4th trimester: Road Trip Part 1

We departed on our annual road trip two days ago and have since made our way across Minnesota and most of South Dakota. We arrived in the heart of the Black Hills, just south of Hill City, several hours ago, but not before a couple of interesting days on the road.

Our first day took us to the southwest corner of Minnesota where we spent the night at Blue Mounds State Park. The park's claims to fame are it's tiny patch of tall grass prairie and it's resident bison herd. The bison were big and right near the fence line.

Our second day took us to the Badlands by way of the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. The corn palace was a royal let down. It's basically Mitchell's auditorium that happens to be made out of corn. Snoozer. The pleasant surprise of the day was an oddball sculpture garden just off the freeway. We had no plans to stop, but saw and it decided to give it a look. Very interesting.

The Badlands were quite spectacular. The camping was a little exposed, but the scenery was amazing. Our drive out of the Badlands took us through Wall, SD, home of Wall Drug. Another let down. It's just a sprawling trinket shop. It was probably kind of neat years ago - not anymore.

On our way into the Black Hills we stopped at Reptile Gardens - one of Sara's old stomping grounds. We took in an alligator show, bird show, and snake show, and looked at a bunch of poisonous snakes. Very exciting and a definite crowd pleaser, although I felt a bit self conscious about my body art. I fear I lack the required amount of ink for the average Black Hills visitor. Perhaps I'll get a tattoo while we're here. Something tasteful like "Black Hills 4Ever."

After two nights in the RV we have settled into a cabin "in the woods." I put this in quotes because while in the woods, we are also only about 20 yards from from highway 16. Zoom Zoom. It is quite nice though and actually relatively quiet inside.

We plan to hunker down for a few days and explore the area. The girls, Lucy in particular, need to hit their pillows hard. While great fun, the RV makes for some abbreviated sleep. Also, the girls' intestinal tracts need a break from the constant eating they seem to be driven to by the hum of the wheels. I do not exaggerate - they never stop eating in the RV. Ever. At least it's super healthy food like chips and gummy worms. Bubs looks like she swallowed a volleyball - grapes were purchased tonight.

The real fun starts tomorrow. Stay tuned.