SOME INFORMATION ABOUT GETTYSBURG:
Bob's Dad was born here in 1915. Why they came here we don't know!
The population is 1352.
They have an amazing city park.
There are kids riding bikes everywhere.
The swimming pool is open every day until the clouds look like lightening, then they get out of the pool and go ride their bikes.
The equipment locker here at the ball field is not locked.
People leave their car keys in the car when they go to the store.
The help at the library did not know how to print a document. Oh my!
The garbage dumpsters were changed yesterday. A bobcat came down the road with an empty dumpster, set it in place and took the full one back down the road right through town.
Gettysburg, Where the Battle Wasn't, and life is simple, (except for the ticks)!
One of Bob's cousins asked us why we would go to Gettysburg. We told her we had to see it once. She agreed and said it is a good place to be from!
FRIDAY MAY 31 - HIGH WINDS TO THE SOUTH
Well, today we are hanging out in Gettysburg. Next stop is Nebraska, however they have 40-50 mph winds where we are headed. We had an executive meeting this morning after checking the weather and made the decision to stay put! We went to the car wash, grocery store and the library to print some information for medical insurance. Have played cards several times, read, napped, and took care of our little dog. We are afraid it is in her hips and not her back. She seems a little better tonight but still walking on 3 legs. Tomorrow we will head south and catch Hwy 83 which is the only US highway that runs from Canada to Mexico. We will stay on it all the way to Texas.
THURSDAY MAY 30 - GETTYSBURG HAS TICKS!
After breakfast we went to find one of the schools Bob's Dad attended. All roads off of the main road are mud and gravel. We went quite a ways and as we came over a hill a Dad and two sons were moving cows with calves to another pasture with 4 wheelers. We parked and waited for them to pass. The Dad gave us directions to the school.
We found the school he attended for two years when he was 10 and 11. Took pictures then headed home. Ruby hurt herself again. Back left leg this time so it must be her back. She crawled into my lap - first time on the trip so I knew she was hurt. Then I saw a tick crawling on her head. We pulled over fast and checked as much as we could along the road. Headed back to the trailer. We bagged our shoes and worked on the dog for awhile, then Bob headed to the shower and me as soon as he was done. We bagged our clothes and put them in the back of the truck.
After lunch we spent an hour at the museum and then went for fuel and to the laundromat. Fuel was $3.79. Ruby is drugged again so we are having a quiet evening. Will head south in the morning after a tornado check.
No need to worry about us moving to South Dakota, and the Brad Paisley song I Just Want to Check You for Ticks has a whole new meaning for us!
Check back later for pictures.
We found the school he attended for two years when he was 10 and 11. Took pictures then headed home. Ruby hurt herself again. Back left leg this time so it must be her back. She crawled into my lap - first time on the trip so I knew she was hurt. Then I saw a tick crawling on her head. We pulled over fast and checked as much as we could along the road. Headed back to the trailer. We bagged our shoes and worked on the dog for awhile, then Bob headed to the shower and me as soon as he was done. We bagged our clothes and put them in the back of the truck.
After lunch we spent an hour at the museum and then went for fuel and to the laundromat. Fuel was $3.79. Ruby is drugged again so we are having a quiet evening. Will head south in the morning after a tornado check.
No need to worry about us moving to South Dakota, and the Brad Paisley song I Just Want to Check You for Ticks has a whole new meaning for us!
Check back later for pictures.
WEDNESDAY MAY 29 - GETTYSBURG, SOUTH DAKOTA
We pulled out of the Badlands at 8:30, headed to Gettysburg, South Dakota. 64 and cloudy this morning after storming ALL night. Crossed into central time zone and lost another hour.
Arrived in Gettysburg about 1:00. The sign when you come in to town says "Welcome to Gettysburg where the battle wasn't ". Pretty funny!
We had lunch then headed to the courthouse. Gettysburg is the county seat. We asked for any will or probate records for Bob's Grandpa or Great Grandpa. No records. We asked the clerk if there was anything else under Deck. She checked and said "we'll, it looks like I do have a few things". Here is a list of what we got copies of:
Deed for G-Grandpa dated 12-31-24. They moved from a farm and bought a place in town where they lived until 1957 when they both died.
Grandpa died in 1931. 5 days later Grandma applied for a widow's pension. The court checked the house and the condition of the children and determined that she would receive $65 per month. Every six months this was reviewed by the court and she received the pension until 1935.
