or broken.

We were making Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice) for dinner, so we went to the Walmart to pick up the remaining ingredients. Our television in the RV was broken so when we saw one on sale ($118.00), we decided to splurge – there goes our daily $$$ average.

We stopped by Buffalo Bill’s Trading Post – a tourist trap. Yet the staff were friendly, and we ended up buying a T-Shirt and Sign.

After cutting up all the vegetables for our dinner, it was after 4:30 p.m. – Unbelievable.

Wildlife Spotted: just park birds.

Paul Really Enjoyed this Farmer’s Market

We Bought a Loaf of Strawberry Bread from this Sweet Lady

The Mall Was Nearly Empty

Buffalo Bill Cody’s Trading Post was Fun

Paul Out Did Himself – Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – North Platte, Nebraska (90)
2. Travel Day – Presho, South Dakota (89)
3. Recouping in Bismarck (88)
4. Travel Day - Bismarck, North Dakota (87)
5. Travel Day - Jordon, Montana (86)
6. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
7. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (90)

08/09/2019 Travel Day – North Platte, NE

Start Location:

• New Frontier RV Park
• 432 Spruce Ave, Presho, SD 57568
• 775.621.5277

Start Time: 8:00 a.m.

Mileage:  57,792.4

End Location:

• Holiday RV Park & Campground
• 601 Halligan Dr, North Platte, NE 69101
• 308.534.2265

End Time: 1:00 p.m.

Mileage:  58,027

Cost Per Night: $38.99 USD
Weather: 67 – 88 F Cloudy
Route:

• 183 South
• 18 West
• US 183 South

Not much to report regarding our journey to Nebraska. We saw plenty of birds. One bird in particular caught our attention. I believe it was some kind of quail. They were the size of a chicken, with a sweet red on their heads.

Talking about red, the roads just across the border (South Dakota to Nebraska) are of that color.

We were slowed a couple of times by road construction. The comfort of the RV make these delays innocuous. However, it did add about twenty minutes to our time on the road.

Fifty miles from our destination, we read a sign, “Scenic Overlook.” We decided that would be the perfect place to stretch our legs. Wrong. There was just a very narrow pull through stop – nothing scenic about it. Luckily the narrow turn was just enough so we did not have to unhook. Bummer.

The Holiday RV Park is nice. Our Spot (62) has a nice shade tree. We set-up camp and then bought some groceries at Gary’s Super Food. Tonight we will try some Nebraska Corn.

Wildlife Spotted: ducks, quail; little black & white birds; lots of unrecognizable dead animals on the road.

Beautiful Sunrise at the Park

Skies Turned Dark and Angry

Welcome to Nebraska - 'the good life'

We Took a Quick Break Here

Beautiful Weeds at Our Pit Stop

The Beast had No Problems with this Flooded Road

Small Town America

Presho, SD to North Platte, NE

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day – Presho, South Dakota (89)
2. Recouping in Bismarck (88)
3. Travel Day - Bismarck, North Dakota (87)
4. Travel Day - Jordon, Montana (86)
5. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
6. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
7. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (89)

08/08/2019 Travel Day – Presho, South Dakota

Start Location:

• Hillcrest Acres Campground
• 5700 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501
• 701.255.4334

Start Time: 8:30 a.m.

Mileage:  57,539.0

End Location:

• New Frontier RV Park
• 432 Spruce Ave, Presho, SD 57568
• 775.621.5277

End Time: 1:30 p.m.

Mileage:  57,792.4

Cost Per Night: $41.31 USD
Weather: 64 – 82 F light clouds
Route:

• 10 East
• 83 South
• 12 East (Lewis & Clark Trail)
• 83 South
• 212 West
• US14 West
• East / 83 South

Our path today was lined alternatively with corn in all stages of growth and bright yellow sunflowers. We were entertained by a yellow crop duster who flew low enough to give us quite an exciting exhibition of flying skill.

Then a flock of geese crossed the road right in front of us. The last two stragglers had to rush in half flight to evade a deadly impact. Talk about up close and personal.

We passed through Strasburg, ND, Lawrence Welk’s place of birth. Ludwig and Christina Welk built their homestead in 1893. We did not have the time to stop.

After checking in at the RV park, we walked to the Hutch’s Motel, Cafe & Lounge. The café is a small family-owned establishment. They have been in business since 1967. The food and service were good – I had the specialty, the Hutch Burger. We also stopped into the Sinclair Convenience Store for Bread and Potato Chips – Very Convenient indeed.

New Frontier RV Park was very comfortable, and their internet rocked.

Wildlife Spotted: lots of ducks, a pair of swans, Paul spotted a hawk, geese walking across the street right in front of the beast; small hawk flying to telephone pole.

South Dakota has 4.95 Million Acres of Corn

Beautiful Landscapes Along our Route

Missouri River Bridge in Pierre, South Dakota

The Blanket of Sunflowers in the Fields Were Spectacular

I Could Not Resist this Dilapidated Wood Home

The Pebble Drive In is a Small Business in Herreid, SD.

Lots of Water with Lots of Ducks in SD

Setting up Camp in Spot 3

The Hutch Cheese Burger Deluxe

We Really Like This RV Park

Love this Camp Sign

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Recouping in Bismarck (88)
2. Travel Day - Bismarck, North Dakota (87)
3. Travel Day - Jordon, Montana (86)
4. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
5. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
6. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
7. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (88)

08/07/2019 No Travel Day – Recouping in Bismarck

Start Location:

• Hillcrest Acres Campground
• 5700 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501
• 701.255.4334

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  57,533.0

Cost Per Night: $35.00 USD
Weather: 49-72 F Light Clouds

We spent the day relaxing. Paul made bacon for my breakfast. Then he dapped sections of the roof since the storm obligingly pinpointed a leak. We did a load of laundry and researched the next couple of stops.

