Just a Follower...: Madison to Minneapolis to the Black Hills

Friday, November 9, 2012

Madison to Minneapolis to the Black Hills

November 5

We left Madison headed west for some family time. We had some grub at Caribou Coffee and Karen spent some time with her grandparents before heading off to her aunt and uncle’s place for some family time and a chill evening.

November 6

We left the cute little town of Northfield (after another stop at the grandparents’ place) and headed toward the big city. We stopped for some tasty waffles at Buzz coffee and then went to the Mall of America, where we saw a gigantic Dora. After not too long, we tired of the mall and went to a cute little library where it was homework/chill time. Then we went to Karen's Uncle Tim and Aunt Diane’s house for some more family time.

Woooo!!!

November 7

We wandered around Minneapolis some more. We went to the Guthrie Theater and the Mill District in the downtown area. Then we went to Northwestern for some college apparel. In the afternoon, Karen went to hang out with a friend and I found a Target, Dollar Tree, and Big Lots to hang out at. Then we went to dinner at Uncle Ted and Aunt Elaine’s house and went bowling with the family too. Then we ended the day with some cookies and ice cream at friend Kim’s house.

November 8

We made some pumpkin waffles then left the Twin Cities for Iowa and South Dakota. We passed by the highest spot in Iowa, then hit a Starbucks in Sioux Falls for a study break. Then we headed on down the South Dakotan road and spent the night in Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, two miles from the Badlands.

November 9

We headed off to Badlands NP and hiked around some. It was crazy foggy, so we weren't able to see a ton. We decided to head for Mount Rushmore anyway, hopeful that it wouldn't be quite so foggy. Once again, we were fortunate with the weather and the clouds broke long enough for us to get a great view of the presidents. Then we drove through Custer State Park on our way to Hot Springs, SD.