Storybook Island

Things got off to a much smoother start today. The internet was working fine, so Jeremy was able to work normally. The kids were up nice and early and we were ready by 8am. After a load of laundry we made it out to Storybook Island. It's a fabulous park with lots of different toys for the kids to play on, all with different themes. Some are famous fairy tale characters, others are Disney characters, others are just trains or ice cream or something else fun. They've even got movie songs playing. It felt a bit like Disney World. The best part? It's free! It's sponsored by the Rotary Club and there is no admission or parking charges. We did pay $1 for Ian to go on a train ride, so hopefully that will help their operating costs. We liked it so well that after Jeremy was done with work, we went back again. Even after spending several hours there today Ian still has not tried everything they have. Rinnah had a ball too-plenty of things she could climb on, swings to ride, and slides to go down.

We were hoping to make it a little longer, but we had to move tonight to dump our tanks. We're staying in a spot with just electric & water hookups, and our gray water (sink & shower drainage) tank was full. So we had to move the trailer over to the dump station and repark. It wasn't a big deal, but because of that it's kind of late. I'll put up Storybook Island pictures tomorrow.

Rapid City, SD

Today was an odd day.

We got very poor cell signals at the campsite last night. It's a shame, because it was just beautiful out there.

From Rapid City, SD

Jeremy did his best to work out there this morning. His office had a great view and plenty of fresh mountain air.

From Rapid City, SD

Since the signal wasn't strong enough, we headed back to Rapid City, a little more urban and out of the mountainous trees. We spent a few hours at a Flying J truck stop while Jeremy worked. It took awhile to find an open campground since we're apparently right between the 4th of July and several annual rallies, so it's peak season. Eventually we did find a site just a bit northwest of Rapid City . It's priced right, has cell coverage, free wifi, and even a playground. We'll be here for a few days while we sort out where we want to go next and when we want to get there.

I think we'll be avoiding tourist traps in the middle of nowhere for awhile.

Scenic South Dakota

Today we drove across most of South Dakota. It was interesting. The views were gorgeous, especially at a scenic overlook we saw at a rest area. We also stopped at Wall Drug. There were about a million billboards for it along the highway and our curiosity got the best of us. It turned out to be more or less a massive gift shop filled with touristy trinkets. They did have a pretty neat outdoor area where Ian got to sit on a (stuffed) horse and sit in a covered wagon. There was also a water play area with different jets that would go off unpredictably which was fun to watch.

It was really neat to see the scenery change so abruptly. One minute we're driving through the same plains we've seen for a hundred miles, then suddenly we go down a hill and see a breathtaking riverbed. Later, soft rolling hills suddenly give way to roaring steep forests. It's really amazing and made for an interesting drive.

4th of July!

Sure, technically it's the 5th of July, but today is when all the fun happened here.

This morning we started off at the zoo, and then went to the museum. It was fun to bring Jeremy with and have Ian show him all his favorite things, plus we were able to see some new things that the kids and I hadn't seen earlier in the week. At the zoo we rode the train as a special treat, and that was fun.

After a full morning, we came back for a late lunch and naptime. While the kids slept, the fair began setting up. It's right at the fairgrounds we've been staying at all week, just across a small field. It only took us a few minutes to walk over and see what was happening. There were lots of inflatable bouncy houses and slides, and even an inflatable bumper boats arena. Ian loves the big obstacle courses and slides.

From Sioux Falls

One of the bouncy houses was the perfect size for Rinnah to get in. She loved it, especially when Ian came over and bounced her!

From Sioux Falls

Ian's favorite was the bumper boats. Steering and pushing was done by turning the wheels with both hands, which was great for Ian. He loved it!

