2024 South Dakota Adventure # 1

This will be the first of at least 3 posts (we’ll see how I end up breaking up the info and photos) that I will use to tell the story of a fabulous adventure that took me and about 36 other adventurers through 11 days of great experiences, amazing views, and lots and lots of fun!!!

Let me start back a month or so ago….actually, even further than that, for just a little background. I received the list of 2024 guided tour offerings from First Choice Travel and noticed the tour of South Dakota and more in September. I considered it for a minute….I really love SD…..but, reminded myself that I made the rule that I don’t do “big ticket” trips more than once to make the most of my travel time and funds. I visited SD as part of my cross country motorhome trip with my brother, sister-in-law, and her sister back in 2016 and then in 2018, a friend and I took a Caravan bus tour across five states that also included SD – these trips overlapped some and also had things in the SD area that were unique to each trip. Only the 2016 trip included The Badlands and I often thought I’d love to return to see that again!!! So, the fact that this trip also included the Badlands, I gave it some thought. I ultimately decided to pass on it. But, every time the trip caught my eye, I thought about it, again….and, each time, I talked myself out of it. That was that! Decision made…..I would do other things, instead!

Then…..in July, my friend and I went to Lancaster, PA to see the Sight and Sound production of “Daniel”. The tour manager on that trip was Kathy and she mentioned the Mt. Rushmore/SD trip to the group. I told my friend I’d love to do it, but just can’t justify it to myself! So……as most very good friends do…..she commenced playing the Devil’s Advocate about it! She said…..why??? I told her my rule and that I couldn’t justify the $$$ and time on something I’ve already done. She asked “how much is it?” and I told her that the price was actually VERY reasonable for an 11 day trip – hard to pass up – and she said “can you afford it?” and I said, yes, but that’s not the point…..and she asked, again, “why?”! hahaha When I really couldn’t come back with a solid response, she went on to the time issue. She asked what was holding me back about the time…..I said, well, 11 days is a long time to be away…..she asked what made it a problem…..she reminded me (sadly) that I no longer have any dogs to worry about – no boarding expense or concerns…..yes, but I have responsibilities…..and she asked what I had that couldn’t either wait or be handled by someone else…..well, nothing…..then she hit the nail on the head — she asked what about the trip interested me and I said that I have really wanted to go back to the Badlands one more time ever since I saw it the first time!!! So, she got me thinking again!!! But, I still wasn’t convinced I should do it! I’m rarely this indecisive about things…..I do tend to overthink things, but I typically do make a decision and stick with it! This whole process was quite unusual for me!

So, what tipped the scale to make me decide to go? Actually, it was Kathy Hamm – the tour manager I mentioned in the last paragraph. She happened to sit across from my friend and I at dinner the first night of the Lancaster trip. She talked about this upcoming trip and told all about all the things they do and that it was one of her favorite trips and how much fun they have on it…..as she described all the details of the trip, the tears began to pour down my cheeks…..and I knew…..I had to go!!! But….she said she thought it might have been closed to sign-ups! I went right to my phone and sent an email to First Choice Travel to see if they had room for one more!!! By Monday, I was registered and stopped in the office to give them a check!!! Woo Hoo!!! I went to the orientation meeting and Kathy went over all the details of the itinerary and cried some more…..I was so excited about going!!!

All this is to say…..and, you’ve obviously assumed, since I’m writing about it…..that I did go!!! And, now I have been to South Dakota three times – and have absolutely LOVED each one of those trips – all for different reasons!!!

While I have been to the area three times, now, there were actually more things that I either didn’t see either of the other two times OR I experienced differently, if I had been there before! It was very unique!!!

So…on with the stories and photos – in Post # 1, I’ll cover the part of the trip from Batavia to SD and then plan the second post to be posted soon:

First off…..when the bus pulled up and it was PURPLE, I knew right then and there that I made the right decision!!! LOL How cool is that!!!!????

Meet Kathy and Rachel —- our dynamic duo —- the two most incredible people who worked so very hard to ensure we made it safely there and back home and had an absolute BLAST every single one of the 11 days we were in their capable hands!!! Kathy (left) was our Tour Manager – yes, the same Kathy that managed the Lancaster trip – and Rachel (right) was our bus driver. I can’t say enough about them…..together they made the trip so much fun and made everything go off without any major hiccups!

