Deadwood, SD

I spent today in Deadwood, SD, and managed a trip up to Mt. Moriah Cemetery to see the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Actually, this is quite a cemetery, with lots of Deadwood's characters buried here. The town itself has lots of history, dating back to the post-Civil War period when gold mining was rampant.
After being in Deadwood, I went over to Sturgis, but it was real quiet. The town is recoverying from the crowds of motorcyclists who flocked to the town several weeks ago.
Warmest regards, Gus

Badlands, South Dakota

I spent today hiking some of the trails in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. However, I did not get to see all 244,000 acres! What at first glance seems to be desolate, the park does have biological diversity. But it is easy to see how the area got its name.
Warmest regards, Gus

Mitchell, SD

Here I am with Cornelius, in front of the world's only Corn Palace, located in Mitchell, South Dakota. The corn palace was recently decorated for the Corn Palace Festival; the booths on the street made it hard to get good pictures of the palace, but up close the use of corn and other products does make for interesting murals. During the festival, there was entertainment each evening inside the auditorium, which seats around 3,000 people.
Warmest regards, Gus

Car Show

On Sunday, I attended a car show in Spring Green, WI. They had over 350 cars and trucks on display. Here are just three examples of how much work people put into restoring/maintaining their cars.

Today, I am in Sioux Falls and will be traveling to Rapid City by next Sunday. I hope to have fun on the way!

Warmest regards, Gus

House on the Rock

Last week I had the chance to visit the House on the Rock, just south of Spring Green, WI. The location is spectatular, even though the house itself is not very practical. What is really impressive about the place is the "stuff" that Alex Jordon collected over the years to put on display in the house and other exhibit areas.
There are three sections to the tour: 1) main house, gate house, gardens, Infinity Room, etc.; 2) Mill House, Streets of Yesterday, Heritage of the Sea and the world's largest carousel. The carousel is 35 feet tall, 80 in diameter and has over 20,000 lights. Of the 269 carousel creatures, none are horses; 3) organ room, doll house room, circus room, doll carousels.
If you are ever in the Madison area, I would suggest a short drive to the House on the Rock, located between Dodgeville and Spring Green. Allow yourself most of the day and take a break for lunch in one of the restaurants. There is alot of walking with ramps and steps.
Warmest regards, Gus

Fond du Lac, WI

Since my last blog, I left Manitowoc and traveled to Fond du Lac to visit my friends Jerry and Jane. We had a great two days of visiting and touring the southern end of Lake Winnebago. In this picture, I am sitting in front of the light house on Lake Winnebago.
From Fond du Lac, I traveled to Madison for the FMCA Motor Coach Rally. After five days in Madison, I traveled to Spring Green, which is located on the Wisconsin River. (The same river I boated on in the Wisconsin Dells.) I hope to visit the House on the Rock this week.
Warmest regards, Gus

Manitowoc and Two Rivers

Last week I was in Manitowoc, WI, and Sami and I visited a beach on Lake Michigan between Manitowoc and Two Rivers. Sami was retrieving her duck and I am sitting on a rock and watching the ferry in the distance.
The ferry runs from Manitowoc to Ludington,MI, and the boiler is fired by coal. There is controversy about using coal; there is pressure to convert the engine to another fuel. I don't think wood is an option.
Warmest regards, Gus

Wisconsin Dells

Last week I was visiting the Wisconsin Dells area and took a trip on the "Joliet" viewing the Upper Dells area. We had a very nice trip through a beautiful stretch of the river. I was the Captain for awhile--while we were tied to the dock!
I left the Dells area on August 2nd and drove to Manitowoc, on Lake Michigan.
Warmest regards, Gus