Another cancelled reservation

After seeing thunder storms predicted for tonight in the state park where we had tent camping reservations, we decided to cancel and look for something else. It took me 25 min on the phone and we only got half our reservation fee back but at least we know we'll be dry tonight. Currently stopped at a wonderful playground and park for a picnic lunch in Sheridan WY. We should make it into Montana in the next few hours. 

Devil's Tower

After Mount Rushmore, we drove to the town to Deadwood. Visiting the cemetery where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried was cool but the rest of the town was disappointing. Thankfully we arrived early at Devil's Tower because it is our favorite stop so far. Korra loved climbing in the boulders and the tower itself is awe inspiring. 

Our campsite is right next to it!

Self-Talk at Mt Rushmore

I love hearing Korra's positive self-talk. While climbing the stairs at Mount Rushmore, I heard her say to herself, "Come on. You can do it. Keep going. You've got it!"

Let's Make a Deal

Last night as we drove further into the wood on smaller and more winding roads towards our campsite, the sky got darker and darker. It had clearly rained here earlier and looked like it would again soon. As we stopped to check in, we heard a lot of thunder and decided not to stay. Tent camping in a storm and then packing up a wet tent in the morning is not fun. No refunds on our reserved site. We started to drive back towards Keystone to look for a hotel when we drove past a cabin rental place.  We had just listened to an episode of the podcast "Good Job, Brain" that had a segment about making deals and I knew that a place like this was more likely to cut us a deal than a big chain hotel. It was about 5pm when I walked into the office. I explained in my friendly way where we were from and our situation. I told her we didn't have much to spend but I thought I'd ask. When the woman asked how much we had to spend I told her $45. (I guessed if she had an empty room or cabin that it was likely to stay empty if she didn't rent it to us and figured I could go up a little in price if I needed to). She agreed right away and drew me a map to "The Guest House."  It was perfect for us. Queen and single beds downstairs (plus the same in the loft that we didn't use), a bathroom with hot water, a little kitchen, a gas grill outside and even a neighbor renting the house next to us with a 5 year old boy for Korra to play with. It didn't end up raining at all during the night but I'm still pretty happy with it choice (and with the deal I made). We were able to get a much earlier start to our next destination: Mount Rushmore!

Day 9- South Dakota

Our first stop today was the World's Only Corn Palace. The outside and inside of this building are covered in murals mage entirely of corn and are redone every year. It was/is basically a high school gym with murals and a big gift shop. Cool and weird and thankfully free. 

In the early afternoon we stopped at a rest stop with a giant statue of Sacajawea and a beautiful overlook- pretty much the most interesting geographic feature of South Dakota we saw for most of the day (it's a lot of rolling hills that probably hide military and doomsday bunkers). 

After seeing signs for the famous Wall Drugs for nearly 400 miles, we finally arrived about an hour after we entered Mountain Time. Lots of cheesy photo ops and souvenirs. 

The landscape in western South Dakota is much more interesting and beautiful. About another hour to go before we arrive at Pactola Resevior for the night. 

Play Songs

Korra had gotten a small My Little Pony toy each day we've had a long drive. It keeps her happily playing for at least an hour. Her play dialogue is 95% song of her own creation. It's adorable and occasionally grating on our nerves. 

Little Racist House

Korra and I are reading the Little House on the Prarie series. Thankful for this article that will help me tackle the racism in a series I love. 

https://scholar.harvard.edu/jmnoonan/blog/reading-racism-or-how-i%E2%80%99m-learning-wrestle-little-house-prairie

Now I need to find some advice on how to deal with the long passages on butchering the hog...

Sioux Falls

Tonight we are at the Jellystone campground in Sioux Falls, SD (add one more state to the total we have visited). While we were a little disappointed by how close the campground is to the interstate and how few trees there are, Korra loved the swimming pool and the giant bouncy pillow. 

We also went to see the falls the city is named after. Beautiful.

Day 8

We have driven almost 1,800 miles through 8 states. This morning we crossed the Mississippi River and this afternoon we saw a 60 foot statue of the Jolly Green Giant. 

Packing Up

It took us an hour and a half to pack up the camp site this morning. I'm hoping we'll get faster as we go- especially since we have to do it the next 6 mornings. It really is amazing that we continue to fit it all in a Prius. 

Wisconsin Dells

The Wisconsin Dells are essentially the Panama City of the Midwest. 

New Glarus Brewery and House on the Rock

We made a stop at a beautiful brewery and then at a very eccentric house. The pictures are from the brewery. 

Chinese Buffet

We had an early lunch with my grandparents before heading out of town for the next leg of our trip. 

Car Accident

My sister and her family were in a bad car accident this morning. For about 3 hours we knew nothing except the initial call from Laura. We didn't even know what hospital they were at. I texted some friends to all for prayers and one amazing lady decided to just start calling hospitals in the area. There first hospital she called put her right through to their room and she was able to really to my brother in law.  My nephew is terribly bruised, my sister has a fractured sternum, and their car is totaled from a head-on collision at 35 mph when the other lady crossed into their lane around a curve.  They have been released from the hospital but it's going to be a difficult couple of weeks between recovery and dealing with insurance. I am incredibly relieved and tankful that they are as ok as they are. 

3D Printed Custom Coozie

My cousin used his 3D printer to make this coozie for Nate.

12th Anniversary

Spent this morning with my grandparents. It was bittersweet because I am probably seeing my grandpa for the last time. He was able to open his eyes and smile for a little bit and it was nice to spend some time with my grandma- the woman whose handmade wedding dress I wore 12 years ago today. 

Nikolaus Clan

We spent the afternoon with several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins eating, taking, laughing, and launching water balloons. 

Korra and my cousin's kids found a turtle. They had a blast playing together. 

Waukesha, Wisconsin

Our home base for the weekend is my cousin Mark's house. We enjoyed grilling out and playing with their dog last night. This morning we watched some old family home videos and then headed over to my grandparents' house for a quick visit. Next up: cook-out with aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

Cheese Castle

After a longer than anticipated car ride and WAY more money spent in tolls ($29.30 plus the one we need to pay online due to accidentally driving through the fast pass lager), we stopped at the Mars Cheese Castle. Cheese curds make everything better. 

GPS Fail

Today we realized that our Garman GPS only had maps for the eastern US when it couldn't find Milwaukee. Nate ordered a computer cable from Amazon to be delivered to my cousin's house (where we are staying until Monday morning). If updating it with my cousin's computer doesn't work then I guess we'll be dropping $90 to buy a new one before heading further west. I just don't trust my map reading skills (or cell phone service) enough to try the rest of this road trip without a fully functional GPS. 

1000

First thousand miles under our belt. 

Roadtrip, Day 4

Today we said goodbye to our friend Marc and Ohio. We are currently stuck in traffic in Indiana (construction) on our way to Wisconsin. 

Renter Drama

I texted our renter no less than 3 times in the last month to remind him to give the rent money to our neighbor friends instead of mailing it (and reminding him that rent is due on the first of every month). When I asked last night if he had brought it over, he claimed he was confused and was expecting the neighbor to come over and get it. He also tried to connect the fact that our handyman hasn't comes to fix the toilet seat lid with him not paying him rent on time. Adding in that we still don't know when he's moving out and that I am several hundred miles away makes the situation even more stressful and frustrating. Praying for some resolution today. 

Cleveland Indians Game

We met some friends for an afternoon baseball game!  Highlights included a double official review, the sprinklers turning on in the outfield, and an 8 to 0 win over the Oakland A's. 

Dog Love

Korra has enjoyed playing with our friends' dogs. Here is a photo of Korra and Bella looking out the window together.