Get Together with John & Sandy, Blog Followers

We have been enjoying our time here in the Black Hills. With the drywall contractor working inside it has allowed Gina and I time to relax and catch up on a few chores. Just to keep everyone up to date with the progress here are a few more pictures of Mom & Pop's "Summer Cabin". (I decided to change the name from apartment to Summer Cabin.)

Standing in the front door


Standing in the bedroom looking toward the front door


Laundry room


Living room


Kitchen

We began our morning yesterday by building and installing two posts in the ground for a cloths line. That sounded easy but digging the holes was another story. It’s hard to dig a hole through rocks but with Gina’s help we got it dug. Pop’s mixed up the concrete and filled the holes up.

Posts are in the ground just need to string the line, Hope you enjoy your very first clothesline

Gina then decided it would be a good time for cutting hair. First up, was Pop’s. I think he even took a little nap while Gina was cutting his hair. Once she finished with him she cut my hair.

Our big excitement today was looking forward to meeting John and Sandy, authors of Mothership RV blog. They’re fulltime RV’ers and have been here in Custer for two weeks. Check out their blog.

John & Sandy

We have been trying to get together. However, we just haven’t been able to fit it in until today. We invited them to come over and enjoy our social hour followed by dinner. John and Sandy have been following our blog for quite some time and it’s always special for us to meet those that follow us. This was no exception as John and Sandy are a wonderful couple who are enjoying the fulltime RV lifestyle. We all felt like we already knew each other because we read each other’s blogs. We enjoyed a dinner of grilled pork tenderloin covered with grilled peppers & onions, smothered potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, and broccoli salad. For dessert Gina baked a cherry & pineapple dump cake and Sandy baked Apple Streusel Bread. The food and dessert tasted fantastic. After dinner we continued talking until around 8:30 when the yawning was getting the best of everyone. After we took some pictures together we said goodbye until we see each other down the road again.

Mike & Pat, John & Sandy, and Gina & I

They are heading toward Wisconsin, this was there home before getting on the road. They'll be there for a couple of months. We hope to see them again around November when they're planning to be in Louisiana for a few days. We wish them safe travels as they continue their journey. We then went inside for the night and I’m not sure what Gina did but I fell asleep within minutes in the recliner.

It was a wonderful day and was extra special to meet John and Sandy. Not sure what is in store for Saturday but stay tuned, as I’m sure it will be exciting.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

More Trailriding and a Trip to Rapid City

Wednesday morning found us waking us slowly enjoying our coffee to a wonderful 52 degrees. We decided that we would do another ride on our four wheeler today. While drinking our coffee the drywall contractor arrived. He made some good progress on Tuesday and we’re hoping that he will finish today or Thursday with hanging the drywall. Here are a few updated photo’s.

Looking into the Kitchen


Looking into the Living Room


Bedroom


Bathroom (shower is installed)

Around eleven o’clock Mom knocked on our door while we were preparing to leave for our four wheel ride. She asked if she could come with us since Pop’s was taking off for a motorcycle ride. We said sure we would love to have her ride with us. We decided to take her up to the spot we found on Tuesday. So off we went. She loved the view and we took a few more pictures looking down on their place. Of course it wouldn’t be complete without Gina looking for that special rock.

A better view of Mom & Pop's place


This is how Gina looks for that special rocks


She found it and is showing it to Mom


Here I am at 6,004 feet


Me and Mom

From there we continued riding just soaking in all of the sights and stopping occasionally to take a picture of the sights.

This fellow is wondering who is invading his territory


No matter where you go around these Black Hills Crazy Horse is looking at you


Mom waiting on us


Another great view of the Black Hills


Here we are coming down a hill to pick up Gina

After grabbing a bite to eat it was time for us to head to the softball field. We played two games and won both of them to finish out the season. Next week we start a double elimination tournament. We made it home around 9:30 and called it a night.

