We packed the car and headed Northwest to the town of Lake View, IA to relax in a lakefront house on Black Hawk Lake and it was a great view sitting on the dock, reading my book, which I will admit I didn't read as much as I liked to, but oh well.
The kids were excited and ready to jump in the lake, I, myself, (not being fond of large amounts of water) was not ready for the kids to jump in, but alas I couldn't hold them off for much longer, so swim suits on, life jackets on and off they went. I watched on the sidelines while the husband and the other couple got in - much to everyone's surprise, the water near the dock was only about two feet deep, eventually I crept into the lake on my tippie toes because the feeling of the sand/mud/silt mixture grosses me out (I know, I'm weird). I was not raised in the Midwest and actually grew up near real beaches, so I've never grown use to the feeling of your feet being sucked into this sludge of lake matter. Anyway, the kids had a blast cooling down in the lake and then the guys took the kids fishing, on day three, we went boating and tossed the tube in for some real lake fun. Initially, we were not going to allow our kids on the tube and of course me and my water phobia I knew I was not going to go in, but after watching the hubby and then seeing him get tossed only to stand in the water (yes out in the middle of the lake, he could stand) made me rethink the whole thing. My kids watched our friend's children and begged to try it, so we allowed and went super slow, then watching my kids, I decided to give it a whirl.......it was fun. I didn't over think the situation like I tend to and just went with it and I had a blast.
We did end up leaving the next day and spontaneously decided to drive to South Dakota. Let me tell you, that it probably isn't all the best to do a drive like that spontaneously because it is a super long, boring drive and once getting there and realizing how vastly beautiful the Black Hills are, I would have much rather gotten a cabin or had the opportunity to spend more time there, but since we only had a week and spend half in Lake View, we were limited on time, but it is now on my list of places to visit again. I was really amazed at the beauty the Black Hills offer, if you have not been, you should try to go.
I can't explain how beautiful it really was, especially driving through the Badlands, I was speechless. All that really came to mind, was how much the earth endures and the wonderful gifts that are left. I felt very humble standing in this vastness of rocks and realizing the richness of history that was under my feet, not just the wagon trails of gold seekers, but the Native Americans who lived in this area. I walked away with a sense of appreciation for this land.
Next stop was Crazy Horse, which again left me all choked up listening to the story of how it came to be, I never realized that Korczak began working on this project in the 1940's and that this family has kept it private, turning down 10 million federal dollars because Korczak believed in private enterprise and he felt that if he took the money then the federal government would not finish the project as envisioned. Again, I left overwhelmed with a sense of emotion that I couldn't shake, this quote from Korczak Ziolkowski stuck with me..."When the legends die, the dreams end; when the dreams end, there is no more greatness."
Here was a man, who dedicated his life to trying to honor another man's dream and to try and make mends for all the wrongs that were done to the Native Americans....it is a heartwarming project,this stop is definitely a must!
Then on to Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park, which again was simply breathtaking. There are very few places especially here in America, where I step onto the land and want to stay or feel like I belong, but something resonated deep inside me when we were here. In fact, the only place where my heart feels "at home" is when I step onto the ground in Aotearoa, instantly my bones settle and it is like my body says, you are home. And even though I've pretty much grown up in the USA, I've never had the feeling of being "home," not even here in Iowa. It is a hard feeling to describe to someone or explain, the best I can do is like a part of you is missing and it is only until you are there that you feel complete and that is how I feel when I am in New Zealand and being in South Dakota was the closest I have felt that feeling. It is like being drawn into something intangible, but feeling the pull.
We also stopped at Mt. Rushmore, Tatanka - Story of the Buffalo in Deadwood, panned for gold in Lead, and then onto Rapid City. It was a great time, especially considering it wasn't planned and I look forward to visiting this great state again. The trip has definitely given me a greater appreciation for all that is close and far.
"You can’t just have the dream. You’ve got to work for that dream. And if it isn’t within you and you don’t love it yourself, you’re not going to do it because somebody tells you to do it. It has to come from within." Ruth Ziolkowski
