Black Hills Here We Come!

We're on our way to the Black Hills in South Dakota and we're taking Miss Piper along. She's a GREAT traveler. No complaining. Entertains herself. Last night we stayed in Mitchell, SD and when I woke up this morning, she and Papa were playing a rousing game of UNO all in Spanish. She took Spanish last year in school and practices with him whenever she can. He enjoys it too because since he retired he doesn't use it nearly like he once did with his South American clients. He does speak it at the Open Door Mission once a week but he like to talk to her best! :-)

We had a doozy of a thunderstorm last night. Rain all night long and quite a lot of thunder and lightening too. There is nothing like the sound of rain on the camper roof to lull you to sleep. It's one of my favorite things.

After we dropped the camper at the KOA last night we went to fuel up the truck and stop by the world famous Corn Palace. The back story is that every year the outside of the building is completely redecorated using corn and wild grasses. The end result is stunning. When you think of the space that is covered EVERY year! We don't stop by every year, but the last time we took photos it was honoring the armed services and was amazing.

This year it is the Wonders of the World! I'll try to get photos for you. Here we go! Hold on!

















Aren't they stunning? It amazes me every time I see the new artwork.

Here's our very own own corny girl!

I took this photo for her other Grandpa who drives tractors on a farm to enjoy his retirement. She looks right at home doesn't she?

When we picked her up yesterday this is the sight that met us! You should have seen Papa's face. He thought these were all her bags for the trip. :-) Actually Brad did it on purpose to freak him out. The ones in the front are all empty. Just the bag she was touching and a backpack were hers, along with the pillow and paper bag of snacks. It was a lot of work for him to drag all of those bags up from the basement, but it was worth it to see Dennis's face. It's Piper's first time camping and she is used to the luxuries of home but she's doing great. Last night I taught her how the shower and toilet in the camper work and that you actually have to wait for the water to get hot when you turn on the water heater. It's not automatic like at home. She's a great sport and we've spent lots and lots of time laughing already. How I love this girl.

I made three bonnets for her little doll Tucker. She chose the yarn. 

Sage green.

And gray.

It all started when her other Grandma asked if I could make a bonnet for this little doll. It had belonged to her Mom when she lived in the Assisted Living with dementia. Somehow she had lost the bonnet. I found this pattern for a micro preemie and made this one for the tiny doll. Then I adjusted the pattern for Pipers newborn size doll. I love that she still enjoys dressing and caring for her dolls. Other kids aren't so kind, but I think it's teaching her how to care for a baby.  I tell her about all of you who still like to "play" with your Barbies and other dolls and I think it helps. I still like helping her dress them too. You're never too old to play, are you?

Right now we're driving across S. Dakota about 175 miles east of Rapid City. The wind is blowing HARD. Our fuel mileage is only 7.2 mpg right now. Yikes! The wind is always bad across S. Dakota and we just kind of budget for it. What else can you do? It's still less expensive than hotels and we do like having our own bed and bathroom. I've watched too many shows that show the cleanliness of hotels and it's made me paranoid! Ha! It is nice to have your home with you. Food, clothes, bed, etc. 

Tonight we'll be at Fort Welikit outside of Custer, SD. Tomorrow we plan to go to Mt. Rushmore. Wednesday it is supposed to rain all day so the plan is to go to Evans Plunge in Hot Springs. It's the worlds largest indoor mineral spring pool. A good rainy day activity.

Well, I'll close for now. Take care everyone. Stay safe and remember that the Lord is aware of all that is happening in the world. He loves you. 

Blessings and love,

Betsy