Saturday. Drove through Nebraska on Hwy. 20. Found a couple of Drive-In theaters that we visited 20 years ago that are now kaput. What a shame! But there are still a few out there – click here. Went through a small town and was surprised to see a wedding party - - - all on a hayride and having the time of their lives. They toasted us (or the Jeep, not sure which) as we flew by. That was cool!

Sunday. Camped in Valentine and hiked over a humongous railroad trestle that is now part of a hiking trail. Would have been fun to take the Jeep on it. Back in the 70s I recall a train over the same trestle and have a cool photo somewhere if I can ever find it. From there moved to the Badlands and DID find an old railroad track and a smaller trestle to cross.

Monday. Did the Wall Drug thing and went to Rapid City. Drove up to Mt. Rushmore just in time for a heavy rain and hailstorm. Put the top up with lighting striking all around – an electrifying experience. Of course by the time we returned it was late afternoon, the sun was out and did what any responsible wheeler would do – ferret out the local brewpub, in this case, the Firehouse Brewing Co. and had a delightful time. (Hic ! !)

Tuesday. Arrived at Whispering Pines. Headed out with Craig and Jim to run Jake. Being the gracious tour guide I am, I elected to take us on the “ We ’ re on our way to Jake ” scenic tour. (Amazing what one left, instead of right, will do!) However, those that know me will understand this completely … …

So Jake was fun, Jake was good … until we hit the end. Craig said, “ Hmm – we could go a little farther. ” Why not? A couple hundred feet into the extended Jake trail, we heard “ Pssshhhhh ” and then “ Shiiiiiiit ! ” Seems as if Craig put a 4 ” slit in the sidewall of his brand spanking-never-been-used-before Swamper. This was great entertainment until Craig convinced me to try and I got between a rock and a hard place. Now I ’ ve got this newly rebuilt engine that I'm breaking . . . . . in (and with a slush box and 4:1 transfer case) with more torque than you can shake a stick at, so when my front wheel was on a vertical rock and I elected to climb it, SNAP! There went the left front U-joint and axle. “ Shiiiiiiit ! ” Craig gleefully winched me out and on the way heard another snap. Immediately the engine didn ’ t sound to sweet at all. A BIG snag got caught and punched a hole right through the aluminum flywheel cover and jammed the cover into the flywheel. Back to camp. Replace the axle. Fix the flywheel. Call it a good first day. Had so damn much fun I didn't take a single photo so all I've got is this goofy gif! Oh yes, I also ordered a replacement axle and requested it be air-shipped to the campground (good move, Dave!)

Wednesday. Shot up to Full Size with our Illinoiz crew along with Mike and Tracy from NortDakota. Gave them the scenic tour also and eventually wound up on Hal Johns. Gawd that ’ s a fun trail! Made it through a couple sections and then I got between a rock and a hard place. Now I ’ ve got this newly rebuilt engine that I'm breaking . . . . . in (and with a slush box and 4:1 transfer case) with more torque than you can shake a stick at, so when my front wheel was on a vertical rock and I elected to climb it, SNAP! There went the left front U-joint and axle. “ Shiiiiiiit ! ” Oh yeah, this time it popped the ball joints out and made the knuckle resemble a pretzel. Oh me, oh my, woe is me! With a little help from my friends, got it kind of back together, winched out and drove back to Dave ’ s Repair shop at Whispering Pines. Call it a good second day.

Thursday. Borrowed Tom ’ s diesel dually and went into Rapid to get parts. Even found a knuckle that would work after some modifications. Got back to Dave ’ s Repair and the new axle was sitting on the doorstep of the motorhome. Wow – what service! Replaced the axle (again), made a few “ adjustments ” and did what any responsible wheeler would do – ferret out the local brewpub, in this case, the Firehouse Brewing Co. and had a delightful time. By the time we were done, our small group turned into a group of 22 of us from Illinoiz along with Tracy and Mike from NortDakota. A friend of ours, Graham, was in the hospital back in Illinoiz recovering from quadruple bypass so we called him and told him what a fine time we were having and how much we missed him. Now the phone call in itself was an experience, but that story is best left for another time. Excellent day. (Hic ! !)

By the way, the rest of the crew did Iceman and was entertained by “ too tall gear ” Frank who smelled up the entire canyon with his somewhat distressed clutch. Frank has since seen the error of his ways and has installed a 4:1 ! The EPA thanks you, Frank.

Friday. The first official day of the Challenge. Went to Upper Buzz with Birdman and his wife (who by the way is a damn good wheeler even though she is from NortDakota also!) With the new axle (and yet ANOTHER spare on order, to be delivered Saturday) I was feeling invincible until I came off a rock and gently laid it over on its side. Now when I laid it over, it was on Connie's side. She had been using a walking stick for the past few days and had it wedged in the door frame when traveling. She had grown quite attached to the stick. As we're slowly on our way over, I hear from her, " You break my stick, I'm gonna break your ass! " Such were the first few days in SoutDakota. It was fun and we had one of the best times EVER on Upper Buzz. Thanks Birdman!

View of the Trail from the Jeep

View of the Jeep from the Trail

Saturday. Ran Twisted with Jerry. There are few words one can say about Twisted and most of them are unprintable. There are many things one can say about Jerry, and most of them are also unprintable. Had another great time. No major breakage, just a lot of fun. Jerry was Jerry and sure enjoyed his unique band of humor. On the way out Tom elected to lead and pulled a Dave, taking us on a scenic tour back to the highway. (Amazing what one left, instead of right, will do!) You may have already noticed that there was a lot of deja-vuing again and again this year !

Sunday. Ran Full Monkey with Tim and Mari. Again, a great time and excellent spotting skills by Tim. This was my first time on Kong without any winching. Thanks Tim! In fact, didn ’ t have to get winched at all this year during the " Event " , except for the unfortunate mechanical failures earlier in the week (but not during the " Event " ) that randomly occurred without any provocation whatsoever on my part. I did disappoint Mari, however, as once again I'm sure she had her notepad out to see how many times in succession I'd run into any given tree. HA HA! Fooled you, Mari!

That evening there was one of the most beautiful azure skies, complete with stars and puffy clouds, that I ’ d ever seen in my life. And, as usual for this trip, didn't get a photo of that, either! We didn't have the usual massive campfire, or even a small one, due to concern for the safety of the forest, but that's OK. The great group of people made up for it, such as did the " Cherry Lady " with her 150 proof cherries. (Hic ! !)

Once again for the 7th year, all of us Boyz from Illinoiz has a Blast. Thanks Black Hills 4 Wheelers!