Laura Ingalls vs "If you build it they will come"

So does they title give the things I did today away?  No, well then folks you need to watch more tv and movies.
  Last night when I was driving to my hotel I saw a Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum about 11 miles outside of town.  I thought I so have to go there.  Considering I read the books has a kid and then later when I got Tivo I recorded every episode of Little House on the Prairie.  I know I know nerdy but I don't care I love that show. 
 The museum is in Burr Oak,IA a small town.  I was lucky once again to get my own private tour with this lady.  Once again I didn't get her name.  She gave me lots of interesting information on Laura Ingalls and about the other places that she lived and what each of those museums have.  I have now decided that once I am done with this roadtrip that will be a next one, where I go to all the places she lived and where she is buried.  In the books they don't talk really about Burr Oak but her parents had moved them there and worked in a hotel/restaurant.  Also her sister Grace was born there.  I got talking to the tour guide lady and her husband is a farmer there.  She told me that the reason why the corn looks dead but that they are harvesting it is because its for feed and gas in cars not for humans.  I thought that was pretty interesting.  The corn is used for the ethanol gas for our cars and they also feed the cows and other animals with the rest.  The museum is $7.00 for the tour, only worth it if you are interested in Laura Ingalls and her family.
  So after my 1hr turned 1 1/2 tour (cause we were talking about UPS and how her husband was a driver for them and what happened to us) I headed out back on the road.
  I went to Effigy Mounds NM by McGregor,IA.  Back in the day Indians used it has a ceremonial,burial and food gathering place.  They would make these mounds shaped like animals.  I got a picture from the visitor center but in the video it says that you can see the mounds but you cant really make out what they are unless from the air.  Sooo I decided not to walk the 2 mile hike up hill for about 1/2 of it just to reach the first mound of 8 or maybe it was 9 and not be able to get a picture of what it really is.  Maybe after I lose o alot of weight and then walk more I will be more excited about walking 2 miles up hill.  They did have some cool arrowheads and bowls that they found there.  I also saw my first glimpse of the Mississippi River.
  I headed out again on the 52 to the 136.  It was a really pretty drive and not only is there tons of cornfields but alot of cool small towns.  You also drive by some parts of the Mississippi River.  All I kept thinking was all this corn is for cars and cows.  That's alot of freakin corn.  I also thought this is America, right here.  This is like the heart or what America when I think of it is.  Friendly,small town,hard working people.  The kinda place where the neighbors all help each other, they leave their doors unlocked and always wave when you drive by, they even talk like your an old friend.  Maybe I can't explain it right and I am not in anyways saying everywhere else is not America just when you drive down these country roads you get that all American feeling.  It's hard to explain and maybe you wont think that way when you drive down that road but thats what I thought.
  So anyways speaking of American what is more American than the movie Field of Dreams.  Everyone remember that movie?  Well I went there.  The movie was filmed on a farm next to the town Dyersville,IA.  The Lansings(who have owned the land for over 100 years and still farm it) kept the baseball field there and the house was the owners dad (it might have been the grandpa, sorry will have to check my paper and let you know for sure).  While it was being filmed the dad moved into a trailer.  Today they were taking down the corn in the field.  It looked still exactly like on the movie.  Its Free to see it (which again Free is always good) and you can play baseball there.  There was a family there from out of town who brought stuff to play ball with.  You can't tour the house since they still live there but you can play the field, walk around and buy a souvenir.  There is also information on how that farm was chosen and about the family and making of the movie.  I thought it was pretty cool.  O and I gotta say this, this lady and I were standing waiting to pay for our souvenirs when this other lady came up and let out the biggest loudest fart I have ever heard in my life.  It was so loud and long it sounded like she was deflating, and then she walked away.  The lady and I at the same time just looked at each other like can you believe that and I was like O my Gosh she just  crop dusted us.  We laughed and were like whatever.  Seriously lady just cause we are surrounded by corn fields doesn't mean we need to be crop dusted too.  I had to share it will you cause it was well weird. I would understand if she had the old people walking farts but this was way bad and it wasn't just a little puff. And Kate no Kevin Costner was not there, sorry.
  So now im in Cedar Rapids for the night and heading out tomorrow.  Just not sure of all my plans yet.  I had a nice day today not only with the drive but getting to see a old home of Laura Ingalls and then the Field of Dreams. 
Miles Gone Today

Laura Ingalls when she was older

Laura's Pa and Ma

Laura with 2 of her sisters

Laura's husband Almanzo

The old hotel and restaurant (its bigger inside then what it looks like)

At Effigy Mounds NM (what the mounds would have looked like from the air)