From Sioux Falls

From Sioux Falls

We were hoping to have the kids settled in bed so we could watch the fireworks. It didn't exactly work out, since they were up for awhile and we were packing up so we'll be ready to leave in the morning. We still did get to put the tailgate down and watch most of the show. We could see different fireworks shows all around us, which was pretty neat. The show here at the fairgrounds was very well done and we really enjoyed it. It was perfect-we were close enough for a great view, but not close enough to be crowded with other people. The kids were inside the trailer which was quiet enough that they stayed asleep. And when it was over, we didn't have to fight traffic and drive anywhere to go home. We just walked inside.

I forgot to put the kids in their 4th of July outfits today, but otherwise it was a great day. Sioux Falls has been a neat little city-a lot of things to do close together, but not a lot of traffic or skinny roads and parking garages. In Kansas City, Jeremy and I each put a scratch on one corner of the truck trying to maneuver the beast through all the parking garages, so we were quite happy to spend a whole week without being in any garages!

Minnesota

Today we went to Minnesota! We crossed the border and met our friends Sarah and Jonathan at a park where the kids got to run around and play for awhile, then we had a nice lunch together. It was great to catch up with them. Sarah was in the computer science department at Wheaton with us and we hadn't seen her in person since their wedding almost two years ago. It had been way too long. They were nice enough to drive a few hours out to meet us so we only had to drive about an hour with the kids. I'm very thankful, since Ian had one very long temper tantrum on the way there and I'm not sure we would have made it much further.

From Sioux Falls

From Sioux Falls

By the time we got home, the kids were exhausted. Ian was begging to go to bed while we were still at the restaurant. He fell asleep in the truck on the way home and stayed asleep when I put him in bed, for a total of over three hours. He obviously needed the rest. Poor Rinnah was trying so hard to sleep, but I think she's getting the cold I've been fighting all week. She is all congested and could hardly breathe, even with medicine. She dozed some while we held her, but that was about it. We elevated the head of her bed tonight so I hope she'll be able to get some rest.

Between Rinnah being sick, Ian sleeping so late, and a big rainstorm here in Sioux Falls, we decided to take the rest of the evening off. Tomorrow we're hoping to hit the zoo again if we can dodge the rain.

Rinnah's Birthday!!

Today Rinnah turned one!

At first I was feeling badly since we had a big party for Ian's first birthday, with lots of kids, food, & gifts. But as it turned out, I think Rinnah had a very nice birthday too. We went out to Falls Park here in Sioux Falls. We sat at this table with a beautiful view of the waterfalls.

From Rinnah's Birthday

We enjoyed a picnic dinner, and then Rinnah got to eat her birthday cupcake. She was a bit hesitant at first, but it didn't take long for her to start to dig in.

From Rinnah's Birthday

From Rinnah's Birthday

After cake was time for presents. She got a picture from Ian, some new toys, some adorable outfits, and a new towel and babylegs. Ian was thrilled that Rinnah let him help open the gifts.

From Rinnah's Birthday

From Rinnah's Birthday

Then we enjoyed a walk along the trail at Falls Park and going up to the tower at the visitor's center to see the view. It was a gorgeous park. They have a light show every night-I wish we could go, but it's at 9:30pm which is a bit late for the kids.

From Rinnah's Birthday

It was a very nice birthday celebration. I think she enjoyed herself. It's hard to believe she's one already! Here she is, almost walking and starting to talk. It makes me glad that we're slowing things down a bit and we'll be able to enjoy so many more evenings together with her like tonight.

Science center

Today we went to another science museum.

It was really nice. We accidentally got there right when they opened, so for awhile we had the place mostly to ourselves which was great for Ian. His favorite exhibit was some pool noodles cut like Lincoln Logs so you could build a fort with them.

From Sioux Falls

The best part was jumping on the fort to destroy it.

From Sioux Falls

Rinnah was less impressed.

From Sioux Falls

It was overall a pretty nice day. We got to see our friend Laura again, and she's going to bring her fiance by tomorrow night. Laura lived on a boat with her dad for about six months recently, so it was great to chat with her about the joys of living in a home built for travel and how to make the most of living in a small space.