The other thing that made this a unique and wonderful experience was the people on the bus! I have been on other long-ish bus tours and you do tend to make new friends and get to know a few others on the bus – it’s inevitable since you’re in close quarters for several days and doing things as a group. But…..this one was really special! I said earlier that I thought there were 36 on the bus…..I’m not exactly sure of that, but I believe there were 34 passengers plus Kathy and Rachel, so 36!!!??? Anyway…..we honestly became a close knit family on this bus — everyone got to know everyone on some level and we helped each other and truly enjoyed each other’s company. If any of my bus-buds are reading this…..ya’ll were great to spend 11 days with…..I hope to share a bus with you, again!!! And, don’t worry — what happened on the bus, stays on the bus…..I won’t be telling any specific tales on any of you…..but, I’ll snicker to myself when I get to the experiences that remind me of a story or two or three…..hahaha!

The weather couldn’t have been better!!! It was in the 70’s and 80’s the entire time and only rained at night once and then the last day — but, not enough to put a “damper” on the day (see what I did there?)! The sun was definitely enjoying our trip right along with us and we were enjoying having the sun tag along!!!

DAY # 1: We started out on Friday, September 13th…..did you get that? Friday the 13th…..really??? But, it was fine! We loaded up the bus in Batavia and left on time and the day went off without a hitch!

At the orientation meeting, Kathy gave us an info package that included a name tag that served several purposes…..we were told to wear it at all times during the trip! First, it let everyone on the bus know what to call us…..no need to say “hey, you” or “that short girl over there”! They knew me as “Kim” right off the bat! It also was our “ticket” into the prepaid attractions and meals. And, it had the meal choices we had to make ahead of time typed on the back so we could remember what we chose! But, the fun part of the name tags was the daily stickers Kathy gave us! Each morning as soon as we started off for the day, Kathy gave us a saying or quote of the day — the first day was “Be Kinder Than You Need To Be”…..don’t ask me what they other days were…..LOL! And, then, she’d go up the aisle and give us a sticker of the day — each sticker either represented the saying of the day or something we were going to see or do that day. We all looked forward to the daily stickers! (Mine also collected crumbs throughout the trip! hahaha)

That first day was a travel day….we left Batavia at 8:00 am and drove to Avon, Ohio for our lunch stop at Culver’s. I’ve never been to a Culver’s before…..WOW….great menu variety! I was told that they were famous for their butter burgers and milk shakes, so that’s what I had and I was NOT disappointed – the onion rings I added to my burger meal were the best I’ve had in a very long time! Very good….I’ll keep my eye out for Culver’s from now on! The weather was amazing…..I ate inside, but went outside to finish my milk shake and wait for time to get back on the bus.

We arrived at our first hotel of the trip in Fremont, Indiana – SureStay Plus. It was a nice hotel – clean and comfortable. Getting there was funny….poor Rachel drove past the entrance drive and turned around in a shopping center behind the hotel and drove past it again and turned around down the street and finally figured it out…..to be fair, it was kinda hidden and difficult to figure out…..but, she got us there!

The way they suggested we pack was perfect! At the orientation meeting, they suggested we pack two suitcases – one overnighter with the stuff we will need for the first 3 nights on the way and the rest in a bigger suitcase with the rest of our “stuff”. Each night on the way, we only had to lug in the overnight bag and then when we got to SD and were going to stay at the same hotel for 4 nights, we took both bags in…..then we repacked the overnighter for the three night drive back…..genius!!! It worked out GREAT!!!

The surprise at our first hotel, though, was the height of the bed in my room!!! It literally came up to the bottom edge of my ribcage…..I was not sure at all if I was going to be able to get in it!!! hahaha But, I didn’t have time to worry about it cause we had to “brush and flush” as Kathy called it and get back on the bus to go to dinner.

Dinner was at a place called Timber’s Steakhouse and Seafood in nearby Angola, IN. GREAT place! I looked up the menu before we went and knew I was going to have the snow crab legs…..OMG…..so good!!! A lot of work for a little meat, but I wasn’t terribly hungry and it ended up being just the right amount for that first night’s dinner after being on the bus all day! Only regret – I wish I had asked what the market price was before I ordered…..but, on second thought, I’m glad I didn’t cause I might have changed my mind and missed out on all that delicious crab!

