Thursday, May 6, 2022

Temperature 79 Degrees, Overcast

Falls Park, Sioux Falls, SD

USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial

Porter Sculpture Park

We awoke to a beautiful day with abundant sunshine. Not the kind of day to stay home and stay inside. So, off we went sightseeing.

This was one of our stops today. Their web site states: if you only have time for one stop in Sioux Falls, it has to be Falls Park, the cities namesake. The park is comprised of of over 128 acres. . .along the big Sioux river.

The structure in the background, behind the wooden building with two windows, are the remains of the Queen Bee Mill. The original mill was seven stories high, built in the 1880’s and cost about $500,000 to construct. At the time it was one of the most advanced in America. It could process 1500 bushels of wheat a day. However, by 1883 the mill was closed – a victim of inadequate water supply and a short supply of wheat.

The building seen here was once the Sioux Falls Light and Power Company building, completed in 1908. The building used to house three 500-kilowatt hydroelectric generators and used the dam and millrace from the Queen Bee Mill. The plant was abandoned in 1974 and subsequently donated to the city who in turn converted it into the Falls Overlook Cafe.

This was another stop we made in Sioux Falls: USS South Dakota Battleship Memorial.

There web site tells us: The South Dakota Battleship. . .was the most decorated battleship of World War II. For security purposes, she was called Battleship X after her first major battles. to prevent the enemy from identify the top-of-the-line battleship.

At first an effort was made to secure and transport the entire ship to South Dakota. However, when that failed the idea was born to create an outline of the ship within the confines of the park.

Looking toward the bow.

Looking toward the stern.

There was a small museum located in the center of the park that we next visited.

It was a small but well laid-out museum with many artifacts taken from the battleship. However, since I had already spent hours aboard the actual battleship USS Alabama we didn’t spend a lot of time here.

We had one final stop we wanted to make, if that is the cows would cooperate.

Yup, closed – sort of. We called and the owner, Wayne Porter, told us feel free to open the gate and view the park. But. . .

if the cows are near the gate don’t even try it. Darn, there they were so we could only take a few pictures from the other side of the fence. So here are some pictures I was able to get.

There are 50 plus one-of-a-kind sculptures on the grounds that we just couldn’t get close to thanks to those darn cows. The grounds open up to the public on May 15th and the cows will be gone but unfortunately we’ll be some 400 miles west of here by then. I encourage you to Google the site and see for yourself what one man has created that has delighted so many for so long.

So that was our day on The Road of Retirement. We’re having a ball traveling along and viewing some really great attractions in this great land of ours. Hopefully, as we move west we’ll eventually find some better weather. The days so far have been a real mixed bag. We’re still trying to get used to the winds which seem to be so much a part of the central plains. I’m still trying to figure out a way to mount a sail on Elvira. All in all I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we are two of the most blessed people on the face of the earth.

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Temperature 54 Degrees, Rain Showers

Dakota Sunset RV Park, Salem, SD

Time to get back on the road. Today we’re heading toward the great state of SD. We’ll spend the remainder of the month of May in this great state at three different RV parks.

Since it was raining when we awoke we weren’t in any great hurry to get on the road. So, we each had a cup of coffee. Ms. Barbara made a super breakfast of eggs over easy. I took a bit of a nap since I didn’t sleep well at all last night. Still in all we were on the road by 9:30 am.

This trip had to be one of the most boring of all times. It was Route 90 W from start to finish. When I say the road ran straight, trust me it ran straight. There was no traffic to speak of. We had no wind to deal with. Our only issue was the rain which, thankfully, was only light and sporadic the whole trip.

In due time we crossed into yet another new state for us. This is where we have been heading since we left home. We plan on during a whole lot of sightseeing in this state before we again move north.

Shortly after passing Sioux Falls we exited the interstate and in almost no time we noticed the sign for our new home.

What a difference from the KOA we just left. The road in is a bit tight but the roads in the park are gravel, wide and in excellent condition. They are super easy to navigate and each section and sites are well marked.

But finding one’s site is not an issue since you are escorted to it. Customer service from registration through getting on site has been excellent. This is our new home for the next five nights. It is well packed gravel and dead level. I put the jacks down only to stabilize the rig before extending the slides. Site separation is good, look at that nice green grass. I’ve got room for the car either front or back.

All utilities are right there and the power pedestal is in excellent condition. This is my kind of site and I’m so glad we’re here.