In 1935 it was determined by a doctor for Potter County that Grandma had tuberculosis. She was sent to the TB hospital in Custer County and the charges were paid for by Potter County. We went by the location of this hospital earlier this week. It is now a boys home for troubled youth.
In 1935 a daughter was ordered to the TB hospital by Potter County with charges to be paid by the county. We know that two of the girls would spend time at the TB hospital, and also just learned that Aunt Joyce was told that she had TB at one point.
After dinner we drove to the Gettysburg Cemetery. We visited his Grandpa who died in 1931, his G-Grandparents who both died in 1957 and several other aunts and uncles.
Check back later for pictures!
Arrived in Gettysburg about 1:00. The sign when you come in to town says "Welcome to Gettysburg where the battle wasn't ". Pretty funny!
We had lunch then headed to the courthouse. Gettysburg is the county seat. We asked for any will or probate records for Bob's Grandpa or Great Grandpa. No records. We asked the clerk if there was anything else under Deck. She checked and said "we'll, it looks like I do have a few things". Here is a list of what we got copies of:
Deed for G-Grandpa dated 12-31-24. They moved from a farm and bought a place in town where they lived until 1957 when they both died.
Grandpa died in 1931. 5 days later Grandma applied for a widow's pension. The court checked the house and the condition of the children and determined that she would receive $65 per month. Every six months this was reviewed by the court and she received the pension until 1935.
In 1935 it was determined by a doctor for Potter County that Grandma had tuberculosis. She was sent to the TB hospital in Custer County and the charges were paid for by Potter County. We went by the location of this hospital earlier this week. It is now a boys home for troubled youth.
In 1935 a daughter was ordered to the TB hospital by Potter County with charges to be paid by the county. We know that two of the girls would spend time at the TB hospital, and also just learned that Aunt Joyce was told that she had TB at one point.
After dinner we drove to the Gettysburg Cemetery. We visited his Grandpa who died in 1931, his G-Grandparents who both died in 1957 and several other aunts and uncles.
Check back later for pictures!
TUESDAY MAY 28 - BADLANDS
Beautiful and sunny out this morning after rain and hail last night! John and Marci came in and visited. Hard to say good-bye. Called Aunt Joyce and talked to her. She was very glad we came to visit her. We will be sending her pictures from the trip and keeping in touch. Got fuel in Rapid City. $3.89 per gallon. Headed to the Badlands National Park.
Stopped in Wall, S.D. Visited the Wall Drug store. It is quite a tourist attraction. We bought a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and a black hills gold ring. Then on in to camp inside the park. We drove the Badlands Scenic Loop. It is very pretty and so massive it is hard to take a picture of. Total of 203 miles today. We had bad thunder and lightening tonight and then heavy rain.
Can't post the pictures until we get the Internet. Check back later for pictures!
Stopped in Wall, S.D. Visited the Wall Drug store. It is quite a tourist attraction. We bought a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and a black hills gold ring. Then on in to camp inside the park. We drove the Badlands Scenic Loop. It is very pretty and so massive it is hard to take a picture of. Total of 203 miles today. We had bad thunder and lightening tonight and then heavy rain.
Can't post the pictures until we get the Internet. Check back later for pictures!
MONDAY MAY 27 - THE EVIDENCE!!
THIS IS THE TOP OF HER NEW BED THAT IS IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE PICK-UP. CHEWED TO SHREDS!
MONDAY MAY 27 - MEETING AUNT JOYCE
Today was a special day - First time for Bob to meet his Aunt Joyce and 1st cousin Marilyn.
MONDAY MAY 27 - SPEARFISH
Last night we had thunder and lightening about 2:00 a.m. Raining when we got up. Bob went down and had pancakes again. We took off to an ugly sky. Went to the Black Hills National Cemetery in Meade County near Sturgis. According to findagrave.com there are over 25,000 military graves here. It was very foggy and there were uniformed military personnel directing people who were visiting.
Next we headed over to Sturgis. Main Street was torn up and we were detoured a couple of blocks. Not much to see here.
Next stop was Deadwood. We drove through and out the other side. It is about 6 blocks long. Lots of tourist shops.
Drove to Spearfish and called Bob's Aunt Joyce. Met her and one of her daughters and son-in-law. We had the best visit! Stayed 2 hours, talked about the different siblings and Joyce answered some questions. It was very interesting. Her daughter is very interested in the information I have put together and I will be sharing it with her. This visit was very special. When we left, Bob hugged Joyce and said "I have an Aunt Joyce!" Joyce said "yes, you do!" Joyce is 84 years old.
