After leaving Custer State Park, we stopped off at the Wind Cave (still in South Dakota). Wind Cave National Park is a popular tourist attraction and home to a diverse mix of wildlife. But underground, there lies a cave with more than 100 miles of passageways.
The cave is regarded as sacred by the American Indians, but it wasn’t actually found by settlers until 1881, when two brothers, Jesse and Tom Bingham, heard a loud whistling noise. As told to us on the tour, the sound led them to a small hole in the ground. The wind was said to blow with such force (hence it’s name) and is created by differences between atmospheric pressures in the cave and outside.
Jai, Amber and Flynn in one of the many passageways of the cave.
Whilst awake now, Akaisha slept through most of the Wind Cave tour.
Walking down about half a mile into the cave.
Boxwork on the ceiling of the cave.
Alvin McDonald, a 16 yeaold explorer, discovered the cave’s extensive network of passageways. With a candle in a tin and a ball of string, (I couldn’t even imagine it!), he discovered many delicate and interesting formations in the caves, like boxwork, popcorn and frostwork formations.
The guide giving us the history of the Wind Cave.
We had planned to go to the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary near Hot Springs, but didn’t get there until much later than anticipated. We talked to the owners, who said we could camp and go on a tour in the morning, but we wanted to get to Yellowstone before any bad weather set in, so we declined. Looks like it would have been fun, but with so much to see, sometimes you have to make choices! (Trev reckons I didn’t want to stay because of the rattlesnakes!)
If you can't ride a real one...........
....then this is the next best thing!
Some of the mustangs. Most were out on the property somewhere!
We left South Dakota without seeing their Badlands (they are supposed to be quite different to North Dakota’s Badlands), but we had spent a lovely time at Custer Park and we were keen to move on. We crossed the border into Wyoming where we stopped for lunch at a rest area.
Another beautiful day.
Jai and Kaitlin working on their tans!
Well, what else are little sisters good for!?
Enjoying the break from driving (not me,........Trev!)
Love the two flags behind the kids.
Working off the hotdog!
Akaisha wants to be part of everything.
Sisterly love!
We stayed at a small campground near Riverton. As I was doing my washing, a man called Mars approached me because he could see I had come with my family. We ended up talking for a couple of hours. It was fascinating to hear his story as he lives away from his family (who are from Arizona) for months on end, so he can work and provide for them. Mars lives in a tent with two others and they travel 100 mile to work, getting up at 4am every morning. He doesn’t return to the campground until 8pm every evening (except Sunday). But, in his words, “I always wake up with a smile on my face.” Well, I believe everything happens for a reason. I had been feeling like I needed my space from the family (after spending so much time together in an RV), but after listening to this man, I could once again find the positives of being able to travel with my family across this beautiful country! I couldn’t imagine being away from my family for months on end. How lucky we are, when Mars can’t even get work in his own hometown and has two young sons who must change so rapidly everytime he sees them. But not once did he complain. To him, it was just the way it was.
See! Shopping can be fun!
Two trucks had rolled. See the line up of cars wanting to pass.
The next morning we went into Riverton, shopped at the Bookstore and at the secondhand shops for warmer jackets. We had heard that it may well snow at Yellowstone, so we wanted to be prepared. Then as we journeyed along, we came across an accident. We can only hope no-one was seriously injured or killed.
Below is a map of our travels so far. We are actually in Seattle as I write this. My next blog will be about the Grand Tetons National Park (gateway to Yellowstone National Park). Hope you can join us on that part of our journey…..
Current map of our trip. More recent than the blog!
yea you got a subscribe button! Was just going to see if I could work it out.
Glad to hear no sacrifices to the wild animals! (and don’t go wandering off to get some space in the middle of the night!)
Hi Christian,
Thanks for your help with the subscribe button. I think being in a country with wild animals have got the kids spooked a bit, so they don’t wander far from the RV. In Australia, they’ll go off on their bikes for hours (and we all get some space!). We’re in Seattle at the moment. A very pretty city. You could get some lovely shots of the lakes. We haven’t seen the ocean yet, but will head that way to look today.
Cath
Great to read your blogs.We are finding them very very interesting and love the photos. We are in Amsterdam at the moment and here is some information for you kids. Did you know that the population is about 750 000 and the number of bikes total about 550 000? That is nearly one bike per person. They are everywhere. Nana says the figures have increased somewhat since I received this info. Also there are 100 canals and 1000 bridges. People are very friendly and most speak English as well as Dutch. Tomorrow we get on the boat to travel from Amsterdam to Budapest on the Rhine River. Perhaps you can follow us on a atlas or internet. Looking for ward to seeing you on your return.
Love Nan and Pop
Hi Mum and Dad (Nan and Pop),
I bet the people in Amsterdam are very fit! I will pass on that information to the kids. Trev and I loved Amsterdam. We’ve been to Budapest too, but not in the style that you are arriving. Budapest was where we got on the wrong train and had to sleep in the waiting area for another train to come the other way. That wasn’t going to be until 6am next morning, so we had to sleep on the benches. During the night, homeless people came out of the woodwork. What an experience! Can’t imagine doing that with the 7 kids now!
Sounds like you’re having a wonderful time. Keep telling us the places you’re in and we’ll track you on the internet.
Love Cath and family
Hi Howitt Family!!!
The wind cave?? Did not know anything about it. Looks like a great adventure. You all are teaching me about my own country LOL. Stay safe. Thanks for letting me travel with you 🙂 I’ve never have seen the Grand Tetons. Looking forward to the photos.
Sandy MN
Hi Sandy,
Your country is so big, I can understand why you haven’t heard of some of the places we have visited. I will endeavour to get the blog post up about the Grand Tetons ASAP. I know you would love the Tetons Sandy. You and your husband will have to go there one there.
Cheers Cath
hi everybody hope your having a great holiday! The blog is looking great,can’t wait to hear more about your days! It’s been a longtime since you’ve gone, can’t wait to you guys get back. Say hi to everyone for me and stay safe.
Hi jacob,
Lovely to hear from you. We are having a good time, but have been driving a lot. We are looking forward to getting to some warmer weather in California and maybe staying there a week so we can chill out for a bit. We have met some wonderful people, so we are very lucky. Send love to your family.
Love Cath, Trev and all the kids.xx