29 Aug - Welcome to Lake Vermillion North Campground

29 Aug

We departed the Ellsworth Air Force base FamCamp at 0750 hrs Mountain Time and arrived at our 22nd camping location, the Lake Vermillion north campground near Sioux Falls SD at 1346 hrs Central Time (1446 hrs Mountain Time).  I predicted yesterday the 319 mile drive would be about 6 hours and it was actually 5 hrs 56 minutes including one potty stop and one fuel/lunch stop.  If you have ever driven across South Dakota on I-90 or across Nebraska on I-80 you know it is very flat and pretty boring.  I joked that I could almost set the cruise, put a tie strap on the steering wheel and take a nap!  Almost!  The only picture we took during the drive was a picture of a Louis and Clark monument, likely near the Missouri River.

So the Lake Vermillion north campground is really nice and we virtually own the place, at least tonight.  In our whole loop there is only one other RV.  Things will likely pick up towards the end of the week since it is Labor Day weekend.  We are only staying three nights here, so will will be gone before the weekend.

No other RV's in the entire loop (25 campsites and two cabins) when this was taken this afternoon.  Since then one other has arrived.

These sites are electric-only, so we had to fill our internal tank with potable water and will use the internal sewer tanks and dump when we depart.  The sewer dump and potable water fill are located right when you drive in.  Nice, wide dump station and they really manicure this place.  Very nice!

While I was filling the tank, Doreen walked the dog up the road and found our campsite.

Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table

Very widely spaced sites with some trees but not enough to block the satellite signal..  No neighbors breathing down our necks.

Deep sites accommodate both the RV and the truck 

Awning out, all set up!

Tomorrow we will venture into Sioux Falls and check out the falls - yep there is one!  Plus Doreen wants to find the Fareway grocery store and maybe the HyVee.  Just like being home!  Tomorrow evening we have been invited to dinner at a farm north of Sioux Falls near Dell Rapids SD.  It is owned by a retired Air Guard Chief with whom I served - CMSgt Joe Thornell and his wife Kerry.  He has also invited the retired South Dakota State Command Chief, CMSgt Kevin Uthe and his wife Barb.  Will be great to see them.

Not sure what we will do Thursday, but then we depart here and head for Minnesota on Friday