Visit to South Dakota

Visit to South Dakota

• MotherAnn 4 years ago
  My older sister lives in Rapid City, South Dakota with her husband and we would go out to visit every few years or so when the kids were young. My son loved it out there and would always say when he grew up he was going to move to South Dakota and be a cowboy. Well, within one month of his graduation from college in 2011 he was on his way to fulfilling that dream. He secured a job in his field of study, criminal justice, and moved to South Dakota. He eventually moved on to a sheriff department, bought a house, got married, and has had a son.
  
  Labor Day weekend I boarded a plane and went out for a nine day visit. The evening I arrived it began snowing and I woke to four inches of snow on the ground! Within a couple days it was in the 60's and 70's, and within a few more days the temperatures were reaching 95 degrees!
  
  The time I got to spend with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandson was priceless! My grandson is 19 months old and is so much like his daddy it is amazing. That little boy can be into everything in an instant. He is fast, too. We spent a lot of time in Custer State Park as it is within 15 minutes of my son's house. We went hiking, kayaking, and driving the wildlife loop. We also went to Bear Country and Reptile Gardens. Meals were out of this world. My son is the main chef at their house and he has learned to cook quite well. His chicken and shrimp stir-fry was delicious. I treated one night at the State Game Lodge. I had elk osso buco with risotto and salad. I highly recommend it if you are ever out that way. For dessert I had chocolate creme' de pot. We shared a bottle of wine and our meals were definitely something to talk about. It was the first year I got to spend my birthday with my son in nine years. We went to my sister's house and she cooked a delicious chicken dish. We had ice cream cake for dessert. My grandson thought it was hilarious to hear everyone singing to me. :)
  
  I was sad to leave, but also wanted to get back home to my lab, Annie. She vacationed at my daughter's house while I was gone. I know she had a good time with her friends Maggie the cocker spaniel and Mollie the chocolate lab, but she was very excited to see me return. Now I need to plan my next trip out!
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• sclaire 4 years ago said:
  What a fun trip! I have never had elk, is it similar to deer? Happy Birthday! So nice that you got to celebrate with your family. I'm sure Annie missed you and was relieved to see you return-I do wish we could explain to them that we are coming back.
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• MotherAnn 4 years ago said:
  Elk is similar to deer, and beef. Thank you for the birthday wishes. When I left Annie one of my concerns was that she would think I abandoned her. When my husband passed in December it took her months to stop running to the driveway where he parked his truck every time she went out. She was constantly looking for him. I know my son and his family loves it out west, but I do miss him. I am very fortunate that he calls and texts me often. Almost daily. And since the birth of his son we also have a video chat once a week at least. :)
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