My Big Adventure

The USS South Dakota, a battle cruiser, was the most decorated warship of WWII. It participated in every major US Naval battle during the war earning 13 battle stars. When it was decommissioned in 1962, the community spearheaded an effort to create a permanent memorial to the ship and the men who were stationed aboard this battle veteran. Shells as tall as I am

Sioux Falls, SD Falls Park is dedicated to the namesake for Sioux Falls. The Sioux granite, aka Jasper, is famous for its strength. It was used throughout the region for building permanent structures. The Sioux also used it to make pipes and other everyday things. On this location was a 5-story flour mill, the largest ever built in the US at the time, utilizing the river to power this facility. There are many sculptures situated throughout the park as well. Walking, running and biking are popular in this area. In the 1920s and 30s, a Japanese Garden was built and is being maintained by the city to this day. A beautiful and peaceful setting in this urban environment. There is also a refurbished band shell from the mid 29th century that is again the site of weekly open air concerts throughout the summer.

Why was I inspired by John Muir to seek out wild places? Perhaps this will give you some sense of it. These sentiments, written over 100 years ago, still resonate with people, like me, today. Using the generic “man”. The wilderness in John Muir's eyes was a place where worn-out people could get well, where nervous people could become strong. The wilderness has beauty and harmony. There is music in flowing water. Wind in the trees is soothing. The songs of birds, the chattering of squirrels, the call of loons, the flights of ducks all remind man that he is only one of many forms of life on this planet. The other animals – and flowers too – are his companions. Man needs them for happiness. Like man they must be preserved, not destroyed. They are part of the universal scheme that keeps the earth a place of beauty and wonder. Clean rivers, hillsides that have not been eroded, thick woods, the songs of birds, the fragrance of forests – these are God's creations that man mu...

Chamberlain & Oacoma, SD Found a nice spot along the Missouri River (again). Lewis & Clark stopped here in both directions on their long journey. This is the view from my trailer window. My timing was excellent as I managed to be in the midst of the Monarch butterfly migration. The trees were filled and the air was colourful as the darted about on their journey to Mexico. There was also an incredible mayfly hatch occurring. This one was about 3 in (7-8 cm) including tail. Definitely a spot worth revisiting. Across the river and upstream is an incredible rest area/information centre. There is quite the display of what the members of the L&C expedition travelled in and what they used in their everyday life for their two year expedition.

Badlands National Park & Buffalo Gap National Grasslands The Badlands, interesting formations and wildlife.  American Bison, aka buffalo, reside here in abundance. What a magnificent animal that is so well adapted to the varied extremes of its environment. This area has also managed to preserve its prairie dog populations, as well. As a result of the effects of these dog towns, they have been able to successfully reintroduce black-footed ferrets and the burrowing owl populations have increased. Ferrets are nocturnal and the owls are shy so no pictures. I did see quite a few burrowing owls, but they were in the distance. The distinguishing characters, by far, are the land formations. Pictures do not do justice to their unique character and charm. Hot, dry and dusty, but remarkable when you learn how and when they formed and how erosion has worked its environmental magic. The formations are called “table top...