The Wagon Queen Family Truckster Goes Northwest - Update 10/3 pg 6 (Canada)

[middlepat]

So, as we last left our travelers they had just arrived into Sioux Falls, SD for a nice quiet night's sleep... and they actually got that. (I know we're all shocked at that one)

So morning comes as usual, right after night, and we get up and start packing up for our day of exciting sightseeing in South Dakota. "Great Faces. Great Places." according to their license plates, and as we all know these never lie.

SO we head downstairs for breakfast and the spread offered by the Springhill Suites was pretty good. They had your standards, bagels, cereal, yoghurt, etc. but they also had... wait for it.... BELGIAN WAFFLE MAKER. Now the reason for the fanfare here is that Shannon is the Waffle Princess. She loves her some waffles and as soon as she saw this, she had to have one. This typically wouldn't have been a problem except there was one family that provided a formidable foe.

{rant on}
So I don't want to go off on a rant or anything, but this one family of grown adults (parents and 2 adult children in their young 20s) strategically positioned themselves at the table right next to the waffle iron. Not an issue, but as there was only 1 waffle iron for everyone, they decided to cycle through all 4 family members and then after all 4 had their waffles, instead of asking if any of the other people hanging around the waffle iron if they were waiting to use it, family member #1 decides that this is a good time to go get his SECOND WAFFLE!!!!! So Shannon is about to go ballistic when my DW steps in and suggests that maybe some of the other guests might have a turn at getting some of the waffle goodness.
{rant off}

So anyway, after an extended breakfast, it was finally time to load up and head to the WORLD FAMOUS CORN PALACE in Mitchell, SD. After winding our way off the Interstate and into the quaint little town of Mitchell, we finally found ourselves in front of the Corn Palace.

Ok, so I know that this seems like a bit of a corny tourist attraction, (That's for you Barry) but I will say I was very impressed at first glance. The outside of the building was adorned by these murals that were made completely out of corn stalks, ears, etc.

So after checking out the murals around the sides, we decided to head on in and check out the inside where we found this quintessential photo op:

This was a little too close to home.

So inside the WORLD FAMOUS CORN PALACE I was a bit taken aback. There was a path that took you through the building and past pictures of all the years gone by as they change the murals each year, but then you get to the heart of the Corn Palace and find....... a flea market in the middle of a basketball court. I felt like I was in the middle of a Chevy Chase movie or something.

I will say that the girls loved every minute of the Corn Palace. They thought it was the most amazing thing ever. In fact as we were leaving and about to cross the street, Shannon tripped and scraped her hand a bit. She said that her hand stung a bit, but nothing could ruin this day, as this was the day we saw the Corn Palace. I guess I couldn't have said it better myself.

So before moving on from Mitchell and the WORLD FAMOUS CORN PALACE, we had to stop and get once last bit of "Corn Love".

Up next, we hit the Badlands.

 

[afwdwfan]

Oh no, we can't quite go there. See, Barry and I have this Illinois / Wisconsin love / hate thing going on, but I could never become his nemesis as he's a Cubs fan. So you see the conundrum there.

I guess I understand the border rivalry thing. I'd have plenty of reason to make him, and apparently you, a nemesis though.

So, even though Barry and I don't always see eye to eye on most topics (outside of Disney and Dole Whips) any animosity that he directs to Mark is more than welcome. Something like the enemy of my enemy's enemy doesn't really bother me.

I guess that makes sense in some weird, screwed up way.

{rant on}
So I don't want to go off on a rant or anything, but this one family of grown adults (parents and 2 adult children in their young 20s) strategically positioned themselves at the table right next to the waffle iron. Not an issue, but as there was only 1 waffle iron for everyone, they decided to cycle through all 4 family members and then after all 4 had their waffles, instead of asking if any of the other people hanging around the waffle iron if they were waiting to use it, family member #1 decides that this is a good time to go get his SECOND WAFFLE!!!!! So Shannon is about to go ballistic when my DW steps in and suggests that maybe some of the other guests might have a turn at getting some of the waffle goodness.
{rant off}

Believe me, I understand. I spent more nights in hotels my first 4 1/2 years after college than I spent at home. The worst thing about the breakfast offerings tends to be the other guests. Things like you mentioned about hogging waffle makers, taking a whole frickin' tray of Holiday Inn Express cinnamon rolls to go, walking into the breakfast area with no shirt or shoes like they're just chilling at home... What happened to being resptectful of others and common decency?

