Mountain Roads, Bikes and Rushmore

[jok]

We are on a great adventure from Michigan to points west. Idaho made the 49th state we have taken our granddaughter to. Leaves just Alaska. Our youngest granddaughter is at number 40. Since July 17th we have been to Mall of America, Roosevelt National Park, Glacier National Park, Island Park (Idaho), Yellowstone, Devils Tower and are now at Mt. Rushmore. Also a few smaller interesting places. What a beautiful country we live in. We saw a black bear, hundreds of buffalo (had a couple buffalo burgers), elk, mule deer, a wolf, eagles and  prairie dogs.

We drove I-15 through Helena. I think it was a 6% incline up and 95 degrees outside. The 8V92 was not happy. Had to stop twice to bring the temperature down. Stopped at Camp WalMart in Cody, Wyoming. We have spent the night at a fair amount of WalMarts before but I have never seen one look so much like a campground. Trailers unattached, including set up pop-ups, slideouts extended, tow dollies emptied, jacks down. Drove WY 14 east of Greybull. Amazing views, but about 11 miles up to 9000+ feet, and then back down. My wife was very happy to be down the mountain. We stopped at a pullout and visited with some people who pulled over for a picture. Both inner duals blew within minutes of them stopping. Must have rode the brakes too much.

Today we drove through Sturgis, SD. Bike week starts next Monday but the whole town is packed with bikes, bikers and vendors. Parking is already a challenge. During the last week we have seen thousands of bikers from Roosevelt NP, Glacier NP and Yellowstone. They have some big name entertainment lined up for the rally. Today we saw 5 beautiful Prevost entertainer coaches on the road.

Made it up to Mount Rushmore today and stayed for the lighting ceremony. What a treat. We had been there 14 years ago. It was very rustic then compared to now. They have a parking ramp for cars now. We had no problem parking in the RV/bus area ($10.00).

Looking forward to Wall Drug, the Bad Lands, Corn Palace, maybe the SPAM museum.

Very limited cell service and internet access. But that is okay.

John

[gumpy]

... Both inner duals blew within minutes of them stopping. Must have rode the brakes too much.

You They are very lucky you they did not lose your their bus RV (and possibly your their lives), either to failed brakes, or fire!  Based on everything you wrote, I'm guessing you don't have much experience with large vehicles in the mountains. I can understand why your wife is happy to be off the mountains.

Glad you had a good time, though. Yes, it's a beautiful country.  Enjoy the rest of your trip. Hope it is event free.

[John316]

Craig,

I think that he was saying that they other people that stopped had both duels blow...

God bless,

John

[gumpy]

Craig,

I think that he was saying that they other people that stopped had both duels blow...

God bless,

John

After rereading the original post, I think you are correct. I missed the word "them".

I've modified my comment above. My apologies to JOK for not reading it more carefully.

[jok]

No problem Craig. I guess I could have been more clear. The people in the RV are from Florida and this was their first trip in an RV.

We had no problems coming down the mountain. Using lower gears we hardly had to use the brakes, even with the Suburban hooked up behind. The extra weight didn't help our overheating issues going up the mountain. But I'd rather pull over to cool down then cause a real problem with the engine getting too hot.

My wife's concern with driving in the mountain was due to a few factors. Being up high in the bus she could look down over the guardrail to the switchbacks below. It started to rain after we left the people with the RV and a bolt of lightning hit the mountain a few hundred feet from the bus. As we got near the summit it started to hail. They are doing road work and the road on our way down was gravel for about a mile, and it was still hailing. About halfway down we came around a corner and found a bolder in our lane. It would have been a beautiful stretch of road under normal conditions. In our 1500+ miles of mountain travels this was the most adventurous.

Yesterday (Saturday) evening we were driving I-94 (or I-894) south of Milwaukee and we saw one of MAK's Motor Cabins heading north. At the Mall of America we met Ross, from Iowa, with his good looking MC9. We saw more bus conversions than on any other trip. A lot of professional conversions and an equal amount of do-it-yourself conversions. I think most heading to the Sturgis Rally since they had enclosed trailers or open trailers with Harleys.

We got home a few hours ago and I'm ready to go again.

John