Day Three of the Great Western Adventure

We left Sioux Falls today heading to Custer. This is the area around Mt. Rushmore. We had to drive across most of South Dakota on the straightest stretch of road I have ever driven. We made a side stop in Michel to see the world famous Corn Palace. The building was decorated with mainly corn. The used other natural grains and grasses to decorate the facade. The first corn palace was constructed in the 1800’s.
Me made a second stop at 1880 Town. This was a recreation of a typical town in 1880. It was very hot but the kids had fun not being in the van. Shaun found all the cats and kittens that lived in the town. We were going to eat at the town but it did not serve dinner. So everyone was hungry and tired when got the campground in Custer. We had spaghetti’s and tortilla pizzas on the camp stove. We tried to have a campfire but it was too windy. We had to add more tie downs to keep the tent from blowing away. I was surprised that it was not on top of us in the morning. I did not sleep well because I seemed like I was sliding down a hill all night. It was also cold. Why did we not bring the space heater?

Day Two of the Great Western Adventure

The drive was a little dull today. We left Sleepy Hollow campground about 10:30 this morning. We packed everyone in and hit the road. We made one stop to climb a tower to see the scenic prairie. I did get some nice photos with the boys and prairie grass. We camped at a KOA campground with a nice pool and playground. We had a “fun” time setting up the tent in a gale force wind. The wind calmed down later and the tent stayed up all night. Later we played mini golf and it was almost completely dark when we finished.

Day one of the Western Adventure

I cannot believe how much crap you can cram into a minivan. There was not much room for the kids or us. We made it to Holland before discovering the cell phone and other things were left home. Finally we left about 10:30am and started the drive. The kids were reasonable good in the car and we made good time with minimal stops. We arrived at Sleepy Hollow campground about 6:30. We had Hobo dinners much to Shaun’s delight. He calls anyone that looks like a bum a hobo. We had chicken and veggies cooked on the mighty fire that I built. Lighter fluid works great to start a fire. Shaun was very good at making jiffy popcorn on the campfire. There was a beautiful sunset over the cornfields. When dusk fell fireflies were everywhere just like home. We all went to bed tired.

4th Of July

Southern fireworks
Do we need to take cover?
We must be serious about sparklers

Parade fun

On the fourth we went to the parade in Allendale. I had not been to the parade in many years and it was nice being on the campus of Grand Valley. The kids made a big haul with lots of candy. The parade was cool except for the loud fire engines that Zander did not enjoy.

Later we went with Joe and Lori to her mom and dad’s to shoot off fireworks. We had a little scare when one kind of went off at all of us. We had Joe’s world famous burgers and a lot of great food. The only bad part was getting stuck in Grand Haven firework traffic and getting home late. 5:00am came early for work on Thursday. See 4th of July for pictures.

This will be the last post before our great western adventure. If we have Internet along the way we will be able to post. We are all keeping journals and will post pictures and observations later.

Michigan Adventure

Are they really scared?

I really was scared!

That first drop is a killer! Hill one and two are not much better!

Snoopy and the peanuts gang.

Monday was a long day of fun at Michigan adventure. We met Kristi and Shelly and their kids at the park. Lisa and I stayed at the lake Sunday night and went from there in the morning. The kids had a great time at the water park and on the rides. I even rode the roller coaster Shivering Timbers. It was 2:17 minutes of fun and terror. Shaun and Justin rode it 3 times but my stomach and back were done after one trip.
Shivering Timbers
Height 125 feet
First Drop 120 feet
Speed: 65 miles per hour

Little Point Sable Tour

Another sun set
Fishin' at Dane and Bea's
Funny Boy
Do a little turn on the catwalk

Triple trouble

The kids love to fish at Dane and Bea’s. There are several docks for them to use and they always have fun. The fish were not too hungry but they caught a few. Sunday morning we went to the lighthouse to take a tour. It was interesting to be inside after many years watching the sun set with it in the background. The view from the top was amazing. It was a cool perspective that you can’t imagine without being up there. Shaun was a little scared of the height and I must say it was a little unnerving on that little catwalk. Lighthouse Photos

Kleinjans' up North

The Kleinjans crew

Beach bums

All I want for my christmas is my two front teeth

Oh @&^$#@! I missed the ball

Boys and mud enough said

I am sure grandpa won't mind

Last Saturday my Uncle Leon and Aunt Judy came up north for the day. The cousins even came from Colorado and of course Reily. It was nice to see those guys it had been a while since we had got together. The day was gorgeous and the company was great. We hung out and caught up on little and big things. The boys had fun jumping off the raft and swimming and I got some cool pictures. Check out the following link for more pictures. Kleinjans’ in the north. Hope you guys will keep in touch online.

Summer Stuff

A nice sunset in Grand Haven

Shaun being attacked by the beach

Was that a 300 yard drive Tiger?

Not a bad follow through !

Lawnmower antics

A couple of weeks ago we stopped to watch the sunset in Grand Haven on our way home from the lake. I took a couple of pictures even though it was quite dark. We all went to Grand Haven when Lisa came back from Hungary. The kids had fun in the water and Shaun wanted to get buried in the sand.
I got out of work early and Shaun and I went golfing at The Pheasant in Borculo. Shaun is working hard on his game and I played terribly.
Last weekend we went up north and the boys wanted to swim and fish even though it was dark. The water and air were cold for swimming but kids do not seem to mind. I am sure Dane and Bea liked the noisy company on their dock after dark.
We got up “EARLY” (9:00am) on Saturday and mowed the “lawn” up north. Shaun did not care for me taking pictures while he was mowing. I let him take pictures of me and tried to make a game of it to keep him working. The biggest problem was the dust because it is so dry. Click on the following green text for more pictures. Summer Stuff