Miscellaneous Miscellanea

[Ulrich]

I started putting together a little planning document (maps and description of the daily drives from the main thread, hotel data, etc). It's going to be a work in progress until right before we leave for the trip, and I'll be happy to send it to anyone else who comes along (or hand it out on Day 1 at the hotel).

To make communication a little easier, and just in case something happens that might require assistance of some sorts on the drive up, I'd like to include contact info for everyone. Would y'all please PM me your name (and that of your +1), home town (for the personal touch :) ), e-mail address and cell phone number(s)?

Any other items of interest that could be part of this pack would also be greatly appreciated.

:rockon:

[Ulrich]

Question -- since we are travelling through quite a number of state/national parks, does it make sense to buy an Eagle Pass or whatever those things are called beforehand rather then (presumably) having to pay an entry fee every time we cross into another park? Thinking back to S2KDays 2004 in Las Vegas, that was the one thing that was not thought-out very well...

[Ulrich]

Annual Park Entrance Licenses
New State Park Entrance Licenses Available for 2007

The 2007 annual park entrance license for South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas is now available for purchase.

The 2007 park entrance license, which features a picture of a father and daughter roasting marshmallows over a campfire, is $23 and is valid through May 18, 2008. Purchasers of one license can also buy a second at half price for $11.50. The license is required for entrance into designated state parks, recreation areas and lakeside use areas, although it does not cover camping costs or additional fees.
Entry into Custer State Park, for example, is $5 per person or $12 per vehicle, so it definitely seems to make sense to buy the annual pass if we hit more than one State Park.

[photodavo]

The National Parks Pass is great for all of the National Parks and National Monuments but it does not get you in to any of the state parks. Individual states might have some kind of annual pass for parks in their state but I think that would be state by state.

[photodavo]

The National Parks Pass is great for all of the National Parks and National Monuments but it does not get you in to any of the state parks. Individual states might have some kind of annual pass for parks in their state but I think that would be state by state.

From http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/AskParks.htm

How much are entrance license and camping fees?
There are two options for entrance licenses - an annual entrance license (valid May to May) or daily licenses (Available per person or by the vehicle; not available at Custer). Custer offers a seven-day temporary pass. Camping fees vary based on the facilities available at the individual park. Entrance fees are in addition to camping fees. See the current entrance and camping fees http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/General/Fees.htm

[Ulrich]

The National Parks Pass is great for all of the National Parks and National Monuments but it does not get you in to any of the state parks. Individual states might have some kind of annual pass for parks in their state but I think that would be state by state.
Correct. Hence my post #3 above -- that's the state park pass. $23 seems a good deal compared to a couple time $5 (or $10 for two people in a car). :)

So... Do you feel like coming along?

[photodavo]

I think I'm already stretching my vacation days a bit thin with trips to the Smokies, Vanncouver Island, Alaska and, of course, S2KDays.

[Ulrich]

How many S2000s do you think you'll see in Alaska?! Methinks you need to reconsider your priorities, Mr. President! :D

[tmarshall]

Which trip are you talking about? Several State and National Parks sounds like a big un.

[Ulrich]

Look to the top of the screen... Which forum are we posting in? ;)

Look here (http://forums.s2kca.com/showthread.php?t=12598) for the itinerary.

[tmarshall]

Yes, I figured it out. Thanks. Don't know how I got here specifically but have now wnadered through the whole deal. Sounds like a great trip. Very far to the starting point for me.

[Ulrich]

If I can do it, you can too. Getting there is half the fun. :cavalry:

[4U2NV]

You beat me to the punch on the park passes and contact info. Thanks for helping and and collecting the info. I will PM my contact info to you shortly.

As for the park passes, I agree that the annual passes are the way to go. We will need to get both SD State and National park permits. The trip to Devils Tower, WY will probably be just a day pass.

If we want to order our SD permits before we get to the Black Hills, we can purchase them online at:
http://www.state.sd.us/applications/GF33/ViewItem.asp?ProductID=5

I looked at the National Park Passes for the sites we are visiting in SD. Only the Badlands Park, SD and Devils Tower, WY charges an entrance fee (total for both $25). the other national parks that we visit don't charge an entrance fee, but they have other fees that are not covered by the Annual Pass. The Cost of the Annual Pass is $80. If you plan to go to other national parks this year, it is a good deal. If you are only going to the parks on this trip, then not so good of a deal.

[Ulrich]

We need BHR t-shirts! Now who could be good at designing a decent logo of sorts...??? ;)

[Fredric]

Just ordered our South Dakota State Park Pass and I already have a Golden Age Passport for the National Parks. The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime pass to all National Parks and Monuments that costs a whopping $10. The only catch is that you must be 62 to purchase. Eat your hearts out, all you young folks!

[Wanderer]

I also just ordered the SD park pass.

As for the Golden Age Pass, well let's just say that one will have to wait for a while.;)

That T shirt ideas is a good one. don't have any artistic ideas...

[Ulrich]

Everyone should have received an e-mail from me today. None of the messages came back, so I assume that all addresses were correct. If you did not get a message, let me know.

[Wanderer]

We did receive your e-mail. later thatd same day, the mail carrier had your information package. Nice work on that.

We also have received our SD park pass.

[Ulrich]

Getting ready for the trip... Just programmed all my hotel addresses into my GPS. :)

[4U2NV]

I will be programming the all the planned routes into the GPS tomorrow. Everyone with Garmin GPS units can get the download from me at the hotel.

[bimdub]

wo wwhat a great Idea....there should be a section where we can post tidbits...or reviews of our drives....like great roads or hotels...ect.....stopping places.....or just quick adventures!

[photodavo]

wo wwhat a great Idea....there should be a section where we can post tidbits...or reviews of our drives....like great roads or hotels...ect.....stopping places.....or just quick adventures!

There already is Carl. :D

http://forums.s2kca.com/forumdisplay.php?f=63

[Ulrich]

Oil level -- checked.

Washer fluid -- filled up.

Tire pressure -- checked.

Getting ready for the trip! :)