7/30/09 Mayfield Colony of Hutterites

We had the pleasure of visiting this group of people who are neighbors of Larry & Janelle. They are some of the most kind and generous folks we have ever met. They have a very efficient existence which includes farming most of their meat and vegetables, living as a community, sharing common meals. The group is very self-sufficient. We asked to take their pictures and found that most were truly bashful, but they agreed if we would get some California avocados to them.

The boys eat on one side of the room. . . .

. . . and the girls on the other.

A few of the ladies who cook for about 100 colony members. They trade jobs weekly with others.

We were treated to an a cappella seranade.

Bashful Grace

Matthew with a couple of women picking yellow beans.

One of many, many boxes picked.

Melissa and her Grandma, Elizabeth, showing off Grandma's crafting room.

Checking out Elizabeth's blanket making skills. . . beautiful work.

Triplex housing. . . Elizabeth and two sons, plus their families, live in this building.

Elizabeth, enjoying having company in her living room.

7/28/09 Little's in Willow Lake/Vienna, S.D.

We are visiting a high school buddy of Barry's, Larry Little and his wife, Janell. The guys hadn't seen each other for 40 years and have made a great connection. They own about a mile square piece of property on which they built a large beautiful home and refurbished an old barn and other outbuildings. They keep sheep as pets, along with peacocks, ducks, geese, guinea hens, turkeys, chickens, one angora goat, and three llamas who protect the sheep from predators. Janell spins yarn from all the fur animals. She tried teaching me how to spin, but I became frustrated and decided it was very unlikely I would actually ever beome a spinner so no use becoming more exasperated. It seemed like a fun thing to do. I was able to help Janell with some crocheting tho.

Some of the sheep and a couple of ducks.

Moe, the Angora goat

Alice and Miss Nibs, guardians of the sheep.

Alice. . . and who can't love this face??

Momma duck and almost grown baby ducks.

7/27/09 Pierre, S.D.

We are now in South Dakota, lot of grassland, rolling hills and farmlands. Pierre (pronounced pier) is the capital city of S.D. and we are actually just outside of it. We are parked in a recreation area of Oahe Dam on the Missouri River. The motor home is facing the beautiful trees and the river slowly moving by. Tomorrow we visit a high school friend of Barry's that he hasn't seen in forever.

Traveling on top of Oahe Dam

Wide angle view of the river

Beautiful spot

7/26/09 Mt. Rushmore, So. Dakota

Today we entered South Dakota. Miles and miles of grassland. We are staying in Rapid City at the nicest Elk's club we have ever seen. They even have a golf course, open to the public also. Full hookups again.

The sculptors for Mt. Rushmore were Gutzon Borglum and 400 volunteers. It took 14 years to construct, 1927-1941, at a cost of almost one million dollars. The mountain is Harney Peak Granite. Most of the new visitor's center is constructed of the same granite.

Crazy Horse Mountain

7/23/09 Teton National Park

Oops. . . I didn't realize that these pictures had not been downloaded from the camera. This mountain range as seen from Jackson Lake is spectacular!!! The tallest mountain is the Grand Teton.

Some wildflowers found at the marina. . .

. . . and a little mouse.

7/25/09 Lusk, WY

On our way to Lusk, we saw a sign for a dinasaur museum. So, what the hey, we decided to check it out. It was in a very little town called Glenrock, in the mddle of absolutely nothing. Apparently, that area has a wealth of archeological finds. The only people in the museum were the executive director of this non-profit and his little daughter. This young man is truly living his passion. He has a large room full of bones with very descriptive notes. He told us to check it out and then would gladly answer any questions. Barry has a quite a bit of knowledge of geology and had many questions. We spent about 45 minutes to an hour there, totally engrossed. Never know what a last minute decision will bring. If you are ever in Glendale, WY, check out the Paleon Museum.



Tonight we are staying in BJ's RV. . . with all hookups again. Tomorrow, Mt. Rushmore.

7/23/09 Riverton, WY

We stayed in an RV park with full hookups, water, electric, sewer and CABLE. Spent a day cleaning, doing laundry and washing the car and motor home. The car and RV were in terrible condition after driving thru Yellowstone and the Teton National Parks. A lot of our "recovery" money is being used to upgrade roads there. Terribly dusty driving on gravel roads. But, we are all cleaned up now.

7/21/09 Yellowstone National Park

Geysers are found everywhere in the caldera.

Lewis Falls

Log jam in the river.

Death and rebirth of the forest due to fire.

Old Faithful.





Original Yellowstone Inn.




Bubbling mud pots.


Colors come from minerals in the steam.




Super hot steam!!!


Couldn't figure out why the traffic was so tied up. . . then we saw this fellow trekking down the street along with the cars.

Then we saw another bison on the passenger side. . . he was only three feet from the car.

Bison and babies in the meadow.