There’s nothing quite like summer on the open road — windows down, coffee in the cup holders, and our 5th wheel hitched up and ready for the next adventure. July was our month to wander to my ultimate destination point….Mt. Rushmore, and this month we took on six incredible states: Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Wyoming: Big Skies and Bigger Views

We left Colorado and headed north, kicking things off in Wyoming, where every horizon looks like a painting. From the geological wonder of Devils Tower to the endless grasslands, this state has a way of reminding you how small you are — in the best way. Mornings meant coffee outside the rig with mountain air in our lungs, and evenings were all about watching the sun dip behind the peaks.

Montana: Where the West Still Feels Wild

Crossing into Montana felt like stepping back in time. “Big Sky Country” didn’t disappoint — we drove through rolling hills, trout streams, and ghost towns that whispered stories of old miners and dreamers. Yellowstone was once again the showstopper, and we snagged a perfect site at Yellowstone’s Edge RV Park (with 5 Vilano’s) just in time to catch the last glimmer of a beautiful sunset on the mountains.

North Dakota: Quiet Beauty and Open Roads

North Dakota utterly captivated us. As we ventured into the enchanting Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we were greeted by majestic bison wandering through the rugged badlands, and the nights were so profoundly still that you could hear the whispers of your own thoughts. It felt like a dream, an almost meditative escape — just us, the brilliant stars overhead, and the gentle hum of generators from nearby RV parks. Medora was an extraordinary town, the perfect place to bask in the magic of an outdoor musical. A blend of rich history and delightful humor radiates with a bounty of Western spirit, creating an homage to country music, America itself, Theodore Roosevelt, and the wild heart of the Badlands against an awe-inspiring canvas. Among our most cherished campgrounds was Abraham Lincoln State Park in Bismarck — the oldest State Park in North Dakota — where we dove deep into the stories of the Mandan Native Americans who once called On-a-Slant Village home, exploring our reconstructed earthlodges with a sense of wonder.

South Dakota: Monuments and Memories

From there, we confidently cruised into South Dakota, where every mile was rich with history and Americana, creating an unforgettable tapestry of experiences. Mount Rushmore, with its breathtaking granite faces of four prominent presidents, Crazy Horse, a symbol of Native American heritage still under construction, and the distinctive charm of Deadwood, steeped in Old West lore, were all on our itinerary. We camped just down the road from Mount Rushmore at the outstanding local KOA, an impressive RV park, especially during the lively 4th of July celebrations that filled the air with excitement and patriotic fervor. We enjoyed the Spearfish 4th of July parade, where we spotted “Cappie” from the home renovation show Building Outside the Lines, mingling with the crowd and sharing laughs, and witnessed the iconic shootout in Deadwood while visiting the very bar where Wild Bill Hickok met his fate, standing in awe of the history that unfolded in that very spot. Our adventure continued at Mount Moriah Cemetery, the final resting place of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, and other remarkable figures, where we took a moment to reflect on their lives and the wild stories that define this legendary region, immersing ourselves in the spirit of the frontier.

Minnesota: Lakes, Loons, and Lazy Evenings

Minnesota rolled out the welcome mat with its shiny lakes and balmy summer nights—what a charmer! We chose a cozy spot off the beaten path at a National Golf Resort in McGregor, Minnesota, thinking it would be the perfect place to kick back. Little did we know, it was also prime time for RV organization and some fun maintenance adventures. This is where our thrilling saga with electrical woes began. Spoiler alert: it was our electrical cord reel playing hide-and-seek, resulting in half of the camper going dark—talk about a camping horror story lol! After hours of detective work, Aaron finally nailed down the culprit, and we wrangled ourselves an appointment the next day at a “mobile repair facility,” which turned out to be a guy’s private residence with a driveway that seemed designed for hobbits. But hey, he worked his magic and patched us up well enough to keep the wheels rolling for a few months of fun—adventure awaits!

Wisconsin: Cheese Curds and Campfires

Our final stretch for July brought us to Wisconsin — where we didn’t get a chance to explore its true beauty. Between the rolling farmland, lakeside drives, and more cheese curds than we probably should’ve eaten, it was the coziest way to wrap up our month of July!