Thursday morning found us getting on the road to Rapid City to pick up the bathroom vanity and mirror and buy paint. Of course all trips to Rapid City includes a stop at Sam’s. Once we finished our shopping it was time to head home. About ten miles south of Rapid City we noticed a lot of cars stopped on each side of the road. As we started looking around we noticed all of the cars had received heavy hail damage. We must have just missed it as there was still golf ball size hail covering the side of the road. That was a close call. We all were glad that we missed it since it would have damaged the truck for sure. Once we made it home and unloaded our groceries the clouds let lose. Thankfully it only rained heavy for about an hour. No hail. We are now sitting back in our recliners relaxing watching a movie.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Enjoying the Solitude of these Black Hills

Monday found us with a lot to accomplish in Mom and Pop’s apartment before the drywall could begin. We worked until after ten o’clock at night finishing up the insulation. We all woke up early this morning and just as we were finishing the last few items the drywall contractor arrived. After I discussed a few items with him he got started hanging the drywall. We watched him hang the drywall for a little while commenting to each other that we started this project just 19 days ago. All the Praise goes to Our Father for without His Blessings we could not have accomplished this milestone in such a short time.


Around 11:30 Gina cooked me breakfast for lunch. While we were eating we talked about taking a ride together on our four wheeler. So Gina and I took off for a ride on our four wheeler for a tour of the Black Hills around here. The wind was blowing. However, we both wanted to take a few hours to get away and relax while soaking up all of the beauty out here. As we turned off the main road onto a trail we were greeted by a mother deer and her new fawn.

Now that's nature, Mom and baby

We didn’t really know where we were going so we just rode. We took a trail that led us up to the top of a 6000 ft hill. Here are a few of the pictures from up there.

Looking down on the town of Custer


Looking out at the Black Hills


Just couldn't get enough of the views


Looking down on Mom & Pop's place from 6000 ft

The views were magnificent. Of course Gina had to take a little time and look for that special rock. From there we continued on with our ride. A little while later we came up on a male deer and a marmot.

It's hard to see but there is velvet on those antlers


One of the many marmots around here

Eventually, we came up on a small stream and stopped for a little while to listen to the rushing water flowing over the rocks.

Relaxing to the sound of flowing water

It was getting late so we decided to head back home. We had a wonderful ride together while enjoying the solitude of these Black Hills. We look forward to more rides like this. After arriving back home we sat outside soaking up this beautiful weather.

For an update on Mom & Pop's apartment check out this link to Mike & Pat's blog

Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.

Custer Celebrates "Gold Discovery Days"

Gina and I want to thank you for taking the time to read our blog and for letting us know your thoughts through your comments. We really enjoy hearing from all of you who follow us. Thank you all!!!!


Saturday and Sunday has been extremely busy around here. I was able to finish all of the electrical on Saturday while Rocky and Pop’s finished up all of the sewer drains.

Doing some electrical work, I'm moving the barn light switches to a new location


Rocky & Pop's completing the drains


Pop's testing the drains for leaks


Rocky & Mom checking for leaks

The girls got up Saturday morning and headed for downtown Custer and enjoy their little festival called “Gold Discovery Days”. They even had a parade but mostly they went to check out the craft booths.

Mom & Smokey the Bear


Look at those hats


Crossroads Church had a float


One of the many Buffalo around Custer


Colonel George A. Custer with a lady

We were treated to hot air balloons floating over us both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Here are a few of them.

These trees created a great frame





Gina really loved this red, white and blue balloon

Sunday morning found us back outside working on the cold and hot water supply piping. While Rocky was building the manifolds I decided to take a little four wheeler ride by myself. Gina was helping Mom clean up her home since there was a couple riding in from Wyoming that was interested in buying it. When I returned I got started on hanging the insulation in the walls. Around noon it was time to pour concrete.

Insulation getting hung


Rocky back filling with dirt


Concrete is poured

Today we'll do a pressure test on the water supply piping, finish the insulation and install the shower. We should be ready for the contractor to start hanging drywall Tuesday morning. YEA!!!! Once the drywall starts Gina and I will slow down for a few days and try to visit with some other RV’ers that is here in Custer.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.