I will say that the girls loved every minute of the Corn Palace. They thought it was the most amazing thing ever. In fact as we were leaving and about to cross the street, Shannon tripped and scraped her hand a bit. She said that her hand stung a bit, but nothing could ruin this day, as this was the day we saw the Corn Palace. I guess I couldn't have said it better myself.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I fully endorse the celebration of corn and all things corn related! I'd be living in a cardboard box under an overpass if it weren't for that wonderful plant.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Shannon is the Waffle Princess.

That’s the kind of nickname that can stick with a person for life (hay… it might even make for a good Dis-Name)

…except there was one family that provided a formidable foe.

Formidable indeed. I think that you’re allowed to rant here; nonsense of that caliber is far too common an occurrence amongst the general populous. There’s a whole lot of “ME” thinking that is driving much of the ranker these days.

The WORLD FAMOUS CORN PALACE in Mitchell, SD

Cool!

…but then you get to the heart of the Corn Palace and find....... a flea market in the middle of a basketball court.

W-a-i-t......a.......s-e-c-o-n-d… I thought you said this was in South Dakota?
It certainly sounds like the “South” that I know... but I ain’t so certain about the “Dakota” part based on that description.

I will say that the girls loved every minute of the Corn Palace.

And that’s why we do this stuff!

Well… that and because we secretly want to see things like this for ourselves, but just don’t want to have to admit to such in front of other adults who are themselves trying not to admit that they thought it was actually pretty cool too, but none of us want to look uncool, and………………

Up next, we hit the Badlands.

Looking forward!

 

[middlepat]

I guess I understand the border rivalry thing. I'd have plenty of reason to make him, and apparently you, a nemesis though.

Yeah, as I've said before, I acquiesce when it comes to baseball trash talk, as I am after all a Cubs fan.

I guess that makes sense in some weird, screwed up way.

It's the only way I know how to make sense. (weird and screwed up)

Believe me, I understand. I spent more nights in hotels my first 4 1/2 years after college than I spent at home. The worst thing about the breakfast offerings tends to be the other guests. Things like you mentioned about hogging waffle makers, taking a whole frickin' tray of Holiday Inn Express cinnamon rolls to go, walking into the breakfast area with no shirt or shoes like they're just chilling at home... What happened to being resptectful of others and common decency?

Formidable indeed. I think that you’re allowed to rant here; nonsense of that caliber is far too common an occurrence amongst the general populous. There’s a whole lot of “ME” thinking that is driving much of the ranker these days.

Wish I could right this wrong in the world, but all I can do is teach the 3 I'm raising to act properly... and smack those that don't.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I fully endorse the celebration of corn and all things corn related! I'd be living in a cardboard box under an overpass if it weren't for that wonderful plant.

So, ears the deal. I thought that I'd add a kernel of knowledge about the corniest of all vegetables, Corn. If you treat it right it'll butter you up, or pop off in the most delicious manner. So in escense, all hail the king of corn!

Cob to your mother.

That’s the kind of nickname that can stick with a person for life (hay… it might even make for a good Dis-Name)

Agreed, but she has already achieved Queen status in the area of Drama.

W-a-i-t......a.......s-e-c-o-n-d… I thought you said this was in South Dakota?
It certainly sounds like the “South” that I know... but I ain’t so certain about the “Dakota” part based on that description.

Oh it was definately Dakota. Where else can you get a genuine pheasant pelt to hang.... somewhere?

And that’s why we do this stuff!

Well… that and because we secretly want to see things like this for ourselves, but just don’t want to have to admit to such in front of other adults who are themselves trying not to admit that they thought it was actually pretty cool too, but none of us want to look uncool, and………………


Looking forward!

Couldn't have said it better myself.... as proof by my last entry.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I'm ashamed to admit I had never, ever heard of the Corn Palace before. Is that wrong?

 

[middlepat]

I'm ashamed to admit I had never, ever heard of the Corn Palace before. Is that wrong?

Not wrong, just Oblivious.

Of course now that you have heard of it.... I know where the Oblivious clan is going on there next vacation.

