John – World Memories

Dateline: July 27, 2020. Mirta, Patrick, and Betty We are deep into the grand scamdemic. People getting infected. Governors putting the infected ones into nursing homes with old, sick people and the media cries out as the old ones begin to drop like flies in a cloud of bug spray. We’re all going to die! So, we decided to do what only the irreverent, risk takers would do after four months of internment (oh, is that politically correct?): we planned a trip with friends. Cancel Culture is going in full swing and we thought that we better get to Mt Rushmore before it was painted over, blown-up, or redone with some politically correct, woke hero. We got together with our friends Patrick and Mirta and headed out on United Airlines to Rapid City, South Dakota via Denver. Fully decked out in our "2020 Travel Style": masks, goggles, and sanitary gel. We were told that the virus couldn’t figure out how to penetrate the masks, so we knew we were safe. THE NEW ADVENTURE IN FLYING Going through the TSA experience in “full battle regalia” is the new fashion statement. The TSA Super-Guards had everyone lift up their masks so they could compare the ID photo with who was hiding behind the Virus Barrier, that is, everyone except those of us lucky enough to get TSA Pre-Check. We were deemed to be friendly forces and could stay behind the mask with our shoes on and our computers packed. Like they say in the Army “RHIP” (Rank Hath Its Privileges). The plane was half empty and this was the first time we’ve taken “Basic Economy.” Let me tell you, you’re barely allowed to wear clothes, no carryon (except a “personal item”). Last on the plane in seats where the reclining button has been disabled because the seats are so tight. You should have seen some of the “personal items.” Backpacks large enough for an expedition to Everest. The Denver airport was virtually empty and only a few places to eat open. Did someone say, “Panda Express?” We ate probably the greasiest “Chinese” food we’ve ever experienced. I think it came directly from Wuhan. We arrived late in Rapid City, got our rental car, and had a short drive to the Hilton Garden Inn where we would stay. TUESDAY, JULY 28th We got up at 7:00 am to start our fun-filled adventure. Breakfast at the local Perkins Café and then down the road to Mt Rushmore. Mt Rushmore before "Cancel Culture" changes it. I don’t really know what I was expecting with South Dakota. Perhaps the whole state would look like the photos from the Badlands, but this has been a very pleasant surprise. The Mt Rushmore – Black Hills National Forest (Hills of Color if you are fully "Woke") area is absolutely beautiful country. Upon arriving at Mt Rushmore, I looked around to see if I could spot where Cary Grant had been in North By Northwest. No luck. The monument itself is a work that needs to be seen. Especially if our “Cancel Culture” succeeds in erasing everything about our past. I wanted to see the Monument before they erased it and replaced it with the faces from Obama, Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, and AOC. We spent a couple of hours looking at the museum and watching a video on the history of the construction. Time well spent. I recommend adding this to your “Bucket List.” Crazy Horse Memorial, South Dakota2020 The Crazy Horse Memorial is only about 11-miles down the road, so we decided to stop by. This is a tribute to the vision, dedication, and perserverance of not only Korczak Ziolkowski, but his entire family. If you haven't seen it, go. It is worth one time. Custer, South Dakota Trump Country We left and headed South by Southwest along a scenic route. We stopped in Custer and walked along the main street. Very touristic, clean, and full of friendly people—tourists and locals alike. South Dakota is definitely Trump Country—not a single Biden/Harris T-shirt anywhere. One thing that was quite apparent: mask-wearing tourists and locals were definitely in the minority—a small minority. (As a note, Wuhan flu cases in South Dakota are among the lowest in the country. I guess the virus knows it is more welcome in Democrat-led environments where Governors and Mayors are quick to act like little warlords.) On our drive back to Rapid City we were hit with one of the most intense rain storms I’ve experienced. Visibility dropped to barely 100 feet. The rain was so heavy that we nearly stopped along the road. It eased after about 20-minutes. Back to the hotel. Spent some time resting. Dinner at the Olive Garden. We used to like the Olive Garden. (Note the past tense.) The quality has really changed and while our server was very good and full of youthful energy, the quality of the food was not the same. It will be awhile before we go back. WEDNESDAY, JULY 29th Deadwood, SD Up and at ‘em. Today is going to be a full day. First stop Deadwood, the rough and tumble center of the Black Hills (that’s Hills of Color to my more sensitive readers) Gold Rush that started in 1876. Another of Deadwood’s claim to fame it is the site where Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall while he played poker in a local saloon. We visited the saloon where it is an operating saloon today. For $10 you can see the room where Hickok was shot. We saved our money. Wild Bill Bar, SD We're enjoying this too much! Our last stop was the Days of ’76 Wild West Museum. $7 to see many relics from the West, Rodeos, and a great collection of wagons, carriages, and fire equipment from the late1800s. Badlands National Park Badlands National Paark Time to get down the road to see the Badlands as our last stop before leaving South Dakota. From Deadwood to the Badlands scenic drive was over 100 miles. Time was running short but we did not want to miss it. We were leaving for Jackson in the morning. We had a short and fast trip to South Dakota. It is worth the visit. I’m now 49 out of 50 states visited with only North Dakota unseen. Another trip. THURSDAY, July 