Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Lewis and Clark Information Center near Chamberlain

2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1001Mitchell to Wall, South Dakota

Occasionally, you just happen onto an unexpected treat while traveling, and such is the rest stop on I-90 near Chamberlain, SD.  The state has transformed the rest stop into a Lewis and Clark Information Center.  According to the displays there, the building sits very near the spot the expedition crossed the Missouri River.

The rest stops along I-90 have all had huge concrete tee pee sculptures on the grounds.  The one here overlooks the river with informative displays beneath.2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1002 As you enter the building, your eye is drawn upward to the keelboat extending from the wall.  2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1003The imaginative designer planned it so the stairs ascend through the bottom of the boat to the viewing deck above.2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1004Even the crates upstairs have lids that lift up to displays.

The deck overlooks the crossing of the river towards Chamberlain.2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 10072010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1008Several other displays were in the center.

Crossing the river, we drove through rolling hills2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1016

seeing cattle and hay fields.  2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 10172010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1023Iowa and South Dakota are high wind areas, and are using many of the modern windmills to provide energy.  The size of the windmill blades always amaze us when we pass a truck transporting one.2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1018 Mitchell seems to be a place that attracts cheesy tourist attractions (more about that in the next blog) but you never know what you might spot next, such as this sight, (almost missed it)2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1024or these 2010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 10282010-07-10 - SD - On the Road, Mitchell to Wall - Lewis and Clark 1027

Mitchell to Wall       

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