Before turning in for the night we checked the service times of several churches. Some had posted times on their websites, some had Facebook pages listing times, and others had no web presence. So, we selected the First Presbyterian Church as our preference because their service started at 10 AM according to their Facebook page. Wrong! When we got there we discovered 9:15 covered over the 10:00 on their painted sign in from of the church. So, we drove to the First Baptist Church. Same story. The service time was changed from 10:45 to 9:30. A check of the Methodist church revealed the same tale. Apparently all over Wyoming churches dispense with Sunday School (Bible study) and move the worship service into that time slot so they can get out early and enjoy more of the “day of rest”.
We told God that we made an honest effort using the tools at our disposal and asked that we be forgiven. Since it didn’t pour down rain on the way back to the campground, we took it that we had been excused. Besides, when we can’t make it to a service on Sunday we listen to a variety of church music whether by vocal soloists or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The opportunity to do just that came after we unhooked from water, electric, and sewer and prepared to leave.
At that point came our thrill for the day. When we returned to the campground we pulled the Honda behind the Airstream because there was no one in the slot behind us. Byron hooked the car to the tow bar and Martha did her cross check to be sure everything had been done: Car in neutral, parking brake off, key in first position, fan turned off, and radio turned off. Then Byron started to pull out when two men started waving their arms and shouting for us to stop. At that moment Byron looked in the mirror and saw that the car wasn’t tracking behind the motorhome. One of the men came up and said: “Your hitch came disconnected.” At that moment Byron realized that he hadn’t replaced the pin after the Blue Ox personnel serviced the tow bar. We’re glad the men were watching and that it was a minor incident. Things like this happen to all motorhome drivers. We each have our dumb stories to tell on ourselves.
Upon leaving the campground we noticed that several wreckers and tow trucks were working in a variety of locations pulling coaches out of the mud. One we saw was up to the frame in mud on the front while the rear seemed to be OK. This was yet one more small thing to be thankful for; being able to park in a better location for the night.
On our way east of Gillette we saw the Eagle Butte Mine and Steam Plant. It sits next to a large strip mine. On east of the plant there where three coal trains sitting on the siding loaded with coal. In a phone conversation with Byron’s oldest brother he learned that a train had derailed in DeSoto, Illinois on it’s way to Marion, Illinois loaded with coal from Wyoming. It seems that the Wyoming coal is low in sulfur content and is in demand all over the USA.
A train loaded with coal is ready to roll from the
Eagle Butte Mine near Gillette, Wyoming while
a train of empty cars awaits filling.
We’re always amazed at the great expanse of land
visible while driving across South Dakota from
Rapid City to Wall. Fields are ten times
the size they are in Kentucky.
We refueled at a Flying J in Rapid City in the western shadow of Ellsworth Air Force Base, where Byron’s oldest brother was deployed in 1964 through 1967. At that time the country was in the midst of the Cold War with the USSR. Danny was in the Minuteman program attached to the 66th Strategic Missile Squadron of the 44th Strategic Missile Wing.
About 45 miles east of the Base (and past the Badlands Scenic Route) is the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site which was established in 1999. There it is possible to see an intact launch control facility. From the facility more than a few dozen missiles could be launched from their silos the were sprinkled all around the southwestern portion of South Dakota. Driving through this area always brings back memories of Byron’s visiting here in 1964.
The Launch Control facility of the Minuteman Missile
National Historic Site near Wall, South Dakota
Driving on eastward the landscape changes gradually while approaching the Black Hills of South Dakota. Last year we were along the same route and it was very dry the first week of July. This year it is green and obvious that they’ve received more rain. The hills were even more beautiful. Not only did we see green grass but we also saw several places on the right-of-way where hay had been bailed already.
Can there be any doubt as to our next stop?
Further east of the missile location is the small town of Wall. Of course, we made a mandatory stop for some cherry pie with ice cream and a cup of 5-cent coffee at Wall Drugs. One thing we didn’t see there last year when we stopped were the life-sized carvings of some famous westerners. Byron spotted one and said: “That’s Poker Alice; get my picture.” You have to understand, Poker Alice’s maiden name was Ivers. She was born in England and moved to Virginia as a child. Later the family moved to Leadville, Colorado. She married and moved to Deadwood, South Dakota after gold was discovered there. She was well know for here abilities at poker and faro. Near the end of her life in 1930 she moved to Sturgis before it became popular with Harley riders.
Byron sits next to a wooden carving of Poker Alice, a famous Ivers
who was well known for the business she ran in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Byron is related to Poker Alice through his great, great, grandfather.
After leaving Wall we journeyed on to where we’d spend the night in Kennebec at the KOA. Kennebec is just 30 miles from Chamberlain where Interstate 90 crosses the wide Missouri River.
Tomorrow we head on eastward on our return to Louisville.
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