Meeting with Friends

Had to be out of the house for a couple of hours today. My friend, Rick, picked me up and we went to the Bluebird Cafe for breakfast. Good food, social distancing and masks worn by all.

We then went to check on a car repair for a friend of Rick's, not ready. Drove out to the beach to deliver the news.

Spent some time at the beach near the Pt. Judith Lighthouse. After that we searched for some bird on the rivers nearby. Where are all the birds?

Later, my friend, Sheila called and we went out to Ninigret Park and Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge. We took a long walk and chatted while searching for birds. Came across Swans, Osprey and Herons, though they were a bit distant and the fog was coming in.

Headed into town to get a Del's Frozen Lemonade, then came home for the evening.

Update: the Pet Carrier has been repaired, doesn't do us any good. Still waiting for the moving van to get fixed .

Kayaker on Tuckertown Pond Wakefield Rhode Island

Maizy James off Pt. Judith in Rhode Island 

Osprey at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

South Kingston Rhode Island

Pt. Judith Light House in Rhode Island

Speedboat at Ninigret Park

Charlestown Rhode Island

October 1, 2016 Westside Park Campground

Awoke to a thick fog, jumped in the car and drove back to where I left off last night.

Found deer, quail and hawks, we will see what I can load from the discs. I now have 2 that have failed and I continue to try different way to download the pictures. So far nothing had worked.

Walked the whole rim of the Bodega Bay State Beach before breakfast. Found deer and followed a Hawk; caught a picture just after it struck a bird in midair.

Went to lunch at the Tides restaurant in Bodega Bay. I had a Crab Louie salad, haven’t had one of those in a while. It was very good, even out of season.

Went back to the campsite and took a hike across the street in the Refuge. Hiked up to the top of the dunes to get a picture of Bodega Bay from the west side. It started out fun, didn’t realize what I had gotten into and then I couldn’t turn back. So I took off layers of clothing and wished I had brought water. I continued on. I made it to the top. Now I have to get back down.

So I lost some more pictures on another disc today.  I do not believe I have ever had a disc fail and now I have two in two days.

Put a new disc in the camera last night so I have pictures from today from one camera.

Tomorrow I move down the coast, not sure how far. I am going to Point Reyes Lighthouse on the way.

Day 12 Keystone to Custer State Park

Loaded up the car and moved to a campsite at Custer State Park.

Started out the morning with a sunrise at Mount Rushmore. Followed the Ranger’s instructions and arrived at about 6am, too late. The sun was to high up to catch the sunrise and it was beautiful. Grabbed my gear and got to the amphitheater in time to catch the first light on the monument. I was hoping that the sunrays would come though the clouds before rising above them, but it was not to be.

I traveled on and stopped at the Crazy Horse Monument. I had seen the documentary on this and have followed the progress for many years so it was nice to finally see it. The scale is enormous. What they are working to accomplish besides the monument is very impressive. I will continue to follow the project and hope to return.

I have met many people on this trip and heard some great stories and learned of places I should go to.

In the gift shop at Crazy Horse I got into a conversation with Susan, as I was telling her about my trip and where I was headed, she told me she has a condo on the beach south of Olympia an a private drive.  She gave me her number and told me to call when I get near and if it is available she will get me set up in it for a night or two.

I also met Sharon from the Apache Nation in Arizona, they were doing Native American Dance demonstrations. We chatted for a while and she invited me to come by and visit when I get to Arizona.

A number of people told me not to miss Devil’s Tower. One person told me where to go to find Buffalo rutting in Yellow Stone, we will see if I can find it. They said they also saw moose up there.

There are many people out here traveling around to see the beauty our country has to offer.

No internet at the moment, so I will  post when I can.

Day 11 Custer State Park

I woke up to rain so I slept in for a bit and then read. Finally got up and took a drive.

Along the way I found a rusty tractor and a few flocks of wild turkeys.

I then decided to visit Custer State Park and arrange for a campsite for a few nights.

Drove through part of the park and saw Bison, Pronghorn, Whitetail and Turkeys. I will be right by the entrance to the wildlife loop and hope to get more wildlife pictures.

We are supposed to get hail tonight and then clear and hot for a few days.

There is a lake I am hoping to get the kayak out over the next few days.

First, Mount Rushmore, looks good for both sunrise and sunset, it will also be Saturday. I will see what I can do. I plan to go back on Tuesday.

Walked through more of the town and their profusion of shops. Some are really nice others filled with “made in China”.

It started to clear up and warm up around 2pm and the clouds started to gather again by 6pm. I went and got take out and am now posting pictures and watching crap on TV.

It will be nice be out in the silence again, though I think they have Internet out there.