Sheps Canyon - Hot Springs, SD

21-23 August 2015

Lat/Long:  43.3299771, -103.4440856

Location:  Sheps Canyon Hot Springs, SD

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: No, Water fill up at camp host site

Sewer Hook Up:  No, Dump Station on Site

WiFi: No

Bathroom:  10+ yard walk

Shower:  Yes

Site:  20

Holy cow - we have found our MOST favorite SD campsite EVER.  It's Sheps Canyon, site 20.  Sits right on the water - has plenty of space - #itisperfect.  

We arrived late Friday night as I had a commitment on base to attend.  Didn't roll out of town until close to 1900 - arrived just as it was getting pitch black dark out.  But - set up is so easy in this thing.  Broke out the drill, put the stabilizers down, plugged in and went to bed.  Easy peasy.  Have spent almost the entire weekend reading.  Friend recommended book below-finsihed it up this afternoon - what a fantastic read.  Guess there is movie coming out next month with Matt Damon - glad we could read about it before paying 50 bucks to see it on the big screen.  

Sky has been very smokey past few days.  Lots of fires in Washington State and California.  Didn't bother us to much as the wind was terrible pretty much ALL day.  Blew 25-30 mph solid from sun up to sun down.  So we stayed inside and were lazy.  No issues what so ever.  I certainly needed its s I've worked the past 12 days in a row.  Karon pretty much did too as she was with me during the Air Show this past weekend.  This afternoon the sky cleared up quite a bit and now that the sun is down - it's not windy at all.  Definitely cooling down though.  We may have to try the furnace tonight for reals.  

We are REALLY enjoying the new tow vehicle.  It has been a welcomed addition to our outings - in camping and in general use.  Ironically the last time we were at THIS camp ground we got $8200 worth of damage to our Highlander.  Thankfully the only thing we endured was wind this trip.  

Really starting to love this little camper.  It's so super functional at every level.  We realize we do miss the dogs a lot (we've only taken them on two trips).  Lola sure needs to learn how to pee anywhere other then our backyard.  Lord help us if we decide to go cross country and take them.  Poor girl is gonna have MEGA issues...or she'll just get it and start going.  :)

KOA - Custer

26 July 2015

Lat/Long:  43.7417966058563, -103.65444269046

Location:  Custer, SD - KOA

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: Yes 

Sewer Hook Up:  YES!

WiFi: Yes

Bathroom:  10+ yard walk

Shower:  Yes

Site:  41

After doing a "three-wolf moon" pack up from Angostura we drove about an hour north to Custer.  I always enjoy Custer, not sure why - think it has a lot to do with the rock formations and abundance of green things.  Reminds us of Colorado a lot.  Our campsite was actually pretty sweet.  Butted up to another campground we've stayed at before - but was quiet and pretty spacious for a KOA.  The site next to us was unusable, so we were able to use it as additional parking - the people behind us were RIGHT up on us - that was a little annoying, but otherwise a very enjoyable stay.  

Our buddies were in town as they attend a balloon rally up there every year.  We've gone out and helped each time we can (twice so far since I've been stationed here).  This year he surprised us - put us both in the basket.  It was absolutely awesome!  I haven't flown in about 10 years so it was fantastic.  Karon has never flown so it was so much fun to watch her reactions to all of it.  

Facilities were really nice - staff was OVER HELPFUL. I got an unwarrented and unneeded tutorial about how when I turn my wheel the trailer will go this way and when I turn the other way it will go this way.....THANK YOU BOBBY - GO AWAY NOW.  Karon and I got a good laugh out of it as he told me to pull forward at one point and "try again hun."  I told him - "I think I got this, I'm gonna keep going - MOVE!"  And I of course landed it on a dime.  Anyway, showers were clean, camp was clean - will DEFINITELY go back! 

Thanks to Karon we ate well - par course for traveling with a  chef.  Can't complain a bit.  We did have to purchase some ketchup from the little on-site store, little expensive--but no complaints-I love me some ketchup!  

Happy camping!   

