Sundance, WY - visiting Dale and Tiffany Hawks

It was wonderful to visit with Dale and Tiffany Hawks from Memphis. Dale and I went to high school together - all four years. We were next together in the alphabet - so he had to put up with me in home room! They have built a wonderful home just outside of Sundance, WY near the South Dakota border. The home sets up in a pine tree hill top with views that are unbelievable - You can see forever. Dale has done a lot of the work himself on the place - really cool!

North Dakota Bad Lands

The Badlands contain a strange topography - the mesa remains but much of the land has eroded providing stark contrasts. There are many colors in the remaining landscape. The prairie's views are long and beautiful.

Prairie dogs and Buffalo - Teddy Roosevelt NP

I had never seen a prairie dog village before. Just as we entered the Teddy Roosevelt NP - a huge village emerged. The little rodents were scampering everywhere. They sound like they are whistling. Later in our trip - we saw several villages. Roosevelt's ranch contains a large section of the Badlands. We drove the 30 mile wildlife loop - seeing buffalo, deer, wild horses, and prairie dogs.

Teddy Roosevelt National Park - ND Badlands

We drove across the entire state of North Dakota today - with several stops along the way. We finish the day at the very western edge (Near Montana) near Medora, ND, at the Teddy Roosevelt National Park. Roosevelt bought two ranches in this area - we visited the Maltese Cross Ranch (southern ranch) which is also the North Dakota Badlands area. A replica of the cabin has been created near the visitors center. The visitor's center focuses on the ranch life that influenced Roosevelt to become the "Conservation" President - designating hundreds of thousands of acres of land for public parks.

Fort Mandan - Lewis and Clark Winter Headquarters

Lewis and Clark built Fort Mandan alongside the Missouri river for their winter headquarters in 1804-05. Records show that the men built the facility using cottonwood trees, including stone fireplaces for each room in only a few weeks. When the fort was recreated - even using today's technology - it took much longer. The blacksmith's shop proved to be popular with the local indians.

Seaman is the Newfoundland dog that accompanied the group throughout their journey. It was a clear fall day with beautiful fall foliage.

Lewis and Clark Center - Washburn, ND

A new interpretive center along the Missouri River near Washburn, ND focuses on the winter headquarters for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Local historians have recreated a replica of a dugout canoe. The members of the expedition benefited greatly from relations with friendly Mandan Indians to make it through the long cold winter.

Bismark, North Dakota

Bismark is the capital of North Dakota - in the heart of the northern plains. We only drove through and snapped a couple of photos of the state capitol, former Govenor's home and the capitol grounds. Also featured is a statue of Sacagawea ("Bird woman")- the Shoshone Indian girl who aided the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Fargo Walk of Fame & Welcome Center

Fargo city is featuring decoated buffaloes all over town. The Welcome Center featured a walk of fame of famous Fargo residents.

Fargo, North Dakota - visit with Brandon

Fargo is a beautiful city located on the North Dakota border with Moorhead, Minnesota on the Red River. Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota. Neither Darrell or I had been to North Dakota. We really enjoyed visiting with Brandon Looney - our daughter-in-law Lauren's brother! Brandon is a pilot and is finishing a degree from University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. He was wonderful to drive down to Fargo to meet us. We drove through the downtown area and then had dinner at Doolittle's - an aviation themed restraunt. Darrell and Brandon really enjoyed talking about all things aviation! Congratulations Brandon - it was great to see you and hear about your upcoming graduation!

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Yes - there is a falls in Sioux Falls, SD - actually a very large falls. It is in the heart of the city. While we were there - the flows were almost record setting from recent heavy rains in the area. Just as we arrived - 2 F-15 fighter jets rocketed across the clear blue sky - a neat welcome!

Riverboat - Iowa Welcome Center

Sioux City's Iowa Welcome Center is housed in a Paddle Wheel Steam Ship! Really cool - exhibits inside focus on river travel and commerce on the Missouri as well as the Lewis and Clark Trail. This paddle wheel was the flag ship for the US Army Corps of Engineers on the Missouri River.

Sioux City, Iowa - Sergeant Floyd Monument

As we leave the Iowas to head into the Dakotas - we make a couple of stops in Sioux City located along the might Missouri River at the intersection of Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota! One of the interests of the trip is the Lewis and Clark Trail. Our first stop is the Sergeant Floyd Monument overlooking the Missouri River. Sergeant Floyd was the only member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to die. He was buried on a bluff. We had driven through fog and mist on our drive from Lake City and the mist still clings to the bluff overlooking the river.

Iowa Farms and fields

Iowa is known for their practical and beautiful farm land. I snapped a couple of photos of farms and fields. Not possible to do justice to the landscape with a photo taken from the side of the road.

One new change is the increase in windmills - they are huge - and they are everywhere!

Lake City, Iowa - Incredible Class of 1960 - Dinner

Many of Darrell's classmates from the 1960 Lake City High School gathered at the Carnegie Library Restaurant on the Square in Lake City for the Reunion Dinner. Richard Wernick did a wonderful job hosting the evening! Mr. Jerry Kinney -Band Director had fun telling many stories on members of the class - what an amazing memory!

Dinner was great and we had fun seeing old friends! Missed John and Gail Richardson who represented us well at the Iowa State game in Ames!

Pictured: Elaine and Darrell; Christi and Richard Wernick from Atlanta; Karen and Kent Willis and Nikki and Chuck Loecke from Lake City.

Lake City, Iowa - Incredible Class of 1960 - Reception

Many members of the "Incredible Class of 1960 of Lake City, Iowa High School" joined together at the beautiful home of Kent and Karen Willis for a reception honoring the 50th reunion of the class! A wonderful bbq dinner was served and lots of conversation enjoyed by all. Later Lake City (SCC) HS won the homecoming game 27-0!

Lake City, Iowa - Football Homecoming Parade

The entire town turns out for the Homecoming Game Parade! Including a purple dog!
The marching band leads the way! Every student in the school gets to march in the parade. The route leaves the school and heads to the court square for a pep rally.
Go Titans!

Lake City, Iowa - Darrell's hometown

We are visiting Lake City, Iowa for Darrell's 50th High School Reunion. Lake City is a wonderful small Iowa town that has it all - parks, library, great schools, and corn fields! And good friends! We joined John and Gail Richardson for a great dinner and wonderful lunch with Kent and Karen Willis. The "Welcome to Lake City" sign and the Rainbow Bridge.