We got into the Badlands/White River KOA campground late last night so spent a little time exploring the area this am. We hiked across the road from the campground and came to an overlook that suddenly opened up to reveal a deep canyon with the White River running through it. We were walking slowly since we were more concerned with looking for rattlesnakes, but so glad we didn't step off the edge of that canyon! But a glorious view, so worth it!! Then back in the RV, driving the scenic drive around the Badlands and into the Black Hills. We see cows, and cows, and cows, and cows - many calves this time of year and they are so cute, but I'm still anxious to have a good steak! Passed a "Bull Sale", but didn't stop for that. Had to stop in Rapid Falls (the biggest city we've seen lately) for a few groceries, then drove toward Custer. Couldn't pass up Bear Country, USA where they have all the native wild animals on a preserve that we drove through while staying "in our cages" to take pics and allowing the animals to run free - turns out we saw wolves, bison, big horn sheep, coyote, reindeer, Arctic wolves, elk, and lots of bears coming very close to the car. The rules said not to open your windows, but Linda was hot to get the perfect photo, so was making me nervous by leaning out the window as bears circled our RV - I'm trying to keep her safe! We had lunch outside the park, since the Bears were supposedly kept within confines by those cattle treads in the road - not sure I believe that would stop them since one bear was pacing back and forth at the exit looking like he could break free any moment. But we ate a quick picnic lunch there, noting that winds are increasing and temps are dropping. Then drove on to our campground for tonight - Custer Gulch Campground!! That would be south of Custer, then take a dirt road into the gulch, then a left off the dirt road and your're there!! Twenty degrees colder here and a wind tunnel making it feel like 30 degrees - camp host recommended that we have our heat on tonight but I'm a little worried the water hoses will freeze. The two neighbors say we don't have to worry about that tonight, but maybe tomorrow, but then they're from California and Florida, so not sure I should trust their judgement! The CA neighbor has an 8 mo old chocolate lab who gave Sara a good play time and then we met a Golden and Labradoodle on our way to laundry room who also played with Sara - so she's finally sleeping and ate voraciously tonight, probably dreaming of all her Weim friends she left behind to come on this trip.
BTW, I've been driving all the way, but I'm a little afraid to give up the job because this Copilot job seems pretty intense also . Linda is maintaining all data (gas mileage, distances, reading up on history, researching the areas we travel through...) while managing the Satellite radio, GPS, 2 iPads, 2 phones, a camera and jumping into the back when we forgot to close a cabinet door or I need a drink refill. Pretty impressive!