Thursday, May 12, 2022

Temperature 62 Degrees, Solid Cloud Cover, Winds 20/25 mph, Gusting to 55 mph

Badlands National Park

I’ve been about the world a lot, and pretty much over our own country, wrote architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935, but I was totally unprepared for that revelation called the Dakota Bad Lands. . .What I saw gave me an indescribable sense of mysterious elsewhere – a distinct architecture, ethereal. . .and endless supernatural world more spiritual than earth but created out of it.

I would have to agree with the noted architect. The Badlands is like no other part of the country that we have ever visited. Ms. Barbara and I tried to find words to describe this unique piece of America and we found it hard to come up with just the right word. We came up with words like: stark, spectacular, extreme, awesome, peaceful, exquisite.

We soon discovered that one of the best ways to take in the grandeur of this amazing landscape is a drive along the Badlands Loop Road. The loop stretches for some 30 miles and though it is just a little two lane county road it passes through some of the most amazing scenery that we have ever been privileged to view. It literally winds through the heart of the park and offers breath-taking views around every corner. Moreover, there are 14 overlooks that offer spectacular opportunities to pull off the road and really see the park.

So once again come ride with us as yesterday we drove the loop and let us share with you some of the awe inspiring beauty of God’s creation.

Now, how about that we have an overlook named after us!

They caution you that as you drive along you should keep your eyes open for the many animals that call the park home.

And, indeed, we saw a sample of them, from the very small

Prairie Dog. Yea, I know the arrow is bigger than he is! But this is as close as I could get.

A bit bigger, Big Horn Sheep. How about that guy just hanging on the side of the cliff.

And the really big guys, Buffalo. Here’s looking at you big guy!

OK, we’ve made one pass through the park. Our intent is to go back and hike some of the easier trails that are available. We’ll also stop at the Visitor Center in order to learn all we can about this phenomenal park.

For those who have visited here before I hope these few pictures I’ve shared with you have stirred some wonderful memories for you. For those who have never been here before I encourage you to put it on your bucket list. We’re so thankful that we’ve had the opportunity to visit here. It is a part of this great country of ours that we will never forget.

Till the next blog. Take care and always remember to live each moment God gives you to the fullest.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Temperature 74 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine with some clouds

Statue of Dignity

Badlands Interior Campground and Motel, Interior, SD

Time to get back on the road. We’re moving further west toward out ultimate goal in SD of Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore.

Today would be broken up into several stops. Per our normal routine we were on the road by 9 am with the first of two fuel stops within 20 minutes. I have a new app on my phone called Mudflap which offers discounts on diesel fuel. The problem is trying to find a truck stop that is part of the program. This morning’s fuel stop did belong to it and I ended up saving .42 cents per gallon for diesel fuel. Sweet.

Back on the road and the miles just rolled by. The road was in great shape, traffic was light as were the winds. We were now in search of the Statue of Dignity. According to what we had discovered the statue was supposed to be located in The Chamberlin Rest Stop off of Route 90. So that’s where we headed.

And in due time we found her.

A little bit of internet sleuthing and we discovered that: the stainless steel, 50-foot-tall statue was specifically designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people. That’s why he used three Native American models ages 14, 29 and 55 to perfect the face of Dignity.

Representing the rich Native American culture of South Dakota, the 50-foot Native American woman gracefully wears a dress patterned after a two-hide dress of the 1850s. She holds outstretched a quilt featuring 128 stainless steel blue diamond shapes designed to flutter in the wind. During the day, her star quilt – a representation of respect, honor and admiration in Native American culture – glitters in the sun with color-changing pieces that move with the wind. At night, LED lights cause the diamond shapes to glow in the night sky, casting a peaceful presence easily visible from the Interstate.

She stands on a high bluff overlooking the Missouri River.

We were thrilled that we had the opportunity to see this magnificent work of art. Her quiet sense of grace just captivated us. If you are ever traveling Route 90 in the Chamberlain area do take the time to stop here. You will not be disappointed.