Arrowheads found in the area at Effigy Mounds

my first look at the Mississippi River

A barge on the Mississippi River

Mississippi River

The house from Field of Dreams

You build it and they will come-baseball field

the house again

me at the baseball field

the bleachers with the house in the back

the family harvesting their corn crop

what it looks like from the air

Video of the area around Field of Dreams

for those of you wanting to know about my book this is the front

each state has parks that you get your book stamped at

Part Two

So where was I o' ya after my laundry I hit the road.  I have more room in my car now that I sorted out stuff to put in my top carrier and got rid of both bags of wood. 
  So off I headed on the I-90, and I want to tell you something exciting that happened but to bad there was nothing.  Actually right when I crossed into Minnesota I first thought dang I didn't get a picture of the sign( it came up to fast and was a rock, how was I suppose to know that was their welcome sign) and then my second thought was am I in Iowa already, cause all I saw was corn fields.  At first I thought these were dead cornfields but apparently not cause at night they were cutting them and trucks were being loaded.  So anyways I looked to my left-cornfields, I look to my right-cornfields I saw more cornfields today then I have probably seen in my whole life span. 
  So here I was driving down the freeway and decided O' theres a National Monument in Minnesota only 30 miles out of my way (60 road trip) so I hurry up and get off onto the MN-23 and though it was a nice drive it was only all cornfields.
  So I get to Pipestone NM ( not knowing what kind of National Monument it was) and actually it was pretty cool.  Its actually scared ground to the Indians(all different tribes) that use the pipestone( the red rock) to make their peace or ceremonial pipes out of.  Indians today still quarry( have a piece of area that they dig for pipestone).  Some of the work that they do is really pretty but very expensive ( well at least to me anyways).  It's all hand carved so I would charge alot to.  All my ass could afford was a keychain to scrapbook later on.  But it was very interesting and to know they can still go there today.
  They have a path to a waterfall there but since it was so cold I opted out, sorry folks I chose warmth over pictures.  I did get out and take pictures of these rocks called the Three Maidens which the Indians say that the Maidens require you to make offerings to them before you can quarry for pipestone.
  The visitor center has alot of information and there was even a guy named Travis there that was making pipes and other stuff and you can watch him doing it.
  So after I left I decided to head out and take the US-75 back to the I-90.  Well here was a change of pace road.  So first I drive and I see cornfields of course but then BAM a whole bunch of Bison in a fields right in the middle of these cornfields.  So I go to pull over and then where I decided to pull over(to turn around and take pictures) is the tiniest Church I have ever seen.  I thought I would not fit but I did and it's cute inside.  It has 4 pews in it with bibles and a welcome sign in sheet.  All this right in the middle of all these cornfields.  Needless to say I was pretty excited I got to see something new.  Outside of the church was two picnic benches ( I guess so you can sit and watch the corn grow).  Both things are not far outside of the town of Luverne,MN so even if you are just on I-90 you can get off and drive maybe 3 miles outside of town and they will be on your left, you would see the church 1st and then the bison 2nd if coming from I-90.
  So after taking some pictures I headed back on the road.  Sorry folks nothing more exciting happened.  I wish that something did but all it was was cornfields and then when it got dark I could still make out that all there was was cornfields.  I did see some farmers harvesting at night so once in awhile I saw lights out there but other then that nothing.
  O' wait welcome to Amish country.  I saw my first caution Amish buggy sign and I was so excited.  I haven't seen one of those since I was in Wisconsin after High School. 
  I do want to make a note for those that don't know about the stamp books or what im talking about.  When I was little my parents started taking us each summer to different National Parks, Monuments, Historical Sites and Recreation Areas.  There is a National Passport Book that when you go to these places you get your book stamped.  My goal is to one day see them all.  There is no prize or award for seeing them all just a goal for myself.  I always say God can't take me until I get my last stamp.
  Thought of the day: Why make a to do list when you forget to do everything on the list.  I stopped at walmart to get some stuff and the one thing I needed the most-conditioner was the one thing I forgot to get.  I need to make a to do list just to remind me to read my real to do list.  So back to Walmart I will go.Ps and another thing (men maybe you can explain this to me) why is it that gas for regular unleaded is more expensive then super unleaded or xtra blend? And can I put super unleaded in my Kia 2001 Sportage?  Seriously I would like to know cause out here Regular unleaded is the more expensive.
Miles Gone Today 415

see the gas prices? someone help me

what I saw all day driving Corn fields

a canoe made out of pipestone

Pipes made out of Pipestone( not for smoking weed folks)

Ceremonial Pipes

no comment :)