Angostura Reservoir - Hot Springs, SD

25 July  2015

Lat/Long:  43.345873, -103.42202

Location:  Angostura Reservoir State Rec Area (exact campground name coming soon)

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: No, Fill up Station at Entrance of Park

WiFi: No

Bathroom:  50+ yard walk, vault toilet

Shower:  Yes, Free

This was a quick stop as we were dead dog exhausted.  We originally had two nights at this campground - but decided to go up to Custer Saturday morning to visit a friend who was in town ballooning.  Best move we could have made as we REALLY enjoyed the KOA we were at and even more so seeing our buddies from C. Springs.  

However, this site was ok.  It was in a valley of sorts - we had expected to be closer to the water then we were - but as you can see from pics it as very wooded.  Sites were evenly spaced and there were only 5-6 campers around us.  

Really though, I hardly remember anything about the campground as we arrived around 1800 and I set up the camper and literally went to bed.  I had a tough week at work, wasn't able to get the camper until Friday night - parked it in the parking lot and then rushed home to load it up.  Slept until 0800 the next morning - we decided to eat and high tail it up to Custer so we could get a shower and set up camp and enjoy the day.  

Apologies as this review is short in nature - overall - nice and quiet.  Perfect for a weekend if your looking to sit by the fire and read for a little bit.  

Sheps Canyon Rec Area (Hot Springs), SD

19-21 June 2015

Lat/Long:  43.3299771, -103.4440856

Location:  Sheps Canyon Rec Area (Angostura Rec Area), SD

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: No, Fill up at Dump Station 

Dump Station:  Yes

WiFi: No

Bathroom:  75 yard walk

Shower:  Yes

Site:  8E

Reserve on web at:  http://travel.campsd.com/Campgrounds-and-RV-Parks/All/Sheps-Canyon-Recreation-Area/Reservations

What a great weekend!  Spent the weekend on the other side of Angostura Lake in a little hidden State Park.  Was about an hour and a half drive from Rapid.  We decided not to take the puppies this weekend - we sure missed them, but the freedom was liberating.  

We had great access to the lake and the boat traffic is MUCH quieter then on the other side of the lake.  

Turns out a coworker from base was also camping this weekend.  He and his teenage son were right next to us.  Was a pleasant surprise.  We spent Saturday together with them and rented a canoe, paddle boat and kaiak.  We had a great few hours on the water paddling around.  Got some good sun.  Had dinner with them Saturday evening which was great company after our terrifying weather episode.

There was a HUGE, I mean HUGE storm that came thru Saturday afternoon.  The camp host was driving around letting us all know there was a sever thunderstorm warning.  She wasn't lying.  About 15-20 minutes later we got hit with hail that we've never seen before in our lives.  It hailed golf ball sized hail for about 10 minutes.  Literally felt like we were at a driving range and 10,000 people were hitting golf balls at us.  Camper took NO damage (thank goodness), Highlander DID take quite a bit of hood damage and roof damage.  Just thankful that we're all ok.  

I can definitely see us going back to this spot in the future.  There are some gorgeous waterfront sites that I'm sure are booked months in advance - I'll be eye balling them for the next few weeks to see if any get cancelled so we can get one down by the water.  

Loving this pod - fall more in love with it each time we take it out.  

All for now, see you in a few weeks!

Angostura Recreation Area, SD

1-2 May 2015

Lat/Long:  43.345873, -103.42202

Location:  Angostura Rec Area, SD

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: No, Fill up at Dump Station 

Dump Station:  Yes, located across the street of Cheyenne Campsite

WiFi: No

Bathroom:  75 yard walk

Shower:  Yes

Site:  70

Reserve on web at:  http://travel.campsd.com/Campgrounds-and-RV-Parks/All/Angostura-Recreation-Area/Reservations 

Got out for a quick overnighter to Angostura - what a great quick get away.  About an hour drive from Rapid and a real hidden gem of the plains of SD.  We are starting to learn that there are so many hidden little spots all around the state and kicking ourselves for not realizing it sooner.  

Pod did great - we had it dewinterized via a dealer in town because I was to afraid I was going to do something wrong.  Turns out, I probably could have figured it out - but feel better that I didn't ruin our second trip out.  I did however figure out the fresh water tank, water heater and disposal of gray and black water .  Think we'll be a.o.k for summer - freak out will start all over again as it's time to be winterized.  