I went out to the truck during the visit to check on Ruby. She was not in her carrier where I left her but instead was sitting on the console staring at me. She had chewed a hole through the top mesh and climbed out. She knew she was in trouble. I took her out for a few minutes, then put her back in and she assumed her perch on the console! DOGS!! Gotta love 'em!
Driving back to Rapid City from Spearfish we started getting hail. The further we went on the freeway people started pulling over. We realized it was not a funeral procession and all of the cars had South Dakota plates so they must know what they were doing! We pulled over too! There were miles of cars pulled over for about 5 minutes - on the freeway!
Did some laundry this afternoon. Had thunder and lighning all evening! John was not able to do his show. they will come in the morning and talk to us.
Next we headed over to Sturgis. Main Street was torn up and we were detoured a couple of blocks. Not much to see here.
Next stop was Deadwood. We drove through and out the other side. It is about 6 blocks long. Lots of tourist shops.
Drove to Spearfish and called Bob's Aunt Joyce. Met her and one of her daughters and son-in-law. We had the best visit! Stayed 2 hours, talked about the different siblings and Joyce answered some questions. It was very interesting. Her daughter is very interested in the information I have put together and I will be sharing it with her. This visit was very special. When we left, Bob hugged Joyce and said "I have an Aunt Joyce!" Joyce said "yes, you do!" Joyce is 84 years old.
I went out to the truck during the visit to check on Ruby. She was not in her carrier where I left her but instead was sitting on the console staring at me. She had chewed a hole through the top mesh and climbed out. She knew she was in trouble. I took her out for a few minutes, then put her back in and she assumed her perch on the console! DOGS!! Gotta love 'em!
Driving back to Rapid City from Spearfish we started getting hail. The further we went on the freeway people started pulling over. We realized it was not a funeral procession and all of the cars had South Dakota plates so they must know what they were doing! We pulled over too! There were miles of cars pulled over for about 5 minutes - on the freeway!
Did some laundry this afternoon. Had thunder and lighning all evening! John was not able to do his show. they will come in the morning and talk to us.
SUNDAY MAY 26 - DOWN DAY!
We had a warning last night for hail, thunder storm, and possible tornado. Luckily it went north of us! Went over and had breakfast with John. He shared some of his pancake secrets with some of the customers. There were 4 vans from Iowa State next to us last night. The kids got up and took their tents down in the rain and then went for pancakes.....all 28 of them. We waited until we saw them coming back before we went to breakfast! By afternoon we were sitting outside in the sun! Gave Bob a haircut and then took John and Marci to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's in Rapid City.
Bob called his aunt in Spearfish today. He has never met her. We will call her tomorrow when we get to Spearfish and go for a short visit.
Bob's Dad had 8 siblings. His Dad was the oldest and Aunt Joyce was second to the last, 13 years apart in age. Cousin John's Mother was a year and a half younger than Bob's Dad. She died 5 days after John was born. Their father died in 1931. Bob's Dad was 15 and the youngest sibling was born 11 days after their father died. In 1934 the mother was admitted to the TB hospital at Custer, South Dakota. Some of the children stayed with relatives, some were placed in foster care, two were legally adopted, and the youngest was raised by grandparents. Aunt Joyce is one of the siblings that was adopted. We have talked to her several times on the phone after we located her. Last time we talked we ask if she could tell us anything about Bob's Dad. She said "I never met my oldest brother."
Bob called his aunt in Spearfish today. He has never met her. We will call her tomorrow when we get to Spearfish and go for a short visit.
Bob's Dad had 8 siblings. His Dad was the oldest and Aunt Joyce was second to the last, 13 years apart in age. Cousin John's Mother was a year and a half younger than Bob's Dad. She died 5 days after John was born. Their father died in 1931. Bob's Dad was 15 and the youngest sibling was born 11 days after their father died. In 1934 the mother was admitted to the TB hospital at Custer, South Dakota. Some of the children stayed with relatives, some were placed in foster care, two were legally adopted, and the youngest was raised by grandparents. Aunt Joyce is one of the siblings that was adopted. We have talked to her several times on the phone after we located her. Last time we talked we ask if she could tell us anything about Bob's Dad. She said "I never met my oldest brother."
SATURDAY MAY 25 - SINGING COWBOY
Bob's cousin John Horton. Singing cowboy and cowboy poet. They met for the first time on 5-24-13.
