Well our answer was pretty simple...we LOVED the Black Hills and everything it had to offer and what better place to go back to and camp now that we weren't tied down with having to work. We could go where we wanted on any day of the week and had no time restrictions.
We stayed at a campground in Custer, SD. ( No not the one we had taken the nightmare job at either, LOL) Just a small private campground right outside of town and at the edge of the entrance to Custer State Park. We loved every moment being there, we of course did Mt. Rushmore and the Needles again, also lots of drives through the Black Hills.
While we were there we thought we would look into the possibility of a job opening the next summer with the National Forest, to be a Camp Host. After going to fill out paperwork and getting the info needed for the job we received a phone call from Forest Recreation Management offering us a job as a Camp Host for 6 weeks due to the couple that was in place already needing to leave for a family emergency. We took the position knowing it would be a short commitment, but still allow us the experience of it for future knowledge.
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| THE NEEDLES |
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| HARNEY PEAK (WE HIKED THIS 3 X'S) 7,242 FT ELEVATION |
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| SYLVAN LAKE |
We stayed at a campground in Custer, SD. ( No not the one we had taken the nightmare job at either, LOL) Just a small private campground right outside of town and at the edge of the entrance to Custer State Park. We loved every moment being there, we of course did Mt. Rushmore and the Needles again, also lots of drives through the Black Hills.
While we were there we thought we would look into the possibility of a job opening the next summer with the National Forest, to be a Camp Host. After going to fill out paperwork and getting the info needed for the job we received a phone call from Forest Recreation Management offering us a job as a Camp Host for 6 weeks due to the couple that was in place already needing to leave for a family emergency. We took the position knowing it would be a short commitment, but still allow us the experience of it for future knowledge.
We were responsible for our own little loop in the campground, there were 4 loops all together. We would work the fee booths or the campers registration booth for a few hours in the daytime, and sell firewood, campground rounds, and after hours registration in the evening, so all in all it was pretty relaxing. Our site was gorgeous...in the middle of the woods at Sheridan Lake National Forest. Access to a campfire almost anytime, and more squirrels running around than one could imagine.
We were responsible for our own little loop in the campground, there were 4 loops all together. We would work the fee booths or the campers registration booth for a few hours in the daytime, and sell firewood, campground rounds, and after hours registration in the evening, so all in all it was pretty relaxing. Our site was gorgeous...in the middle of the woods at Sheridan Lake National Forest. Access to a campfire almost anytime, and more squirrels running around than one could imagine.
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| VIEW FROM OUR CAMPSITE |
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| SHERIDAN LAKE |
Our commitment here ended the middle of August, and we did not have to be to Kentucky till the first few days of Sept. so we took this time to go through Sioux Falls, SD, and then to Minnesota for a few days to see friends and to stay with Mom and Dad.
We were in Sioux Falls, SD for 2 days to see Jim's 2 older kids. We stayed at the Yogi Bear campground there and would not stay there again. The pool and the hot tub had a slime green tint to them and the campground seemed to be ran on a shoe string budget, anyway, we enjoyed being able to visit with the kids, and our campsite itself was very nice.
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| YOGI BEAR CAMPGOUND SIOUX FALLS,S.D. |
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| MAP OF THE CAMPGROUND |
When we arrived in Minnesota, we parked the camper at a house that belonged to a friend of Dad's and we stayed at Mom and Dad's house with them for a week or so. We had a great visit with them. We were there for Dad's birthday and was able to cook him a nice birthday meal at their house, the rest of the time we enjoyed the meals Mom and Dad made for everyone. They both are great cooks ( Mom makes awesome desserts).
We were able to take a day and go see some dear friends of ours. (Joni & Dale) Also took the kids to the Mall of America for the day, we bought wristbands for the amusement park on the lower level...Nickelodeon Universe and spent the whole day riding rides and roller coasters.
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| MALL OF AMERICA |
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| ROLLERCOASTER AT THE MALL OF AMERICA |
After a very nice time in Minnesota with family and friends it was time to say goodbye and start on our way to Kentucky. We were very excited to get there as we had never been there. (although I was born there, but left right away) So we were off to unchartered territory for us.
~Gourmet Gypsy A.K.A. Tanya
~Gourmet Gypsy A.K.A. Tanya
