quote:

Originally posted by wine+art:
As of tomorrow, Vancouver.

I do not want to see anything above 75 degrees Seaquem.

No problem. I assume you would prefer that it be sunny also? I took the liberty of delivering both.

This is pretty easy stuff. It's hellfire, brimstone, and falling toads that are much more difficult to provide on demand.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
Prague today, Budapest tomorrow

You guys are the jet-set couple!

Good to see you taking advantage of your time there.

We are trying to live the life while we can. Just got back, both beautiful city's and worth a visit. If I had to pick, I would go with Budapest.

Guess where...

Paradise?

The Badlands of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, and Little Bighorn, so far. It's a dining wasteland out here, but the wine is good. (I brought it with me.)

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
The Badlands of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, and Little Bighorn, so far. It's a dining wasteland out here, but the wine is good. (I brought it with me.)

Never mind the food and wine-- how's the scenery and accommodations? I'd like to see the Badlands in the next couple of years. Can we count on a trip report upon your return, sir?

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
The Badlands of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave National Park, and Little Bighorn, so far. It's a dining wasteland out here, but the wine is good. (I brought it with me.)

My first thought was the movie, North by Northwest.

Enjoy the trip and please tell J hello from Texas.

quote:

Originally posted by Dom'n'Vin'sDad:
Paradise?

clever!

And greetings from here again today, and tomorrow...

I want to reply "your moms house" but I cannot bring myself to do it.

Cooke City, Montana tonight.

The Badlands is a magnificent national park with wonderful scenery. We stayed in the town of Interior,SD with a population of 61. The only place to eat with a reasonable expectation of avoiding ptomaine is the Cedar Pass Lodge. Indian tacos were surprisingly good. We looked at Wall Drug and wouldn't consider eating there.

Next night was in Custer, SD. We enjoyed Mount Rushmore very much, then drove to Wind Cave National Park for a cave tour and picnic lunch. At dinner in Custer, my wife had the steak and I had the buffalo tenderloin. Both were tough, overcooked and flavorless. Anybody who finds themself in the area would do well to avoid the Sage Creek Grille, although they didn't charge us anything for corkage. The Stefania Syrah was the star of the meal.

Last night we stayed in Hardin, MT. It's a fast food and gas station oasis 15 miles from the Little Bighorn, which is worth a quick visit. Earlier in the day, we loved our visit to Devil's Tower National Monument. We figured we'd forget about any type of fine dining and eat in The Purple Cow. What garbage! I would have enjoyed potato chips and soda more than The Purple Cow. I've never seen such a putrid salad bar. My chopped steak was burnt to a crisp and the frozen French fries were mediocre at best. My wife's trout was at least edible.

Today we spent time in Red Lodge, Montana and I bought myself a real nice cowboy hat, and my wife found a biker belt she liked. We then drove the Beartooth Scenic Byway from Red Lodge to Cooke City, a spectacular road that Charles Kuralt called the most beautiful road in America, a claim I can't dispute. The road traverses the mountains in a series of switchbacks that crests at 11,000 feet. We'll be heading out for dinner in a couple of hours in this tiny town 3 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. We're taking a 2003 Martinelli Pinot Noir Reserve with us. I have moderately high expectations for this tiny restaurant.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
Cooke City, Montana tonight.

The Badlands is a magnificent national park with wonderful scenery.

I traveled through the Badlands back in the '70s, when its' beauty was at absolute peak.
Impossible that it could be as nice today.

Glad your trip is going well, Board-O.

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Originally posted by Board-O:
I bought myself a real nice cowboy hat, and my wife found a biker belt she liked.

Sorry, there's just something about that picture that makes me break into a big grin.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

We'll be heading out for dinner in a couple of hours in this tiny town 3 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. We're taking a 2003 Martinelli Pinot Noir Reserve with us. I have moderately high expectations for this tiny restaurant.

Don't let Yogi and BooBoo anywhere near your food-- they're notorious for running off with it!

Sounds like a great drive. We were a bit north of where you are now and didn't have the time to visit the Badlands as we were hurrying home to honour a commitment, but I have always wanted to go back to the area in a more leisurely fashion and spend some time enjoying it, so thanks for the reporting!

We found the A&W to be the most appealing eatery in some of the towns we passed through.

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Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I bought myself a real nice cowboy hat, and my wife found a biker belt she liked.

Sorry, there's just something about that picture that makes me break into a big grin.

You're welcome.

Yeah, Seaquam, we're familiar with bears, mostly from travels in your country and Alaska. Years ago, in the Algonquin Provincial Park, we left our metal cooler out on the table overnight. The next morning, I followed the trail into the woods. The bear didn't get it open, but he chewed and clawed it a bit and everything inside was broke. In Yellowstone and Grand Teton, we may have a few picnics, but the small cooler will stay in the trunk.

quote:

Originally posted by Seaquam:
...I have always wanted to go back to the area in a more leisurely fashion and spend some time enjoying it...

There's always Sturgis.
Badlands on a Harley. What could be better?

There are loads of people on Harleys all over South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana, most of them in their 50s and 60s.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

There's always Sturgis.

Isn't that what caviar comes from?

I was actually thinking of something a bit less up-scale. You know, maybe even motels without room service. I'm pretty rugged that way.

Something well worth trying some day, IMHO and speaking from experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

Yeah, Seaquam, we're familiar with bears, mostly from travels in your country and Alaska. Years ago, in the Algonquin Provincial Park, we left our metal cooler out on the table overnight. The next morning, I followed the trail into the woods. The bear didn't get it open, but he chewed and clawed it a bit and everything inside was broke. In Yellowstone and Grand Teton, we may have a few picnics, but the small cooler will stay in the trunk.

About 3 years ago, my sister-in-law and her kids hiked in Yellowstone, and when they returned to their car, a bear had actually clawed and BITTEN (you could see the teeth indentations!) the rear corner of her car. It must have smelled the bit of food they had left in the trunk.

It's quite amazing how fearless they seem to be in a protected environment. I'm sure I don't have to advise you to be careful, but be careful anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by Seaquam:
I was actually thinking of something a bit less up-scale. You know, maybe even motels without room service. I'm pretty rugged that way.

I've heard that about you.

Detroit! My old stomping grounds (Lived here until I was 7). Working trip, though. Wont have time to enjoy it.

quote:

Originally posted by Jared Myers:
Detroit! My old stomping grounds (Lived here until I was 7). Working trip, though.

I'm very sorry.

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:

Today we spent time in Red Lodge, Montana and I bought myself a real nice cowboy hat, and my wife found a biker belt she liked. We then drove the Beartooth Scenic Byway from Red Lodge to Cooke City, a spectacular road that Charles Kuralt called the most beautiful road in America, a claim I can't dispute. The road traverses the mountains in a series of switchbacks that crests at 11,000 feet. We'll be heading out for dinner in a couple of hours in this tiny town 3 miles from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. We're taking a 2003 Martinelli Pinot Noir Reserve with us. I have moderately high expectations for this tiny restaurant.

Can't tell you exactly how many times we have stayed in Red Lodge and drove the Beartooth in both directions. Absolutely beautiful country. Spent lots of time hiking, shopping and golfing in Red Lodge, but never spent any time to speak of in Cooke City.

Moo

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Originally posted by wine+art:

quote:

Originally posted by Jared Myers:
Detroit! My old stomping grounds (Lived here until I was 7). Working trip, though.

I'm very sorry.

Ann Arbor, MI. All work, no play.