Thinking About Traveling

       I've been wanting to go on a trip for a long time. I've been doing quite a bit of research trying to find the place that I would most want to go to. 

      Thinking about traveling and trying to plan out a potential trip has got me to thinking about some of the fun trips that I took when my friend Toby was with me. I've been thinking back and trying to decide what trip of all of the many trips that we took together was the most fun. It has been a difficult decision. However, I believe that our trip through South Dakota was the best. 

      When my Grandma was still living, we went each summer to visit her out in Wyoming. My Dad didn't like going back and forth on I-70 all the time, so we often planned alternate routes. One year, we decided to go up to and across South Dakota and see the sights before heading back down to Cheyenne, Wyoming. As always, Toby came along.

      Our first stop was in Sioux Falls. We planned for that to be just a stop over for the night, but we discovered the USS South Dakota monument and had a good time looking at that. Toby and I walked all the way around it and had a fun time in the park where the monument is located. 

     The next day, we went to Mitchell and checked out the Corn Palace. The exterior of the building is designed with grains to create a new image each year. It was pretty interesting. Years later, one of my cousins attended a college in this town. 

      From Mitchell we made our way to Chamberlain. This is a nice place next to the Missouri River. Toby and I explored all around the area and had a great time out in nature. 

      One of the things that you will notice if you travel in South Dakota are signs telling you how far you are away from Wall Drug in Wall, SD. We finally got there. Not too exciting. 

      Toby and I really enjoyed our time in the Badlands. The scenery is spectacular. In some ways, it reminds me of a planet in distant space. I highly recommend that you visit this area if you ever get the chance. The two of us walked around here some, but we were afraid of running into snakes.

     The area of the Black Hills is truly spectacular. We enjoyed being out in all the beauty of creation. We saw buffalo and pronghorn. My parents enjoyed Mount Rushmore, but Toby and I were not impressed. I do not recommend. If you are going to the Black Hills, concentrate on the natural beauty and not on people's imprint on the land. 

      From there we went down to my Grandma's house for a nice visit. I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to have so many good days with my friend Toby.