Day 8
The start of the third leg of our trip was going to be hot.
Thankfully we had a long drive across the entire state of South Dakota.
We stopped for gas in Phillip, South Dakota and decided to eat in town. Next to our lunch spot, The Retro, was the sign shop that makes all the billboards for Wall Drug. Nothing spectacular, but everyone got to pick something from the lengthy menu.
And we were off.
I had shoots in Bismarck and on the Lake Traverse Reservations. Originally the plan was to shoot first in Bismarck and then on the northeast South Dakota reservation, but things got flipped around.
Instead of heading north to camp closer to the North Dakota badlands, we crossed the state again and ended up in Aberdeen.
We arrived in Aberdeen and the kids did what they always do when they get to a hotel. Watch the Disney Channel. Meadow complained again about being tired saying she was worn out from vacationing.
We debated on what to eat and somehow ended up at an old school Chinese buffet in downtown Aberdeen. Nothing special, but it would do.
The main attraction in Aberdeen is Storybook Land. We only had one hour to spend in the park so we did as many rides as we could. Thankfully it was pretty dead at this hour with no lines.
Hey, its Paul again.
Busy straightening all the roads in the Dakotas, I suppose.
Meadow was impressed by the giant umbrellas.
Theo and I were thrilled by the kid rollercoaster. Well, at least I was.
The train ride takes you all over the park and past animals. Was kind of funny to see bison fenced in after having them next to our tent a few days ago.
We had about 15 minutes left to explore the Wizard of Oz portion. Three year old Brooke would have been so excited about this.
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 We followed the yellow brick road through the Wizard of Oz meeting everyone good and bad along the way. |
The yellow brick road took you through the whole story.
The flying monkeys area had a zipline.
This park was way cooler than I thought it would have been. I wish we had had more time.
I suggested they uber over there while I worked the next day, but they had their own plans.
Back at the hotel Meadow had a fever, poor kid, I thought she was just whining when she said she was tired. Guess she was still sick.
Day 9
The kids most favorite thing about hotels is the pool. Doesn't matter how small it is.
The kiddos and Brooke had fun while I shot 360s at Sisseton-Wahpeton College about an hour to the east.
Theo and I worked on his swimming skills. After a half hour he was doing it himself.
While Scott is working I try to find something to do with the kids. Our hotel was near a mall that had a movie theater.
Almost vacant malls are so odd to me.
Sorry, Brooke. The 90s ain't coming back.
We saw Inside Out 2 and the theater had reclining chairs. The kids were loving life.
After the shoot I was invited to a community day at a park near the college. Had some amazing wild rice and cherry salad and brats. Better yet I got to know the folks from the American Indian College fund.
Then it was back to Aberdeen to pick up Brooke and the kids before we headed northwest to Bismarck, North Dakota.
Every so often along the endless farms and prairies you run into an abandoned farm house. Sometimes a dog runs across the street while taking a picture and you book your way out of dodge.
Our next stop was Bismarck, ND.
Somehow we ended up at a garish chain we'd never heard of Sickies Garage. Not gonna lie, the food was pretty freaking decadent.
Day 10
Our hotel had a mini waterpark with not one but two slides.
Meanwhile I shot 360s at the United Tribes Technical College.
I try to find the hotels with the best pools. Not always the best hotels, but this Comfort Inn was nice enough. We're not fancy folks.
All the kids care about is if the hotel has a pool.
Unfortunately our hotel was not in the best pedestrian friendly area. Thankfully there was an old family pizza restaurant behind us for me and the kids to have lunch.
Apparently the kids and Brooke ate at A&B Pizza, where I was hoping to eat dinner. Well, that was before I got treated to Sazon. So, I wasn't too jealous.
Across from our hotel was another almost abandoned mall. Though it did have a Hobby Lobby. Meadow needed a new flag to hang all her recent junior ranger badges. This video game theme was so perfect for Theo.
I met Brooke and the kids outside when I was done. We should've got Theo these cheesy wall art.
Another amusement park you say?
Why, yes. We did spend our evening at Super Slide Amusement Park on the west side of Bismarck.
Ferris wheel. Always a must for everyone except Brooke.
They are way too scary for me. My Garmin watch thinks I'm climbing stairs when I ride one because my heart rate is so high.
The highlight for these kids was the big slide.
It seemed extra zippy compared to the standard fair slide.
It wasn't a big amusement park, but the kids had lots of fun.
It was like a mini Bay Beach.
There was one ride that they hadn't tried yet, but they both wanted to do the slide a few more times.
I saw that this town had a drive in called Scotty's so you know we had to go.
I go by Scottie. At least professionally. Scotty was close enough.
Everything was just OK.
But there was a classic car show going on. So that's a win, I suppose.
Day 11
I'm not sure if the name Bearscat Bakehouse sounds appetizing, nor did the namesake bearscats look very good, but the rest of the donuts were S tier.
I guess cowboys called donuts bearscat. Well, I guess that's a good explanation.
The kids were excited either way.
Fritters are always the right choice.
Of course you know I was going to make us stop at the North Dakota state capital before heading home.
Who knew Phil Jackson was from North Dakota. The basement was kind of a hall of fame of folks who got famous elsewhere.
A deco skyscraper capital building. Yes, please.
The outside didn't look too promising. Was actually pretty cool inside.
The two Dakotas sure have nice state capital buildings.
Until next time?
We originally thought we would camp again somewhere along the way. But decided to just drive the whole way home.
Before racing home we ate lunch in Fargo. Wurst Bier Hall was nothing but great. Just like our first workcation of the summer. Onward.
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