June 13, 2025 (Fri.) - Foggy Start, DIY Projects & Schedule Shifts
The day began under a blanket of fog and mist, which set the tone for a slower pace. Lynn spent most of the day working on the blog, sorting through piles of photos—always more time-consuming than expected!
We had a visit from the RV tech to tackle a recurring water leak (same one from June 3rd). Thankfully, he had it patched up in under 30 minutes, and since it’s still under warranty, it didn’t cost a dime—always a win.
Kirk was on a mission to organize our motorcycle gear, so we made a Menards run for supplies. By the end of the day, he had installed a closet rod in the garage bathroom for jackets and pants, and even built a hinged table to store helmets and boots. Both are removable in case we need to use the bathroom—a clever little space-saving setup.
Otis had a first today…he got his first-ever introduction to a cat—a sweet and super friendly campground kitty that Lynn absolutely adored. Later, Otis had a close encounter with a rabbit, which quickly turned into a one-sided race. The rabbit easily outpaced him, much to our amusement. He tried, though—gotta give him points for effort! 😄
We also made a few itinerary tweaks, extending our stay at America’s Mailbox in Box Elder through Tuesday, 6/17/25, to allow time for Lynn’s upcoming dentist appointment and Kirk’s Whiskey night with the guys here at the RV park. That meant rescheduling our spot at Custer’s Gulch, where we’ll now be staying for about 2.5 weeks, covering the 4th of July weekend—plenty of time to explore and relax.
The rest of the day was spent on chores and keeping tabs on current events—we tuned in to Fox News for updates on the Israel/Iran situation, and also caught KTLA+ coverage of the LA and OC riots/protests.
A quiet but productive day in its own way.
Weather – High 81*, Low 59*. Mild winds 9-21 mph.
Traffic – None.
Notable – New storage solution! Otis chasing a rabbit, new kitty friend.
Food – Nothing to report. Ate in the RV all day!
Screen time – Fox News, KTLA+
videos : water leak, Otis on the hunt
June 14, 2025 (Sat.) - Laid-Back Day, Shopping & Puzzle Practice
It was one of those slower, stay-cool-in-the-RV kind of days as the weather started to warm up. We got Otis out to Braeburn Dog Park for some energy-burning fun and then wandered over to Canyon Lake for a peaceful stroll. The lake area was beautiful—lush foliage, flocks of geese and swallows, and just the right amount of calm. Otis was already tired from the park, but we finally decided to stop and check it out since we’ve driven by it so many times.
We also squeezed in some shopping stops at Bath & Body Works, Best Buy, Target, and Boyd’s Wine & Spirits. The truck got a wash at The Flying Pig, though it took two tries (again)—had to call the manager to get us back through after the wash stopped mid-cycle! Despite the hiccups here, they have great customer service.
Back at the RV, Lynn picked up her crochet project, trying to remember where she left off on a blanket, and also completed one of her new mini puzzles (~5×7 inches) in about 55 minutes. Even though she can’t be at the puzzle competitions back home, she’s still keeping her puzzling skills sharp on the road!
Meanwhile, Kirk had a relaxing day, tinkering around in the garage and trying to carve out more space for his ever-expanding collection of “stuff.”
All in all, not a big adventure kind of day—but sometimes, those are just what we need.
Weather – High 84*, Low 60*. Winds mild at 8-21 mph.
Traffic – None.
Notable – Nothing.
Food – Nothing to report. Ate in the RV all day!
Screen time – Fox News, KTLA+
June 15, 2025 (Sun.) - Severe t-storms!
With temps soaring into the 90s, we kept things low-key and stayed tucked away in the RV all day. The original forecast showed no storms, just mild winds between 11–25 mph, but by evening, South Dakota’s famously unpredictable weather had other plans. By evening, a Severe Thunderstorm Watch was in effect, and the sky lit up with a breathtaking orange sunset framed by looming dark clouds. Too stunning to pick just one photo—so we shared them all!
The day was spent doing laundry, watching TV, and working on crochet projects—simple, cozy, and productive.
By nightfall, the lightning show began. While rain was minimal, the lightning and thunder went on for hours, making for an impressive display. With winds expected to pick up around midnight, we brought in the main slides early. Sure enough, by 2 AM, the wind hit hard. We had to pull in the bedroom slides too, but not before the slide topper tore a bit—thankfully, nothing major.
Weather – Originally High 89°F, Low 61°F; calm earlier but escalated into a stormy night.
Traffic – None—we didn’t leave the RV.
Notable – The sunset and lightning show stole the spotlight.
Food – Nothing memorable—just kept it simple and home-based today.
