South Dakota Air & Space Museum and Spearfish Canyon, Friday, June 23, 2017

This morning started out at 56 degrees! We putzed around and left about 10:30 AM. As we exited the gate at Ellsworth AFB it reminded us that we wanted to tour the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.

So glad we stopped. Lots of aircraft to see, neat displays, another informative show about the Minuteman Missile, and Vietnam War. So much information, it probably deserves a whole day to take it all in. We absorbed as much as possible. Steve enjoyed seeing the different items, like gas masks that he used when he was serving in the air force. Everybody loves airplanes and missiles. It is free to visit, but a donation is appreciated. We took lots of pictures and watched some bombers doing touch and go practice flights. Then the road called and off we went to the next stop, Spearfish, SD. We are staying at Charis'Campground. The lady in the office is so nice, really enjoyed her. We got a site that is just water and electric because it is $40.75/night here (with taxes minus Good Sam Discount). This is a tourist area and the prices reflect that. They also accept only checks, cash, or traveler's checks! Anyway, the husband of the nice lady was a Type A guy, very nice but all jacked up on Mountain Dew or something. He wanted us to have our pick of sites. So we got on the golf cart after he parked two others that came in after we did. And I was on the back and he drove the cart at full speed over bumps, thought I was going to fly off! Luckily, I didn't! OK, we chose the third site at the end of a row with a mountain view. Sigh!

OK we pull the RV around and he runs out with two boards for the left front and guides Steve on to them. He knows exactly how to park RV's in every tight site so they will fit and be fairly level in the Black Hills! Then he went and trimmed some branches for a fifth wheel that is parking below us. It is interesting! We finally settled down and got everything just right. We cooked outside and then went for a drive. After loading up the dogs we headed down Spearfish Canyon! This drive is to die for. Steve & I decided if we are near death just bring us here, set us in a chair by the flowing water and we will die happy!

We finished our drive at Roughlock Falls and there is a picnic area and a walking trail--it was just lovely. I think we will return and stay a month!