Funny! I distinctly remember seeing this sign as well - we must have stopped at the same rest area! Faith, we were in Badlands in July, I think there was one time when someone across the road said they heard a rattlesnake. But is was in a long grass area. Like someone else said, watch your feet, especially in grassy areas. Unless you're camping, I would not be too worried about it. I don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but if your guys are into history at all, the Minuteman Missile Historical Site is right by Badlands. They have an excellent tour there. It sounds like it could be a great trip for you and your crew!

This is interesting - we almost did the tour there, but I decided we didn't have time since we were driving to Cody and planned to stop at Devil's Tower on the way. I've been wondering what that tour was like (and what I missed)!

Yum! My parents' peach tree had tons of peaches last year, so we canned and froze some. Still enjoying them!

We were just there a few weeks ago! We stayed in Hill City. We only had two days in South Dakota, but we loved it! There is much to do there, fortunately many things are low cost (state/national parks) or free. We went to Wind Cave NP & Custer. We did not do the cave tour since our time was limited and we've been in other large caves, but it definitely seemed like it would be worthwhile. You can drive through Wind Cave NP to view wildlife and then straight into Custer to do the Wildlife Loop. We saw bison, the burros, and pronghorn in Wind Cave/Custer. And prairie dogs, of course! Drive the Iron Mountain Road from Custer to Mt. Rushmore - it is beautiful and you get good views of Rushmore as well. I think it was $11 to park at Mt. Rushmore; that is the only cost there. I think Mt. Rushmore is a must, unless there's bad weather and you can't see it! We also drove the Needles Highway into Custer. It was absolutely beautiful. We were in a minivan; so the drive was not a problem. I would have loved to stop at Sylvan Lake for a while, but our time was limited. I loved Custer SP and would have loved to spend more time there! We did not go in to Crazy Horse, just saw it from the highway. Devil's Tower National Monument is about 2 hours northwest of Custer, in eastern Wyoming. It is so unusual, worth a day trip if you have plenty of time. I believe the entrance fee is around $10. I wanted to go to the Booth Fish Hatchery in Spearfish, but we didn't have time. It looks interesting - I think Ottakee may have gone there. I don't think there are any fees there. We also loved Badlands NP, so unique. You can easily spend a day there between driving and hiking. The visitor center there is excellent. Wall Drug is free - we didn't spend much time there, but when you drive the loop through Badlands NP, you end up in Wall. So it's a convenient stop. Oh, another thing that was free and very good - the Minuteman Missile Historic Site. The visitor Center is at the same exit as the main entrance to Badlands NP. They have a tour of the launch control facility that is excellent. You have to get the tickets (free, but timed tour) at the visitor center, and they are given out on a first come, first serve basis. We thought we wouldn't be able to get tickets since we couldn't get there until late morning, but they still had tickets for afternoon tours. So you shouldn't have a problem in the fall. I've heard that the Black Hills Playhouse is good, and chuckwagon suppers are fun, but we didn't do either of those. If you like national parks, Theodore Roosevelt NP is about 4 hours straight north of Rapid City. It is beautiful, a badlands area but very different from Badlands NP. There are bison there and wild horses. Just an idea!

Jean, I'm sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family!

I think what you did was fine and complete reasonable! They broke it and should fix it correctly. I would address the comment directly with my dh. I would explain that I was trying to avoid extra work for him and ask if he preferred that I ask him to do it. Or at least ask what he meant by the comment. If you feel like you can't do anything right, it seems like it might be time to open up communication and discuss expectations a bit more. That's what I would suggest, but don't know if there are more factors that keep you from doing that.

Umsami, thanks for taking the time to write all this out and include links. It's very helpful.

We save quite a bit at Sam's Club on gas, chicken, milk, eggs, cheese, and meat. There are other items that I buy there, but those items are where I get the most savings.

Faith, I am praying for quick and complete recovery for both of you!

My daughter and I went to the one in Chicago last summer with my sil & her daughter. We stayed downtown at a hotel that had an American Girl package (doll beds, cookies & milk, AG movie). Had breakfast at the café, and both dolls got their hair done and ears pierced at the salon. Then we spent some shopping time - my daughter had a certain amount to spend, so even though there are tons of things to look at, she chose what she wanted and had fun looking at the rest. We spent about half the day there, then spent some time in the rest of the mall. It was a great girls trip! Our girls were 9 & 8 at the time, perfect age for it.

Emily, I'm so sorry for your loss. What a blessing that all of your family was able to spend time with your precious baby. Praying for healing and peace in the days ahead. :grouphug:

It sound like a great trip. Thank you for all of the information! I'm going to print out your posts, some great ideas and feedback on specific places!

Definitely west from here! It will take us 16 or so hours to get to western South Dakota, and most of that is westward driving. :driving:

Great to see you back! We are heading in the same direction in a couple of weeks. Your #1 point is a great idea! I will have to keep that in mind. I'd love to hear what you liked and didn't like in Cody, Jackson, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and South Dakota. I can't remember if you hit all of those places. We are doing all of those plus North Dakota!

Have you considered Biblioplan? It has some similarities to TOG, but uses a spine (Biblioplan Companion) and is generally less complicated to use.

Last year we bought the OMAX 40x2000x LED Binocular Compound Microscope with Mechanical Stage (sorry, I cannot figure out how to link on this board!). It has worked out really well for us. My father-in-law, a retired biology teacher who did bio labs with my 9th grader, loves it so much he's talked about buying his own "just for fun". :laugh:

Melinda, I'm so sorry. You and your family have faced so much already. Words fail, but I will continue to pray for you, trusting that the Lord will uphold and strengthen you. :grouphug:

Praying with you tonight. :grouphug:

Thanks for the update - so glad that your family is on the mend. I will pray for quick recovery to full health for all!

Melinda, I am so sorry, and will continue to pray for your family. :grouphug:

I've had good success here with Amway detergent. I add vinegar to the rinse and oxyclean when needed. Works for my teen boys stinky soccer clothes. :laugh:

When we went to Henry Ford/Greenfield Village we really enjoyed the Rouge factory tour. It is an additional ticket, but you take a bus there from the Henry Ford. If you like factories, this tour is well worth the time and money.

Congratulations!

Rosie, I'm so, so sorry. There are no adequate words, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Great news! So happy for him and for your family.