SATURDAY MAY 25 - CRAZY HORSE
We did not stop at Crazy Horse. It was to hot to leave Ruby in the car and it was getting late in the day. We went to the CCC museum instead and took turns going in.
SATURDAY MAY 25 - WIND CAVES NATIONAL PARK
Bob's Dad helped build the buildings, the rock walls, and the tunnel that goes down to the caves while he was in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) in the mid 1930's. We did not go in the caves as it was a 2 1/2 hour wait. The street sign for Mayo Street is where the CCC camp was located on Highway 385. The bed, etc is from the CCC museum in Hill City.
SATURDAY MAY 25 - NEEDLES HIGHWAY AND CUSTER STATE PARK
RUBY WAS NOT HAPPY! WE WERE OUTSIDE TAKING PICTURES OF THE BUFFALO!!
SATURDAY MAY 25 - TOURISTS
This morning we went down and had breakfast cooked by John and Marci. John has worked for the KOA for 24 years. The campground is full during Sturgis and he cooks pancakes for all of the bikers. Next we left for Mt. Rushmore. Pretty Amazing.
Then we went to Custer State Park by way of the Needles Highway. It has a lot of rock tunnels which are one way and lots of switchback turns but was pretty amazing.
Custer State Park was gorgeous. Saw antelope, deer, and buffalo.
Next was the Wind Cave National Park. Bob's Dad worked here in the mid 30's as a member of the CCC (Civilian Convervation Corp).
Then we drove towards the town of Custer. 7 miles south of Custer was the Mayo CCC camp where Bob's Dad was housed. There is a street name Mayo at that location.
5 miles south of Custer was the location of the TB hospital that Bob's Grandmother was admitted to in the 1930's. It is now a home for troubled boys.
Up the highway a little further we had a sandwich and then went to Hill City which had a CCC museum. We took turns with the dog and each spent about a 1/2 hour inside.
Got home in time to fix dinner. Then went over to watch Bob's cousin. He performs 2 times a week at the KOA. Did a great job!
Adding pictures separately.
Then we went to Custer State Park by way of the Needles Highway. It has a lot of rock tunnels which are one way and lots of switchback turns but was pretty amazing.
Custer State Park was gorgeous. Saw antelope, deer, and buffalo.
Next was the Wind Cave National Park. Bob's Dad worked here in the mid 30's as a member of the CCC (Civilian Convervation Corp).
Then we drove towards the town of Custer. 7 miles south of Custer was the Mayo CCC camp where Bob's Dad was housed. There is a street name Mayo at that location.
5 miles south of Custer was the location of the TB hospital that Bob's Grandmother was admitted to in the 1930's. It is now a home for troubled boys.
Up the highway a little further we had a sandwich and then went to Hill City which had a CCC museum. We took turns with the dog and each spent about a 1/2 hour inside.
Got home in time to fix dinner. Then went over to watch Bob's cousin. He performs 2 times a week at the KOA. Did a great job!
Adding pictures separately.
FRIDAY MAY 24 - MOVED TO RAPID CITY SOUTH DAKOTA
Left Devil's Tower, Wyoming at 8:45 am. We didn't sleep much last night. The National Weather System predicted 40-45 mph winds with 60 mph gusts. I think we got more of the 60 mph than the 45. Rocked the trailer all night and was still blowing when we left this morning. We drove about 2 hours to Rapid City, South Dakota. Another KOA! This one has a singing cowboy/cowboy poet who is Bob's 1st cousin. We passed John on the way in and stopped for introductions. After we set up and unhooked John came down to visit for about an hour. Then we had lunch and left for a drive. We went to Hermosa, South Dakota, population 398. Bob's grandpa died in 1930 and is buried in Gettysburg, South Dakota. We will visit there sometime next week. His grandma remarried and is buried in Hermosa Cemetery with her husband. They had the nicest grave in the cemetery. Bob picked some lilacs and left for her. Then we drove into Hermosa where they lived. Very rural. Bob knew very little about his family on his Dad's side and he never met his grandmother. We went to Keystone which is where cousin John and his wife live. Population 327. Lots of tourist shops because it is close to Mt. Rushmore. Diesel today was $3.78. After dinner John came down for a visit and now it is 7:30. Making a plan for tomorrow.
