June was really eventful for us! School was finally out, the races were getting ready to get into gear and we were getting ready for our biggest road trip yet! Our Family Reunion in SOUTH DAKOTA!!! The last one was in Washington DC. I'm lobbying for the next one to be in SAN DIEGO!! BEACH BEACH BEACH!!!
Well, we started our adventure, leaving Friday night and driving to Las Vegas. There we met mom and picked up Nolan.
We had some running around Vegas to do that day, in 116 degree weather, so yes, we were all very happy. From there, we set off to North East Nevada. A little side trip of Mom's.
To the Land Art
SUN TUNNELS
We made it to the Hotel...Nolan called it Bates Motel.
Yes, we went back in time. Pat was worried because we were in Room 1. (Psycho reference)
In order to get in our rooms, the keys were left under the mats because the motel office closed at 5pm. (Psycho) We took showers but then repacked the cars because we had to wake up at 4am. But that night, trains went by the motel all night long. (My Cousin Vinny reference here). Pat had every scary and thriller movie go through his head. So, not much sleep and no place to get coffee or food. But off we went.
I truly don't know how we found them and made it out. (Deliverance reference here). We had to be there at Sunrise because it was the Summer Solstice. But what we didn't realize was that the Sun Tunnels were actually in Utah! An hour ahead. HA HA HA! So mom hauled ASS on a dirt road, with dust, rocks and dirt FLYING!!!
These are the directions to get there because GPS doesn't recognize this area of the world.
We did make it, at sunrise. Got some really great pictures and had a great time roaming in and out of the tunnels. All the while, picking on mom about this little trip. She said you'll never forget this experience, she's right, never. When we drove in..er...slid sideways because mom was driving so fast, dust everywhere, spilling into everyone's cameras and video's, for this one moment that comes but once a year!!! Yes, people were camping there the whole weekend to get this magical moment! The lady from LA comes flying in like a NASCAR driver.
So, after 30 minutes, we were all hungry! We went into Wendover, Nevada, ate, and hit the road to Deadwood, South Dakota. Sunday was the day of 3 states and driving through Wyoming diagonally. That's a lot of Wyoming.
We made it Deadwood by 9pm. 4 states in 1 day. Woohoo!!!
This is where we all stayed!!! The whole Fam Bam. We had to get all of our stuff into our room and prepare for the next day. We all met in Uncle Mark's room to just all hang out for awhile. Talking and eating and lots of drinking. But Monday was very eventful.
We did both of these in one day! After driving all day on Sunday, Monday we did the same. Devil's Tower is 90 minutes from Deadwood. We smiled all the way through it!
The next day was off to Crazy Horse!
Nolan got a ROCK!
That night we went back to Crazy Horse because they have a Laser Light show. It was cool.
On the way back, at night in the forest, is not a fun drive back. Deer and Big Horn Sheep on the road. We had 11 deer on the road to avoid.
The next day, we went on the scenic drive with rock tunnels and pig tail turns.
We were in the middle of a Buffalo Herd, saw Antelope and wild donkey's.
We went our to dinner in town often and we found these bar stools.
Pat loves trains, so we took the 1800's train.
We found out a lot of information on South Dakota by taking this train. Before the ride, we had lunch at a Saloon and I had steak and Pat had Buffalo!!!! It was all so good. Pat said I was eating like a Ranch Hand all week!!! And yes I did!!!
After the train, we had to book it back to town because Family dinner was that night and we needed to be there!!!
It was Aunt Nancy's birthday celebration as well. We had music and liquor all night long. Then pictures started.
First the aunties and uncles:
Trying to get these guys to just stand and smile for the camera is worse than the younglings.
Then the next Generation:
Oh, all of the neon was for Nancy's birthday celebration.
Then this generation with partners:
Mitch was squatting down...he he!
Then the whole Fam Bam
This picture was surprisingly easier to get than the older folks!!
After dinner a few of us went next door to
Saloon #10
There was live band, Uncle Jeff was buying the younglings shots all night, bad influence, we danced all night and had a great time!!!!
Yes, there are NO pictures from this time. We have Snap Chats but alas, they're gone.
The next morning at breakfast, no one was "awake". This last day was a very easy day. Pat, Nolan and I walked around town, had lunch, and went back to the hotel early.
Yes, Wild Bill and Jane's graves..That was it for the day. Actually, we all took naps.
At dinner, we said our goodbyes to those leaving early the next day.
In the morning was good bye's, breakfast and packing.
Mom and Nolan went back to Las Vegas, but, Pat and I weren't done with our adventure.
We drove all the way to Four Corners NM. We got there at midnight. Only after I got pulled over by a FEDERAL RESERVATION OFFICER. "I pulled you over for your speed". I shook my head yes. Top speed on the reservation, 83 MPH. He let me go!!! WHEW! I don't know why. We were driving a car from Tennessee (rental), I had a license from California, driving in Arizona. We should've been arrested just for confusion.
Midnight, Four Corners was closed. We drove into Shiprock NM (28 miles). Everything was closed and no hotels. So, we drove back to Four Corners. Parked in the dirt, with other cars around, slept in the car. I slept and Pat played with his Stars App to see all the stars!
It opened at 8am, we went in got our pictures and started home. A Day of 4 states!!!!
In Arizona, Pat said, Let's go through Sedona...Okay! Why the Hell not!!!
I drove the rest of the way home..This is what I looked at the whole way...HA HA HA! Poor baby was tired...
We got home at 7pm on Saturday night, we had at the entire Sunday to rest...
IT WAS A FANTASTIC TRIP!!!!!! Can't wait til the next one!!!!
Enjoy The Ride!!!
Pat & Sondee
