Welcome to Sioux Falls

May 09, 2021

Warning...this post contains a lot of pictures (again). Hope you enjoy!

First of all, I would like to extend a very Happy Mother's Day to all the beautiful moms reading my blog! I truly hope you have a blessed day!

Secondly, on the road trip to Sioux Falls there were some exciting things to see. We stayed at another Harvest Host, Pioneer Auto Museum, and it didn't disappoint. We toured the museum and there were lots of items to see. Hubby by the original "General Lee" car they used on set for the Dukes of Hazard. Pictures were taken in a Volkswagen Bus, alongside Yoda and Jar Jar Binks. I can't even begin to count how many different cars, trucks, jeeps, motorcycles and other interesting sites that were there.

We headed out Sunday for Sioux Falls and went through a little part of the Badlands. There is a national park, but we will have to go there on our next visit. Also saw some cute statues. I can't imagine how tall these are in person, just look at the size of the cows (yes, those little dots are cows). We also stopped at a rest stop and I just had to take a picture, I think the teepee is cute.

We crossed the Missouri River, which runs north and south across South Dakota. Man, it is big body of water. It was amazing to see. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord you God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;" Isaiah 43:2-3a (NASB)

We finally arrived at the KOA in Sioux Falls. It was a pretty and quiet place for the almost week we stayed there. They have a game room, swimming pool, Teepee and a Putt Putt course. Let's just say next time we travel to South Dakota it will need to be in June or a little later. The KOA just opened for the season and they were getting things ready and so the game room, pool and Teepee weren't open yet.

Monday was very windy, but we went to Falls Park. That was beautiful and so thankful we went. We even saw a chipmunk, he or she was a cutie.

Tuesday, we went to start the process of becoming South Dakota residents, still a few more steps to go. Wednesday it was cold and rainy, we had planned on riding our bikes that day, but God had other ideas. Thursday, we wanted to go to Bob's and have our date night. Again, this was a recommended by our "Road Trip" book, but sadly it is no longer the same place. A restaurant that opened in 1944 and named the "Pickle Palace" is no longer with us. We wanted to try their burgers and broasted chicken, but could not, so instead I found one of the top 10 restaurants in Sioux Falls, Minerva's. It had tasty food. Hubby and I started with sharing a shrimp cocktail, then a Caesar salad and then a chicken dish that had shrimp, asparagus and white cheddar mashed potatoes - yum! Minerva’s opened in 1977 and the decor made me feel as if we were in 1977. Hubby asked if I thought it should be updated, but my response was no, it felt like a place mobsters would hang out and in a strange way, I liked that - no judgement please.

Friday we headed to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. I was thinking it was going to be more like a museum or something like that. When we got there it was cool with history and pictures and such, but it is actually auditorium like. There was a high school graduation happening while we were there. So, we went to the gift shop (of course) and I bought a bag of microwave popcorn and a cute magnet. Hubby and I enjoyed walking around the town of Mitchell and if it didn't snow so much, I would consider moving there, of course, after we are done on the road.

After the Corn Palace we headed to our next Harvest Host spot, Steinke's Buffalo Ranch. Despite what I said in my last post about the difference between bison and buffalo, I didn't correct the owners. Here are some amazing photos of this ranch. Hubby and I are enjoying our stay for sure!