Hi.
We have done a lot of driving over the past couple of days...from Rapid City to Minneapolis to Kansas City to Branson, Missouri. We are ready to rest for a few days and catch some of the shows in Branson...lots to choose from! Our plan is also to consider doing a "zipline" here in the Ozarks just outside of Branson. While wearing a harness, you "fly" through the trees on a zipline (wire cable). Stay tuned on that one?!
While in Minnesota, we stopped by the "Mall of America"...biggest mall in USA (and world I think). It was a bit overwhelming, especially with its 7-acre theme park in the middle of the 4-floor mall. Gave me a headache :-).
So far we have traveled over 3,000 miles and hit 13 states...we are making progress (and having fun too).
More info to follow soon.
Don & Sandi
Don & Sandi at "home", back in the Stockton area.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
South Dakota's Badlands
Hi.
Last night we re-visited Mt. Rushmore to see the "lighting ceremony". It was a very moving experience.
Today we drove out to see the badlands of South Dakota at the Badlands National Park near Wall, S.D. The badlands are often described as a "moonscape". We would definitely agree. As you drive along, you see rolling hills...and then we turned a corner and the landscape changed dramatically to sharp, pointed, jagged peaks.
Most of the badlands have a tan-and-pink coloration. But there is a section that has a tan, red, pink, yellow combination of colors that is absolutely beautiful....never seen anything like it. The photos do not do justice to the landscape, but we try ;-).
We also visited the largest drug store in the world in Wall, SD....yes, Wall Drugs. It was fun to walk through the shops...except it was about 103 degrees. Getting back into the air-conditioned car was fun too!
Tomorrow we leave South Dakota and head for Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri...
Take care.
Don & Sandi
Last night we re-visited Mt. Rushmore to see the "lighting ceremony". It was a very moving experience.
Today we drove out to see the badlands of South Dakota at the Badlands National Park near Wall, S.D. The badlands are often described as a "moonscape". We would definitely agree. As you drive along, you see rolling hills...and then we turned a corner and the landscape changed dramatically to sharp, pointed, jagged peaks.
Most of the badlands have a tan-and-pink coloration. But there is a section that has a tan, red, pink, yellow combination of colors that is absolutely beautiful....never seen anything like it. The photos do not do justice to the landscape, but we try ;-).
We also visited the largest drug store in the world in Wall, SD....yes, Wall Drugs. It was fun to walk through the shops...except it was about 103 degrees. Getting back into the air-conditioned car was fun too!
Tomorrow we leave South Dakota and head for Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri...
Take care.
Don & Sandi
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Mt. Rushmore...and more!
Hi.
When we told friends and colleagues (and even strangers) about our retirement road-trip in our motor home, we were often asked, "So, where will you start?". We answered, "Disneyland with family, and then head towards Mt. Rushmore, then east to Maine." Well, we made it to Mt. Rushmore on Friday! Yeah!
The Mt. Rushmore National Monument is a very impressive site. The access to view the monument is one of the best we have ever experienced. Viewing the four presidents almost takes your breath away. The "sculptures" are spectacular to behold...the detail, the size, the environment of the Black Hills...a "gotta-see" place. Add it to your bucket list!
From Mt. Rushmore, we headed 11 miles down the road to the "Crazy Horse Memorial" that is still being carved. The memorial honors North American Native Americans, and Lakota hero "Crazy Horse". After decades of work, the face of Crazy Horse is complete. Decades to go...but just as with Mt. Rushmore, what amazing skill it has taken to design, calculate, and sculpt on such a grand yet detailed scale.
We ended our day by driving through the scenic byway of South Dakota's "Custer State Park". As we drove through the park, we saw prairie dogs, "antelope" (pronghorns), donkeys...and BUFFALO! They are big and beautiful! Vehicles had to stop while the herd crossed the road. One of the male buffalos charged head-down at a motorcyclist who drove too close to the herd, but stopped about two feet short of butting him...thank goodness!
That's all the news for now...take care.
Don & Sandi
When we told friends and colleagues (and even strangers) about our retirement road-trip in our motor home, we were often asked, "So, where will you start?". We answered, "Disneyland with family, and then head towards Mt. Rushmore, then east to Maine." Well, we made it to Mt. Rushmore on Friday! Yeah!
The Mt. Rushmore National Monument is a very impressive site. The access to view the monument is one of the best we have ever experienced. Viewing the four presidents almost takes your breath away. The "sculptures" are spectacular to behold...the detail, the size, the environment of the Black Hills...a "gotta-see" place. Add it to your bucket list!
From Mt. Rushmore, we headed 11 miles down the road to the "Crazy Horse Memorial" that is still being carved. The memorial honors North American Native Americans, and Lakota hero "Crazy Horse". After decades of work, the face of Crazy Horse is complete. Decades to go...but just as with Mt. Rushmore, what amazing skill it has taken to design, calculate, and sculpt on such a grand yet detailed scale.
We ended our day by driving through the scenic byway of South Dakota's "Custer State Park". As we drove through the park, we saw prairie dogs, "antelope" (pronghorns), donkeys...and BUFFALO! They are big and beautiful! Vehicles had to stop while the herd crossed the road. One of the male buffalos charged head-down at a motorcyclist who drove too close to the herd, but stopped about two feet short of butting him...thank goodness!
That's all the news for now...take care.
Don & Sandi
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