Sioux Falls Area

Some additional "tourist" items in the Sioux Falls area 

Cathedral of St. Joseph, The Cathedral traces its history to the establishment of St. Michael’s Church, Sioux Falls' first Catholic parish. It was founded in 1881 and a wooden building was constructed for a church. Two years later a larger brick church was built. It became the Pro-Cathedral when Bishop Martin Marty, who was Vicar Apostolic of the Dakota Territory, arrived in Sioux Falls in 1889. On November 12, of the same year Pope Leo XIII established the Diocese of Sioux Falls, and St. Michael’s become the cathedral for the new diocese.

The structure has been altered over the years. A fire in the lower church did significant damage to the cathedral in 1942. Conrad Schmitt Studios decorated the interior the following year, and the marble high altar and tester were installed in 1946. The frosted glass windows were replaced by French stenciled stained glass windows in 1947. A major interior restoration took place between 1970 and 1974. A new free-standing altar was installed at that time. Another major renovation of the cathedral interior was completed in 2011.

A Kilgen pipe organ was installed in 1935. 

Battleship BB57 was christened the U.S.S. South Dakota March 20,1942.  In October, 1942 during the battle of Santa Cruz, she downed 32 Japanese planes while defending the Carrier Enterprise.  The ship was the most decorated battleship of WWII, 21 battle awards.  It fought in every major battle in the Pacific.  
A number of SD citizens banded together to save part of this famous battleship when they discovered it was scheduled to be scrapped in 1962. This memorial opened in September 7, 1969. 

The teak wood floor now decorate the museum's ceiling. The blocks of wood cover holes from the original screw holes.

Sometimes you see a sign and wonder what could be done at this place?  A sign at the campground exit stated USGS EROS 10 miles.  So we looked it up and found out they gave tours!

EROS is the national archive of remote sensing data of the earth's surface.  The center receives satellite data in color waves which when translated by the scientist can determine land changes on earth.  Could not take any photos outside!  They employ over 600 people.    

Scale-model of the satellite 

The state of SD.  Black is water which has the highest reflective value, the rose color are higher terrains.  The scientist can evaluate data over time and determine the land changes from fire, earthquakes, floods, drought, etc. 

Liked this quote.

Sioux Falls, SD

A necessity of this year's venture was to renew our South Dakota driver license, can't believe this year we'll celebrate 5 years of enjoying this gypsy lifestyle. So a stop in Sioux Falls was on the itinerary.  

The story of this stone and pipes made from it span more than 2,000 years of Plains Indian life.    The catlinite, or "pipestone", has been traditionally used to make ceremonial pipes, vitally important to traditional Plains Indian religious practices. The quarries are sacred to most of the tribe of North America, Dakota, Lakota, and other tribes of Native Americans, and were neutral territory where all Nations could quarry stone for ceremonial pipes. 

The National Monument was established  August 25, 1937, and the establishing legislation restored quarrying rights to the Indians. Today only people of Native American ancestry are allowed to quarry the pipestone.

All quarrying is done by hand with no power tools.  The Pipestone lies below a thick layer of pink-tinted Sioux Quartzite and has a vane of 12 - 24 inches thick.

Sioux Quartzite rock lines the trail through the monument. 

Winnewissa Falls

The initials of Joseph Nicollet can be seen on this rock.  He lead a mapping expedition in July, 1838 through the area. 

Sioux Quartzite formation has been created over years of weather changes.

Just an example of a carved ceremonial Pipestone Pipe.  It is polished with Beeswax.  The stem is made from sumac where a heated wire is used to hollow out the interior. 

Native American artist at work.  He has been carving for over 35 years and had a beautiful complement of his talent.   

The most famous thing that ever happened in Garretson, SD, was a meeting of the outlaw Jesse James and a ravine named Devil's Gulch. Jesse found himself in out-of-the-way Garretson in September 1876 after his gang had tried and failed to rob a bank in Northfield, MN.  According to Garretson lore, Jesse evaded capture just outside of town by spurring his horse to leap the ravine -- a feat that everyone agrees is nearly impossible. 

We agree that Jesse probably didn't jump this ravine!

Wallace L. Dow, "Builder on the Prairie" was an architect of South Dakota in the late 19th century and designed this building, Minnehaha County Courthouse in 1889.  He used the native Sioux Quartzite stone. Dow was the architect for numerous buildings throughout the upper mid-west, many of which still stand today. 

