Return to South Dakota

Tuesday, Oct 14 - We packed up and left Grand Forks about noon.  Driving there three weeks earlier, we saw fields and fields of green, sugar beet fields.  Today, we saw fields of black Red River Valley dirt and the beautiful colors of fall in North Dakota.  As we drove farther south into South Dakota, we found that the colors were yet to come.
We decided to stop and stay at Jan & Bob's acreage which is north of Sioux Falls and west of the Baltic, SD exit.  We had a nice visit and then Dr. Jennifer, their daughter, joined us for supper. Wednesday we drove to Sioux Falls and got parked back in the RV park.  That afternoon, I went and got a massage - a Groupon special I had bought in late August.  That night, Gary went to choir practice and I went and visited our friend, Kathy.  I joined the choir group as they visited at Grille 26 after practice. Thursday, I got my hair cut and then we met the "Lions' bunch for lunch.  Errands afterward and then went to see Katie, Jordan and the boys that night.  Friday, Gary had his haircut and massage and we babysat the boys that evening.  All that week and the weekend, we slept in, gradually catching up on our rest deficit from our harvest days.  Sunday, we sang with the choir for Mass.  It was so wonderful to worship in the beautiful Cathedral and to be part of the music there.

Sunday afternoon we packed up the motorhome, Gary was taking it to Forest City, IA to the Winnebago service center at the Winnebago Motorhome plant.  We needed to get our leaking window fixed, our heat pump serviced and a small list of things.  He went for the first come, first serve service - we could not get a call in appointment until Nov. 24. Luckily, he got in on Monday afternoon, but it took them until Wed. noon to get everything done.  They have a campground for their customers, so he stayed there.
I kept the car and went and stayed with Katie and Jordan.  What a treat!  Monday, I cleaned harvest mud off our boots and then took our harvest coveralls, seat covers, etc. to the laundromat.  I ran errands and then went back to the house and made supper. Tuesday, I worked on my sewing projects. Wednesday, I emptied out the car and got it detailed - goodbye harvest mud and smell!  Gary got back about 6:30 that night, I moved my things back to the motorhome and then we went to choir practice. Thursday, we worked on projects at the RV park.  I scrubbed up our Coleman grill, we want to sell it and get a smaller one.
Friday - Katie had the day off, so she and I went and had manicures and pedicures. Then we picked the boys up from daycare and ran errands before going home for lunch and naps.  Gary joined us there and we visited through the afternoon.  That night we ran errands and had supper at Chevy's.
Saturday, projects and then supper with friends, Gretchen and Larry.  A nice night, we ate outside under their patio heater.

Jumping in the leaves

Sunday  - Week 3   After singing again for Mass, we went and watched the Vikings game with the kids.  The twin boys are starting to watch the game, Riley did a victory dance when they won.
Monday - Thursday  We ran errands, had coffee and suppers with friends.  Thursday, I had another massage, Gary had lunch with a co-worker, then we went and visited Katie at her school.  Her third graders were dressed as saints for All Saints Day.  They were all in the gym and each would tell us about the saint they had chosen and were portraying.  That night, we drove out to Humboldt to visit Gary's brother Tom and his wife Rosie.
Friday - Halloween  We worked on getting the motorhome ready to move down the road again, we plan to leave on Monday.  I wrapped birthday presents for the boys, we planned to celebrate the twins birthday on Saturday night, since we won't be there for their birthday on the 11th.  5 years old!
Friday afternoon, we met friends for Happy Hour and had one more visit before saying goodbye to all of them.  Then we went over to Breckenridges, Katie and Jordan were taking the boys out trick or treating in his folks' neighborhood.  Dash (Riley) and the Wolverine (Sam) were so excited.  They went out for awhile and then came back to the house and showed us all their loot.
Saturday - Afternoon we went over to Katie's and spent the day with them.  That night we had our early birthday party with the boys, dessert and presents!  That night we set the clock back, an extra hour of sleep.
Sunday - our last day in Sioux Falls.  Gary sang with the Cathedral Choir at Mass as they sang the Faure Requim for All Souls' Day.  I sat downstairs and listened, a treat for me as I have always been upstairs singing.  I had the pleasure of sitting with Ron and Mary Jo Schallenkamp, very dear friends and our choir director for many years and our dear friends, Kathy and Steve.  It was amazing, thank you Dr. Osterman for letting us be part of the choir whenever we return to South Dakota.  After Mass, we went to Jim and Linda Breckenridges' to join them and our kids, for lunch and to watch the Vikings game.  Another sad day for the majority, happy day for me and my Chiefs!  Afterward, we said our goodbyes to all of them - it was hard to give those last hugs to our kids and grandkids for this visit.  We went back to the motorhome and worked on packing things up for travel.  Jenny and Gregg stopped by to see our home, they are such loyal friends and fans of our adventure.  Our last night, we were the only ones in the RV park and leave in the morning.

Dash and The Wolverine - love the muscles!