June 19, 2025 (Thu.) – Painted Buffalo

Lynn finally got to savor her morning coffee outdoors—with temps at a pleasant 64°F, blue skies, and peaceful quiet all around.

We grabbed breakfast in town at Baker’s Bakery & Cafe, which turned out to be just okay. Afterward, we wandered through town again, snapping a few more shots of the colorful painted buffalo that add charm to every corner.

Kirk made the rounds at a few local auto shops to ask about installing his new fog lights, but no luck—either they didn’t have the experience or didn’t want the liability. So, for now, the lights will have to wait. Kirk will have to install them himself.

We took a spontaneous drive out to Jewel Cave National Monument, hoping to hop on a tour. While there were walk-up spots available, the next tour wasn’t for another 3½ hours—so we passed for today and made a mental note to book ahead next time. We still enjoyed exploring the visitor center and walking the nearby trails before heading back into town. We forgot that it’s now the tourist season so everywhere is crowded.

Quick stop at Lynn’s Dakotamart to restock groceries, then back to the campground for a slow, easy afternoon. The site continues to be a favorite—relaxing views, great weather, and a whole lot of peace and quiet.

Lynn’s been falling behind on blogging because it’s just been too tempting to sit outside and soak it all in. We’ve also met some really great people, including a fellow full-timing couple from California, which has made the downtime even more enjoyable.

Weather – High 85*, Low 55*. No wind.

Traffic – None.

Notable – Beautiful day. Painted buffalo.

Food – Baker’s Bakery & Cafe – so-so.