Albert Lea Minn. to Wall South Dakota

On Saturday, June 9^th we called Salem SD home. We drove in to Mitchell to check out “The Corn Palace” it’s kind of touristy but the corn murals on the outside of the building & on the walls inside were very cool. They are all made from corn (approx. 275,000 ears of corn), sour dock & rye. This was started in 1892 & is the only place where this type of folk are is being preserved. As for as Salem - not too much there - but one exciting thing is that Howard is close by - & why is that exciting - well - on Friday I went on the Internet & found Greg’s family in Howard - call and talked to his cousin Tom. We made plans to get together on Sunday. Greg has never seen the area where his dad was from so we were very excited to say the least.

The Corn Palace

Mitchell, SD

Sunday, June 10^th - we made our way to Howard, it’s about ½ hour from Salem. We met Greg’s cousin Francine and went out for brunch. There we were joined by more of Greg’s family - cousin’s Mary & Tom and Tom's wife Bobbie and their son Andrew (who just happens to be the mayor of Howard) After brunch we drove around the area seeing where Greg’s dad was born & grew up - checking our the old farm, church & the cemetery where many of Greg’s relatives are buried. In the evening we all went back to Francine’s and had a great time of eating, reminiscing and sharing old family stories until almost midnight. We had such a wonderful time. It was a special time in a very special place. We want to make this a repeat event. It was so great making that family connection - another MEMORY MAKING MOMENT for this trip.

 

Dold Implement Co.



Francine's house
(it was her parents home) 



 





The old Dold farm house

looking out from the old farm house

Today - Monday, June 11th we headed into the Badlands of South Dakota. We made today’s stop in Wall, SD. The story behind the Wall’s Drug Store & the free ice water is something you need to check out. Not enough time for me to share - but well worth the read. We had lunch there and then made the drive in to The Badlands Park - it is truly something to see. It is pretty - in a different way. We saw a lot of prairie dogs and bison - very cool. It was another time I had to make myself stop taking pictures. Tomorrow we will make our way into the Black Hills staying in Horse Thief Campground, Hill City, SD





"almost" a straight road

starting into The Badlands

this was a old sod prairie home