The Flapping Flamingo’s Long Haul
June 19, 2018 through July 12, 2018
Starting tow vehicle mileage 19,853
Ending mileage 25,056
Total miles 5,203
24 Days with 23 nights in the camper.
Gay and Jim left with their 2018 Ultra 550 # 937 on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 for parts west. The tow vehicle is their 2017 Toyota Tundra pickup truck.
The first day (June19) they got from home to Terre Haute, IN for the night.
Day 2 (June 20) was travel to the east side of Kansas City, MO.
The third day (June 21) Gay took a rental car to Lincoln/Omaha area. Jim continued west with the Flapping Flamingo (FF for short) to Hutchinson, Kansas for the 2018 National Dutch Oven Gathering (NDOG). He stayed there until June 24 (days 3, 4, 5 & 6). While at the NDOG Jim took classes in Fancy Breads and Pie making. He also won the golden spoon for his Peachy French Toast at the Saturday morning Breakfast Pot Luck. There were around 6 teardrop campers at the NDOG. All but the FF were homemade.
On day 6 (June 24) Jim drove the FF to two Rivers State park near Omaha. Gay met him there and they stayed in the Omaha area until June 27 (days 6 through 9).
On day 9 (June 27) they drove to Chimney Rock in northwestern Nebraska. They stayed there and did some sightseeing that included Scotts Bluff, until June 29 (days 9 through 11).
Day 11(June29) was spent driving to Devil’s Tower, WY. They stopped in far northwestern Nebraska at the Agate Fossil Bed. The stay in Devil’s Tower area was until July 2 (Days 11, 12, & 14). Several Pronghorn Antelope were seen during the day’s drive. They also went to the Vore Buffalo Jump state archeological sight.
On Day 14 (July 2) they drove to Bozeman, MT where they stayed until July 8 (Days 14 through 20). While in Bozeman they attended a family reunion with Gay’s family, went to Hyalite Canyon and Palisade Falls, and Virginia City.
Day 20 (July 8) they drove to Mount Rushmore where they stayed until July 10 (Days 20 through 22). While in the Mt. Rushmore area they enjoyed the evening lighting of them memorial. They also drove through Custer State Park and saw two herds of bison as well as some mountain goats on the road back to their campground.
Day 22 (July 10) was the serious start to the trip home. They drove to Onowa, IA about an hour north of Omaha, NE on the Iowa side of the Missouri River.
Day 23 (July 11) they traveled to Champagne, Illinois.
Day 24 (July 12) Jim & Gay returned home to Belle Vernon, PA.
2018 NDOG Setup
View attachment 4356
NDOG Fancy Bread
Pie Class
Peachy French toast. The peaches on on the bottom.
2018 NDOG golden Spoon Breakfast Pot Luck
Two Rivers State Rec. Area, Nebraska
Chimney Rock, Nebraska
Scott's Bluff, Nebraska
Devil's Tower, Wyoming
The Little Big Horn Battlefield
Sculpture at the Little Big Horn.
Palisades Falls, Gallatin National Forest, Montana
From Hyalit Canyon, Montana
In a Virginia City, Montana Museum. A Dutch oven. What else would I take a picture of?
Wildlife at Devil's Tower (Jackalopes)
Mt. Rushmore
Last night on the trip in the Camp Inn.
Only campfire of the trip, the last night. We were either too wet, too tired, or not allowed ;-)
