..... all the way across South Dakota. This morning we were in Rapid City, SD, which is in the southwestern part of the state and tonite we've pulled up to Sioux Falls, which is in the southeastern part of the state. The Swanson family farm was in Montrose, which is about 20 miles outside of Sioux Falls. When they sold the farm, our grandparents moved to Salem, SD, which is also about 20 or so miles away. All the Swanson girls (4 of them) went to Augustana College, which is about 4 miles from our hotel. Madison, SD is about 30 miles north of where we are now, and we will head there tomorrow morning to see our Aunt Mae, who is 91 years old and, from what we hear, doing quite well. There were three cousins all born the same year -- our Mother, Aunt Maudie, and Aunt Mae. They grew up together on neighboring farms and were quite close. Now only Auntie Mae is left. I'm really looking forward to seeing her and hoping that she can give us directions to and information about the farm. If it's still standing, I'd love to see it. The other thing on our docket for tomorrow is to take some of Aunt Ruthie's ashes to Augustana College where she was a minor-celebrity alumnus.
About an hour out of Rapid City we stopped in Wall, South Dakota at the famous Wall Drug store. It's a big tourist destination, filled with every kind of souvenir, pharmacy item, and trinket you can imagine. Free coffee for veterans and 5 cent coffee for the rest of us. We found the "Big" things in Wall to take our pictures with -- a 12 foot tall jackalope and an 80 foot tall dinosaur. Carol did manage to find a really nice black hills gold ring for herself and I got some trinkets for the grandboys. We got gas and then were on our way. There really isn't much to see on this drive -- the black hills are behind and the badlands are to the south. Lots and lots of grassland is what lays in the middle of the state between west and east.
Carol drove several hours again today, giving me a chance to rest my eyes and get in a cat nap. One thing we have noticed is that the rest stops in South Dakota are very nice and clean. They also have large, nice grassy areas in which to exercise pets, so Sailor has had three happy ball catching sessions today. He continues to be incredibly well-behaved and easy. He did not like the elevator ride this evening tho. He flattened himself against the floor and looked at me like "Mom, what's happening??? The floor's moving!" I'm sure he'll get used to it soon enough as our condo in Indy is on the 7th floor.
The only other notable thing is that I FINALLY got a wonderful full plate of veggies. The out-to- eat choices over the last days have been slim-pickins for good food for me, and I was beginning to feel greens starved. We found a great Hotwire price on the Sheraton here next to the airport and I managed to get the restaurant to make me a big bowl of sauteed broccoli, green beans, squash, onion, and red bell peppers. I looked beautiful and tasted delicious.
Sailor has decided he likes hotel beds, so I will need to go now and skooch him over so I can rest my own weary head. At 80 pounds, he's not easy to skooch. Sweet dreams to us all.
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