Where the Bufflo roam !!!!!

We just finished a 3300 mile trip out west to Colorado, Wyoming and North and South Dakota.  We added several new states to our map and got to see our son, daughter and granddaughter for some great family camping times. Our trip began with us using our passport America campground pass in Iowa and then our Harvest Host membership to stay at a winery outside of Fargo ND, then we used the Boondockers welcome site to stay with a very nice family on their farm in rural western North Dakota for 3 nights.

We picked up Aaron in Bismarck ND and he joined us for our trip to the boondockers site and then on to Teddy Roosevelt National Park for a week.  Once in the park and our camp was set up and it didn't take long for us to see a Bison, he walked with in 5 feet in front of Canyon Star, what a thrill. Our week there was filled with hikes, seeing lots of Bison, deer, turkey, prairie dogs and wild horses. Went to several ranger talks and the star party put on by the North Dakota astronomical society.  The sky in North Dakota are so clear at night, saw the milky way and the rings of Saturn from our campsite with our telescope.

We had to say our good byes to Aaron and then we where off thru the black hills of SD and on to Wyoming to visit Ft. Laramie WY and the wagon wheel ruts near by. The US set up several forts in the plains to give shelter and security to the early settlers flooding westward.  Our government made many treaties and deals with the native Indians only to be broken by some over zealous Army officers, they say over 20,000 pioneers died on their way to a better life. Curt Gowdy State Park near Cheyenne WY. was our next stop for two nights, we camped next to the water with a great view of the mountains. The town of Cheyenne has several nice attractions that are easy to find and well worth the time. Time to move on Ft Collins Co to meet our daughter and granddaughter.

In Ft Collins we stayed at Horsetooth Reservoir for a week, we got to be with out granddaughter during the day while her mom was in meetings. She just turned 1 and is so smart and fun to be around. We packed up the car and went to Rocky Mountain Park for a day, we took a picnic lunch and drove to the visitor center at the top of the mountain, it was 81 and sunny in estes park  by the time we got to the top it was 46 and sleeting. We saw elk on the way down and the aspens where changing colors and so pretty. Ft Collins is the 4th largest city in Colorado and has a very healthy downtown with lots of shops and brewery's. We toured the New Belgium Brewery who make Fat Tire beer plus many other brands, the tour was informative and they kept the beer flowing during the tour. Our time has come to end and it was time to say our goodbyes and for us to head back towards home. Audrey and Charlene caught an early flight out of Denver and where home that afternoon.

Our route home took us thru Nebraska with a stop at Ft. Kearny State SRA for 1 night, the old fort that was built to protect the pioneers is state owned and not as preserved as Ft Laramie but still worth seeing. The next day trip was so much fun with 20 to 30 mph cross winds,the land is flat and made for some white knuckle driving. Made it into Hannibal MO. for a nights rest, we got to tour the town and see the mighty Mississippi River. Our next stop was an easy drive to Springfield IL to see where Abe Lincoln spent his adult life, we stayed at the state fairgrounds that was close to all the sites we wanted to see while in town. Was very impressed with Lincolns home and his grave site, well worth a stop here.  The trip home the next day was very easy and short. We saw a lot of the country and had a very good time. The Canyon Star preformed very well and did great getting up and down some of the steep hills we encountered. Safe travels till next time..