OK, we’re in and its time to just settle in and enjoy life. I’ll do some cleaning this afternoon and then it is going to be early to bed.

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

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Temperature 56 Degrees, Partially Sunny

Spam Museum

Last night was a a cold one, it went down to 35 degrees. However, I didn’t anticipate any problems since we had two heat pumps, the propane furnace, and two electric heaters. Well, when we went to bed it was already down to 39 degrees so I decided to turn the propane furnace on. It fired right up and we were warm as toast. Several hours later I got up for one of my nocturnal visits to the loo and I thought, It’s cold in here. Long story short, the furnace would not come on. What? So I switched to the heat pumps and guess what they worked like a champ all the way down to 35 degrees. As for the furnace, when I got up this morning I figured for giggles and chuckles let me try it and see what gives. Yup, it fired right up. Who knows what happened last night. I’m not going to loose any sleep over it.

So, inquiring minds want to know why we came this way? Would you believe just to indulge my fascination with Spam. That’s right, I love the product and when I discovered that there was a Spam museum here in MN, I just knew I had to visit it. So, come on let’s pay it a visit.

First thing in the door and I just knew this was going to be a good day.

Now for some fun facts. And since, as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words here we go.

More than just a gift box they help to forge a tangible bond between family members. It is one way for family members who are apart to say I miss you and I love you.

Spam has also always been there for those who serve.

Postwar America was treated to the Hormel Girls.

Some more fun exhibits in the museum.

Hormel claims it is the first motorcycle to run on refined bacon grease.

And of course I just had to have one.

So we came, we visited, and we have no regrets. It was a fantastic way to spend a Tuesday morning. We learned a lot which makes it an even better day. Now, its back home and time to pack once again since we move again tomorrow.

If you are ever in this area, or just passing through I encourage you to take an hour or two and visit the museum. You’ll be glad you did.

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Temperature 59 Degrees, Rain, Overcast, Sun

Albert Lea/Austin KOA, Hayward, MN

We awoke this morning to a steady rain and according to the weather report there would be no letup until the afternoon. Imagine, then, how delighted we were when it stopped around 9:30 am. We both agreed that it was now or never to get out of Dodge.

There was only one slide left to bring in; the electric had to be disconnected; and, the jacks needed to come up and the suspension aired up. Once this was done we were rolling out of the RV Park, taking it slow because of the potholes and all the water.

Which way to go? The way I wanted to go? Or the way that Ms. Barbara had decided would be the quickest and the easiest. Well, I’ve learned over the years to trust my wife’s instincts and her ability to plan the best route. Once again her way was the best way.

Thankfully, after about 45 minutes on the road the rain had stopped. All we had left to contend with were the winds. Though they were gusting they were coming from almost straight ahead and they weren’t that strong. We had no construction delays. Traffic was light. The roads were in decent shape. All of which made for a relaxing journey north.

It wasn’t much longer and we were bidding farewell to Iowa and entering the state of Minnesota. A few hours later we stopped for fuel. Wow, has the price of diesel gone through the roof again. Ah well, its only money.

Fuel stop behind us it was a quick 15 minute trip to our new home for the next two nights. Now, I’m not necessarily a fan of KOA’s but this was about the only decent RV park in the area. Or so the reviews stated on various web sites. The park is clean and the grass is green. I can only imagine how nice it will look when all the trees are again in bloom.

My first suspicion that all those reviews might not be right began with our turn onto the entrance road. It was dirt, a bit rough and muddy, and you needed to take it slow. The hairs on the back of my neck were beginning to stand up.

We stopped at the office to register and receive our site number. What’s this, no escort? Very uncommon for a KOA. Now I was on high alert.

Then we were at our site. Not even a gravel base. Just plain old dirt and very narrow.

And with a good deal of mud thrown in for good measure. But wait the worse is yet to come.

As soon as you enter the site you begin to drive uphill. In order to level out Elvira the back had to come up quite a bit and down went the front. Reminds me of a kneeling camel! I’m glad we’re here for just one visit because I can guarantee you I would not want to return here again.

Ah, but the saving grace of it all was that the sun was finally shinning bright. I was beginning to think that it had gone into hiding never to return. However, the one thing we did not escape were the colder temperatures. Tonight we are supposed to be in the 30 degree range! That’s OK we have plenty of blankets.

We’re settled in and ready for a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow we go sightseeing. Where you ask? Tune in tomorrow and we’ll share where our adventures are going to take us.

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