Setting the Stage: In the spring of 2011 Grampy was showing Joseph a map of where he had been around the world. Joe noted I had been to 48 of the 50 states and asked "Grampy, why don't you go to the last two." A few months later I asked him if he would like to go to South Dakota and North Dakota with me. Yes! was the answer with details to be negotiated.
Trip: The trip began in August of 2011. Pictures and a brief travelogue from Facebook follow:
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Day 1: The first day of our adventure included Joe mastering the Crown Club, playing games with the non-associated adult passengers (didn't learn that from me), discovering the airport wait (grampy, it is after boarding time!), pretending to look wide awake at 10 p.m. Boston time (but grampy, the clock says 8 p.m.) and waking up at 4:30 a.m. (time travel again). The great delight of South Dakota is our hotel's water park (do we have to go see Custer?) Stay tuned for the next update.
Day 2: Began with... the water park. Off then to the amazing and beautiful Custer State Park (this doesn't look like MA!) where we observed lots of wild life including very friendly donkeys, bison, and some rarely seen elk (hawk eye Joe sighting confirmed by rangers minutes later). Mount Rushmore (cheating picture) very impressive (even had good chicken strips). Day ended with...the water park. Big adventures today including the Verizon store (don't ask), riding into Sturgis (ha ha Chris), and a trip through an Indian reservation to go fishing on the Missouri River tomorrow...
Day 3: Begins with a new phone (fa, la), a trip to the concrete dinosaur park (world class crickets and grasshoppers and our second praying mantis), and then off to Sturgis (eat your hearts out guys). A stop at the HD shop to rub it in your face and get secret gifts triggered an offer to Joe from a nice couple to RIDE (people in the background in the Harley picture). Thank god the local taco shop could handle Joe's special order. Ride east across SD began. Games included let's find a tree. Shock at the fields of sunflowers. End of the world experience--the teeth of a dead animal on the side of the road--I'll never leave it. Day ends with .... swimming pool, pool (I'm shaking 'cause I'm losing) and RIDE. Today north along the Missouri River to state 50.
Day 4: Ends with GRAMPY HITTING FIFTY (states). After a swim (of course) and breakfast with interesting friends (did I say every meal we ate was great), off to the Sitting Bull Memorial to visit the statue, leave a remembrance (have to learn more), hunt for grasshoppers (again), and check out the view. Then back to the hotel to get the things we forgot (nice they called). Then off to Bismark. With all the flooding, riverfront activities all curtailed or ending early (Help!). Then we found Riverside park with great and cheap amusements (thank god). Joe's a very aggressive driver--who is the teacher? Day closes with McDonalds and a swim (of course)
Day 5: The final day started with…a swim, laps, and waffles (Grampy, you can’t eat them cause of sugar). Then off to the trains, the State Capital (I’ll stay in the car) and the Dakota zoo (lots of storm damage and signs of flooding). After tacos (again), we turned in the trusty Durango rental (nice) and awaited our flight. Joseph engaged most everyone in the terminal (not that small). A local offered that the teeth we found were of a wolf or coyote. Joe’s shirt and bandanna got attention or was it envy. Final precious gifts were purchased (secrets) and we’re ridin' home celebrating a great way to end getting to all 50 states, TOGETHER. PS: and once again adult passengers Joseph didn't know played games with him.
A great trip was had by all.
