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.