Thursday, June 3, Day 85 - We're Home-UPDATE

We made it home today! A short 700 mile drive from West Wendover Nevada to Fresno and the grand adventure comes to an end. It was a mixture of emotions. Sad that we are done, but happy to be back home. Nice to be able to all fit around the table!

Well, it turned out to be a full 12 weeks, just short of 3 calendar months. By the stats: 12,429 RV miles, 35 states, 2 other countries (Mexico and Canada), plus Washington DC. California to Florida, to Maine. We stayed in 66 different spots over the 84 nights. (12 times we spent more than one night in a spot (about once a week). Gas prices from over $3 a gallon in California to $2.41 a gallon in Ohio. Topics covered everything from early American Indian, to the Revolution, Civil War, western expansion, geology, natural sciences, social issues and politics. Over 100 National Parks, museums and tours. Nearly 75 bird and mammals identifiied and entered into our nature log. 2,728 useable pictures (more than 13GB/the equivilent of 76 rolls of film!). 64 blog posts. And now it comes to an end.

For those who have followed us, we hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have! We were thankful for the opportunity, and glad we took advantage of it.

We made it home in time to celebrate Luke's birthday on June 6!

Now we settle back in, try to dig through all the mail and other issues.

Was it worth it? Oh Yeah! We are still married, and still can account for the 3 kids! Family jokes for the rest of our lives.

What's next? Back to real life. Lord willing we would like to take a much shorter trip with possibly a trailer through the Pacific Northwest in the next few years.

Greg for the Smiths

Wednesday, June 2, Day 83

National Trails Interpretive Center, Casper WY.

We learned that the California, Oregon and Mormon Trails, as well as the Pony Express all passed through Casper. The center did a good job of showing the history of the trails and providing a feel for crossings.

We even experienced a simulated river crossing in a moving wagon. "Whatever you do, hang on in there!"


After riding in the stage coach, pushing a hand cart and a few other experiences we loaded into our own "Prairie Schooner" and headed for independence rock. So named because if you made it there by July 4, you had a good shot at making it to your destination before the early snows closed the trails. Some of us climbed to the top of the rock and inspected the markings made by travelers in the 1850's on the rock.

We were not facing snow, but as we pushed to get home tomorrow night, we drove on to Salt Lake for another stop. At Antelope State Park, we took a partial dip into the high concentration salt water, as well filled some bottles with salt water according to Luke's request. (Once home the water will evaporate and we will see how much salt remains!).

After 575 miles we crossed over into Nevada and called it a night.

Tuesday June 1, Day 83

We continued our push home today with over 300 miles of driving, but did work a few good stops in. First up was Mt. Rushmore. Amanda and I were really surprised how many changes they had to the park (we had both been here separately when much younger). It now has a very developed visitor center complex. The kids completed another Jr. Ranger program at Rushmore.

After Rushmore, we drove through Lead and Deadwood on up to Devils Tower National Monument. I kept having flashbacks to the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind! I resisted the sudden urges to gather a giant mound of clay in the RV and sculpt the tower!

As the weather degraded we changed plans again (about 3 times today) and finally decided not to pass through Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. Instead we turned south pushed hard for Casper Wyoming. Like wagon travelers of the 1800's, we spent the night along the Platte River just outside Fort Casper.

Monday May 31, Day 82

Got the RV fixed this afternoon and headed out about 4 pm. Perfect timing for some late afternoon light at nearby Badlands.



In addition to the multicolored hillsides, we also took in prairie dogs, swift fox, meadowlarks and a few other birds and mammals along the way.



We exited Badlands near Wall Drug and make the required stop after watching the signs for the last 300 miles. (For those who have not been, Wall Drug started as a small drug store out in the middle of "nowhere", and as a result of some creative marketing (signs for miles advertising free ice water), it is now quite a large store and restaurant selling a host of items, as well as a tourist attraction in its own right. We sampled the buffalo burger and donuts.





We decided to press on past Rapid City as we make our way home quickly. We found a forest service campground around about 2 miles from Mt. Rushmore and called it a night. It was one of our latest nights on the trip.

Saturday-Sunday, May 29/30, Day 80/81

620 miles today, and took in some sights. It was our longest day as we make our way home.


We made our first stop at the Lewis and Clark State Park along the Missouri River, where we saw a replica of the keel boats used on the expedition.

We drove on from Iowa to S. Dakota, with a short trip through part of Nebraska. We also made a stop at the "world famous", "worlds only Corn Palace". For those who have not had the experience, every year the "Palace" is decorated with corn art.

Next up was a quick stop at the Missouri River overlook. The area is full of Lewis and Clark history.

As we neared the Badlands of South Dakota, we had some trouble with the RV that will require some repairs. After the long week, we were planning on taking a break anyways. So we sitting near the White River just south of the main area of Badlands National Park.

Sunday, we had family church in the RV, caught up on a few things and relaxed enjoying the nice weather. We also watched the old movie "Around the world in 80 Days" which we thought was appropriate given the length of time we have been on the road.

Friday, May 28, Day 79 , "Indy 500"

Road Day!
Amanda and kids made me a nice birthday breakfast.

We stopped in at Greenfield IN to visit the warehouse there. The kids had fun sitting in Dave's old car. Then it was back on the road again. We had a great lunch stop at the Beef House Restaurant.

We had our own "Indy 500" today. We passed through Indianapolis, and we drove over 500 miles! We went from Indiana, to Illinois, to Iowa.

We found a spot right next to the interstate, complete with burger stand, gas station, and RV sites out in the corn field! I was served a special dinner and then opened a host of presents, mainly from the US Air Force Museum. I have my reading cut out for me!

Wednesday/Thursday, May 26/27, Day 77/78 - Creation and USAF Museum

We spent the morning driving in the RV. The kids have done very well spending long hours on the road.

We stopped today at the Creation Museum, south of Cincinnati in northern Kentucky. We were surprised the number of people and how well done it was. It even included a large garden/park outside. We also appreciated how it told the whole story and connected creation with Jesus, and God's plan. The kids wanted to go back through it again. I especially got a kick out of the kids asking an animatronics "Noah" questions about the ark. (The kids would select a question from a computer and Noah would answer it). For more pictures and information on the museum, see http://creationmuseum.org/

We drove on to Dayton area, and spent the night at John Bryan State Park. A quiet spot with raccoons and places for the kids to ride their bikes.


Next up, the US Air Force Museum. We spent several hours looking at hundreds of airplanes and the large gift shop. They had a great selection of significant aircraft, and even planes like Boxscar, one of the aircraft that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan that ended WWII.

In the background of the picture with the kids you can see of P40, and a B25 of Doolittle Raider fame.

We also had fun seeing some of the planes that Grandpa Ted flew in air force and national guard such as the F86 fighter jet, and KC97 air refueling tanker.

After the museum, we stopped in at another Wright Brothers site. It has been fun to visit several different sites of the Wright Brothers and learn a lot more about the birth of powered flight.

We ended the day just across the border in Richmond Indiana at a KOA. Although there are cheaper places, and even some better places, we have found the KOA's provide a repeatable experience with playground, laundry, WiFi and usually a fairly natural setting with trees.

With the Ohio stops out of the way, we are going to be pushing hard towards the Mount Rushmore area, as we make our way back home. We have now started our 12th week on the road. You can see our progress through the East up to Dayton on the following marked map.