The interior courthouse features include slate stairs, granite pillars, stained glass windows, and tiled fireplaces. 16 large murals are featured on the walls and were painted between 1915 & 1917, by Norwegian Ole Running for $500.

Original chandelier  

Think we have a new driver for the Motorhome, wonder if this wagon had all the conveniences as our current "unit"?   

Downtown Sioux Falls features artist sculptures, it makes for an interesting tour.  There are over 50 throughout the downtown area. 

The Government Building located downtown was opened to the public May 17, 1895.  Designed by W L Dow and was built for $152,000.  The exterior stone is Sioux Quartzite.  The 3rd floor was added in 1911.

Can't get anymore Mechanical Engineering techie, steel, steel, gears & welding!

Denver, CO

We departed Phoenix on April 24, but it was a nerve racking departure!  Had new tires put on the Motorhome a few weeks before departure, but when Larry checked the tire pressure all the air came out.  He was able to re-inflate them and called the tire store.  We drove to the store and was assured everything was OK and we would have no further problems, guaranteed (more to come). So instead of departing Phoenix at 6 AM, to beat the forecasted high winds on I-40, we departed at 9:30 AM.  We drove to Gallup, NM the first day (staying in a Casino parking lot) then onto Trinidad, CO on day 2 (camping at the local Walmart).  The 3rd day we arrived at Cherry Creek State Park about 25 minutes from Theresa and Erik's house.  
Seems like rain, wind and cooler than usual weather wants to follow us on this trip. It was seasonably cool in Phoenix when we left and it has followed us.

Wildlife in the Flick's of Denver front yard.  This girl was just strolling the the sidewalk. Neighbor pet???

Went to step out of the Motorhome at Cherry Creek and was greeted by this friendly slithering creature!

Camping at its BEST!  Enjoyed a nice picnic dinner with Mark, Theresa, and Erik which was topped off with Smores for dessert.

The crew visiting CO State Capitol. Theresa and Erik had not toured the capitol.  The capitol took 15 years to build and was completed in 1901. Many state materials were used granite from Gunnison for the outer walls, sandstone from Ft. Collins for the foundations, marble from Marble, CO for the floors and rose onyx from Beulah for the wainscoting.  Ornamental brass (Ohio), white oak woodwork & marble stair treads came from other states.
The dome (272 feet above ground) was re-surfaced with gold in 2013, using 64.5 ounces to cover the 2,842 sq. ft. 

Detailed craftsmanship.

Dome from inside.

Original chandelier was installed with both gas and electric capability.   

Stain glass windows are located through-out the building.  These 16 windows located in the dome recognize the individuals who contributed to CO's initial growth & development.    

The Senate Chambers

Was able to climb to the dome and view the surrounding area.  Looking west with the Rockies in the background.

"Mile High City" - several different survey teams have tried to determine the exact location of 5280 ft above sea level on the capitol steps.  The lowest marker, 9/29/2003, was the last attempt.

A tradition had to be continued!  Whenever Mark and Sheila visited us in AZ Erik and Mark would take a flying road-trip!  Well it continued on his visit to Denver.  

182 Cessna "Charlie Foxtrot" 

Adjacent Cessna awaiting takeoff from Boulder with the Rockies in the background.

Several views of Denver from the air!

This is Theresa and Erik's neighborhood.  If you enlarge the pic I tried to id their house, it's the 4th down from cross street with Cherry street running top to bottom.

Pikes Peak!

Mountains to right heading south

Low desert and plains to the left, if you look hard enough you can see Kansas!!!

A stop in Pueblo, CO for a bite to eat.

Bronco Stadium on the return trip.

A shot from the Science Museum of downtown, this beautiful park is a short distance from Theresa & Erik's. 

An early Mother's and Father's Day Celebration before departing Denver.   Thank you T and E.

Another trip to the tire store!  Remember the guarantee I mentioned in the opening paragraph, the tires once again deflated upon checking them in Denver.  Found out that special valve cartridges are needed when balance bags are used and the Phoenix tire store did not put them in.  CO tire replaced the cartridges and the original tire store paid!   

Camping at Cabelo's parking lot in Kearney, NE on the way to Sioux Falls, SD.  This was Cabelo's 2nd store, not as large as the new ones, was disappointed because they did not have a restaurant to get an Elk burger!