The FINAL DAY! 8/20/2012, Monday!!

We had plans to visit with my grandchildren in Crawfordville, Florida, but there were 6 counties under flood warnings and we made a decision to drive all the way home. It was a very long day and it wasn't without some excitement! We had a tire separate, we got lucky as there was no damage. This really didn't surprise us as we had numerous problems with the camper. If you want to know all the problems the "CHUCK WAGON" had, you will need to talk with Chuck :)

Overall a good trip with over 6,000 miles and 44 days of traveling and several things off my bucket list!!

Visiting Birmingham, Alabama

I wanted to stop and visit my family in Birmingham. We could also visit one of the world's best motorcycle collection at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The museum now has over 1200 vintage and modern motorcycles and racecars and the largest collection of Lotus cars as well as other significant makes. The collection is the largest of its kind in the world. There are approximately 600 of the 1200 motorcycles on display at any given time. These bikes range from 1902 to current-year production. We had a great visit with my family and our visit to the museum was really a treat.

Hayes, my Great Nephew!!

Going to Bowling Green

Well Bowling Green, Kentucky is home of the only Corvette Assembly Plant. We had to see this plant and watch the Corvette being assembled. It was cool. The tour takes a little over an hour and is well worth your time. It really makes you want a Corvette!!
After this tour you can go across the street and see the National Corvette Museum. This museum showcases the Corvette an American sports car that has been in production since 1953. The museum is listed in as one of the 1000 things you should see before you die. So it is a must if you like cars and especially the Corvette.
We also had a very special exhibit at the museum. It was a 9/11 exhibit called a Global Moment. It is a major exhibition, including over 100 important artifacts from the World Trade Center, victims, survivors, the aircraft and the international response from the collection of the New York State Museum. Included are hundreds of photographs, media, a rescue vehicle destroyed on 9/11, and compelling objects, expressions of sympathy from New York, such as the Times Square scrolls, memorial fences and missing posters, that bring to the visitor the powerful human response to the attacks. It was a very moving exhibit!!



our daughter Nicole, put a ribbon on a fence like this

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky

We wanted to see Mammoth Cave National Park located in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. This is one more National Park that I will be able to say I have been to:) Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 390 miles explored. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a "grand, gloomy and peculiar place," but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned its name - Mammoth.
We decided on the 4 mile tour called the Grand Avenue. This takes about 4 and half hours and takes you about 280 feet down into the cave. It was a nice tour and we had a full tour of 78 people.

 

going into the cave

Mitchell, S. Dakota, Ackley, Iowa and Champaign, IL

Not much to report as we head home to Florida.  We did get to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. It is a rather interesting place and we can now say we have been to the Corn Palace. How many of you can say you have?

We spent 2 nights in Ackley, Iowa with not much to do but eat out and visit the soda fountain.

Then on to Champaign, IL. where we were able to take a side trip to visit LeClaire, IA and the famous Antique Archaeology, home of the American Picker TV show. There were a lot of tourists and people visitng the shop. It is a very small place and right across the street from the police station. It was neat to see some of the stuff I have seen Mike and Frank pick on TV.

Crazy Horse and Hill City

Our ride to Wind Cave took us by Crazy Horse and Hill City. I heard they may never finish Crazy Horse. We didn't go in to see it but there were plenty of motorcyclists visiting. Hill City along with almost every town within a 60 mile radius gets into getting the bikers to stop and spend a little $$$.

Wind Cave National Park

 I got to visit one more National Park, Wind Cave!  I need to see how many National Parks I have visited in the last 2 years. I have really enjoyed visiting all the parks and this one is worth seeing. You have to go with a Ranger to see the cave. Most tours are over and hour long and take you at least 150 steps down. But the good thing is you do not have to climb them to get out, they have an elevator:)
It is a good place to see!

Boxworth, the only cave in the world with this

Visiting the Minuteman Missle site

We were able to get tickets to visit the Minuteman Missle site. This is an interesting place and was really cool to see. If you get a chance when you visit the area make this a stop.

Control Room

Going to the Badlands

Took a nice ride to the Badlands which took us to a deserted town of Scenic and to Wall. Wall has the famous Wall Drug that has been around for over 60 years. Really is a BIG tourist stop!
The Badlands are beautiful and something to see. Put it on your bucket list!

                                    

Sturgis on Saturday!

The wind stopped blowing and the weekend made the bikers come to Sturgis. I believe Sturgis Bikeweek  is much bigger than Daytona Beach's. I have never seen so many bikers in a 60 mile radius. There are so many places around Sturgis to ride and see. For all you motorcylists, Sturgis is a must!!

Lawn Mower Hill in Rapid City

Plain tuckered out!

Biggest bar I have ever seen!!