Alaska trip - Part VIII

Back into the U.S. of A Eh!! and heading South towards Great Falls, MT where we will spend the night.

Shelby, MT in the distance.

Mom and her baby. She thought maybe we would leave if she stamped her hoof. When we didn't she jumped the fence and the fawn went under it.

A hawk looking for breakfast. This was on highway 3 heading South towards Harlowton, MT

Lots of windmill farms along this stretch of Hwy 3

Big Sky Montana.

At Big Timber, MT we joined up with I-90 and headed East towards Billings, MT and our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Dos Machos

Nearing Billings on I-90

After lunch Fran wanted to do a little shopping in the Rimrock Mall so I went to the car wash and made the van lighter and more aerodynamic by washing all that AK, YT, BC, AB, MT mud off.

Into our favorite state.

There must have been forest fires in the Bighorns as it was too hazy to get good pictures.

Fran finally got to see a caboose.

Heading East towards our next stop at Spearfish, SD

Scenery just before Spearfish.

Fran wanted to spend at least one night in a log cabin so this was her last chance cause we only have one more night and that was to be in a hotel.

Enjoying an evening on the porch. The KOA had an "all you can eat ice cream bar" so we had to go sample their IC.

Next morning, Thursday, we headed up into the mountains to Mt. Rushmore and Keystone.

Town has changed a little since we were last here due to a flood that wiped out part of the town years ago. Fran did a little shop hopping but really didn't find much she wanted to buy. Made Al happy!!!

After the brief visit to Mt. Rushmore we were back on the road again. We decided to take the Badlands National park loop that starts at Wall, S.D.

These are some of the pictures fran took as we drove through.

Back on I-90 and not a lot to see. Did enjoy seeing the bales of hay alongside the road.

Headed South on I-29 and spent the night at a Hampton Inn at Sioux Falls as it was too humid for a KOA and either cabin or van sleeping.

Getting towards dark by the time we got to the Hampton Inn.

 Fran enjoying the airconditioned room.

That lap pad on the bed gave Fran the idea to get one so when we got home she used a gift card to Barnes and Noble that Daryl gave her to buy one. It is nice when using the laptop.

 Typical view as one drives South on I-29

 Joined up with I-80 at East of Omaha, NE

 Back in the traffic heading East

Home about 7:30 Friday, July 6th. Four days ahead of projected arrival but after 23 days it was good to be home.

Gas prices at Berrien were 3.859 when we left so this looks better.

These were our baby blue birds when we left.

This is one of the babies when we got back.

 Looks like 3 of the 4 babies have made it this far.

PaPa blue bird keeping an eye on the food stash.

Hey Dad how about another one of those meal worms eh.
Well that concludes our Alaska adventure. I will post some facts and funny pictures on another posting.