Rapid City Letter
We had so much fun today!
Weather was beautiful, big, big, big sky everywhere you looked!
Our wonderful hosts from Sioux City got the kids back to the church for
a nice take off. We said our goodbyes and left our first new friends
from this summer's tour. Without fail, the kids talk about their
homestays and what they did, a number of them getting to see the Falls
(hence Sioux FALLS).
Quote for the day: (may be a new feature here!) "Every time we go on
tour, my faith in humanity grows. There are so many NICE people that
want to help and open their doors. It makes me feel so good about the
future."
After about an hour ride we pulled off to a tourist destination that
can't possibly be missed when traveling I-90 - the Mitchell Corn Palace!
Yep, pretty cheesey, or should we say CORNY! We located a lost wallet,
and headed further west.
Lunch stop at a South Dakota rest area and thankfully it had wind
shelters - much more relaxing than yesterday's wind!
Back on the bus, sometimes feeling like dogs going back into our comfy
kennels, our home on the road, continued with our movie watching (2-1/2
today), and next stop was the next tourist "attraction", Wall Drug!
We probably broke a record for the shortest time a bus tour was able to
get in and out of that complex known as Wall Drug. Back on the bus in
25 minutes. And that actually included some purchases aside from ice
cream, and everyone had a chance to potty up!
Since we had the time and it was such a beautiful day, we decided to
change up our itinerary and headed off to Mt. Rushmore. And we are glad
we did! Although it rained the whole way up the mountain, when we
arrived, the sun was shining! Some of the kids had been there before,
but most had not and it was fun to walk under the Avenue of the Flags
and onto the viewing area.
Lining up for our group photo (Captain Jim included!), and then
spontaneously Margaret led them in the Star Spangled Banner which
literally brought tears to the eyes of those watching the performance.
(Check out the link on the itinerary of the video.)
Some shopping time, regroup and down the mountain to our hosts at the
First Presbyterian Church. The music director, Jack, met us and the
kids rehearsed in the Sanctuary, had a wonderful dinner of sloppy joes
and chips and fruit and veggies, some delicious punch - all quite yummy!
Since we gained an hour, we actually were eating later than we normally
were accustomed.
Performance was FANTASTIC! The kids had more energy tonight and with
our welcoming audience, the show went very well. Margaret, Aaron and
choristers were marvelous. A few video clips are attached to the
itinerary for you to check out on your own.
Off with the homestays, and for a good night's sleep.
Reminder to check out our website that Choir Dad and Chaperone
Extraordinaire Chris Thorn maintains constantly - click into the Dakota
Tour link and anything underlined, takes you to photos or videos:
http://www.wisconsinchildrenschoir.org/
Til next time,
Sue