Time to go home, to our new home that is. And here is where the trip got really interesting. Our exit was 131 and according the GPS the RV park was about 10 miles south. OK. But imagine our surprise when we discovered that we had to go through Badlands National Park to get there. What incredible, jaw-dropping scenery. The road is noting to write home about and I had all I could do to navigate it what with wanting to take in all that was around me. My bad I did not have the camera up front. But trust me we will be going back to do the scenic loop and we’ll take pictures them.

Through the park and out the south gate and in minutes we were greeted by the entrance sign for our new home for the next week.

Check-in and registration.

Home sweet home for the next week. It’s a pull-through, gravel base, vary narrow and not quite long enough for the rig and car. But it is level and the utilities are easy to access.

And look at that view out the living room window! Breathtaking!

Well, time to call it a night. We moved into Mountain Time, meaning we lost another hour. The time change is throwing my internal clock for a loop.

Thanks again for spending the day with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Monday, May 9, 2022

Temperature 72 Degrees, Abundant Sunshine, Windy

Kregel Wind Mill Company, Nebraska City, Nebraska

This is one of the museums that we visited several weeks back when we were in Nebraska. I first discovered it online when I was planning our summer trip. It took some doing and a couple of phone calls to arrange a tour, since they are only given by appointment, but I finally managed to do so.

Now, when most people think of a windmill I’m sure the picture that comes to mind is a windmill such as those in the Netherlands. However, what we’re talking about and what this museum is all about is the production and repair of windmills like pictured above. Windmills of this kind have been used since the 7th century for irrigation pumping and milling. In the early days of our country it was windmills such as these that allowed development of areas that were otherwise devoid of readily accessible water.

The brand of windmills that the Kregel Windmill Company produced was called “ELI” — as an homage to one of George Kregel’s friends, a deceased preacher named Eli Huber. Kregel windmills were used to pump water from wells at farms and homes in the region of southeastern Nebraska surrounding Nebraska City. Cousins Louis and George Kregel began windmill production in 1879.

Managed by George F. Kregel, the company moved to the current Central Avenue building in 1903, continuing to operate there for 88 years. During that time they employed between four and seven people.

This museum is the last intact, historic windmill factory in the United States. It has been described as a time capsule of 20th century shop type manufacturing. As you step through the front doors its as if you’re following the workers back from lunch. The factory looks the same today as it did in the 1930’s. Everyday things such as pads and pencils, order sheets, ledger books and even a coat on a hook remain where they were last used.

All total 2033 windmills were made in this factory. It usually took a week to make just one. That may not sound like a lot but remember no more than seven people worked here at one time. The first ones were made of wood but they eventually switched to metal because metal was much more durable and had a much longer lifespan.

Let’s take a walk together through the museum. I can tell you that as I did in my mind I could sense the heat of the forge, feel the rumble of machinery run from an overhead line shaft and hear hammer meeting metal in the fabrication area.

About those belts and the main drive shaft

The belts were made from buffalo hides. They found that they were much more durable.

The main drive shaft was first powered by a one cylinder gasoline motor. Later ,it was replaced with an electric motor.

Now a couple of bonus pictures.

The bathroom, outside and with no heat. I would imagine in the winter time one did not take a book to read while doing their business!

Note the little red can of U.S. Windmill oil – that little can has been valued at $1500.

The company finally stopped production in 1940, and from then on the Kregel’s worked in pump repair and well maintenance until 1991 when they finally closed their doors. All total the Kregel Windmill Company operated for 112 years in Nebraska City producing the ELI brand of windmills and repairing pumps and well systems in a forty mile radius around the city.

Let me encourage you, if you are ever in this area take an hour or two and visit the museum. We both found it absolutely fascinating. It gives one a true glimpse of early manufacturing in America. And we gained a better idea of what life was like for the shop laborer in early America.

Till the next time.

