2019 07 14 - 07 18 Oakdale, Wisconsin, 07 19 - 07 29 Sioux Falls, SD

Oakdale, Wisconsin - 14 July 2019

Bill and grandson, Cameron, find the joy in tree whimsy while out walking our dogs. 

Right across the road is a coop of very friendly chickens who like to be hand fed. 

Cameron became very fond of Bob during our stay. As soon as he woke up he started asking "where's Bob" and wanted to come over to our RV. All kinds of fun toys were available at Grandma's. 

Needing a larger play area we located a nearby park. Donna and I could sit in the shade relaxing...

while the boys, both big and little, could expend their energy on a massive castle playground. 

A big pool deserves a really big float. There was a family camping next to us with 4 or 5 very friendly kids. Bill kept a close watch on Cameron who wasn't learned to swim yet. 

But he seems to be a natural at riding a horse. How long will Grampa's knees last?

Last morning before moving on. Nice park.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota - 19 July 2019

Downtown park with namesake falls. The pink granite rock was quarried by prisoners for use in many downtown buildings. The cascades of the Big Sioux River were also used by the Queen Bee Mill to grind locally sources flour. The 7 story building was repurposed several times but used sporadically for 75 years (1879-1956) until it burned to the ground in 1956.

The original power house (mill is up the hill on the left). It was a very hot day but our trailer was in for repairs.

An average flow rate of 7400 gallons per second with a drop of over 100 feet but it looses its power in the fall. For this reason, the mill and hydroelectric plant were evatually abandoned. 

Too hot to cook we opted for someone else doing it. Quirky place called Famous Dave's which we became familiar with at the Jazz and Rib Fest in Columbus, Ohio. 

It's My Birthday, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - 21 June 2019

Dessert at Johnny Carino's. Had we known I think I would have suggested we share this tiramisu. Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. 

Italian chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. When the cake comes in a soup bowl I think it's too much. 

Prairie Berry Winery and Brewhouse, Sioux Falls, South Dakota - 22 Jun 2019

We had been to the original wine tasting room in Rapid City last year but since there was one close by let's go. 

Bob decided on the beer flight while I tasted several of the wines I thought I would like. Sadly, I was getting over a summer head cold and nothing tasted right. That was a wasted afternoon. 

All repairs and inspections done, we are ready to continue our travels. Adventures await as we go north then west.