I'm leaving for my happy place, tomorrow. Two of my beloved places (states) to visit are Iowa and South Dakota. I'm sure some can't understand why, but for me - memories, tradition, family, culture, farming, landscape, weather and the smells all bring me back to two of my favorite places on earth. Growing up, our family drove to South Dakota via various paths at least once a year - sometimes taking Interstate 90, sometimes taking Interstate 80. Either way, there were markers throughout the trip that excited me and my siblings just enough to make it another hundred miles without killing each other (or, my dad having to stop the car as well as WW III).
Since growing up, we no longer cram six people into a light blue gas guzzling station wagon with rooftop carrier to make the almost-non-stop 14 hour trek. Instead, tomorrow, we'll set off in my mom's mini-van, hoping to squeeze every mile from each gallon of gasoline with just 4 of us - my mom, Joel, me and Emma. We'll also split the trip into two days, our first night spent with my Aunt and Uncle in the gloriously beautiful town of Pella, IA. Then on to New Holland, SD (population 78 - 2000 census).
Actually, I'm not going to get to far unless I start packing...TTFN!
(Here are some photos from the same trip, last year. Wow...Emma has grown!)
There is no better way to get around the back country :)
Emma, not thrilled with the tall grass.
4 thing(s) you said:
Have a great trip!!
I think your daughter is upset and saying to you get me back to a state with more than just corn! I would like to invite you back to my blog, and I hope to be taken off your black list of suspended bloggers. Have fun in Iowa!
Kim's husband
That list you left me to do is TOO MUCH! You slave-driver...=)
Guess you'll have to make it up to me with margs at OTB when you return.
WAAAAH, I miss you already!!
Wow. I have so many of the same memories. My mom's family is from the the Sioux Center IA and Luverne MN area. Many memories of long hours in the car, farmland and family times.
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