We're Off Part 2.... AZ-WY-MT-SD-AZ

[subquark]

I wish! After what happened to MP1 she's scared to drive MP2 now. I'd let her take the pics but I hate to say it but she doesn't take the best pictures either. ? She never centers anything, she just starts hitting the button and everything's off center. lol

Speaking of things being off center ... she did choose you ... =D

Sounds like you're having a great time. Our last "real" vacation was a week in San Fran in 2008 and before that was a week in the Pacific Northwest in 1995!

I'm thinking Kate and I need to take inspiration from you and head out for two weeks in Soupie!

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[AzScorpion]

I went from iPhone 11 to the 14 Pro. I got it with 512 gig memory. The camera is awesome but in order to get the great camera features you need 256 gig or better I think. I didn't get the pro plus because of physical size. I didn't realize how much better those camera features were until I started using it. I have a great SLR camera where I can set F stops, lens timing etc. I can now leave it at home now because you can do the same on this phone. The zoom features are great, takes 4k video (need more memory) yada, yada. My sister in law has one and a supposed photographer. Her pics are not near the quality I get because I don't think she realizes how to use it. Yeah it's faster, beautiful display but the camera is what really makes it worth it. I got it because I'm retired and want to take some awesome pics. I will post a few later.

Andy, We just ordered the 14 Pro yesterday. I kept getting notifications from Verizon about loyalty credits on trade ins for our 12 pro's. Turns out they gave us $700/each for them waved the $35.00 processing fees and 2 day free shipping. The phone will only add $8.33/month ($300/each for them) to the bill so even the Polish Eagle couldn't refuse this deal. They'll be here tomorrow but I have to find a place that has better wifi to transfer them. The wifi here is worse than the old dial up from the 90's and it'll take days at these speeds. Back home I get 298/26.

 

[mr.wonderful]

Missed you last weekend during the move @AzScorpion. Even had the trailer ready to go so you could haul all the new acquisitions home

Don't know where you are on the trip (and reading 38 pages isn't going to happen) but best of luck with the rest of the journey, and watch out for them deer!

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Andy, We just ordered the 14 Pro yesterday. I kept getting notifications from Verizon about loyalty credits on trade ins for our 12 pro's. Turns out they gave us $700/each for them waved the $35.00 processing fees and 2 day free shipping. The phone will only add $8.33/month ($300/each for them) to the bill so even the Polish Eagle couldn't refuse this deal. They'll be here tomorrow but I have to find a place that has better wifi to transfer them. The wifi here is worse than the old dial up from the 90's and it'll take days at these speeds. Back home I get 298/26.

I hear if you climb up the pole you can pickup about 50mbps. That’s if it’s not cloudy or rainy

 

[AzScorpion]

Missed you last weekend during the move @AzScorpion. Even had the trailer ready to go so you could haul all the new acquisitions home

Don't know where you are on the trip (and reading 38 pages isn't going to happen) but best of luck with the rest of the journey, and watch out for them deer!

Thanks Max. So far no need fro the trailer, she's actually been tame with the shopping this trip. I think something's up?

We're in SD now until the 30th. Then we'll be heading down through CO and staying the night in Colorado City before heading into NM then back to AZ. I'm always on the lookout for the deer but they come out from nowhere in a split second. I was more worried about the Moose when we were in WY & MT. Just about every truck has a grille guard on them out there and for good reason.

 

[mr.wonderful]

Screw watching out for the Moose, I'd be more worried about the Denver drivers.

BUT! You'll be coming through CO at the perfect time, as the world's finest Mexican food, Casa Bonita has started the Grand Re-Opening and you *may* be able to get an invite in........

Don't forget to wave if you come back east and take I25 South from Cheyenne

 

[NeilP]

the world's finest Mexican food, Casa Bonita

It's been many moons since we were there, but we loved that place!!

 

[AzScorpion]

I had booked the 1880 train ride from Hill City to Keystone about 2 weeks before we left. When I called the lady suggested we do an early morning ride because it's usually hot and humid late in the day. Well we had a ripping thunder & lightning storm come through here last night around 11:00pm which cooled it off. I've never slept in a place with a metal roof and man it sounded like boulders were dropping on it! Luckily there was no hail in this storm. It was only 58* this morning and luckily it wasn't sold out so we were able to switch from an open window car to a closed car with windows that opened.

A little history on the train. It's a steam train that was built back in 1926 by Baldwin Locomotive in Philadelphia, PA. This serial number was in the high 60,000 so they build quite a few of them back then. It runs on used motor oil which takes 200 gallons per round trip along with 2,000 gallons of water. It runs on an old rail mining track to Keystone, SD and it use to run up to Deadwood back in the day. There's a few steep 4%-6% grades and it's a one hour trip and 10 miles each way.

 

[AzScorpion]

 

[AzScorpion]

I was a little disappointed in the scenery as I expected more views of the Black Hills. What you mostly saw was a lot of residential houses, some businesses and a lot of trailers. These were the only worthwhile pics I could take.

Having done both the Grand Canyon train and the Durango to Silverton train this was a huge let down. I think the Durango - Silverton train is by far the best ride with some great scenery and views. I guess if you've never been on a train it's a worthwhile trip but I wouldn't recommend spending the money on it if you've done train rides before.

The only wildlife we saw both ways.

The white building was from the early 1900's. Back then you could buy these from the Sears & Roebuck's catalog. lol IIRC there's was an old mining road that ran behind the property up through the back.

 

[Synfulz]

Andy, We just ordered the 14 Pro yesterday. I kept getting notifications from Verizon about loyalty credits on trade ins for our 12 pro's. Turns out they gave us $700/each for them waved the $35.00 processing fees and 2 day free shipping. The phone will only add $8.33/month ($300/each for them) to the bill so even the Polish Eagle couldn't refuse this deal. They'll be here tomorrow but I have to find a place that has better wifi to transfer them. The wifi here is worse than the old dial up from the 90's and it'll take days at these speeds. Back home I get 298/26.

 

[AzScorpion]

Keystone is a very small town which is the gateway to Mt Rushmore. Mostly everyone stops here (we did last year) and there's only a few gift shops and restaurants there. The one reason we wanted to go back was to get a pizza at Cruizzers Pizza. We had got one there last year and it was really good. I've had better when I lived back east but since moving to AZ this is hands down one of the better ones I've had in years.

Don't blink or you'll miss Keystone.. lol

Cruizzers is right across from the 1880 train depot on the second floor. You can eat inside or out and the staff there is great!

When making the train reservations you can take any train back. Some just turn and burn back and we chose to stay for 2.5 hours which is more than enough time to see the shops and grab bite to eat.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

After that I went exploring down a couple different FS roads just to get MP2 off road a little. There were a few hills and rocky spots but nothing even remotely challenging. It was good to see how smooth the Fox suspension was over the washboards and bumps.

On the way back we ran into (luckily not literally) these guys!

Sorry Bob @Bob902 I didn't try to ride the cow either.?

This guy wasn't to happy! ?

Did they stop you to ask how @Frenchy was getting along with his Pathfinder?

 

[Frenchy]

Did they stop you to ask how @Frenchy was getting along with his Pathfinder?

?

 

[Tracy Bowman]

Nothing at all. Especially if you're re regular on here. ?

You know, it’s a shame no one recognizes the extreme artistic ability of this particular photographer. Look at those lines. Look at that horizon.?

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