Our poor neighbor could not get their RV started. Paul tried to “jump” it; however, they needed to purchase and install a new started. (This couple looked just like Santa and Mrs. Claus. They were just a friendly.)

We learned that this RV park just acquired new ownership three years prior. The new proprietors spent some time and money refurbishing the property and it really showed. We really enjoyed our stay here.

Wildlife Spotted: Birds

Our Spot (#32)

Hillcrest Acres Campground

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day - Bismarck, North Dakota (87)
2. Travel Day - Jordon, Montana (86)
3. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
4. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
5. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
6. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
7. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (87)

08/06/2019 Travel Day - Bismarck, North Dakota

Start Location:

• K&K RV Park
• 448 Montana St, Jordan, MT 59337
• 406.557.2265

Start Time: 8:30 a.m.

Mileage:  57,222.4

End Location:

• Hillcrest Acres Campground
• 5700 E Main Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501
• 701.255.4334

End Time: 3:45 p.m.

Mileage:  57,533.0

Cost Per Night: $35.00 USD
Weather: 60-92 F Scatter Thunderstorms

Route:

• 200 East
• 94 East

We awoke to discover that our new chip had spider webbed. Our insurance company will not be pleased. It continued to lengthen as we drove until it reached the very bottom.

We really enjoyed the K&K RV Park. It is a small Mom & Pop operation with very friendly staff. Besides really fine internet; there are no amenities – perfect for an overnight stop.

The road was pretty again today. There were a few rough spots but nothing to complain about. We reached the campground late for us, but you have to factor in that we changed time zones and lost an hour.

There was no one in the office when we arrived, so we drove to our spot (32) and hooked up. Paul discovered that there is only one water hook up for two sites and no tee. However, we called the manager and they sent someone over to fix that.

We had to wait until after the rain slows though. We were able to set-up right before the thunderstorms started. It even hail and the lightening entertained us.

Hillcrest also featured excellent internet. This is wonderful because we are out of our Series DVDs (Sopranos, Downton Abbey and Sons of Anarchy).

Wildlife Spotted: Turkey Vultures; deer Slow rabbit

The Montana Countryside Was Dotted with

Nutritious Grasses Make the Entire District Ideal for Livestock Raising

Circle, Montana has about 600 residents and is the McCone County Seat.

Jordon, Montana to Bismarck, North Dakota

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Travel Day - Jordon, Montana (86)
2. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
3. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
4. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
5. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
6. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
7. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (86)

08/05/2019 Travel Day - Jordon, Montana

Start Location:

• Dick’s RV Park
• 1403 11th St SW, 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT
• 406.452.0333

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  56,983

End Location:

• K&K RV Park
• 448 Montana St, Jordan, MT 59337
• 406.557.2265

End Time: 12:30 p.m.

Mileage:  57,222.4

Cost Per Night: $25.00 USD
Weather: 60-90 F Sunny

Route:

• 191 North / 87 South
• 87 South / 200 East
• 200 East 

Our journey covered some really flat countryside. Big Green Farms and Ranches were everywhere. It was so flat you could see ‘forever.’ Unfortunately, we experienced another chip, this time on the driver’s side as a truck passed the ‘Beast.’

We got groceries and gas in the tiny town of Jordon. Our campground is super affordable ($25.00) but does not have any amenities. However, a big plus is their internet which works!!! We were even able to watch Netflicks.

I use my internet time to check on bills and research our next couple of overnights.

The owners were not present when we arrived. However, they instructed us just to park and set up in Spot 1. Paul met with the lady later to pay – He said that she was very nice.

Wildlife Spotted: Ducks; dead raccoon and two dead fawns on road. Lots of livestock: Cattle; horses;

Doing My Morning Stretches as the Sunrises

Spot 1 at the K&K RV Park

Great Falls to Jordon, Montana

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Journaling at Dick’s RV Park (85)
2. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
3. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
4. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
5. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
6. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)
7. Travel Day – Fort Nelson (79)

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal (85)

08/04/2019 Journaling at Dick’s RV Park

Start Location:

• Dick’s RV Park
• 1403 11th St SW, 1403 11th St SW, Great Falls, MT
• 406.452.0333

Start Time: N/A

Mileage:  56,983

Cost Per Night: $43.34 USD
Weather: 54-86 F Sunny

Paul used my leftover Kobe Lobster to make a delightful egg scramble. We placed two new stickers on the motor home map (Alberta and Montana). It was really nice walking around outside without having mosquitoes to deal with.

Dick’s RV Park is clearing out. We decided to stay an extra day so that I could get caught up on my Journaling. Paul was happy because with less campers, the internet grew strong enough for him to watch his show on Netflicks.

Wildlife Spotted: None

Two New Stickers (Alberta and Montana) on the Beast's Map

Lobster Egg Scramble

The Beast in Spot 35

2019 Alaska Vacation Journal

1. Happy Anniversary on the Road (84)
2. Travel Day – Great Falls, Montana (83)
3. Travel Day – Fort Macleod, Alberta (82)
4. Travel Day – White Court, AB (81)
5. Travel Day – Charlie Lake (80)
6. Travel Day – Fort Nelson (79)
7. Travel Day – Watson Lake (78)