Show Low, AZ via New Mexico!

We had such plans to explore New Mexico's State Parks and lakes...

Our travels to northern New Mexico take us through the White Mountains of Arizona. This scenic drive never disappoints and we are looking forward to our first over night in Show Low, Arizona. 

Off to a great start at Fool's Hollow Lake, Show Low,AZ

Navajo Lake State Park is our first stay of New Mexico's state parks. The roads were rough and our campsite tight, but we are rewarded to find beautiful Navajo Lake. The second largest lake in New Mexico and fed by the San Juan River, Navajo Lake is known for it's world class fishing. Apparently we were not quite ready for that - no fish to be caught this time!

Crystal clear waters

Gorgeous sunset!

...and then, things changed.  Jim has discovered a plumbing leak in the fifth wheel's storage compartment. Unable to repair the leak ourselves or find anyone willing to do the work with Labor Day approaching, we are forced to switch gears and head back home. Returning to Show Low we are happy to find someone that is able to repair our leak. The weather was perfect and our refrigerator full, so we decide to stay - reserving a week at Juniper Ridge, an rv resort near Show Low. It was quite nostalgic spending time in this area that had been frequented so often when the boys were young, and we visit several of the many lakes to be found in the White Mountains.

White Mountain Lake, one of the many amenities
available to us at Juniper Ridge.

Our visit to Big Lake was surreal! Practically had the
place to ourselves.

At weeks end, we return home, happy to have renewed our memories of the White Mountains and promise to visit more often.

Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods

This is the last of posts to "Destination Family" and we are traveling home through Colorado Springs, the home of Pike's Peak.

Jim climbed Pikes Peak three times when he lived in Colorado Springs
 - ascending from 6000 feet to 14,000 feet. Pretty awesome!

Just minutes from our camp site, we visited The Garden of the Gods, our last stop of this trip. 

This once privately owned land was dedicated to the city of Colorado Springs to ensure it's preservation.

Balancing Rock with view of Ship Rock
to the left.

Custer State Park and Mt Rushmore

Just when you think you have seen some amazing sites, it gets even better when we arrive at Crazy Horse Mountain. The story behind this mountain sculture is as amazing as this carving. Work began on this project in 1948, after self-taught sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, was invited by Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear to come to the Black Hills and carve a mountain "so the white men would know that the red man has great heroes, also". Realizing this project would span generations, Korczak and his wife, Ruth, set in place various forms of guidance for the future such as the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, three books of comprehensive plans and scale models of the sculpture. Since Korczak's and Ruth's passing, six of their ten children and some grandchildren carry on the family legacy of Korczak and Ruth at Crazy Horse.



Traditional dance performed by the Lakota Indians.

 

The next day we are no less impressed to visit the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Although considerably smaller than Crazy Horse, (four Mount Rushmores would fit into the head of Crazy Horse), sculptor, Gutzon Borglum's vision of four United States presidents is breathtaking. 

Antelope

Just a sampling of the wildlife and sites to be seen along Custer State Park's scenic drives.

Mama and baby bison.

Not native to the Black Hills, these burros are descendants of a herd that once hauled  visitors 7,242 feet to the top of Harney Peak, the highest peak in South Dakota.



Sylvan Lake



Needle's Eye

Custer State Park is home to as
many as 1,450
head of North American Bison.

Not nearly as impressive as the real thing, the City of Custer proudly displays statues of buffalo throughout town. 

 

There is so much more to see and enjoy in South Dakota, and we hope to return again someday and do just that.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Family visits have come to an end and we are excited to take in some of South Dakota's spectacular sites.  Although both of us had seen the Badlands before, it was well worth revisiting this amazing place.

It is impossible to compare the Badlands to anything and difficult to imagine anyone inhabiting this surreal place, yet the Badlands have supported humans for more than 11,000 years.

 

The Badlands were first called "mako sica" or "land bad" by the bison-hunting Lakota Indians who inhabited this area for 100 years.

Meadow Lark

Langford and Pierre, South Dakota

Family visits are about to come to an end as we cross the South Dakota state line, arriving in the small town of Langford. We are happy to be able to reconnect with Doug and Janet Hupke, who graciously planned a dinner for us with cousins. The food was wonderful, the conversation was the best. A really great visit!

Keith, Julie, Doug, Joyce, Janet
Janet, and Ken

The next morning we pay a visit to the cemetary where so many family members lay at rest.

 

 

 

Last, but not least, we met with cousin,

Lori Neihoff for dinner in the city of Pierre, South Dakota's capitol. Lori was full of great ideas of things to see in this beautiful state. Before leaving Pierre the next morning, we tour the Capitol Building.