A Surprise Trip

Well, it wasn't really a surprise. We'd been talking about it, and even decided to go the weekend before we left. But there was so much to do beforehand that it felt like a spur-of-the-moment idea. Maybe it was just me ... I didn't think we'd really go. Anyway, the man I hang around with, Zack and I took off on July 2nd for Sugar Lake, near Annandale, Minnesota. We spent almost a week at his family's lake house, which is a beautiful place. The weather was perfect (no exaggeration ... really)! Zack is an excellent traveller, of course, and we laughed our way across six states.

Since I'm a crazed tourist, and I had never been to Iowa or South Dakota, that nice man took the long way home so we could see some sights. Wanna see some pictures? If you don't, there's always the option of that back arrow on your browser, so feel free.

First, here's Zack enjoying a ride through the Bad Lands, where his constant companion declared, "Fifteen dollars to see the Bad Lands? Hell, we just wanna drive through, not stake a claim!" The man has a sense of humor.

We also visited these guys. What a spectacular place! It was even better than I expected.
I wasn't rushed through a single place, so I even had time to add some more squished pennies to my collection. I know. I'm a big dork. You wouldn't believe all the pictures I took.

The Corn Palace (bushels o' fun) was another great spot, but I could've skipped Wall Drug. I'm telling ya, South Dakota has tourism dialed in. We stopped at a rest stop just across the state line, and they loaded us up with materials. There was no way we could miss anything. One stop we had to make was Sturgis. It's weeks before the big Motorcycle Rally, but they're already preparing. My traveling companion needed lots of t-shirt shopping time (hey, a guy has to have the right Harley attire for rides).

I could only fit a few pictures in (I take those pictures that use a lot of memory), but I had to show you how happy Zack was to get home.

I had a huge surprise waiting for me when I got home on Friday. There was a package from Robin, which contained fabulous prizes ...

There's a lovely framed piece, a felted wool pin cushion and wallet, and a little scissors fob. How nice of Robin! Months ago, Robin offered to send a PIF (that she decided to call a RAK) to someone who commented on her blog. I was a lucky recipient! She asked about favorite things (hearts and purple) and fixed up quite a package. I didn't imagine that there would be such great goodies, so I'm extremely thrilled. Thank you, thank you, Robin.

So that's all I have time for today. Next time (hopefully soon) I'll have some pictures of stitchy things and of a big-ass finish (I'm barely containing my squeals of delight). I'd fill you in now, but I haven't taken pictures, and my brother is visiting. I wanna try to beat him at golf today. It's one of the few times I'm competitive ... golf with my brother. Even if he hasn't played for over a year, he can still kick my ass. Maybe I'll have some time to see what ya'll have been up to. I have loads of blog-reading to do. Until later, make some fun.