An Epic Road Trip Begins
By mid-September, our role as camp hosts with the South Dakota State Parks had come to an end, signaling the start of a new adventure. This wasn’t just any road trip, though—it was the final leg of a journey years in the making. Since retiring in 2020, we’ve been exploring every corner of the U.S., and while we’d officially visited all 50 states, there were still two we had yet to travel through as part of this retirement chapter: Utah and Nevada.
To prepare for this adventure, we made some significant upgrades to our trusty teardrop camper, affectionately called Itty Bitty. We added two lithium-ion batteries, replaced the air conditioner and customized the galley for better efficiency. We also added an inverter to power the Starlink system—the lifeline that keeps us connected to the outside world. These modifications weren’t just about convenience; they were part of a test to see if our setup could handle the demands of the journey ahead.
A Stormy Start
On departure day, September 18, we woke up to thunder, lightning, and heavy rain—not exactly the ideal start to an epic adventure. Scrambling to pack in the rain, hitch Itty Bitty to the Jeep in the dark, and without a sip of coffee, we managed to leave the park before 6 a.m. Despite the rocky start, our spirits were high.
Our first stop: Bismarck Lake, just outside of Custer, South Dakota. The drive wasn’t without challenges—400+ miles through 20-25 mph winds and three gas stops. But by the time we pulled into our campsite, we were ready to embrace the next adventure.
A Scenic Stop at Bismarck Lake
Our campsite on Bismarck Lake in Custer, SD was a peaceful retreat—a deep site tucked among trees, offering a partial but stunning view of the lake. The setting combined seclusion with beauty, a perfect blend for unwinding in nature. Since we opted for a site without electric hookups, we set up the solar panel. We had enough clear sky to capture enough light for the solar panel to charge the battery and to keep the Starlink system connected.
Once camp was set up and ready, we headed to the lake, hoping to catch a trout or two. The early afternoon turned out to be quiet on the fishing front, with little interest from the fish. Undeterred, we returned to camp, cooked a hearty dinner, and made our way back to the lake for another attempt. As the evening settled in, luck was on our side—it didn’t take long to reel in enough trout to savor through the rest of our journey.
Once we got through the rain, it didn’t dampen the spirit of the trip but instead added a refreshing touch to the experience. After a restful night under the stars, we packed up and set off toward our next destination just outside Rawlins, WY, eager for the adventures to come.
