Day 3 - making up time

The rabbits saw us off on our way from the campsite and across the damn to head out, find a way around the road work (bridge out ahead) and get up onto interstate 80 where we could extend our wings and pick up or wheels for a bit. (Passed a packaged sail plane making its pilgrimage to somewhere)

Yes, Mycroft does like to RUN even when loaded for a camping trip...and run well he does, very happy with performance and gas mileage, and handling on the roads at high speed (not certain if I can call it highway speed ;-) )

Heading along the criss-cross of dirt roads we got a chance to see more of where folks live or migrated to.  Houses perched around water holes, some partially sunken to take advantage of insulation and relief from the blowing winds.

2 hours after leaving Gallagher we finally reached Ogallala and lake McConaghey, our original destination for the prior evening.

Taking 26 north and west from Ogallala we visited Carhenge (neet go to spot)

and then north on 385 towards Chadron.  For a while we found ourselves on US20 and saw portions of old US20.  When my parents married in 1948, my father had promised a trip to the Grand Canyon, they instead went out west eventually to the pacific via  route 5 and US20 from Boston Ma to Yellowstone, then on to the coast. Parts of US 20 were still gravel when they went in their 3cyl Renault pulling a travel trailer almost the same size as the car.  I snicker as I look around how we have packed ourselves and what we think we need to enjoy a road trip....I think they taught me well.

Near Chadron we took a "detour" to see the Toadstool National Monument which is a cool off the beaten path destination. Also has about six campsites and a lot of interesting sights and hiking trails... Must bring own water!!!!! You are over 20 miles from anything and incredible arrid.

Exiting back onto toadstool road and NE71 we wound our way through the badlands and into South Dakota, where we immediately went through a town that looked as though everyone just disappeared or picked up and left leaving behind all their belongings...what calamity would cause an entire town to leave?

Before long the terrain greened up and became forested with huge outcropping a of stone and evidence of wild fires (went past the Hot Shot training facility) and a bazillion prairie dogs!!!Aieeeee

We rolled into Custer hoping to eat at the Black Hills  burger and Bun Co but they were closed due to an oven failure...so we ate pizza and lasagna at a local pizza shop before settling in at the Custer KOA where warm showers awaited us and a laundry facility.

💤