30th Travel day. We had to get up at 0-Dark Hundred (4:45 am) to get to the airport and catch the 7:30 am flight to Denver. Two-hour layover and we arrived in Jackson Hole at 12:30 pm. At getting the rental car we drove around town to kill time until the 4:00 pm check-in. The condo was okay—not great, but adequate. Literally, it was the only thing available. I later found that Jackson occupancy was 95% for the time we were there! Powell Brothers, from Kingwood, Texas We went to the Wort Hotel Bar and Restaurant for a Bison burger dinner. It was good and the bar had a good band. Dancing not allowed—Wuhan is known to attack dancers, but will not harm eaters. FRIDAY, July 31st Old Faithful, Yellowstone Day one to explore Yellowstone. The entrance to the park is 75 miles from Teton Village where we stayed (nothing closer available). We started up the western side of the Grand Loop. Caught Old Faithful. It was a little disappointing—only a half-baked eruption. But half a spurt is better than none. Yellowstone, Mineral Ponds We continued north and visited a few other hot springs, geysers, and steam vents. We got nearly to the Junction to the West Yellowstone Entrance. It was getting late and we turned around to start the 100+ mile drive back to the condo. We arrived in Jackson close to dinner time and found the town swarmed with mask-wearing Wuhan Fighters. The only place we could get into was the Wort again, so we ate there. With dinner over, we headed back to Teton Village and called it a day. SATURDAY, August 1st Back to Yellowstone to drive the East side of the Grand Loop. First along the loop was Yellowstone Lake. Huge and beautiful. A Kodak photo stop. The bison have the right of way. On the way to the Upper Falls, we kept hoping we see buffalo roaming, antelope playing, and tigers, and bears, oh my. We were not disappointed. As we approached a large meadow, the land was filled with bison—even one munching away at the side of the road. We parked, jumped out of the car and started snapping away. Everyone came away with good photos and great memories. Lower falls, Yellowstone Next up was the Upper Falls. Crowded and great views. This is the beginning of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Continuing north our next stop was the lower falls overlook and a vista of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Another great photo op. As we approached the turn to go north to Mammoth Hot Springs, we found the road closed. So, we opted to start back to Jackson—a 2-hour drive from where we were and with SLOW traffic. Finding a place to eat was nearly impossible. We wound up at Abuelita Mexican Food. Rather mediocre, but the price was right. Back to Teton Village and called it a night. SUNDAY, August 2nd Gun Barrell Restaurant, Jackson Hole, Wyoming We made this a kick-back day with no set agenda. We walked around the resort area. I discovered I could buy a 2-bedroom condo for a mere $1.1 million. California prices in Wyoming. I left my checkbook at home and could not make an offer. Basically, we took it easy until time for dinner. I had made reservations at the Gun Barrel Restaurant. Nice décor and the food was okay. Tomorrow is our last full day. MONDAY, August 3rd After breakfast we took our last 150-mile loop before leaving tomorrow. First up: Victor, Idaho. We could not go home without saying we went to Idaho. So, we drove into Victor via a scenic drive over the mountains. We saw two banks, three hamburger joints, and a couple of gas stations. Very small and clean. I’d go nuts if I had to live in a small town like this. Bison, Yellowstone After seeing Victor, we drove into Jackson Hole and then north in the direction of Yellowstone. I learned a good lesson on this drive: I only took one lens today because I was certain we would only see two or three scenic vistas. Bad planning. We ran into a herd of approximately 500 bison. Wow! And no long telephoto lens! We pulled over and got the best shots we could and then continued on up the road. Jackson Lake Next stop: Jackson Lake Beach and Visitor Center. Very pretty. Well worth the stop. It was crowded. The water temperature was just cold enough that I told the girls that Patrick and I could not go skinny-dipping with them. So, they chickened-out. Oxbow Bend, Grand Tetons Our final stop was Oxbow Bend and this stop never disappoints the visitor and the photographer. Jackson Hole, Wyoming Arriving in Jackson Hole, we opted for a final bison burger at the Wort Hotel’s Silver Dollar Bar and Grill. A great last supper. TUESDAY, August 4th Check-out and travel day. We had to be out of the condo by 10:00 am. Our flight was at 5:00 pm so we had a few hours to kill. We drove into town and checked out every store we missed earlier. I nearly bought a Banzai Buckaroo cowboy hat, but I resisted the temptation. We had our last Wyoming lunch at Merry Piglet's Mexican restaurant, turned the car in and took the shuttle to the airport. The one-hour flight to Denver was good until we got to the airport. A series of lightning strikes within a five-mile distance of the airport caused a 30-minute delay in exiting. We had a tight connection time, but fortunately, everyone was impacted by the lightning delays. The flight to John Wayne Airport was nearly full. The most laughable experience of the trip was the final announcement from the flight attendant, “In order to minimize Covid risks and to promote “social distancing,” please remain in your seats until your row is called to exit. And then, we ask you maintain 6-feet 'social distancing.'” As I’m ever the one to notice official idiocies, I got a good laugh from surrounding passengers when I loudly wondered, “They pack us in like sardines and now they want to worry about “social distancing.” A Great Trip All in all, it was a great trip and a needed break from our “California Warlords.” For more photos, go to my Photography Site at this link:ElGringoCachafaz.Smugmug.com