Great trip, too short however. Flew into Sioux Falls... it's as clean as I remembered it. I was worried that the last 8, 9 years? Had taken it's toll... not so... still very nice. Drove down to Sioux Center... very small town, lots of farmers. Decided to go down to Sioux City... cross into Nebraska just to take a look.... then drove back up to Sioux Falls.
Leaving Sioux City we stopped at every Historical marker I saw. I do that.
It can annoy those with me but... too bad, I can't stop myself, don't want to for that matter.
Other than 'business', my grandson visiting campuses, coaches, the highlight of my trip had to be in Sioux City where the Sioux River and the Missouri come together. Stood near the War Eagle Monument, (it was freezing), and took it in. Looking down at the exact spot Lewis and Clark traveled... I've met them often.
St. Louis, and my good friend Rambeau... took me to the museum at the Arch... where it all, basically, began. Some years ago, on a hunting trip, I visited where it all 'basically' ended... I say basically here because Lewis and Clark didn't actually begin in St. Louis... They had to get there... but they did start the river voyage there... then on past today's Sioux City... and then, reaching the head waters, (and failure, no water passage that went all the way from east to west), they climbed over the Mountains to continue their journey.
Love those moments, lost in thought... going back, back, until I'm on the raft with Lewis and Clark.
then we continued on to Sioux Falls and I 'knew' Minnesota had to be close, (one of 5 states I've never been too), but wasn't sure exactly how close. VERY close, was my answer. Maybe 15-20 miles? Well when I discovered that not the Devil himself could have stopped me... into Minnesota we went. Nice lunch at a place called "Pops" in Luverne, Minnesota. Visited the Blue Mounds where one of the largest herd of Buffalo struggles to survive.
Put an "X" by Minnesota, 4 to go.
Back to Sioux Falls... OH, Iowa, saw a big Indian place by the airport, you know it? Then back home, via Denver. didn't see diddly squat in Colorado, only the airport... ah well, I've traveled Colorado many times.
Ate only at "Mom and Pop" places, gained 113lbs.
Oh yeah, it snowed on us in Sioux Falls... not much but HUGE snowflakes. I hear tomorrow a lot of snow will hit them.
ah, and one other truly 'amazing' sight... the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Ca. 21.... the snow hasn't even begun to melt.... it's solid white.
Learned how to use a Kiosk at an airport, or well, sort of. My grandson helped me, or rather, did it, but I watched... kind of understood.
Here's how old fashioned I am... I checked a bag - - and paid through the nose to do it I might add. I wasn't expecting that. And I think, can't confirm this, I'm the ONLY one that checked a bag on the flights. I wonder what they're doing with all that empty cargo space? I came up with many theories... ranging from conspiracy theory 'spying' agencies with very high tech gear now in place of the luggage to some 'X' rated theories I won't go into.
So I'm home, too tired to sleep. I hate that.
Followed the draft, sort of.... read the board but didn't know enough about this year's draft class so I couldn't call anyone an idiot and therefore didn't contribute... I'll be better prepared in 2018. Maybe. - JamesJM