Mitchell, South Dakota

We had left Hasting, Nebraska, yesterday morning, Monday, June 10, and headed north towards South Dakota. We arrived about 5pm, and the campground was full, but they let us park in a hotel parking lot overnight next door. When we arrived, there was quite a few Airstreams already parked, and most left this morning. We got parked after we went to a truck wash and washed the truck and trailer.

This afternoon, Tuesday, June 11, we took a drive north to Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop, what a really enjoyable tour. They are motivated by a love of history and a desire to preserve our heritage, they have grown to be the premier builder of authentic horse-drawn vehicles. For over thirty years, their experienced staff of dedicated craftsmen have fashioned a line of superior quality wagons, wheels, and equipment, to suit a wide range of individual budgets and interests. They are working on restoring the Budweiser wagon with heavier wheels and just beefing up the undercarriage.


Working on a Budweiser Wheel


Budweiser Wagon


Making a new couch to replace old one in background.


Coaches in barn, four rows of them.


Making the seat.

We then went to the World's Only Corn Palace. The Palace stands as a majestic, uniquely American, folk art icon on the rolling prairies of South Dakota. The first palace was built in 1892, when the city of Mitchell was just 12 years old. Early settlers displayed their agricultural bounty on the building's exterior to prove the fertility of the soil and to attract immigrant farmers to settle here. Each fall a festival was planned to celebrate agriculture and the productivity of their people. Each year a new decorating theme is chosen and the outside of the palace is stripped and redecorated with new corn and grains. This palace is actually the third Corn Palace in Mitchell, but it's purpose hasn't changed.


Front entrance of Corn Palace.


Changing of the decorations, on the side of building.


New design, made with different colored corn, with grain around edge.

On Wednesday, it was windy and chilly all day, didn't really do much today. We did go to Menards and walk around, nice store, better than Home Depot and Lowe's, just has more stuff in it.

Today, Thursday, June 13, we left and headed north to Huron, SD, arrived at noon got parked and will be here for a little over two weeks, before heading north toward Canada. Today's weather is nicer, not much wind and sunny, temp mid 70's.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad