3 months & 3 weeks

It's hard to believe we've been gone almost 4 months !! What a grand adventure it has been.... and since the heat is still sooooo bad in TX.... I'm not sure I want to return back too soon !!! Below are some pics around the Hatchery.... a peek inside the

aquarium, looking down two of the rainbow trout

raceways....

.... and viewing one of 36 outside rearing ponds, this is a small one, the large ones are 1-1/3 acre in size. BV and I split our time working in the aquarium & gift shop, hanging out at the hatchery building, talking with visitors at the raceways, giving tours around the complex, etc. Then there is grounds maintenance, taking pics or whatever else they need.

Garden is still producing as you can see..... we went out for pizza the other day.... hate to say it, but yummmmm.... tasted good !!!! And there was no zucchini !!!!! Really tho - it has been good for us - my breakfast was cukes & cherry tomatoes with a side of cottage cheese. Believe this ???? Lunch today was fresh sweet corn on the cob...... dinner last night was zucchini, okra, tomatoes & cukes... and oh yeah...... a steak !

Tomatoes and more tomatoes ... sometimes I eat more off the vine than putting in the bag !!! Tried our hand at drying the big beefy and cherry .... here's what a set looked like just before dehydrating.
Noooo, this isn't us and noooo BV didn't grow the beard or change his hair color !!! We had a little bit of Sturgis in the area..... one of the rock bands "Go Figure" played at the park and drew quire an interesting mix of people. I enjoyed the music..... and BV ?? Enjoyed it enough that last Friday night a bunch of us went over to one of the local hangouts "CJs on the Lake"... had dinner and sat out on the patio to hear them again !!!

It's winding down around here..... the other volunteer couple leaves out tomorrow. We are thinking of leaving out the end of August to make our way back home first week of Sept. We'll keep everyone "blogged" if anything changes our mind.......

5th coolest summer on record !

Ok, I know it's hard to believe when ya'll in TX are sweltering in over 100 deg temps.. BUT... this is the 5th coolest summer on record for this area. On our way back from recent trip to Sioux Falls, came across a local dirt track... we were in our "summer" clothes...... no problem, we just decided to stop and take in the entertainment. Well..... saw everyone else in long pants, carrying jackets AND blankets. YEP !!! Got cool enough to have to bundle up, and of course we didn't prepare.... anyway, was fun.

BV can't seem to get away from concrete.... he's helping tie rebar to pour a section near the pumps. they also were doing a 2nd area by the metal building. Funny, but not funny ....when they were ready, ordered material & as they were pouring..
it came down a gully-washer rainstorm !! All the staff were there..... soaked... but saved the job !

Tried an experiment in the trailer..... and.....






it was successful ! Canned bread & butter pickles and dill pickles one day. It's a small space, but we got it done.

So far I've frozen okra, jalapeno & bell peppers. Will be making salsa soon , canning tomatoes
and attempting to dry onion & tomatoes. Oh and BTW..... the fresh sweet corn is just awesome !

Planes.... jets.... Blue Angels !

We drove out to Sioux Falls for the Airshow ... on the ground they had static displays and all the large military aircraft, fighter jets, support planes that you could go thru, see the equipment & armament; kids were soooo excited (I can see Kyleigh & Cohen having fun); in the air we saw great stunts by skilled pilots ... doing things planes aren't really meant to do ! We found a spot right near the runway - awesome views..

and then the Blue Angels performed. WOW, I had a hard time figuring out what photos to include. We saw them in Corpus years back....and couldn't wait to see them again.
Take a close look just above the crowd....

It's hard to visualize by one photo, but one of the last & most inspiring demo's was when the most modern F-22 fighter and an original WWII fighter flew together ... the best of the best...to salute all those in the military. Watching a jet that can break the sound barrier gear back & fly with the WWII jet..... was like a dance... tugged at your heart and brought tears to your eyes.

Our thanks & prayers to all those who have and are serving in the military .... at home & far away ....

Fishing....finally !!!

We went out on the Missouri one evening after "work" with the staff biologist. Since we put in on the NE side, Jac had to get a non-resident NE fishing license. What an absolutely gorgeous afternoon..... only 3 fish were caught, all had to be released..... but ya know.....it was fun !!

