Mitchell, South Dakota

 It was a pretty day when we set out from Sioux Falls to Mitchell...more rolling hills and farms...

 But we noticed that there are always interesting things to see along the way...

 Getting closer...

 We arrived in Mitchell...now to find the Corn Palace...he didn't seem to know...

 Oh...there it is!

 Nice to see a friendly face to greet us...

 This place is really different...and oh so cool! Corn murals on all the outside walls...inside too!

It was as awesome as we had read about... 

 Here's a close up so you can see they really do use corn still on the cob!

 Here's how it looked 100 years ago...

 Yet another water tower...I sure love these things!

 We noticed there sure are a lot of casinos in South Dakota...they're everywhere!

 More huge buildings for small towns...I thought that was kind of funny... enormous building in such tiny towns...

 The main drag...pretty!

 Interesting place...Mitchell...

Another thing I love...I've probably said this a lot...all the Fall decor that's everywhere...love it!!

Another great day spent in South Dakota...

until next time...enjoy the day!!

Driving to Sioux Falls...

 We arrived in South Dakota...and continued driving south...

 It was more farmland and rolling hills...

 Lots of cattle a horses grazing...

 I love looking at all the barns and small farms...

 More water towers...sorry...but I love them!

 This is cowboy land...and you thought it was Texas!

 I love all the lakes too...we don't have these at home...oh...OK...a few...but nothing like this...

 We stopped in De Smet...this is the first schoolhouse where Laura Ingalls Wilder went to school...her sister Carrie too. We arrived here on Sunday...so no one was around for a tour...disappointing...but sometimes that's how it goes when you are traveling...you have to roll with it.

 I just love all the homes here too...and how everyone decorates...even those in really rural areas...

 Lots of rivers too...with train bridges...

We arrived in Sioux Falls where we stayed the night...it was a long drive but full of so much to see...

I can't explain how much this trip has meant to me...so many people I know would chose exotic places for vacation...I chose the heartland...I am so glad that Don chose it as well...

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

Driving through North Dakota...

 We took off from Detroit Lakes, MN...and headed towards Fargo, ND...

 It was a pretty drive...so different as we got closer to North Dakota...less trees...flatter...

 Another day...another state...but this was pretty much a drive through state...

 So many farms...all so pretty...

 We stopped in Hankinson...to look at antiques...

 This shop was right next to Lake Elsie...

 I love all the old buildings...Don wants some of this old wood so badly...but we just can't figure out how to get it in our luggage!

 Such a big church in a small town...St. Phillips...I went to St. Phillips...not this one when I was a girl...

 This is right across the way...Sisters of St. Francis...another really big building in a tiny town!

 We couldn't believe how many fireworks places there are in North Dakota! They are all along the road we took!

 A little bit further and we arrive in South Dakota...see you there!

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!

Duluth to Detroit Lakes,MN...

 We left Duluth and headed across Northern Minnesota towards Fargo, North Dakota...

 We crossed the Mississippi near its start...not real impressive here...just a meandering river...but look how low the water level is...the drought affected this area...

 We drove past so many family farms...

 Our car stopped abruptly at the sight of a quilt shop...sadly...no pictures were allowed...but they had more charm squares than I have ever seen in one place!! I had to buy some!!  

 Even though most of the Fall color had fallen from the trees...there still was a lot to see...

 I am so impressed with the beauty of this part of the country....

 We stopped to look around Lake Leech...the water was pretty rough...

 I could live right there...sigh...

 And look who flew right in front of the car!! Yes...a bald eagle...we were amazed...pulled the car off to the side...and found him flying about...looking for lunch I suppose...

 What a beauty posing there for us...he looks small in the picture...but he was huge! 

I can't tell you how much joy I have taking this journey with my dear husband...it is a trip I will remember forever...we have taken in so much beauty on this trip...we took the road less traveled and what a wonderful adventure we have had...its not done yet...still a week to go! 

Until next time...enjoy your day!!!