Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Another New State - South Dakota

We left Little Sioux, IA, at eight this morning and headed to Mitchell, SD, home of the Corn Palace. We were bummed that we were just across the river from Nebraska as we turned west at Sioux Falls but we never entered that state. We'll have to go there another time.



A concrete tipi marks each rest area in South Dakota.

We arrived early afternoon, set up and took off for the Corn Palace. There have been three Corn Palaces, the first built in 1892. Every year a new theme is chosen and the outside is stripped and redecorated with new corn and grains. In early summer the process begins with removal of the old grasses and grains. Over the summer, 3,000 bushels of milo, rye, oat heads, and sour dock are tied in bundles and attached. The corn murals have to wait until late summer when the corn crop is ready. Over a half million ears of corn are sawed in half and nailed to the building following patterns created by a local artist. There have been three artists who draw the outlines for the murals. This year's theme is America's Destinations.



Murals depicting NASA, Statue of Liberty and Seattle



New grasses being put in place around last year's murals. They will be changed out as the corn crop comes in.



A hunting scene depicted inside the Corn Palace arena is a permanent interior corn mural created by Oscar Howe, the late Sioux artist and South Dakota artist larueate.

We were able to see young men preparing the bunches of grasses that are used but last year's murals are still in place. We watched a video about the history of the Corn Palace and saw pictures going back to the original palaces.



Brenda and I sat beside the A-Maise-Ing Corn Statue across the street from the Palace. Even the lamp posts are decorated with corn.




Afterwards we went to Culver's to eat a late lunch and then to Cabela's for the guys to look around. Ted took pictures of some of the beautiful taxidermy animals in the scenes inside the store. Afterwards we went to Wal-Mart hoping that we were getting all that we needed for the next week. We'll be at a ranch at Interior, SD and shopping won't be convenient.

Brenda has been bummed every time we passed a casino and there has been a lot of them. I was surprised when Rick told me she had walked to a casino next door to our campground! After a light dinner, Ted asked if I wanted to walk over to the casino. We checked with Brenda and she wanted to come too. Rick said he would pass. We all played for about an hour and a half and I lost $5. It is a small room connected to a convenience store and gas station. They give you free cans of pop and have containers of peanuts and candy for players. He told Ted that coffee is 5 cents between 6 and 10 am so he'll walk over there to get coffee before we take off. I don't normally make a pot of coffee on travel days.

I don't think we have wi-fi at Interior and we have serious doubts that Rick's Sprint is going to work in such a remote area. So if you don't see a post for a week, don't despair. I'll get caught up in Custer or Island Park when I have the opportunity. Until then, stay cool, stay safe.

2 comments:

Pat Steimle said...

Hello!!!

Started reading your blog, and came across the Mercy girls picture -- there is you, Cookie, Donna Pellman and who is the other Donna. Could only thing of Donna Kirchner? Donna P. was at the last luncheon and we had a nice chat and have email a couple of times.

So, you hit UDF, Greaters. I, too, love Gliers Goetta and we can get it at Kroger's here in Maysville. Ken also makes the goetta on the pinhead oats bag. Our son in Flordia also makes it, but, had to go to Kroger's and get his supply of the oats to take back with him. So, my husband (Ken) says "they have the cravings just like us"!

Terry's Air Force buddy couldn't get the hang of Skyline Chili and spaghetti. When they got back to the base he was telling their co-workers about this, and Jim was shocked that they eat chili with spaghetti. Jim is from Louisana, and they were here for a week in May. Went to 3 Reds-Indians games.

In the "Cincinnati" magazine this month they featured "Skyline" Chili and I sent it to Terry to give to Jim. HAven't heard anything yet. So, welcome to the "cravers" Cincinnati style!!!

Will miss you Sat. Joan Buescher Strom will be there. We have been friends since the 7th grade at Mercy Academy and high school, and ever since. Last saw her at the Academy reunion Sept. 14!

Pat

Darling Jill Quilts said...

I had heard of Corn Palace before, but was told that it was something that could be passed over. After seeing your pictures, I'm thinking it is a site to see! Very cool!

I've never been to a casino before and we were going to go to the one in Indy, but we decided to sew instead. I'll have to go someday though! You did pretty well if you only lost $5! How much did the others lose?