Wish I had taken a photo of the restaurant — it was a really cool place! Good choice for dinner!!! Everyone at the table I was sitting enjoyed their dinner choices and I didn’t hear any complaints — I think everyone had a good time and enjoyed dinner!

When we got back to the hotel, I got ready for bed and decided to tackle the job of climbing up into that tall bed! hahaha A good swing of the leg and grip on the comforter and I was in!!! Luckily, I slept solid all night and didn’t have to get up and worry about getting back in! The bed and pillows were like clouds and I was so comfortable I slept like a baby! Success!

On to Day 2 – Saturday, September 14th:

The complimentary breakfast at the hotel was good…..after, we loaded up the bus and hit the road at 9:00 am. Our stop on Day 2 was at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, IN – a really sweet Amish village of shops and a restaurant and bakery. We had three hours to spend there, including time for our lunch. I really enjoyed this place. Cool stuff to look at and lots of shopping and delicious food!

I bought a kit at the quilt shop. It is a “magic quilt”! I saw some beautiful framed quilted pictures and found one I loved – it was an angel (I collect angels) and it was purple! When I asked about purchasing it, I was told it was for reference only and the kits to make them were for sale. When they told me it was a “no sew” kit and explained that you cut the pattern pieces and push them into the foam base to make the picture, I had to give it a try! When I get it done, I’ll do a post to show you how it turned out…..good or bad! hahaha

For lunch choices, the restaurant had a bakery with lots of goodies or an all-you-can-eat buffet or a sit-down menu based option. I chose the menu seating and the couple that sat behind me on the bus came in just after I ordered and sat with me. The menu had a lot of variety to choose from….I had the chicken with bread stuffing and brown butter noodles (had to get those – they make them fresh right there) and sweet tea! WOW – so good!!! Day 2 and I was already dreading getting on the scales when I got back home! LOL Anne and Ed had sandwiches and I think soup and they both enjoyed their lunch, as well.

After lunch, I had time to take the horse and carriage ride…..that was so much fun! The gentleman that drove the carriage took me all around the property and told me all about the history of the place and how/where they make the homemade noodles to ship all over the country! I’m so glad I remembered I wanted to do that and saved time for it before I had to get back on the bus!

We got back on the bus at 1:00 and drove to a spot on the property where they have a “flower quilt” – a spot where they plant flowers in the pattern of a quilt square – in this case, it was a star pattern. Kathy had us get off the bus and go stand all around the flower quilt for a group photo. She’s going to send us a copy of the photo she took…..I’ll try to do a follow up post with any photos that she sends me, but for now, here is the flower quilt without the group around it!

On the way to dinner, we passed the Mississippi River and I got a nice shot of it with the sun shining on the water.

Dinner was fun!!! We ate at the Iowa Machine Shed Restaurant in Davenport, Iowa. It was a really cool place with lots to photograph, good food, friendly atmosphere, and time to shop after we ate. It was a pre-paid dinner that we had to choose from a menu ahead of time — I chose the ham dinner and it was so good!!! The waitresses wore overalls and the drinks were served in mason jar glasses and it was just a really great time all around!

But the hit of the night? The free tractor ride!!! This ole farmer dude was available to give tractor rides…..Kathy asked if he’d give us one and he said “yep”…..I was the first to get up on the wagon hitched to a very old (OK, I’ll be politically correct – vintage) John Deere! We soon filled the wagon with some wives on their husbands laps cause we ran out of seats!

We weren’t sure it was going to start…..he cranked and cranked it and it finally lit up and began to rumble! He had to tell Rachel to move the bus cause it was right in the way of the route he was going to take us.

The ride was a couple times around the parking lot…..every turn the hitch would groan and creak and sound like it was about to disintegrate….the wagon pitched and rocked and squeaked and we weren’t sure we’d make it back to the starting point without it breaking away from the tractor and leave us free wheeling down the road! LOL And then the clouds darkened and the thunder and lightening began and the wind picked up…..we thought he’d end the ride, but, nope…..he went right past the start point and did another pass around the parking lot with the rain starting to sprinkle…..he drove right past our bus as some yelled out “just let us off here”…..it was hilarious and turned out to be such fun – what a riot…..despite us wondering if our lives were about to end!!! LOL But, the driver obviously knew it was safer than it seemed to us at the time and we got back safe and sound and just barely damp – it didn’t fully start to rain so we didn’t get wet!

