The only state we didn’t see was Hawaii

Our Labor Day tradition is to leave Albert Lea, Minnesota by 9 a.m. Labor Day, staying overnight in Wall, South Dakota at the Super Eight Motel. We have the evening meal of shrimp and fries or onion rings after visiting T-Rex, the huge dinosaur in the backyard of Wall Drug Cafe.

 

T-Rex was resting as he had eaten too many red heads. (You could tell by all the red hair stuck between his teeth that he had a full tummy.) So we continued on to our evening meal and then night, night time at the Super Eight Motel in Wall.

 

Back on I-90 and off at Sheridan, Wyoming and up the mountain on highway 14 to Arrowhead Lodge, elevation 8,300' and 829 miles from Albert Lea (our destination, staying for one week).

The mule Deer hunters were at their favorite camp spot on the road behind Arrowhead Lodge. At that time there were seven guys from six different states: John from Montana; Steve and Mike from Arkansas; Dan from Wisconsin; Dennis from Michigan; Pat from Washington and Jim from Tennessee. In talking to them, they referred to themselves as “Stately,“ because they are from different states!! I will admit they are great guys.

 

There are three lodges in the mountains above Sheridan, Wyoming off of highway 14 at the elevation of about 8,400 feet: 1. Arrowhead 2. Bear 3. Elk View. Each has a plus feature over the other two. Elk view has a more eloquent gift shop, dining room and bra. Bear lodge has the cowboy, working class customers. Arrowhead has the most ambiance. (We stay at Arrowhead for that reason).

 

Most of our meals were eaten at Bear lodge, served by great, friendly employees: Ian, Sabrina, Sydney, Winston, Augustine or Colter. Over the years (1973 was our 1st year), we have gotten to know other Bear Lodge friendly employees, for example: Yuki in housekeeping, tall person Jon in charge of four-wheelers and snowmobiles.

 

Some of the more interesting things on the top of the Big Horn Mountains;

 

A. Medicine wheel, a native American sacred worship ground in the form of a wheel.

 

B. A huge golf ball on top of the hill by a medicine wheel that Paul Bunyan couldn't find after

playing golf.

 

C. WaterFalls at Bucking Mule with gold at the bottom of the falls.

 

D. Shell falls with wild sheep at the top, plus a gift store.

 

E. A visitor's center with movies of the area, plus a gift center run by Sheridan Chamber of

Commerce.

 

F. Unbelievable trout fishing, mule deer and moose hunting or just watching.

 

G. Blue birds, hawks, ravens, plus ducks, geese, sandhill cranes and other wildlife.

 

H. A small male mule deer that hides under cabin 16 at Arrowhead.

 

I.  Straight lightning. We heard straight lightning of three bolts that knocked out all cell phone

service coming down the west side of The Big Horn Mountains.

 

J. “The phone Booth” a place along the highway at the top of The BigHorn Mountains where your cell phone will work. (Otherwise your cell phone will “NOT” send or receive.)

 

K. “Black Mountain,” a hike of about three miles to an observation fire lookout. The top has an outhouse with “maybe” toilet paper. I do a “random act of kindness” by bringing and leaving a roll each time. I’ve climbed to the top in my 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s. At the top you can see the gold roof at the college 40 miles away!!

 

We left Arrowhead lodge Tuesday morning September 9, staying at the Super Eight Motel in Wall, South Dakota. Once again great employees. Khalema checked us in and Juanita treated us to her Dairy Queen Birthday cake.

 

Wednesday we got home to Albert Lea about 6 p.m. Good trip, Good time!!

 

P.s. We played license plate leaving Albert Lea and coming back. Only state we didn’t see was Hawaii.

 

P.p.s. We drove by the corn palace in Mitchell, South Dakota to see the new theme, “Famous South Dakotans” in corn and corn stalks.

— — —

Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in New York. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.