Badlands and Wall Drug South Dakota

We got a good day in today.  Started by driving west from Murdo, SD, where we stayed overnight (Sat. night) our first stop was Badlands National Park.  Acreage is 244,000,  est. in 1939 as a National Monument and in 1978 redesigned as Badlands National Park.  It is VAST!  Many cool formations/rocks.   At one stop we saw a herd of Pronghorn Antelope.  They were up close to where we stood.  

Today is another day.  The photos/words above wouldn't "post" last night (late) when we got in the room.  The cells both connected to the internet, but not this laptop.  It's what I use to blog...keyboard!  So, we finished at the short night program at Rushmore.  It was not a success as fog set in and we couldn't see the monument. However, we were there earlier in the afternoon, so that was cool.  We will go back today.  

We will see Crazy Horse today...and so much more!  I'll post again this evening.  Weather is cool.  Crowds are low.  Cost at all motels are lower than all summer, which is nice.  Amazing sites.  I am in awe.

Lauritzen Gardens

Days run into the other, but today is Saturday and we stayed overnight last night in Omaha, Nebraska.  When Clyde was pouring over the internet, he found that the Botanical Gardens in Omaha were pretty much on our way west.  He wanted to break up our drive each day, so we spent the morning touring the massive gardens.  The price per ticket was a small price for a wonderful morning.  He said several times, it was sure worth the stop...and the price of admission ($10 each).  Honestly, so well kept.  I filled out a form saying so.  If we had more time, we would have also gone to the Omaha Zoo (very nearby).  I will add some photos, but I have more than I can share.  I may not take the time to download the camera pics....too many to decide!

LAURITZEN GARDENS

 Below are the trains that captivated Clyde's attention!  He loved them, there were six of them on different tracks.  So cool!!!

 Below is the rose garden, many beds of roses.  When I worked at Clays Mill, Barbara Vogler did as well.  She & her husband, John, had a house near there with a border of roses.  I don't know how many.  They were glorious.  So were these today.  

 The conservatory is fantastic!  So large, with fountains, flowers, trees, shrubs....more.

 We stopped for a quick look at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.

 All the murals are made with corn cobs.

This was at the last rest stop of today and it was worth the stop!

"Dignity" is 50 ft. tall, 16 ft. deep and 32 feet wide.  The statue boldly proclaims that South Dakota's Native cultures are alive, standing with dignity.

Corn Fields & Wind Farms

Today we left Davenport for Amana, Iowa, and the 7 villages of Amana Colonies.  Settled in the 1850's by a German religious group, the villages were built one hour apart....when traveling by ox cart!  Each village had a church, a farm, multi-family residences and communal kitchens.  The community owned all the land and buildings. 

Today, the original buildings are private residences, museums, restaurants, B & B's and more.  The town of Amana was by far my favorite.  We ate at the Ox Yoke Inn for lunch and stopped by the Christmas Market, a festive fun shop filled with trees & decorations and so much more.  

Today was a "side trip" Clyde planned just for me.  Tomorrow is the same.  We left Amana, Iowa, for Omaha where we are going to a Botanical Garden.  This was a nice break from the long drive to Mount Rushmore.  The weather has been excellent.  

 From the sign above, and the pics below, we took with our camera.  Since the iPhone, we have not had it out of the camera bag. Thought this trip warranted it's use!

 This is "Lily Lake" and it's name is appropriate.  A huge lake with a million lotus and lilies!  So many, you can't see much water.

 I told him if I wanted to use these photos, I need NOT to be in them. But yet I do want to use them!  He liked the bed of zinnias and hostas....and obviously that lamp post.  

This was a neat country store.  

Time to put the laptop away and hit the hay.  Another day is done and a new one will be here before I know it. Night!

First Day is Done

Sept. 5, 2019

We got on the road 7 a.m. and rode through Indiana, 

Illinois and Iowa, stopping in Davenport for the night. 

Today was uneventful, light traffic, sunshine but slow due to road construction.  However, no stops, so we kept moving right along.  Actually, a good travel day.  Fields of corn, flat farm land, and wind farms/windmills.

 After a very good meal at a local diner on the River Walk in downtown Davenport (yes, I took a food pic, spared you), we took in a minor league baseball game.  A beautiful stadium along the Mississippi River.  This is the owner, Dave Heller.  He greets every guest as they arrive.  He said he is a friend of Alan Stein, retired president of Lexington Legends.

 I snagged a shirt, grabbed it in the air, Clyde is still LOL about my catch.  Really, who taught Becky to play ball???  Well, I had her in the front yard playing whiffle ball, but that counts.

 They had a beautiful Ferris wheel in the outfield.  Lit up with all color lights after dark.

The bridge was beautiful as we were walking back to our car. 

We ended the night with a second shirt.  A fun filled evening supporting a local baseball team.  

Go West Young/Not so Young Man

It's been two years since I've used this blog, so I am surprised my "account" hasn't been deleted!  I want to use it to journal our trip to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone that begins tomorrow!  I want a media that is "user friendly" for paragraphs and adding photos.  So, I hope to use it.  Going to see how easy the pics are to download from my cell phone.  

So back on the road again, in the morning.  Clyde has truly spent hours upon hours working on this trip.  For the last couple of years, he had pondered over websites, brochures, his past times there to create a trip I will enjoy.  He, his brother and friends have traveled out west several times.  On his last motorcycle trip, he told his brother "when I get home I'm going to sell my motorcycle and buy another convertible so I can bring Debbie out west".  And he did.  First, about eight years ago, we went to the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Mesa Verde, on to Las Vegas and many places in-between.

We have put it on hold the past week due to hurricane Dorian.  It has been very powerful and devastated the Bahamas.  From there it was headed to Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas....for south Florida, we got high winds and water but Becky & Jason's home in Fort Pierce, and ours in Jensen Beach remained unharmed.  Very thankful.  God bless the people in the Bahamas. 

I will post now and hope to start some journaling along the road as I see many places out west that I have only read about.  I look forward to seeing more of God's creation!  God, take care of my son at work, protect him on the road. Thank you for Becky & Jason's house, for their safety.  Thank you for Rosemary taking care of Lillian & Lucas, be especially close to Maggie, Austin & Matthew (youngest to oldest:) as they head to school each day.  Go before them.  Let them always know nana's love.  Amen

Clubhouse before the hurricane. 

 Waters up on the dock near our house, to the sidewalk.  

 Jim Cantore, the Weather Channel, kept us informed as Dorian came into Florida.

 Met mom & Martha at my favorite "lunch" spot.

 This soup is the best...my opinion:) not sure it was the favorite around the table.  Ha!  

Last, but not least.  After work today, Clyde stopped by to give his mom a kiss and a hug.  So, now we are ready.