Broke Down In Cheyenne Wyoming

(Cheyenne, Wyoming) 50 degrees, blue skies

Well you might say that things have not gone as planned.  We left the National Forest last week with the intention of spending some time in Estes Park before heading to Albuquerque for the Balloon Festival. We had a bad case of "hitch itch" after being camphosts for two months.  We did not get very far.  Our first stop for the night was Cheyenne Wyoming at the Terry Bison Ranch (Passport America). 

We got there without any difficulty except for a lot of rain and fog.  The next morning we got ready to leave and John checked all the fluid levels before leaving. as a part of his normal routine.  The antifreeze was very low so we made a trip to Walmart and got a couple of bottles.  John poured it in and unfortunately it all poured on the ground.  Not a good sign! 

We called our towing service (Coach Net) and they helped us a find a wrecker and a place to check everything out.  This huge wrecker with Diamond Towing arrived.  Wow, it was a big wrecker.  Our air bags had deflated and since we could not run the engine the wrecker had to air everything up before towing.  The transmission had to also be disconnected.    It took about 4 hours to hook up the RV and arrive at the facility. 

We were quite the center of attention at the campground. There was a large FMCA group staying at the campground for the weekend (Rocky Mountain Chapter). We will be attending their rally in a few weeks and they were very supportive. Watching your home being towed away was unnerving.

The first place we stopped at did not seem to be very organized and able to fix our problem.  They were a small garage and the tow truck operator suggested we go to Floyds Freightliner.  They are open from 8 am - 11 pm and he thought that they'd be to get us back on the road sooner. 

We arrived at Floyd's and the staff was very professional and  got us in late that night to take a look at the radiator and engine.  The good news is our engine is ok, but the radiator needs to be replaced.  We have an extended warranty through Allegiance and started the process to get the repair approved.  It has not been an easy journey.  The warranty company wanted the radiator to be completely removed and tested again.  This is a 12 hour job and after it was removed we needed to wait for their inspector to come out and approve the work.  Well it has now been a week and we are still waiting. We have made numerous phone calls and have now moved up to a supervisor for assistance. We cannot order the parts until we receive their approval.  The cost of this repair is over $4000 so we really have to follow their procedures to avoid a huge out of pocket expense. 

We have reservations for the Albuquerque Balloon Festival on October 4th and made them almost a year ago.  We have been so excited about attending.  Our daughter is flying form Indy to attend and some friends are also meeting us there.  There is still time to make it if we can get the warranty company to kick it in gear. 

In the meantime, the coach is the garage and completely dismantled. It is not a livable place to hang out.  We went out the Air Force Base and hoped to find a hotel room at a reasonable cost.  No luck!  They did not have any rooms left that allowed dogs.  Just by chance or what my friend Sharon would call a "God thing" we found out there was a small cabin at the campground. It is a sleeping cabin with two chairs and a nice porch swing for only $15 a night.  Perfect! 

So here we sit counting the hours and doing everything possible to keep this repair moving along.  Dear readers we'd appreciate your thoughts and prayers. 

Our Last Week As Camp Hosts @ Sheridan Lake–Black Hills South Dakota

(Sheridan Lake, S.D) 65 degrees,blue sky

Lake Sheridan

We have one week left at Lake Sheridan, one of the campgrounds in the National Forest.  For the past two months we have managed one of the camping loops (Woodsey) and collected fees at two day use areas on the lake.  It has been a wonderful experience and we will definitely return to this area again. 

Dakota Point

There is so much to see and the weather has been delightful.  One of our perks has been a VIP pass.  It has given us mostly free or discounted admission to many of the areas attractions.  We certainly have take advantage of this pass.  We have even gone to several places that we probably would have passed by such as Reptile Gardens.  The Black Hills are so beautiful and an amazing place to visit. 

Mt. Rushmore

Our campground is a jewel and looking out over the lake each day has been a treat.  The landscape and wild flowers are ever changing. The sites are large and mostly wooded. 

Woodsey Loop, site 63

We have worked with ten other camp hosts and have had some great times together.  There have been several pot lucks and fire side gatherings organized by Sharon. She loves planning parties and getting everyone together.  Fun stories and travels  have been shared.  One of my favorites was shared by Jim.  He works here year round.  Jim takes care of the campground and plows part of the lake for the fishermen. Lake Sheridan freezes over and fishermen cut holes in the ice to fish.   One fisherman claimed that he had caught a huge perch.  He had tossed it up on the ice and continued to fish.  Shortly later an eagle had flown down and carried it away.  Now that’s a fish story!

