September 1-4, 2017

The drive up was the best yet! No tolls, smooth, flat, straight highways.  Interstate 90 all the way, baby! Fascinating windmills and as we got closer we noticed a thick haze which turned out to be smoke from a Canadian wildfire.  We filled up at a tiny little country gas station in Grenada, WI.  An ancient man pumped our gas.  I went in the building only to find two large round tables with locals setting around chatting.  All got quiet when I entered-lol. I said, “hey!” and I could hear the chatter, “She’s from a long way.  Maybe Kentucky?”  This isn’t the first time people have commented on our accent.  What accent?  They talk funny!  We must’ve been the talk of the town.  lol

The campground was super disappointing.  I’d describe it as a dive off the interstate.  If you need a quick stop off the highway to stay one night, this is your guy.  If you’d like to enjoy outdoor time, nope.nope.nope.  We knew we might be in for a long weekend (no pun intended as it’s Labor Day) but we didn’t reserve ahead and could only find this place.  The site is level and a full hook up.  It has more dirt than grass which turned to mud as we set up with the rain that greeted us.  Apache is a mess which means, we and all our stuff, is a mess.  But the bad helps us appreciate the good and gosh, we are blessed.

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Spent our first night hanging and entertaining ourselves guessing shadow puppets and being accosted by the local squirrel.  He’s a red squirrel and man is he territorial!  I think he gets fed regularly and couldn’t get close because of Apache.  I took his pic when I noticed only to hear him chittering in anger as I approached for a better shot.  He even came closer on a branch to raise hell.  He scares us a little, I can’t lie.

He’s the man

The Mill

Kim at Sioux Falls

Sioux Fall, SD

This is so cool~

Saturday we tried to sleep in so were up at 7a–kill me now.  We rode the bike to…….Sioux Falls, where else?  I haven’t the right words.  Awe?  Humbling?  Super cool?  Thank you for letting us experience this?  It was a beautiful park with a yummy café and nothing was off limits.  Reminded me of Ireland..”sure, you idiots…go wherever you like…..just don’t sue us.”  We were hot as hades so we went back to camper, explained to Apache why he couldn’t come and then left again in cooler clothes.

On to the Butterfly House and Aquarium suggested by our site mates, Dale and Kathy.  Had to let Joe fuss around a bit considering there were a few college games on.  Stopped by Sickie’s for a burger and beer who had games on TV to compromise.  When we got there, Joe attracted butterflies like crazy.  I pouted as I seemed to repel them but as we left one landed on the ole Bandana-way to go girl!

Joe in Tipi

Check out the backrest. American Indians created that…boom!

Red Bud 1915

Buffalo Caot

Tatonka

We toured the Old Courthouse Museum and learned we are camping in South Dakota’s largest city AND the county is MINNEHAHA.  Say that out loud….I never knew that was a real place!!

We visited an amazing Farmer’s Market beside the falls–hate we were on the bike.  Got some tomatoes, cucumber. and broccoli.  Back to the camp for some dinner and a fire.  Catch ya on the flip side!