New Van

The white Ford truck was replaced this week with this Town & Country van. It wasn't an easy decision, but one that we think is the right one for now. The RV is at a camping resort in the Black Hills. That is where we will do our camping for now. No truck is needed as the resort has the ability to move the RV from storage to our designated camping site each stay. The resort also has a storage area for the RV during the winter. The van will give us lots of room for traveling to AZ.

Crystal Springs Rodeo

The Crystal Springs Rodeo is held in a former duck pond that is now known as "America's most natural Rodeo Bowl". The natural setting in the grasslands of the Coteau des Prairie crystal springs is in the middle of a pasture on the Crystal Springs Ranch.

It was about 85º at 8:00 PM and about 85% humidity. But as the sun went down, it was a very comfortable evening. There were no bugs bothering us in as we sat in the pasture grass because the grounds had been sprayed for mosquitoes.


This was the 64th year of the rodeo which has become a very popular rodeo in eastern SD.

Saddle Bronc Riding

One of the contestants in the tie down roping event.

Cowboy contestants atop a hill waiting their event in the arena.

The evening ended with an awesome fireworks display. It was $14.00 well spent and the first time we attended this rodeo. It won't be our last!

Father's Day

Dad and his "kids" enjoying the Canaries minor league baseball game last Sunday afternoon.


The Canaries were unable to post a win.

The mascot enjoying a little sun with a young fan and...

leading the YMCA with the troop of young attendees.

The Sioux Falls

The city of Sioux falls gets its name from the falls in the city. This was the first time I have spent any time at Falls Park in the city. What an awesome site!

The falls are part of the Sioux River that flows from Watertown through Sioux Falls and eventually to the Missouri River.


That is a lot of rushing water. Many people were at the park enjoying the summer day.

Dad with his kids on Father's Day weekend. Thanks for the great weekend, kids!

Downtown Sculptures

New sculptures have been placed in downtown Sioux Falls to encourage people to visit the historic part of town. Dining places have added sidewalk seating. Live music also attracts walkers and gawkers. These are some of my favorite art works seen on our Saturday afternoon stroll.

We also found some good wine. That will come later.

Father's Day Weekend

Sioux Falls Post Office (Federal Building)

The Federal Courthouse and Post Office building at Twelfth Street and Phillips Avenue was built of Sioux Falls quartzite. When it was originally constructed, in 1895, it was two stories in height. In 1913 a third floor was added, and in 1933 the eastern annex was built in response to the increase in postal and court business.

One of the most recognizable structures constructed from the quartzite found along the bluffs of the Big Sioux River at the East Sioux Falls quarries is the Minnehaha County Courthouse, or Old Courthouse Museum as it is now known. The building was completed in December of 1889 by the Sioux Falls Granite Company at a cost of $80,000. The workmanship of the stone craftsmen is evident in the building and its landmark clock tower. The structure has been restored by Minnehaha County and is part of the Siouxland Heritage Museum system.

The new county courthouse of Minnehaha County.

This was the first part of our walking tour on Saturday afternoon in downtown Sioux Falls. Usually when we travel to Sioux Falls we shop at the mall and a few other stores along 41st Street. Karl decided we needed to see downtown. We are glad we did.

Weather in The Black Hills

Having spent much time in The Black Hills during the summer since the early 1980s, I should be used to the idea that it rains almost every day in the summer. It often isn't much rain, but there is almost always a shower. Today, it was a beautiful blue sky morning, not a cloud to be seen. It was nice and warm sitting in the sun. We grilled steak outside for lunch (cleaning out the freezer before we leave). About two o'clock, I looked to the north and west and this is what I saw...

the clouds were moving in. Within a couple of hours the sky had become...



overcast and the temperature dropped, dramatically.

Yesterday afternoon we watched a similar storm move in. We had planned to take a little drive so left before the rain hit. We watched the storm move in from the north and west. So we drove south thinking to get out of the way and maybe avoid it completely. WRONG! It rained off and on rest of the afternoon.

This is the look of my beautiful Martha Washington geranium I had brought along. It was full of blooms when I left yesterday, but this is what I found this morning. Hail had stripped all the flowers. I'm lucky there are leaves left on the plant. An RV neighbor reported quarter-size hail fell for about 30 minutes.

We also discovered the hail had put a hole in the side of the bathroom fan/vent cover, as well as crack the cover in a couple of places. Upon returning from our excursion last night we realized that damage when we stepped into the bathroom and had wet feet. Not a lot of water, but enough to alert us to the problem. Curt crawled on top and used duct tape to seal the hole and cracks. It worked 'cause the floor was not wet this morning. We will get the cover replaced on our next trip out here as there were no RV supply businesses open today, Sunday.

Some other campers also have broken bathroom fan vent covers. That appears to be the worst of the damage. It could have been so much worse. We are fortunate.

Hopefully, this afternoon/evening will not be a repeat of yesterday's "shower".

Camping at Hart Ranch

Look at the sky. That is the same sky we have see for almost the entire week we have been here. It has rained sometime every day of our stay. I can truthfully say: I NEED SUNSHINE, SOON.


This is our view to the northwest. I love looking at the green hills and buttes.

And this is the view to the northeast.

Maybe some sunshine this weekend? Please?

Red Barn

The Red Barn campground was our home for the first night of our camping trip on our way to the Black Hills.


Ready to hook up and head out.

It is a lovely little campground and we have stayed there several times in the past while visiting our son and daughter-in-law. Lots of trees and shade and just a couple of miles from the kids.

The Red Barn is the summer home of CV friends, Don & Karen, whom we had a chance to visit.

Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Monument

This is the starting line for the Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Monument, June 6, 2009.


It was foggy, cool and damp. It was not a nice morning when Curt met friends for the 6 or so mile hike at Crazy Horse Monument this morning.

He has a ways to go, but the fog did lift and it was a pleasant hike. You can see people on the arm, the area in front of the face of Crazy Horse. Notice the change in sky color, too.

The group. The gal in blue has completed 9 consecutive hikes. Way to go, Diane! This was Curt's third volksmarch. Thanks for including us!

The rain returned and hail fell as they were driving to the watering hole in Hill City. Good timing!