We decided that the park we were in last night turned out to be one of the best ones we have been in the whole trip. We had thought because of the gravel road leading to it we were not going to be Happy Campers. We would have missed a great stop if we hadn't given it a try. We would definitely stay there again. Another good oasis!

This morning we woke to overcast skies and 66 degrees . We could even hear the sound of lonesome train whistles blowing in the background...perfect for our Wild West sojourn! We pulled out of camp at 7:55 this morning, because we decided to eat and drive since we knew we were going to have a long travel day today. The temperature was 70 degrees with a few sprinkles of light rain as we started out. Later, for a little while, we had some heavier showers. By the end of the day, we were still overcast, but at least the temps were lower...82 when we pulled into camp for tonight.

We crossed into Wyoming at 10:00, and could see the Big Horn Mountain range in front of us. When we stopped in Sheridan for fuel, we paid $3.70/gal. John didn't figure out the mpg since we had run the generator so long yesterday.

Our drive today encompassed a totally different type of beauty than we have been seeing the last few weeks. There were so many different views, it is beyond my ability to describe, and I hope the pictures I took will give you an idea of what we have seen . We were even back into canyon type landscape for part of the drive. Part of the change was more green grasses. Maybe more rain in this area?

We drove through the Powder River Basin, which we read supplies 40% of US coal!! Who knew! At least 1/6 of the WORLD'S energy is produced there!! That encompasses oil, gas and coal. Amazing. We passed one huge power plant that was being supplied by coal from directly across the road from a pit mine that had a coal face that looked to be at least 60-80 feet deep. They run unit trains of 125 to 150 cars, which hold at least 200 tons apiece, out of the Basin 60-80 times a day. Trains were parked everywhere...either moving or waiting for an open track. We lived in both Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia for several years, and John was in the truck industry there, primarily serving the coal industry of those states. However, we have NEVER seen anything like this before. 

We finally saw a head of antelope (I know you will be happy with that news, Rhonda!) as we were getting close to Gillette, Wyoming which we passed at 12:30 . That town looks quite prosperous. Stopping in Upton, Wyoming, we had a light lunch in Mufasa...and saw yet another herd of antelope just after leaving that town!

Here is the Deja Vu thing referenced in the title of today's post: At 2:25...once again WE RAN OUT OF ROAD!!!??? We couldn't believe it. Again a sign appeared saying "gravel road ahead" and Wait for Pilot Car! AARRRGGHHH! Crossing the state line into South Dakota at 2:45, we thought that at last we were free...not so fast, grasshopper! Shortly after crossing into SD, we saw a little variation on the theme. THAT sign said "No Paved Road for the Next Four Miles." Sigh. They weren't kidding as perhaps the pictures will show. We slowly drove the next four miles...pilot car in front...on one of the state's Scenic Byways. It would have been a beautiful drive if we had not been so focused on the lack of berm next to a 100 foot drop off. Messes up the easy concentration on views up just a tad!

We arrived at our park, Beaver Lake Campground, which will be our home for the next two nights at 3:45 . We stayed here the last time we were through and enjoyed the park. We have a nice, level lot. The electricity is above good, and the wifi looks like it will work. Tomorrow we plan to leave camp and tour the area. We are about 15 miles from Mount Rushmore, close to Custer State Park, and the Needles Highway in the Black Hills. Not sure how much of that road Muf can go on because we think we remember a low bridge on the route. You can stay tuned and find out what happens tomorrow1

I hope to post this earlier than usual tonight since we are in camp early, and then we plan to relax for the evening. Not as many bugs today so it shouldn't take John too long to freshen up The Big Muf. He does love a clean face! By the way, this park is inundated with bunny rabbits! Maybe we can catch all the ones in DWLP that are eating our flowers and ship them out here? It is worth a thought or two!

We drove 278 miles today.