Marsha and Malcolm

Jim

Louis and Alma

Frank and Ruby

Sharon

Taking care of our loop can be challenging at times.  Patience in large amounts and a sense of humor is required.  I was told once that campers pack everything but their brain.  That is not always the case but at times it is very evident.  Dogs are oftentimes running loose, fires are burning way too high, vehicles and boats are parked so that other campers cannot pass, campers howl loudly across the lake late at night, generators continue to run late at night, and fire pits are used as trash cans. 

Trash can firepit

John handles most of these issues and more.  He really has done a great job and kept his cool.  Trying to gain their cooperation is essential and the right attitude really helps.  Our manager told us early on not to take whatever a camper does personal.  Good advice!  He also suggested saying “in order to continue your stay keeping your dog on a leash is essential” rather than “your dog needs to get on a leash right now”.

I have mostly worked  at the day booths.  It can be very hectic at times and then the  time goes by quickly.   But at other times, it can be very slow and boring.  Sometimes the booth is freezing and at other times it can be like an oven.  Most of the time it is very pleasant and the sound of the wind blowing through the trees is delightful.  It has also given me the opportunity to read some great books this summer.

Day Booth North Cove

Forest Recreation Management staffs 38 National Forest Campgrounds in the Black Hills.  There are several located on lakes and others that have about 25 sites.  If you are interested in working here next summer the best time to apply is now. Be sure to note that most campgrounds do not have cell phone or internet service.  Full hook up sites are provided at no cost to the hosts and a flat fee per week is paid to each camp host along with a VIP pass.  

From here we plan on visiting Estes Park (Rocky Mountain National Park area) and then attend the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. It will be great to be back on the road again.  The rest of the fall and winter will be spent in the New Mexico/Arizona area. 

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary & Mammoth Site

(Black Hills, South Dakota) 78 degrees, cloudy day with intermittent rain

We dedicate this post today to our friends J.C. and Bev.  Due to health reasons they were unable to go with us today.  We hope that you can join us again soon. 

On our day off today from the National Forest (only 14 days left) we drove out to the Hot Springs area.  Our VIP pass gave us a free admission to visit the wild mustangs at the Wild Horse Sanctuary.  This ranch of over 11,000 acres is owned by Dayton Hyde.  It is a non profit home for hundreds of unwanted mustangs once on BLM land. 

Our guide, Martina, took us on a private jeep tour. It was very rainy day and we were the only visitors. So she was able to take us in a vehicle rather than a school bus normally used to see the mustangs.  The weather was cool and windy and the horses were galloping through the meadows and fragrant sage brush.  What a sight! 

Our guide Martina

The Wild Horse Sanctuary

Office

We watched them run below in the valley and eventually she drove us down to see them up close.  I did not share with her that I was a little nervous and shy around horses.  She filled our ears with stories about the ranch, owner, her previous life, and special stories about some of the horses.   It was delightful. 

At one point she asked us to get out of the car and walk among a huge group of them.  I looked at her in disbelief and she said “I’m serious, lets get out”  So, gingerly I opened the door and walked out a small distance among the herd.  They were so beautiful and curious to see us.  What an experience.  It has not been several days and I’m still  thinking about this  moment.  I am not exactly a “horse person” but it was really a thrill and something I’ll always remember. 

Martina and her husband are volunteer workampers at this ranch.   They met on the ranch three years ago.  Martina was from Minneapolis and while on vacation stopped at the ranch.  Her husband was the tour guide.  After a long distance relationship she left "cooperate america" and joined him at this special place. 

She also took us by a sacred place where the local natives hold a special ceremony each year.  Not far from this area is a rock wall with may petroglyphs to view and some interesting caves where the cowboys once had stayed to watch over the ranch during the cold winters.   

Some of the mustangs can be sponsored and certain foals are also sold each year to help raise funds.  Be sure to stop here if you are visiting the Black Hills.  Reservations are recommended.

Earlier in the day we had also visited the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs.  This is a very interesting archaeological dig where mammoth bones were accidentally found in 1974 by a developer. 

Today the dig is under roof but is still in progress.  Around 25,000 years ago a large cave collapsed (there are many in the area) and was filled in with warm spring water.  Mammoths and other animals were drawn to this area.  However, once they went in the water they were unable to leave due to the steep sides. 

Over 52 mammoths have already been discovered and they estimate the dig will continue for about another 20 years.  There are walkways that surround the site and a tour guide talks to you through telephones  at several points and tells you more about each of the discoveries.  The cost is $7/person and we found it to be a very interesting place.  There is also a very nice gift shop and book store. 

We have only 14 more days left working at the National Forest.  The time has gone by so quickly.