Glacier National Park

Take a good look at this picture. Can you imagine a more idyllic place than this? This is just one of a couple of hundred pix we took at Glacier Nat'l Park this week. It's an amazingly beautiful place, nestled in the northwest corner of Montana. If you haven't been you must put it on your Bucket List. You know, the list of things to do and places to see before you kick the bucket.(o:

There are many ways to experience Glacier. We chose to drive our car up the Going To the Sun Road. Don't go to Glacier and miss that! You can drive, take a shuttle (I think it's free) or take one of the vintage red touring cars (not free)--but go because this place is too spectacular to miss. Yes, it's crowded. And yes, it takes the better part of a whole day, but it is so worth it.

There are myriad hiking trails, both long and short but even if you don't hike there is lots to do. Just driving up the road and stopping at all the lay-by's to take pictures makes it a full day with lots of steps. And if you add a hike or two then you deserve to splurge a little at lunch. Or at least that's the excuse I use.

There are only a few glaciers left and those are getting smaller, but if and when the glaciers finally melt there will still be such beauty at Glacier that it will draw people, and enchant them, and have them telling others about it. Now go--so you can be enchanted, and so you can share it with someone else. It's truly a Bucket List special, just waiting to be explored.

Medora, ND

We just spent two days in the most pleasant little city--Medora, SD. We savored the whole town-sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. And it was all good. Yes, it's a little touristy--but it's tourism with value.

Our first experience there was the Medora Musical. A two solid hour show chock-full of good clean family fun. If you live anywhere near here, or headed close to here--or heck, this show is even a great reason to make a special effort to come to Medora. Don't miss it. A western band singing and playing, several richly choreographed dance segments, a special treat (ours was the Peking Acrobats), some clean and down-home humor and much, much more. I'd go again. And from what I heard of surrounding conversations people do come back year after year.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit is here. Lots to do and see. Hikes, orientation films, special presentations, and a loop drive through the Badlands/Black Hills with a glimpse of bison, deer and elk roaming the grasslands. And the best is to learn things that are sure to surprise and delight you about our 26th president, who was quite the bully gentleman, responsible for much of the conservation of America's natural wonders. Two other good things to see in Medora are the SD Cowboy Hall of Fame. Excellent! And the Chateau de Mores is a delightful slice of Medora history.

Now for places to eat. Two delightful ones come to mind right away. Both are favorites of the locals. The Cowboy Cafe--good sandwiches, soups, salads and really nice people waiting on you. The second is the Boots Bar and Grill. A hopping place. Steaks, salads, dinners (I had the walleye--yum!!) Both are reasonably priced, have good food and service and are very loud with locals drinking, laughing and enjoying their evening. If you want absolute quiet in a more upscale place the Roughrider Hotel has a good dining room. It's quite a bit pricier than the other two, but very good, as well.

Tiny, quaint Medora in West Central SD is worth a visit for a myriad of reasons. I hope I given you a few reasons to come and see for yourself. As soon as you get here you'll find your own reasons to come back.

Custer, SD

This has been a day that had all our senses feasting and savoring. We hiked both Wind and Jewel Caves. Amazing! These two NPS caves are very close together here in SD and yet vastly different. Wind Cave has the rare boxworks, room and rooms of them. Tiny and delicate structures, so very rare and interesting. And Jewel Cave has--well, jewels--all over. From tiny to huge calcite crystals line the walls and sparkle when light hits them. For those who love caves these are treasures to behold. Even if you don't loves caves these are user-friendly caves--good paved pathways and no tight spots, and lots to see. Just the kind of cave to get you hooked on caves, like we are.

Now for the sense of taste! We ate at a wonderful restaurant recommended to us by a local--Captain's Table. I had the bison ribeye and my husband had the grilled trout. They were both incredible meals. And, the service was the best. Not intrusive at all, but very attentive. Delicious food, good service--what more could you want in the wilds of SD?

Well, that bring me to our RV Park--Big Pine. It's the very best of RV parks. Tucked away in the big pines (shade), with exquisitely clean bathhouses, and friendly and helpful staff (who recommended the Captain's Table) this was an experience to be repeated if we get back to Custer, SD.

Come to Custer SD and enjoy the caves, Mt. Rushmore, the beautiful mountain scenery, the friendly people, the good food. Just come. You won't be sorry!

Retaurant Review--Appleby's

I usually don't eat in chain restaurants, but occasionally make an exception. My main exception here is Applebee's. They have a salad that fits into my high raw diet really well and is simply delicious. It's the Grilled Shrimp and Spinach Salad. I just ate it again yesterday and I'm always amazed at how delicious and satisfying it is.

And another thing about Applebee's is that the service is always good. We've eaten in Applebee's in maybe ten different cities and the food is consistent and the service is friendly and fast everywhere.

Another thing about Applebee's is that they try really hard to have food to fit everyone's diet. You can get lots of yummy non-diet food, but for those of us who are perpetual dieters they have WeightWatcher meals, low carb meals, and great salads--and they're really good about making substitutions when you have specific needs.

All in all I'm happy to make an exception to my no-chain rule with Applebee's. They're worth it!