Heading South

The summer of 2011 has been interesting and challenging. We came back to the Sioux Center area and had to rent a spot to park the RV. Seemed strange but the spot and price were very acceptable. And we both had good check-ups for our main health issues and were "approved" for more traveling. So start the early fall and we were ready to get on the road again. We spent a couple weeks in MN visiting areas we previously had enjoyed. Altho we enjoyed the areas the weather was not so cooperative as it was cool and rainy. Not the best for camping people. Then we headed for Rapid City Heart Ranch. This place has a pastoral feeling and the weather has been in the upper 80's. Beautiiful.

But back to the summer. Of course the "flood", as it is called, of water coming through the roof of the house in Sioux Falls was an unexpected and unwanted event. Cindy did an excellent job of keeping the contractor and other workers in line and did well with picking out colors, flooring, light fixtures, etc. The outline for what was acceptable, price wise, within the insurance guidelines helped with decisions. Thank goodness for insurance that covered the restoration. The trauma of the event was not good but the outcome of a redecorated house is appreciated. I assume you have seen pictures of the process that Cindy posted.

Back to Rapid City. The one event Dad especially wanted to see was the buffalo round-up. The picture obviously does not show how the men on horses rounded them up from the whole park but shows the final leg of the journey where the buffalo were herded into corrals. All 15,000 people were seated on the side of the hills so no one had a bad seat. There were 2 seating "hills" and we probably got different views but all were good. The picture shows one of the seating hills. The buffalo barbecue was delicious. We didn't stay for all of this but we did see some of the buffalo run through chutes to be sorted, marked, given shots etc. Interesting but last time we were by Kim we watched a DVD that was basically about an autistic young women but in the process she devised a "friendly" chute for animals. The DVD was very interesting and totally absorbed me in the story. They did not have an animal friendly chute here but they got the job done. We enjoyed the day.

Of course, we saw Mt. Rushmore. Again, when we attended the evening activities the Vets were invited down to be recognized and touch the flag that had been flying over the program that had been presented. Dad went down so the ceremony was extra special.

We have been active in the church here and have been very blessed with the service and S.S. Also the S.S. couples included us in a fish fry (so very good) and with tickets to Courageous. Such an inspirational movie. We will miss this church. They taught us much about welcoming visitors to a church.

The fall colors are beautiful here and we look forward to more of that as we travel to Colorado next week. Excited to be able to celebrate with two of our family on their birthdays. And see a new great granddaughter as well as others. When family is so scattered those times are real treasures.

We attended a wiener dog (don't know how to spell the real word) race. Never knew there were so many of those dogs. While walking around before the race we came across this dog and his compassionate owner. This dog has a slipped disc in his back and can't walk so this cart was made so he can get around. In fact, he was in the race and those little front legs go like crazy.

Hope you are all doing well. I like Facebook but a personal message or phone call is nice too. Until later, Mom and Dad, Wilmer and Marilyn or whatever! We even respond to ma and pa. Love you all.