Campsite was great, very quiet - which is what we prefer.  Think once school breaks and summer vacations get going - it will fill up rather quickly.  It was a JOY not having to walk to the bathroom, worry about taking turns showering - I took pride every time my bladder filled up thinking I didn't have to walk any amount of distance doing the pee pee dance to anywhere but to OUR very own bathroom.  We did hear rumor that the ticks were bad up there and I did pick two off my sweatshirt - but haven't found any (yet) on the dogs.  Beware, there are some thorns out there that are a pain in the ass for dog paws and socked feet.  

Dogs enjoyed it - Lola however did NOT pee...I really have no idea what we're gonna do.  We didn't package up any of her business to bring with us - but that's our next step.  A friend of ours gave us a tip to put some shaved crayons in her food so we can distinguish her poo from Penny.  Lord...the things we do for our pets. 

We set up our tent room.  Once we can get some decent stakes to keep the tent in place and figure out the screen part that goes by the tires it will be a completely isolated room for us.  So much room for activities!  I honestly think it took longer to take it down then it did to put it up.  Think dealing with our T@b shade gave us a leg up though.  

Looking forward to many more trips out there.  Right now we have 4 more reservations starting in June - 2 of which are back to Angostura.  There is SO much to do there - beaches, walking trails, bike trails...just a gorgeous area.  SD really is a beautiful place - it grows on us more and more...then it gets super windy and we miss Colorado all over again.  ;)  Till next time, for now the Pod is clean and back in the safety of Ellsworth.  Happy trails!

and for all you new to gray water/black water (like I was)....totally NAILED IT.  

  

Beaver Lake Campground - Custer, SD

3 - 5 April 2015

Lat/Long:  43.73967, -103.65685

Location:  Beaver Lake Campground - Custer, SD

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: Yes 

WiFi: Yes

Bathroom:  25 yard walk

Shower:  Yes

Site:  10

Reserve on web at:  http://www.beaverlakecampground.net 

It's hard to believe it's been almost two years since we've been camping.  Life got busy...too busy - we upgraded our camper to an R-Pod, moved to a new state, have two new golden's and are excited to start our camping season!

So..the T@b - we'll be prepping it to sell over the next month.  We sure loved it and will miss it, but needed the space with the new pod.  We now have a bathroom, shower and all the hookups we didn't have before.  We didn't de-winterize this trip only because it's still quite cold up here in the Dakota's and that was fine with us as facilities were very close.

Campground is located in Custer, SD - just outside of town.  Was clean, and sites were very well spaced.  You could tell they were NOT expecting the crowd they got this weekend as I heard them frantically ask each other if they should staff the front desk, open the dish washing station, open more sites....they were freaking.  We weren't the only ones taking advantage of some mild weather to get out there.  

Few issues with the R-Pod that we'll work out over the next month - door not latching correctly, purchases for organizing stuff...manuals to be read.  Friday night I was CONVINCED we had NO propane.  Saturday morning I detached it and asked the staff to fill it....dude said, "Ma'am - this tank is full..."  Turns out there is a regulator that simply had to be turned on...learning...had a great learning weekend to sum it up.  ;)

Slyvan Lake was about a 10 mile drive and absolutely worth it.  Dogs LOVED it, we loved it - we'll look forward to spending some more time up there.  

Speaking of dogs.  Our newest addition...Lola had some issues.  Just two actually - peeing and pooping.  She failed to do so....at all.  Not once.  Last time I saw her go was Friday afternoon at the house.  So about 36 hours into it we were FREAKING out.  10 pm Saturday night we decided to pack it up and head home.  Plan was to drop the camper and head straight into the Emergency vet - however, she took a long pee - super long pee the minute she sniffed her familiar territory of her own back yard.  Overall though, they both did great.  For one year old puppies - they did excellent, we will look forward to many more trips with both of them.  

More to come soon.  Have some reservations out there for Douglas, WY, Angostura, SD and another at Sylvan Lake, SD.  We plan to do as much dry camping and last minute "load 'em camping" in between that.  

Happy Trails!