Wednesday morning, July 5, began with family members packing up to leave for the next adventure. For some, it was returning home to jobs. Most, however, loaded into their vehicles and headed toward the Badlands and Wall Drug.
For the first time, Sam and I went to see the hunting lodge where the young adult grandchildren had slept during the reunion. We were pleasantly surprised to find it decorated with a country charm.
Kortney and Koryn
fixing hair and getting ready for the day.
Only one bathroom, but we didn't hear any grumbling.
The beds covered with attractive quilted blankets.
This was Jared's sleeping area during the reunion.
An example of the cowboy theme.
Cute sayings were placed all around the lodge.
A nice way to think about having "joy."
You evidently don't need to put the game pieces together
to have a good time playing.
(Robert, Corban, Mason, Miles, and Monty)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The Badlands National Park in South Dakota
Beth's family on their drive through the Badlands.
(Megan, Amanda, Jared, Rebecca, Joshua, and Ethan)
Because the temperatures were going to be hot and we have been through the Badlands National Park numerous times, Sam and I drove through the edge of the Badlands on Highway 73 to Interstate 90 without going through the park. We met up with other family members in Wall Drug. Some had driven through the Badlands and others had been satisfied to just see the part on Highway 73.
Wall Drug Back Yard
The New York Times has described Wall Drug as
"a sprawling tourist attraction of
international renown
[that] draws some two million annual visitors to a
remote town."
It is also described as a "cowboy-themed shopping mall/
department store" and includes a western art museum
and an outdoor area.
Lots of things to see at Wall Drug.
We are walking past a wall covered with old photographs
on our way to watch the roaring dinosaur.
(Robert, Jenna, Kristine, Shannon, Sam, Brittney, Matt, and Scott)
The dinosaur opens his mouth and roars as smoke billows.
There are numerous photo ops
in Wall Drug complex.
(Mason)
Koryn and Kortney
Jamon, Austin, Zack, Jeff, Rochelle, Miles, and Kate
from Arkansas
Shannon, Brynlee, Mason, Isaac, Jacob, Doug, and Corban
from Utah
Matt, Kristine, Brittney, Robert, Shannon, Scott, Monty, and Joe
from Texas and Colorado
Kortney, Brady, Tani, Ryan, Marisa, Kyle, and Koryn
from Utah
Marla had stayed at the farm to help Brent and Tauna
with after-reunion chores,
but Curtis, Maggie, and Maren came to Wall Drug before
returning home to Mitchell, SD.
Grampa Sam and Robert by the big grizzly bear.
Picture with the Jackalope.
(Amanda, Joshua, Ethan, Megan, Rebecca, and Jared)
Monty, Miles, and Joe in the covered wagon.
Some are getting ready to say goodbye
before going to different destinations.
Sam and I started for home about mid-afternoon,
going as far as Casper where we stayed overnight
before continuing home to Spanish Fork the next day.
(Mason, Brynlee, Grampa, Gramma, Jared, Megan, Beth, Rebecca, Joshua,
Amanda, Isaac, Ethan, Jacob, Doug, and Corban)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Some of the others stayed in the Black Hills area
and visited Mount Rushmore and other tourist attractions
before returning to their homes.
Jeff and Doug's families
doing some climbing in the Black Hills.
Some went swimming in Sylvan Lake.
(Brynlee)
Jeff and Rochelle and Doug and Shannon's families at
"Mount Rushmore"
also known as "Shrine of Democracy"
in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
(Brynlee, Miles, Jamon, Kate, Isaac, Austin, Zack, Mason, Jamon, and Corban)
Koryn and Kyle, Brady and Kortney
When you are in the Black Hills,
a photo with Mount Rushmore's
Shrine of Democracy in the background is a given.
(Ethan, Megan, Rebecca, Beth, Joshua, Jared, and Amanda)
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Did you know this about South Dakota?
South Dakota has often been referred to as the land of infinite variety.
That variety is reflected in everything from the weather to the
scenery.
South Dakota ranks 16th in
size among the 50 states.
It was the 40th state to join the Union in
1889.
It encompasses 77,123 square miles, averaging 10 people per square
mile.
South Dakota boasts more miles of shoreline than the state of
Florida
and the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky
Mountains.
Population: 814,180 (2010 Census)
State Animal: Coyote
State Tree: Black Hills Spruce
Highest Point: Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) in the Black Hills, 7,242 feet
State Capital: Pierre (pronounced "peer")
State Bird: Chinese ring-necked pheasant
State Mineral: Rose Quartz
State Fish: Walleye
State Gemstone: Fairburn Agate
State Nickname: The Mount Rushmore State
State Insect: Honey Bee
State Fossil: Triceratops
Statehood: 1889
State Flower: Pasque
State Soil: Houdek
State Sport: Rodeo
State Dessert: Kuchen
State Song: "Hail, South Dakota"
State Motto: "Under God, the people rule"
State Slogan: "Great Faces. Great Places."