We stayed just below the dam. Did I mention Jac got a license.... and what about BV ????

Well .... he had a great time .............relaxing !!!

Jeff did take us down river sightseeing, the City of Yankton in the distance, old posts from past piers or to protect the cliffs when the river flooded now made into private boat docks. It was very peaceful and I just hated to have to go back in.

We're thankful.....

Every day we're thankful to have this opportunity to volunteer, meet new people and have the freedoms the USA provides. We joined the community in town to watch the fireworks being shot from the old historical bridge that spans the Missouri River. It was cool enough to wear long pants & windbreakers !


Our garden is flourishing - this is one evening's sample of zucchini, yellow squash & cucumber; we've picked bell & jalapeno peppers, onions and the tomatoes are just coming in. We've so much squash - BV made 7 loaves of dessert bread & supper always

includes some for or fashion of veggie ! We joined hatchery staff at a BBQ out at Dianne's 80 acre farm

lots of fun, food & games! On the way we came upon a long line of farm tractors - they were on their annual tri-city jaunt going from parade to parade. Summertime here brings music & festivals - a group of musicians from all around SD volunteer for summer concerts at the park - the Missouri River is just behnd the stage. And of course each town has their local "hot spot" - famous for whatever... so we just have to check them out. We had a drink at Wild Bills and then "front row" seats at the evening jamboree !

And for all these opportunities.... we're thankful !!!

3 states, 3 days, 3 golf courses.... priceless !!

It's been a wonderful summer! We stay around the area most of the time on days off since we've the hiking trails, the lake & river and lots of music & get togethers. BUT.... we did another BIG TRIP and went exploring for about 4 days!! Leaving SD on a Tuesday, we drove the scenic/historical roads leading into MN.

Stopped at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, ate lunch at Sleepy Eye and toured the Schell Brewery - yep sampled the beer.... liked the 1919 root beer the best ! With reservations at Mystic Lake (near Prior Lake) we stayed at a HUGE casino & resort. Wed morning got up and played at the resort...

WOW... every hole unique with metal sculptures or artwork. It was a difficult course (slope rating 131 & 139) but it was a blast !! The course was right outside our hotel room.

That night we were going to a MN Twins vs NY Yankees ball game..... so on the way we HAD to stop at the Mall of America (the girls said we just HAD to). It's huge, full of water rids, carnival rides, roller coasters etc. All we bought was lunch !!!

Onto the ballgame... did the "cheap seats"... good thing we were there early, it was packed for a weeknight game!!! NY won..... guess who the player is ?

Back to the hotel, did the casino (jac did it more than bv) and we decided that since we were only about 35 away from WI we would just drive on over the next day. So, on Thur we left for WI. Drove over the border to River Falls and had the twilight rate for their course..... again, another lush green very nice course.

Drove along the Mississippi River for awhile and crossed into Iowa staying that night in Sanborn. Now it is Friday.... on our way out of town... guess what ??? Yep, found another 18 hole course in town and stopped. It was very difficult.... Jac didn't play well (too much golf, casino... not enough sleep ???), but it was lush, green and very good condition !! Soooo - on we went back to SD ! What a great trip.... fun, fast & full of activity.... just call us CRAZY !!!!

Yummmy - garden delights !

The garden is exploding !!! We picked our first crop on June 30 - zucchini squash, yellow squash and cucumber - and then proceeded to make a salad with a side of fresh buttered, cornmeal'd & lightly pan friedsquash for the evening meal! Ohhh yummmm !!! Then several days later ... I picked more squash & cut the green tops of several onion plants, BV steamed n' buttered them & used one of Deanna's new recipes.... boneless baked chicken covered with french onions. Not a bite was left !!

The photo below shows the garden right behind the trailer -tomatoes (cherry & beefy) and onions.

In the other photos you can see the pepper plants, onions, tomatoes and squash. We also have cucumber, cantalope, jalapeno pepper & okra.These squash plants will be loaded with veggies, they are huge ! We might have to open our own farmers market. And HELP ... we need some good recipes .....