2017 09 28 Our first night and next day camping

Our first stay over night. We hadn't emptied enough boxes yesterday and needed to get some groceries. With a stocked fridge and pantry, it's time to really try this baby out. It didn't take long to find a couple issues. The ice maker is not filling but foresight told me to bring our extra ice cube trays. And the front door screen has some gaps and won't latch closed. It's not a problem when the front door is closed but during the day we like to have the air conditioner off so this is a very important component of our RV.

First dinner - burritos. Classy dinner room lighting too.

Dining Room

After dinner, Bob took the dogs out for a walk around. We are staying at the Jellystone Park of Sioux Falls. Of course there are several large fiberglass figures of Yogi Bear. Tori was curious but Dakota did a double take and backed away. Bob couldn't get her to walk past it and had to take a different route back to...

Our camping (or glamping) site. Still trying out the systems in the RV. I did a load of laundry in the combo wash-dry unit we have been using for a couple years. Also vacuumed using the "whole house" system. Nice extra features. Also played with the audio system. We can play the radio in the bedroom, the living-kitchen area and/or the outside. Bob organized the basement. When we took the dogs for a walk guess who we found?

It's Yogi who is "Smarter than the average bear".
Notice that Dakota is distracted, so Bob decided to
get her attention and take another picture.

That idea backfired, as now Tori is also distracted.
There were some kids playing off to their left.
He still has Carol's attention.  Bonus ! 

2017 09 27 We picked up our 5th wheel today

Look at the surge protector for our 5th wheel.. That baby should do the job. 

Should keep our house safe from energy surges.

We picked up our 5th wheel today and named it Rover. Since most people name their rigs with female names, wonder what that would be for Rover.

Look how tall that trailer is.

A slightly less disturbing view. And we are off. The original plan was to go to the nearby "Fairgrounds" to use their extra large parking area for some much needed backing practice.

The local auto dealer is having a big year-end sale and moved all their 2017 models to the "Fairgrounds", but we were lucky to have another option at the Arena. Don't really know what they do at the arena but there were plenty of cars in the lot.  We both took turns trying to back this behemoth into a parking spot. I did say "trying". We have much to do. 

We spent several hours emptying boxes. Again! The bedroom is done.

Sleeper sofa, TV and fireplace. 

Theater seating. This is the new interior for the Montana called "Gatehouse". I would call it light brown or camel. 

Theater seats with overhead cabinets.

Stove, cooktop, convection microwave and wine rack (which I kinda wished there was something in it by the end of the day).

French door refrigerator. We are finding that even after our downsizing from our house to the apartment we still own way too much stuff. Clothes seem to just multiply in the boxes. And kitchen items - do not get me started. 

2017 09 08 Our Montana 5th Wheel has arrived.

Our Montana 5th wheel has arrived. But first. We were downtown for serious business and had spent several hours getting new drivers' licenses and registering our new truck. It is our opinion that every state in the country should send some official to South Dakota to learn the trick to processing a driver's license application in under 20 minutes. Yes, we are serious. One form, a photo ID, 2 items with your local address, pay your money and done. We stopped at a local diner for lunch where Bob had visited on his first trip out here. 

Sioux Falls has a lot of statues exhibited outside around town. This is a cute one of three (actually 4, there's a pup) otters. If you know me, one of my favorite animals is otters. Adorable, clever, funny little creatures.

Proud owners, now who is going to move all our stuff into it?

As my brother said, "It's a blooming house on wheels." Yep, just the way we wanted it. And it is so pretty inside. Bob will be in charge of driving this beast around for several months before I make any attempts. It will also take that long to figure out how all the systems work so we are already planning several short trips to nearby campgrounds to get all the bugs worked out. 

The flowers caught my attention when we drove by but look closely at the "fence". It is made up of old bicycles. Very creative. Quirky little town, Sioux Falls.

2017 09 02 Dakota, Bagels and Bike ride to U.S.S South Dakota

On Friday we took the dogs for a walk and got caught in a shower on the way home.  Dakota's hair was a bit of a mess.  

But she is still adorable.

It's hard to find a good bagel so our solution...Bob's bagels.

Our first bike ride. Sioux Falls is very cycling friendly. We have an access ramp to a paved path right behind our apartment building.

After a few miles, we stopped at the USS South Dakota memorial.

Carol is standing beneath one of two 4-blade propellers.

A 16-inch gun barrel.

Breech of the 16-inch barrel.

With a full charge, the projectile would travel 20 miles in less than 90 seconds. 

16-inch mortar

Anchor's Away

The anchor weighs over 26,000 pounds. Careful, Bob.

Walls denote the contours of the ship.

The South Dakota was the most decorated ship during WWII with 31 battle awards. She was only in commission for about 5 years, 1942-1947.