Dream cars in Naples

Lauren and I went to a wonderful dinner at AZN in the Mercado. This is the "hot spot" in Naples. The cars in front of the restaurant were really cool - one of the new Gold Wing Mercedes (where the door lifts out and straight up), brand new Rolls Royce and a Lamborghini.
So glad Lauren came - we had a really great time!!

Beach Day in Naples with Lauren

Sunset at Pelican Bay Beach - we took a bottle of wine - and just caught sunset one evening. Another day - we started back to Pelican Bay beach. Robyn Lents was joining us for lunch. Elaine's foundation id card was left in Jackson for Darrell to bring. Of course - they would not let us through to go to the beach. So we went to Vanderbilt Beach. Had lunch at the Turtle Club!

Then - Toes in the sand! Yes - it was that kind of day! We stayed all afternoon and caught sunset again! Beautiful

Lauren's visit to Naples

I had a wonderful week with my sweet daughter-in-law Lauren in Naples! She was on Fall Break - so we traveled together to Naples. We worked hard and played too! Our condo needed repairs and cleaning. I was ready to quit - but Lauren said - let's knock this out!

We had to go shopping = just a little! Lauren liked "The Best of Everything" store. We had lunch at Riverwalk on Naples Bay!

Lewis and Clark Center - Sioux City, Iowa

The Interpretive Center for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in Sioux City sits alongside the Missouri River and features a day in the life on the trail. As part of the bicentennial of the expedition - a series a Interpretive Centers were built. We had already visited other centers. The unique larger than life statues welcome visitors to the centers. bicentenial

Lewis and Clark Center - Sioux City, Iowa 2

Interactive displays and recreations of camp life are featured in the Lewis and Clark Intreptive Center in Sioux City, Iowa. Lewis and Clark in uniform, Seaman the Newfoundland dog and Sacagawea are part of the exhibit.

Acting silly at Wall Drug Store, Wall, SD

The interstate is filled with signs about "Wall Drug Store". It is a famous landmark in the little town of Wall, SD. The store started in the 1930's as a drug store with an ice cream counter. Now - it spreads over 2 city blocks and is full of wonderful ways to spend your money. We were acting silly - I am on a "Jackalope??" and Darrell has a new hair style! But the 5 cent coffee and doughnut was really good!

Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD

South Dakota is filled with ingenius ways to get people to pull off the interstate. The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD is covered in a "corn and grain" moasic in the fall to create amazing scenes on the side the of the "palace" in downtown Mitchell.

State Game Park Lodge, Custer State Park, SD

The "Summer White House" of Calvin Coolidge is now the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park, SD. Our final night in Custer - Darrell and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner at the lodge.

View from the top of Harney Peak, SD

Harney Peak sits at 7244 feet and is about a 7 mile roundtrip hike. This is above the treeline. The old stone Fire Tower tops the peak. The trip to the top of Harney Peak was rewarded with spectactular views. Brochures say you can see 100 miles and 4 states. As you can see - it was a "severe clear" day and the views were awesome!

Hike to Harney Peak, South Dakota

Harney Peak is the highest point in the US east of the Rocky Mountains - elevation 7244'. I managed to make it to the top of about a 7 mile round trip hike! The views were magnificent. The trail head was just by Sylvan Lake.

Purple Pie Place, Custer, SD

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the Purple Pie Place in Custer, SD. The strawberry rhubarb pie was unbelievable!

Wildlife Loop 2- Custer State Park, SD

We only missed the huge Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park by a day! The annual event draws thousands to watch the cowboys round up the buffalo from the plains into the corral area. Our friends that we visited in Sundance, WY - were actually at the Roundup. We also saw a rattle snake just as we were leaving the corral area - needless to say - I did not get out of the car!! Then we saw a huge group of wild mountain goats! Plenty of wildlife in the park!

Custer State Park - Wildlife loop

We saw wild turkeys everywhere in the park! This pronghorn antelope was majestically poised on a rock cropping overlooking the road. But the funniest animals were the "begging" donkeys - they wait on the side of the road to beg for carrots. They did not hesitate to stick their heads through the car window for treats.

Iron Mountain Road - Pigtail bridges, double tunnels and more views, Custer State Park, SD

The Iron Mountain Road is really an engineering feat - several "pigtail" bridges spiral down the mountain to allow the road to be constructed in the steeper sections. An unique "double tunnel" again frames Mount Rushmore.

Iron Mountain Road -Views of Mount Rushmore through the Tunnels, Custer State Park, SD

Peter Norbeck - long time governor of South Dakota wanted a special road built from the Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore. He built the road everyone said could not be built - Iron Mountain Road. Even the tunnels through the road were designed so that Mount Rushmore would be visibly framed as you entered the tunnel.