Losing Inches

Through the Needle's Eye

Before leaving Florida we weighed ourselves, and although we don't have a scale in the camper, we can tell we've lost some inches. Pants are a bit baggier, shirts a tad looser, watch bands and belts need tightening.

And before leaving Florida we measured Dave's truck from side to side, with and without the mirrors extended. We decided it was too wide. Even with the mirrors folded in. Either the truck needed to lose a few inches, or we were going to miss a famous sight-seeing area in South Dakota.

The good news is the truck has been on a steady diet of "regular" not "high-octane" and also putting in the miles, so it seems to be just a smidge thinner, too. We re-measured; we decided to go for it. And so our final event in South Dakota was holding our breaths, sucking in, and driving the famous Needles Highway.

There are two tunnels on this famous stretch of roadway. The first is no big deal. The second is a "smaller" big deal, hence the need to measure.

Tunnel 1

Tunnel 1 - close even with the mirrors in.

Drum Roll, Please! It's time for tunnel 2 and there is no turning back!

Tunnel 2 - headed in!

Tunnel 2 - Dave is sweating bullets.

Tunnel 2 - Gotta take turns!

What an adrenaline-producing experience! I didn't dare look at the side walls - I knew it was tighter than tunnel 1. 

I'll end our adventure here with a few other pics that made me fall in love with the Black Hills of South Dakota. And also bid Kristi farewell as we head to Glacier National Park and she has to go back to Florida.

No, the camera is not tilted.
The spire is!

Time for the next schmuck to give it a try.