THURSDAY MAY 23 - DEVIL'S TOWER
Today we had showers after breakfast and headed back up to Devil's Tower. Bob has a Golden Age Passport that gets us in to National Parks for free. Very handy! Ruby is still receiving pain meds which make her sleepy. She slept in her new bed in the truck and we hiked around Devil's Tower. I thought I read that it was .5 mules. Oops! Sorry Bob! It was 1.3 miles around the "rock" but it was a good walk. We could see people climbing about halfway up. Of course we think they are crazy!
President Theodore Roosevelt designated Devil's Tower as the nation's first national monument in 1906.
The tower stands 865 feet high and was featured in the 1978 movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".
Back down to camp and paid for another night. They charged us $33 again because we were here last night but the rate went up today to $54 plus taxes! I did a couple of loads of laundry while Bob and Ruby napped. The wind is blowing so hard this afternoon it is rocking the trailer. Bob is glad we are not on the highway! Tomorrow we will leave for Rapid City, South Dakota and meet new relatives. This will be a busy week. There is lots for us to see in this area.
President Theodore Roosevelt designated Devil's Tower as the nation's first national monument in 1906.
The tower stands 865 feet high and was featured in the 1978 movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind".
Back down to camp and paid for another night. They charged us $33 again because we were here last night but the rate went up today to $54 plus taxes! I did a couple of loads of laundry while Bob and Ruby napped. The wind is blowing so hard this afternoon it is rocking the trailer. Bob is glad we are not on the highway! Tomorrow we will leave for Rapid City, South Dakota and meet new relatives. This will be a busy week. There is lots for us to see in this area.
WEDNESDAY MAY 22 - DEVIL'S TOWER
Left Dayton, Wyoming at 9:30 a.m. 48 degrees and windy! This part of Wyoming around Dayton and Sheridan is beautiful. Rolling green hills. Lots of baby calves and probably saw 500+ antelope! 191 miles today. Set up camp at Devil's Tower, Wyoming KOA at 1:00. I know, I said I didn't like them but there is no choice. They charged us the winter rate of $33.00 for full hookup. We later learned their internet does not work, so still cannot post pictures. We went up to Devil's Tower Monument. Visited the visitor center, took pictures, and hung out. Watched the prairie dogs on the way down. Ruby got so excited her whole body was shaking! Played cards again. I have been beat up pretty bad the last two nights. Maybe tomorrow will be my night!
TUESDAY MAY 21 - DAYTON, WYOMING
Left Don and Shirley's in Harlowton, Wyoming at 9:00 this morning. Cold out but sunny. What a gorgeous drive today. Rolling hills and grassland. Lots of antelope and mule deer. Bought diesel in Big Timber. $3.84 per gallon.
At a rest stop between Billings and Sheridan we saw a posted sign that said "rattlesnakes in the area. Stay on the sidewalk". This was after we walked the dog in the pet area that was not on the sidewalk!
We went right on by the Custer monument. We visited that site about 15 years ago. If we come back this way and can figure out what to do with the dog we might visit it again. The return home route is still undetermined at this time.
Arrived in Dayton, Wyoming about 2:00. Drove 255 miles today - much better! Unhooked the trailer and went to the Dayton Cemetery. Took a picture of my g-g-grandpa's grave Thomas Franklin Mock. Did not find the grave for my g-g-g-grandpa's grave so we went to city hall. Found he is buried there in an unmarked grave. My grandma on my Mom's side was born in this area in 1910. Her family moved to Idaho by wagon when she was one. She passed in 2010 - at 100 years old.
The population of Dayton is 757. Elevation 3,926. If you head out of town west you would end up in Cody, Wyoming. Keep going and you will come into the east entrance of Yellowstone.
At a rest stop between Billings and Sheridan we saw a posted sign that said "rattlesnakes in the area. Stay on the sidewalk". This was after we walked the dog in the pet area that was not on the sidewalk!
We went right on by the Custer monument. We visited that site about 15 years ago. If we come back this way and can figure out what to do with the dog we might visit it again. The return home route is still undetermined at this time.
Arrived in Dayton, Wyoming about 2:00. Drove 255 miles today - much better! Unhooked the trailer and went to the Dayton Cemetery. Took a picture of my g-g-grandpa's grave Thomas Franklin Mock. Did not find the grave for my g-g-g-grandpa's grave so we went to city hall. Found he is buried there in an unmarked grave. My grandma on my Mom's side was born in this area in 1910. Her family moved to Idaho by wagon when she was one. She passed in 2010 - at 100 years old.
The population of Dayton is 757. Elevation 3,926. If you head out of town west you would end up in Cody, Wyoming. Keep going and you will come into the east entrance of Yellowstone.
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