Back in Sacramento

Our daughter is trying to purchase a condo and we got word last week that it looked like the closing would happen the middle of this week.  Our boss, Paul, knew what was going on with Melissa and was fine with us leaving three weeks early as the campground got through the Sturgis Bike Rally and the campground season would begin to slow down.  We hated not completing our commitment to Paul but felt we needed to be there for Melissa for such a big moment in her life.

We packed up and headed out on Sunday morning and arrived in Sacramento around noon today.  We had four hard days of travel.  That is to say for the way we normally travel.  We wanted to be here when the condo closed as there is painting to do, baseboard to replace, and heaven knows what else is on the agenda.  However, Melissa was blindsided today by a glitch that everyone is feverishly working to get resolved quickly.  Poor thing is so frustrated as this has absolutely nothing to do with anything she can control.  She told us this evening that she knows that we can't do anything to help with the matter but that it was comforting just knowing we were here.  Hopefully, this glitch can get resolved quickly as Melissa has to vacate her apartment by 8/31 so that is also an additional bit of pressure and concern to her.   She is learning about the unexpected items in life that blindside you when you least expect them as adults.  Sometimes "being an adult just sucks" as Melissa said.

We plan on being here at least a month so for the next few days it looks like we will be able to recover from the hard travel, get haircuts, and maybe get a bike ride or two in before we have to move Melissa.

Sturgis Bike Rally in full swing

The "official" Sturgis Bike Rally is 8/7 through 8/14 but the motorcycles really hit the Black Hills the beginning of August.  We have far more motorcycles in the campground this year than last.  Tent sites are pretty vacant but the RV's towing utility trailers have descended big time.  It is estimated that attendance for the Rally is up considerably for the 70th anniversary.  To our eyes, we would have to agree.  The weather seems to be cooperating as thunderstorms aren't being called for until Thursday or Friday and the temperatures are warm but pleasant.

We were woke up at 5:45 a.m. yesterday morning by a Harley that started up and sounded like it was right under our bedroom slide.   From the sounds, it seemed like it was ridden down a short ways (to buy a newspaper?) and then returned.  Did not make us very happy.  Thankfully, no repeat this morning.

We had to make a trip to Rapid City yesterday to have new tires put on the truck (OUCH) and must have seen a hundred plus motorcycles for every car on the road.  The road coming down from Mount Rushmore was backed up as far as my eyes could see with mostly motorcycles. It was quite the sight.

What was suppose to take only two hours to have our tires installed ended up taking four hours due to a boneheaded tire installer.  Even-keeled John even lost his cool and was not happy.  As we always try to make the most of any trip to Rapid City, we had errands to run after the tire install which put us back home a little before 9 p.m. - it was a long day.  Then as we were trying to settle down to go to sleep around 10:30 p.m., we had a few Harley's driving past us (very noisy) and campers talking and laughing loudly right outside our bedroom slide (how rude).  So much for "quiet hours".  Other than a few instances of bad manners as described, I must say that the motorcyclist enthusiasts have been good guests.

The rest of the week is going to be spent laying low and working on the rig.  Lots of hard work but we always feel better when the fifth wheel is clean and looking good.

Life is good here in the Black Hills.

Bald Eagle sighting, fishing, and rain

We went fishing this morning as one heck of a rainstorm was suppose to be coming in this afternoon.  The fishing at Bismark Lake wasn't anything to brag about - I caught 3 Perch and John 0.  The surprise thrill we got was a close-up view of a soaring Bald Eagle.  It soared over our heads and fished the lake for a while and then headed off towards Stockade Lake.  This was a first as we haven't seen any Bald Eagles in the area.  Once again, where's the camera when you need it?  Once the Bald Eagle left, the lake was then worked by a pair of Osprey's.  If we would have had the camera, we could have gotten some really nice pictures.  Darn it.

Sure enough, the rain came down in buckets for a couple of hours.  Just took the opportunity to do some reading.  Once the rain stopped, it turned into a beautiful evening and one would have never known that it had rained.  Typical Black Hills weather.

Later in the evening, Frank and Sherry (co-workers) came over to share some pictures with us and us with them.  I think we have given them a good reason to visit Arizona during the winters months.

Another lovely day in Custer.

Special day

Today was my birthday.  Many thanks everyone for the calls, cards, and emails.  I truly appreciate all of the lovely thoughts and best wishes.

When I went to work at 4 p.m., I was in for a surprise.  There were three of my fellow Workampers in the office.  I jokingly asked if they were having a party to which they replied yes.  Ha, ha I thought.  Sure enough, more Workampers came into the office (John included) as well as Paul and Sandy (campground owners)cake and ice cream was brought out, as well as birthday cards.  The gang even joined in to sing Happy Birthday to me.  I was shocked and so very touched by the thoughtfulness.  Paul and Sandy gave me two tickets to the Flying T Chuckwagon Supper & Show which should be fun.  All of this came about because John asked one of my co-workers, Helen, about a place he could get a gift certificate for a massage for my birthday.  Soon the plotting and planning was in the works . . . even John was kept out of the loop.  Needless to say, I'm feeling pretty blessed and thankful for having such wonderful people in my life.  Thanks again everyone!