I loved it – what a hoot! It was one for the memory books, for sure!!!

On the way to the hotel, the rain came and then gave way to a beautiful sunset:

Our hotel on night # 2 was also a SureStay Plus, like the first night, but without the high bed…..no need for acrobatics to get in this one! hahaha!!! But, it also wasn’t quite as comfortable — it was a very nice hotel — clean and had a fabulous shower and the breakfast was good…..but, I didn’t sleep as well – the bed just seemed a bit lumpy and the pillows weren’t very soft…..don’t get me wrong – I got a decent night’s sleep and the hotel was very nice — I’m definitely not complaining about it – all our hotels were good…..it was just my least favorite of the ones we stayed at and it took me a while to fall asleep.

Day # 3 – Sunday, September 15th our stop was at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens in, you guessed it, Des Moines, Iowa! Beautiful place! They had indoor and outdoor gardens that seemed to go on forever! I especially loved the water features – they had a water lily garden and a beautiful waterfall that you could walk behind and a fountain and inside there was a koi pond and other water features. It was all so stunning – even with a lot of the plants at the end of their blooming season – it was still gorgeous and relaxing and made for a lovely morning. The weather, again, was perfect!

On our way to the gardens, we got a glimpse of the beautiful gold dome on top of the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines! What a sight — almost looked like the Taj Mahal!!! I would have enjoyed getting a closer look at that!

Also seen in downtown Des Moines!

This is a view of downtown Des Moines that I captured from the bus as we were leaving the botanical gardens:

On to lunch near Des Moines — Culver’s again — this time I had the shrimp plate! Love that place!

I first asked the young guy who took my order about the pork loin sandwich – I wondered if it was breaded or just sliced pork. I said “can you tell me about the pork sandwich?” – I immediately realized he didn’t speak English very well…..he said “yes, it is pork on a bun”….I decided to be more clear and asked if it was breaded and he said yes it is on bread…..no, I said, not ON bread, is the pork breaded…..he said “you don’t want the bread?” – I just laughed and realized I was not going to get anywhere with him, so I just ordered the shrimp — it was an excellent choice and I was very happy with it, but kinda sad about missing out on the pork sandwich! hahaha I looked it up online after and saw that it IS a nice breaded piece of pork on a bun, so if I ever get to another Culver’s, that’s what I’m going to try!!! 🙂

We had a bit of a drive after that to get to Sioux City, Iowa. Along the way, there was a lot to see out the window…..I love it when I don’t have to drive and can just enjoy watching America pass by!

We saw a LOT of wind farms…..lots and lots of them…..I think they are so beautiful to see! A lot more appealing to look at than solar farms!

Dinner that night was a pre-paid meal at Red Robin – YUM! I had the burger and sweet potato fries.

Our third hotel was the Avid Hotel Sioux City — VERY NICE!!! Modern and comfortable! It reminded me of the Moxie in Amsterdam when our flight was delayed leaving Glasgow, Scotland and we missed the connection in Amsterdam and had to get a room for the night! Loved that hotel…..and this one was just as pleasing – not really the same, but close enough that it instantly reminded me of the Moxie!

It was very comfortable and the shower was AWESOME!!! And…..I got a kick out of noticing that the square light around the bathroom mirror reflected a square around the pupils in my eyes…..I laughed and had to try to get a photo to show it off…..it doesn’t take much to amuse me! hehehe

It’s hard to see in the photo, but trust me…..there are squares around the pupils in my eyes…..I’m still laughing about it….so cool!!! LOL

So, that’s days 1-3…..I’m going to leave you here cause it’s just about my bedtime and I don’t want to put TOO much in each post!

The next day we made it to South Dakota and arrived at our destination hotel where the full days of adventuring and fun began!!! So far, it has been incredible and it’s the first time I’ve been to everything we’ve seen up to this point…..but the fun has just begun…..lots more to see and do and write about!!! The best is yet to come!

If you didn’t see the post I wrote last night, scroll down to the next post — it is a random collection of photos from the trip – mostly sights I captured from the bus. Check it out!

Next up: South Dakota! Be sure to come back and read “the rest of the story”!