The Three Maidens

a big pond behind the Three Maidens

hey guess what more corn fields

Bison

Big Bison

baby Bison

Tiny Church

When you walk in this is what you see

and this is the view if you walk to the front and turn around

the town of Luverne must smell the Bison cause they even made this sign

Amish Country now

Iowa welcomes us

Part one of Today

I'm waiting for my clothes in the wash and so to keep warm I thought I would blog.  I believe it was colder and still is colder then 38 degrees.  I froze my ass off (well not really but just in speaking terms).  I was so dang cold I didn't even want to get up this morning.  Seriously if I could have pee'd in bed just so I didn't have to get up I would have stayed there all day.  Gross but it was so cold.  Don't worry folks I made it to the restroom which I think my body wanted cause it was alot warmer in there.  Heck if it was sanitary I might have slept in there to get away from the cold but then again gross.  Seriously the things you think of when freezing.  Some of the hunters that are camped here in their trailers came over when I got out of my tent and said last night they had a bet to see if I was going to last all night or not, haha I don't even know these people and they were betting on me.  I asked if I get part of the winnings for the person who voted that I would stay.  They said no money was involved ( now what kinda bet is that?) but that I had balls to sleep out here in the cold.  I told them see this body ( pointing to myself) it stores alot of heat.  ( I was trying to act like it was all good but the whole time was thinking ya you don't even know how cold I was).  I then told them why do you think people hook up with big people at winter time, its cause we have lots of body heat to keep them warm.  They laughed and said I was an alright girl and wished me luck on my travels.  Then off they just left to go pheasant hunting.
  So now im just waiting for my clothes then im outta here.  O and update I made it so that the comments are not looked at first since people were having trouble leaving me a comment.  I found out you had to be registered on my blog to leave a comment were now you can just leave one.  If you don't have like a google ID then you can just put it anonymous and put your name.
  Well everyone going to go check my clothes write more later.

Bummer Dude

I messed up today.  I knew there was a reason I wanted to stay in Rapid City one more day but since I couldn't remember what it was I cancelled tonight's reservation.  So what do I do I left and headed towards Mitchell,South Dakota.  Tonight is my last night in South Dakota and though its a cold one, I have an awesome view of Lake Mitchell from my campsite.  If anyone should come this way in an rv or tent camp here at Lake Mitchell Campground.  Right now im blogging at the table right next to the fire.  Glad I finally get a camp place that has a fire pit and will let me make fire.  The Roof, the roof, the roof is on fire we don't need no water let the MF burn.  (I kept it rated G for the older adults and some of the younger and now you will have that song stuck in your head haha).
  So anyways like I was saying I left Rapid City and headed out to the Badlands NP.  It was only about an hours drive.  It was pretty cool to see.  It was all this weird rock but not rock formations.  Actually its called Popcorn soil-is formed when clay is mixed with sand and silt it then absorbs water and dries out swelling and then shrinking over time.  I also saw some bighorn sheep, though their horns really weren't that big.  They were just chilling getting their grub on right beside the road.  When I took a picture they would just stop and look at me like dang girl haven't you ever seen a bighorn sheep eat  before, move on your interrupting my eating time.   So I did.
  Then what the bummer is, is that I wanted to go to the last park for me to complete South Dakota at the Minuteman Missile NHS and when I get there they are closed on weekends.  Duh, now I remembered why I wanted to stay in Rapid City one extra day.  It was so I could have gone to the Missile yesterday and Mt Rushmore today.  So now I have to wait and come back again to complete South Dakota.  Guess I will just have to visit Rapid City again, o darn.  But seriously I was bummed that I couldn't complete my stamps for the state. 
  So since I had a reservation at Lake Mitchell I ended up getting here earlier then I thought.  Which ended up being fine.  I put up my tent, arranged my car-now pulling out my warmer clothes and putting other junk in my top carrier.  I then headed off to the famous Corn Palace.  The pictures are all really made of corn.  Its pretty cool to see them made like that.  Inside it shows the picture of what every year's looked like since they started doing it.  There is also a gym/ concert area in the center of it.  Other then that not much.  So glad it was free, and who doesn't like free.  After that I drove around town and then went and ate at a mom and pop place called Fanny's Haven and they have really good fried chicken.  Actually it was more like a grandma and grandpa place cause the owners were so old. (no offense to the older group who read this).
  After eating dinner I went back to camp and started a fire.  ( which at this time im on my second bag of wood, its getting freakin cold out here and suppose to be 38 tonight.)  I then sat and watched the sunset.  It's nothing like a  beach sunset that's for sure.  The trees by the river were blocking watching the sun go all the way down but it was still nice.  My final South Dakota sunset.
  Tomorrow im just going to do laundry here and then pickup camp and take a shower ( and probably in that order) .  Then I am heading to Decorah, Iowa for the night.  Its about a 5 1/2 hr drive.  I don't know whats on the way but I will find out once I hit the road.  I'm finding it harder and harder to find somewhere to camp.  Most places are already closed for the season or they think im nuts for camping in the cold.  So once again Super 8 will be my home.  I am going to look more once I get to the hotel tomorrow for places to camp and look for more then just a day ahead of time.  There are two national parks in Iowa and I think I get do both on Monday.  Tomorrow will just be a driving day.
 Ps I heard that Rocks of Two Penis's was alittle over the top haha for some so I will PG-13 it to Dick's  Haven haha  or do any of you have a better name for it?
Miles Gone Today 310

Badlands NP South Dakota

Badlands NP

One of the goats I interrupted eating

me at the Badlands NP

my camp at Lake Mitchell, Mitchell South Dakota

my view (im so lucky and for only $15 this is what I get)

The famous Corn Palace

some of the stuff made from corn

do you see the layers of corn in this picture

FIRE

my last South Dakota sunset for now