 

[FreezinRafiki]

So, as we last left our travelers they had just arrived into Sioux Falls, SD for a nice quiet night's sleep... and they actually got that. (I know we're all shocked at that one)

Three kids in a hotel room and they all slept? I have a hard time getting that to happen with two.

So morning comes as usual, right after night, and we get up and start packing up for our day of exciting sightseeing in South Dakota. "Great Faces. Great Places." according to their license plates, and as we all know these never lie.

Illinois License Plate: "Land of Lincoln". Even though he was born in Kentucky and grew up in Indiana.
Perhaps we should petition the Illinois DOT to switch to something a little closer to the truth: "Vote Early, Vote Often"

{rant on}
So I don't want to go off on a rant or anything, but this one family of grown adults (parents and 2 adult children in their young 20s) strategically positioned themselves at the table right next to the waffle iron. Not an issue, but as there was only 1 waffle iron for everyone, they decided to cycle through all 4 family members and then after all 4 had their waffles, instead of asking if any of the other people hanging around the waffle iron if they were waiting to use it, family member #1 decides that this is a good time to go get his SECOND WAFFLE!!!!! So Shannon is about to go ballistic when my DW steps in and suggests that maybe some of the other guests might have a turn at getting some of the waffle goodness.
{rant off}

Crack you knuckles as you ask them how they would look the rest of the day with waffle iron marks on their face. Trust me, you'll be next in line.

Ok, so I know that this seems like a bit of a corny tourist attraction, (That's for you Barry) but I will say I was very impressed at first glance.

Well done, Brian. Well done indeed.

In fact as we were leaving and about to cross the street, Shannon tripped and scraped her hand a bit. She said that her hand stung a bit, but nothing could ruin this day, as this was the day we saw the Corn Palace.

She doesn't get out much, does she?

I guess I couldn't have said it better myself.

Nor do you, it appears...

Yeah, as I've said before, I acquiesce when it comes to baseball trash talk, as I am after all a Cubs fan.

So, ears the deal. I thought that I'd add a kernel of knowledge about the corniest of all vegetables, Corn. If you treat it right it'll butter you up, or pop off in the most delicious manner. So in escense, all hail the king of corn!

Cob to your mother.

 

[afwdwfan]

Illinois License Plate: "Land of Lincoln". Even though he was born in Kentucky and grew up in Indiana.
Perhaps we should petition the Illinois DOT to switch to something a little closer to the truth: "Vote Early, Vote Often"

Well, they only have a select few non-corrupt politicians to choose from. Might as well just let them have this one.

 

[middlepat]

Illinois License Plate: "Land of Lincoln". Even though he was born in Kentucky and grew up in Indiana.
Perhaps we should petition the Illinois DOT to switch to something a little closer to the truth: "Vote Early, Vote Often"

Well, they only have a select few non-corrupt politicians to choose from. Might as well just let them have this one.

Why do I feel like I'm getting from both sides.... oh yeah... WI... IN... that's why.

Another one I like is: "Illinois DOC: The official residence of retired Governors."

Or another: "Illinois, not quite as corrupt as New Jersey"

 

[middlepat]

So, having our fill of the Corn Palace and all that Mitchell, SD had to offer, we all packed up and drove a quick 200 miles west to the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.

Now you may ask yourself, "Self, why would one want to stop to see the Buffalo Gap National Grassland after driving 200 miles through un-claimed grasslands?" You may ask yourself that, unless you know that the Buffalo Gap National Grassland is an extra special grassland.

(is it wrong that I like to use the word grassland")

What's special about the Buffalo Gap National Grassland is this:

The badlands of South Dakota are very cool and unfortunately my pictures can't do it justice. What's amazing is that as you drive up to this outlook, it looks just like the prairie just goes on until you realize, whoops, there's a cliff there.

The way the badlands are created is a combination of weak stone structure and wind / water erosion. As the stone gets worn by the elements there are parts of the badlands that change by as much as a few inches each year.

We continued through the scenic drive until we got to the bottom of the drop where they had a park visitor center.

The girls had fun running around a bit and stretching there legs and we wanted to get a picture with the badlands in the background.

Of course if you've met our girls, you'd know that this just wasn't nearly up close and personal enough, so as we continued through the badlands scenic drive, we found a good opportunity to get personal with the badlands.

