Two Cougars come to rest and the talking started.
We had a smooth hookup for our departure from Camp America, near Salem, SD. Leaving at 10 a.m., our drive west on I-90 became a steady climb after we passed Mitchel, SD. We made our first rest stop at Mile Marker 301, just past Plankinton. The rest stops are very roomy, allowing for both trucks and long RVs.
After we finished our turn in the restrooms, Connie came out and noticed another Cougar fifth wheel in the parking area. As she stared, a lady came up to her and asked, “What are you looking at?” That startled her and she did not know how to respond. The lady laughed and said she thought we might be the ones who owned the other Cougar RV in the lot.
Further conversation revealed they were from Rolla, MO, and had purchased their Cougar about the same time we bought ours. However, they got an earlier start with their travels. They had already been to both coasts and were headed to the Black Hills, like us. However, they were going to stay at Spearfish, which is north and west of our destination for that area. As the girls talked about the layout in each of the Cougars, the lady told Connie, “Honey, you don’t want to mess up that kitchen. You need to get you an electric skillet to cook outside!”
That got Connie to thinking just how that would make keeping the kitchen and stove top cleaner. She called her son in Ft. Collins, CO, who we would see in a couple weeks, to have him order one online and have it delivered to his house!
Back on the road for a thousand-foot climb!
As we got back on I-90, we noted a steady incline in the road trajectory. It was so steady an incline that I started calling on Siri to give me our elevation. We had started out less than maybe 800 feet in elevation. By the time we reached our camp site we had risen to 1,590 feet in elevation, which was down in a valley from the peak elevation of 1,790 feet!
We had passed through the Missouri River valley near Chamberlin, SD. What a beautiful site! The water is so clear up here, where the River is dammed in several locations going back up to its source in Montana. Our camp destination was at the Farm Island Recreational Area, on the Missouri River, another 60 miles or so up the road.
I say up the road as our elevation peaked soon after our turn off to Pierre, the Capital of South Dakota. Pierre is about 30 miles north of I-90, on US Hwy 83. Most of that drive is through the Ft. Pierre National Grasslands. The natural grass covers rolling hills, with an occasional herd of cattle grazing.
We actually reached our peak elevation shortly before we reached Ft. Pierre, on the south side of the Missouri River. Pierre is on the north side of the River. As we came off the peak elevation and rounded a curve which was a long descent into the Missouri River valley, I had to slow down with a sudden, breath-taking view of the valley! The sun was shining off the broad expanse of the river going for miles into the distance!
On to Farm Island!
We continued through Ft. Pierre and across the river and through Pierre and onto the Farm Island Recreational Area, about 4 miles north of Pierre. Like our State Park stay in MN, this State Park was only equipped with electricity at the camp sites. And, our camp site was directly across the street from the shower building. However, our stay here was to be a full week, not four days.
The campground had a large oval drive with a couple cut through drives, with wide camp sites both inside and outside the loop drive. And, the campground bordered right on the lake, which was the Missouri River. Farm Island was a finger of land that extended out into the river channel. A roadway had been built to access the Island, which had a nice fishing dock and several other fishing access points along the way. The Island had been a campground for the CCC work crews during the mid-1930’s. That was the Civilian Conservation Corps, sometimes known as “Roosevelt’s Tree Army”. They built wildlife refuges, such as this one, along with roads, fought forest fires, and many other things to make camping and seeing nature more enjoyable!
As we got to our site, it started raining. Connie had to don her “Maid of the Mist” poncho in order to guide me into place, as I had to back into our spot. The rain subsided but the outside temperature was about 100 degrees! So, we stayed inside the rest of the afternoon.
After dinner, we went to take our showers. However, there was a glorious sunset in progress. So, we stopped to take it in as well as take some pictures. We love sunsets…
What to do in Pierre?
Our first full day in camp started with a strong wind. Connie was up early with the motion of the RV. She thought about waking me but realized I could not change what was happening!
We had some bills to pay. We were grateful that we could pay all our bills online. However, we had no internet here. This was becoming an ongoing issue. So, I had added unlimited data to my phone plan and started using the Hot Spot as our wireless access to the internet!
Late morning, we drove to town to get fishing licenses for South Dakota, which we were able to do at Walmart. I, also, offloaded photos from my phone to a DVD.
Then, we drove around town, went by the Capitol building, and, eventually, ate lupper (4 p.m.—sometimes known as senior supper) at the Chinese Super Buffet. So much food…
Before heading back to camp, Connie wanted to go by Hobby Lobby for a project to do while I tried to do some writing and online study. Back at camp, we bought fire wood and took a nap.
This was another hot day. I was prepared to fish. Heat or not, I headed out with two poles, bait, and a folding chair! Connie joined me as the sun was setting and I gave her a pole to use. I had not had a bite, yet. She, however, made a couple casts and caught a small channel cat. Two casts, later, she had another one. We decided to start a contest right there. She was ahead 2 to my 0!
The Contest Continues!
We had a light breakfast so we could start fishing before the sun got too hot. The forecast was for 103 degrees! We took the wagon to haul our fishing gear, water, and snacks. Our site was about half way into the loop and away from the water. So, we had a fair walk to the causeway, the road to Farm Island, where we wanted to try the dock for fishing.
We did okay. Connie caught 2 channel cats and a small bluegill. One catfish was a keeper. I caught a channel cat and 3 bluegills. The catfish and one bluegill were keepers. We are getting closer to that fish fry! The score now is Connie 5 and Glenn 4.
As it was warming up and fish stopped biting, we went back to the RV and got the tricycles out to go for a ride. We rode around the loop and, still feeling good, we rode out to the causeway and onto Farm Island, where we saw evidence of the CCC camp on a trail around the Island.
Locating good spots in Pierre
After a light lunch and showers, we went into town to get ice, water, and ice cream (of course). We discovered a Walgreens that carried water in a two-gallon jug with a spigot for drinking water. Then, we found a Zesto Ice Cream shop, near the Capitol. On the way back to camp, we stopped at a fruit and vegetable stand, where we got a watermelon, cherries, and some veggies!
The forecast was right as it was well over 100 degrees when we got back and all outside activities were off the table!
Next time, Wall Drug and The Badlands!
I got a bit long winded on this entry, sorry! This was a transitional part of our trip, where we felt we were finally heading out West! The prairie was turning into rolling plains. And, we were camped near an early outpost, Ft. Pierre, in Indian territory. A Crow, Creek, and Sioux Reservation was nearby.
Next time, I will start with our day trip to Wall, SD, where the famous Wall Drug is located, near the entrance to the Badlands National Park, where we got to use our Senior Pass for the first time! Until then, safe travels!