Chapters: August 2010

South Dakota Trip Day One

After a 3 1/2 year vacation hiatus the Bartig family packed up the mini van and headed west to the never-before-explored South Dakota. Can you say excited? The girls compared the likes of this trip to Disneyworld so why spend money on lavish vacations at this point in their life! They were so excited they didn't even watch a video until our trek back to Wisconsin.

My budding photographers!
Who wouldn't stop and take a picture of the Green Giant! He is very big!

Mom's perspective!

Welcome South Dakota!

Prehistoric Indian Village
Mitchell, South Dakota
The girls dug for a plastic Indian spear to trade it in for a real one...

A cool archaeological dig over an Indian Village.

Living like the Indians...Anna style!
Jeff was the only one to spear the deer...imagine that!

The infamous Corn Palace

They even make corn flavored salt water taffy! Who knew!

This large piece of corn was the only thing that really interested the girls at this place. The only thing that interested mom? Corn candy.

A Summer Evening

While growing up mom and dad would take me to Minnehaha Falls Park in South Minneapolis during our visits to see great Aunt Frieda and Gert. I thought this place was pretty cool and the girls (and Jeff) should know about it. Of course, we planned to go on one of the hottest and most humid days of summer!

She is just as beautiful as I remember her!

The girls saw these bikes and it was over: they NEEDED to ride one! Jeff and I pedaled around the park sweating with love!

The old train depot.

Just a reminder of how hot it was this day!

What a great name!

There's beauty in the heart of the city!

After exploring (and getting really sweaty) we met my friend Julie for fish tacos at Sea Salt (that was right in Minnehaha Park). What a great place for fresh seafood!

Holy Hot Sauce! Jeff is in paradise!

We heart fish tacos!

What a great evening that was capped off with ice cream at Grand Ole Creamery!

The Washington County Fair & A Demolition Derby

Corn dogs, nachos, deep fried dough, heat, political signs, dust and the smell of engine oil...it's fair time! I personally have a love affair with the demolition derby and I have no idea why. Perhaps it's going back to my redneck roots, or the tomboy gene that is still in me? Jeff and I haven't been to a derby since our fair days growing up so we felt it was a great time to introduce the girls to an American past time. They were laughing and in awe that these cars would rev their engines and then run into each other! There was also a lot of culture: all kinds come out for the derby so people watching was at it's prime! The thought crossed my mind to buy a "derby chick" t-shirt but I don't think the husband was too keen on the idea...perhaps next year!