This was the view to the side of where the girls were climbing.

This is what remains of a river bed that once ran through here.

Up next.... Mt. Rushmore and when 7 o'clock doesn't mean 7 o'clock.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Now you may ask yourself, "Self, why would one want to stop to see the Buffalo Gap National Grassland after driving 200 miles through un-claimed grasslands?"

Let’s see… a good break after several hours of driving… a chance to photograph gorgeous scenery, and beautiful girls at the same time… topped off with an impromptu geology lesson…

Yep… that’s a good reason to stop.



I really like this image. I don’t get to see vistas like that very often around where I dwell.

Up next.... Mt. Rushmore and when 7 o'clock doesn't mean 7 o'clock.

Cool! Something else I don’t generally get to see around where I dwell.

 

[afwdwfan]

Now you may ask yourself, "Self, why would one want to stop to see the Buffalo Gap National Grassland after driving 200 miles through un-claimed grasslands?"

Or you may ask yourself, "Why not?" That's what road trips are for!

(is it wrong that I like to use the word grassland")

It may not be wrong, but I'm not sure that it's right.

The badlands of South Dakota are very cool and unfortunately my pictures can't do it justice.

Yes, they are cool, and your pictures really are great. But you're right, they don't do it justice.

What's amazing is that as you drive up to this outlook, it looks just like the prairie just goes on until you realize, whoops, there's a cliff there.

I just about learned that lesson the hard way riding a dirtbike on a ranch in South Dakota about 15 years ago... I had to bail off... fortunately it was only about a 25 foot drop and not straight down. Once we bent the handlebars back it was good to go.

Of course if you've met our girls, you'd know that this just wasn't nearly up close and personal enough, so as we continued through the badlands scenic drive, we found a good opportunity to get personal with the badlands.

No point in going there if you don't intend to get up close and personal with the scenery!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Now you may ask yourself, "Self, why would one want to stop to see the Buffalo Gap National Grassland after driving 200 miles through un-claimed grasslands?" You may ask yourself that, unless you know that the Buffalo Gap National Grassland is an extra special grassland.

(is it wrong that I like to use the word grassland")

Just grassland as grassland long as grassland you grassland don't overuse grassland "grassland".

The badlands of South Dakota are very cool and unfortunately my pictures can't do it justice. What's amazing is that as you drive up to this outlook, it looks just like the prairie just goes on until you realize, whoops, there's a cliff there.

Cool! I'm always amazed and fascinated by the scenery out west.

Of course if you've met our girls, you'd know that this just wasn't nearly up close and personal enough, so as we continued through the badlands scenic drive, we found a good opportunity to get personal with the badlands.

Did they get some soil samples? Do any geology tests? Carbon dating?

Great pictures, keep 'em coming!

 

[FreezinRafiki]

So, having our fill of the Corn Palace and all that Mitchell, SD had to offer, we all packed up and drove a quick 200 miles west to the Buffalo Gap National Grassland.

Is the Corn Palace all Mitchel, SD has to offer? Or is there a gas station or something too?

(is it wrong that I like to use the word grassland")

Maybe it's like the word "Smurf". You just stick it in anywhere you want and means something totally different.

The way the badlands are created is a combination of weak stone structure and wind / water erosion. As the stone gets worn by the elements there are parts of the badlands that change by as much as a few inches each year.

Noted. I expect pictures from these same spots next year as evidence.

Megan: I love daddy.
Shannon: I love Lemonade.

Brian: cut the middle one out of the will.


The pictures are really awesome. And since I've never been there, I will assume that they do it justice. But now I have to go there and check out these amazing views for myself. Really cool!

 

[erika412]

Megan: I love daddy.
Shannon: I love Lemonade.

Brian: cut the middle one out of the will.

I think Mary had to go to the bathroom in this picture.

 

[KatMark]

Well, since Barry and Mark crack me up, I figured since they met you for dinner, you had to be just like them....so I'm joining in.

Now, I have to run to a meeting, but I will catch up later.

 

[middlepat]

Well, since Barry and Mark crack me up, I figured since they met you for dinner, you had to be just like them....so I'm joining in.

Now, I have to run to a meeting, but I will catch up later.

Yay! I stole a reader from my nemesis' trip report!!!


Welcome Kathy to our little trip.

 

[KatMark]

Yay! I stole a reader from my nemesis' trip report!!!


Welcome Kathy to our little trip.

Brian, thank you for the welcome--especially to a mostly "men's thread". You have three beautiful daughters and I look forward to following along.

 

[middlepat]

So, we finished up the scenic drive through the Badlands and headed over to Wall Drug for lunch.

Now if anyone has been through the western half of South Dakota you know, you HAVE TO stop at Wall Drug. They have FREE ICE WATER!!!! Who can pass that up? So we pulled in to Wall, SD and sidled up to the counter to order some lunch.

After getting our food and sitting down, Megan, who had been fighting a cold for a couple of days already, was starting to act unusually ornery. So I quickly finished up and she and I headed back to the van, where she promptly passed out. Erika and the older 2 girls stayed and finished their lunch and then checked out what Wall Drug had to offer. Unfortunately we didn't get any pictures, but I highly recommend checking out Wall Drug the next time you're in Wall, SD.

So after the girls got back to the van we loaded up and headed west toward the Black Hills and a certain place where the hills have eyes. Of course, as we were driving, the skies started to look a little ominous and about 30 minutes into the drive the skies opened on us. Now I mean buckets... literally buckets hit the van. (OK, not literally, but you get the picture, it was wet.)

We turned off of I-90 at Rapid City and all of a sudden the skies began to clear. The timing of the rain was perfect as worked our way up the hill there were a few showers here and there, but as we pulled into the parking lot, the rain stopped.

We all jumped out of the car and rushed to.... the bathroom. OK, now that's taken care of we walked up to see....

MT. Rushmore.

As you walk up to the viewing area, there is an awesome display of all 50 state flags setup like a corridor to the main viewpoint for the mountain.

Of course, as you can see my viewpoint wasn't completely focused on the flags. The sight of Mt. Rushmore is just plain cool.

This gives some perspective on the viewpoint.

and with the proper zoom.

As we made our way back to the van, we had to get a picture of our home state, the Great State of Illinois from the flag standards.

And the plaque on the column.

As we looked back for one final vantage before we moved onto Jewel Cave.

So once again we packed up in the van and made our way through the Black Hills to Jewel Cave National Monument.

{aside}
Do you know why the Black Hills are called the Black Hills? No? Well, let me tell you. So you might think that they have a dark stone or mineral or something along those lines, but no.... the name came from the Sioux name for the hills because the way the trees look from the distance on the hills they look dark, or black. (Educational component of the TR entry complete)
{/aside}

So we made our way around to Jewel Cave and I was thinking to myself...self, you rock. I know that the Jewel Cave doesn't close until 7 PM because I looked it up online before we left, the clock in the van says 5:55 PM and we should be able to check this out and head to the hotel after. Self you rock!

We head on into the Visitor Center and I walk up to the information desk and I ask, so can we head into see the cave? "Sorry sir, but the last tour left at 5:40." Ummmm..... 5:40..... Beverly!

So, we gently mention to Shannon that we won't be able to see Jewel Cave because we missed the last tour by 15 minutes. She took it relatively well.... considering that this is our Drama Queen.... she only broke down into tears and accused me of not loving her or something to that effect.

We did check out the visitor center a bit and I happened to inquire at the desk about tickets for the first tour in the next morning. "Sorry sir, the ticket sellers have left for the day, but I'm sure there will be space on the 9:30 tour tomorrow."

So we pulled out of the Jewel Cave parking lot and headed to the hotel that we had booked (and missed the cancellation window by about 15 minutes) for the night to contemplate what to do the next day. Do we continue along our pre-determined schedule including the hotel rooms booked etc.... or .... do we re-route our trip to allow us to return the next morning to see Jewel Cave....

Stay tuned and find out what will the middlepat clan do? Will the cave (for you Barry) into the desires of a 7 year old or will the "Greater Good" prevail and keep the current plans in place?

I think you know what we are going to do don't you...

 

[middlepat]

Brian, thank you for the welcome--especially to a mostly "men's thread". You have three beautiful daughters and I look forward to following along.

Of course, this may be the "Men's Den" on these boards, but we are a welcoming group. Besides, your less than 20 miles from here and you could hunt me down.