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Temperature 72 Degrees, Partially Cloudy

Mitchell Corn Palace

Yesterday we decided to do the tourist thing – visit the Mitchell Corn Palace.

Quite truthfully we weren’t expecting much. A few minutes for some pictures and then we would be heading home. After all everything we read on line, and many people we talked to told us there was really nothing inside worth seeing. Oh, how wrong they were.

This is the front with this year’s murals. A little research and we discover: The Corn Palace is decorated annually with 7 murals made out of 12 different colors of corn, each framed with native grasses, straw, milo, and sourdock.

A local farmer grows all the corn for the Palace, local artist(s) design the murals, and a team of approximately 20 workers change out the murals every year beginning in late-August and working into September (as crops become available). The Palace is never un-decorated, as the murals are not taken down until it is time to replace them in the late summer, when the work is a gradual process.

A bit more research and we also discover that: The Palace is redecorated each year with naturally colored corn and other grains and native grasses to make it “the agricultural show-place of the world”. We currently use 12 different colors or shades of corn to decorate the Corn Palace: red, brown, black, blue, white, orange, calico, yellow and now we have green corn! A different theme is chosen each year, and murals are designed to reflect that theme. Ear by ear the corn is nailed to the Corn Palace to create a scene. The decorating process usually starts in late May with the removal of the rye and dock. The corn murals are stripped at the end of August and the new ones are completed by the first of October. Just like South Dakota Agriculture, growing condition can affect production of our decorating materials and may delay the decorating process.

Now how did The Corn Palace ever come to be? Well, that’s why you need to go inside.

So the idea for a Corn Palace began in Sioux City, Iowa. However, it also ended there due to the Great Floyd River flood of 1892 that devastated Sioux City. But the idea for a Corn Palace never really died.

OK, but again how did it end up in Mitchell, SD?

In 1892 when Mitchell was no more that a small city of 3,000 residents the World’s Only Corn Palace was established on the city’s Main Street. It was meant to be a gathering place where city residents and neighbors from near and far could enjoy a fall festival with all kinds of stage entertainment to celebrate a successful crop-growing season and harvest. This tradition continues today with the Annual Corn Palace Festival held toward the end of August each year.

By 1905 the success of the Corn Palace had been assured and a new Palace was to be built, but this building soon became too small. In 1919, the decision to build a third Corn Palace was made. This one was to be permanent and more purposeful than its predecessors. The present building was completed in 1921, just in time for the Corn Palace Festivities.

In the 1930’s, steps were taken to recapture the artistic decorative features of the building and minarets and kiosks of Moorish design were added restoring the appearance of early day Corn Palace.

We also learned that: Today, the Corn Palace is more than the home of the festival or a point of interest of tourists. It is a practical structure adaptable to many purposes. Included among its many uses are industrial exhibits, dances, stage shows, meetings, banquets, proms, graduations arena for Mitchell High School and Dakota Wesleyan University as well as district, regional and state basketball tournaments. USA Today named the Corn Palace one of the top 10 places in America for high school basketball.

In fact while we were there they were in the process of setting up the hall for the graduation ceremony of Dakota Wesleyan University.

Following are some pictures of murals that are inside the hall itself. If you look closely at the murals you can actually see the individual ears of corn.

Following are some pictures of The Corn Palace beginning in the 1900’s up to present.

Well, after our exploration of The Corn Palace there was only one thing left to do

I had to have my picture taken with Cornelius!

Yup, another new T-shirt. How about that color!

So that is where we are at on The Road of Retirement. We’re doing our thing and having a blast. Yes, life is good as we make our way across this great land of ours. A couple of more days in this area and then we’ll be on the road again. Till then, we’ll make the most of each day that we are given. Hope you do too.

Thanks again for spending the day with us.  It’s always great to be able to share our story with family and friends. Comments? Feel free to share them with me. And always remember, cherish every moment of every day that God gives you and live those moments to the fullest.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before