We are still in Sioux Falls and we are refreshed after a nice lunch. Ardice decides she is a bit tired and decides to remain home but gives us some possible places of interest to visit. By now we are practically natives so off we go with just a small map of Sioux Falls. Before we go too far, a question - what day is it in Sioux Falls?
We started out at the replica of the Battleship South Dakota that saw action during WW II mostly in the Pacific, but did a couple of runs as escort duty in the Atlantic. The physical outline of the ship is made from concrete:
Currently the command area is not open, but future plans call for a replica of that as well.Because there is soooo much open, flat land even a display of this magnitude does not seem to take up much room.
After this, we decided a bit of peace and quiet was in order, so we went to Terrace Park, home of the Japanese Gardens.
As you can see this was a most tranquil setting and we quietly strolled along the lake and remembered our times spent in the Japanese Gardens in Brooklyn (both together and individually). There were many more picture ops, but it was at this point that battery died in the digital. This was quite unfortunate as we had more to see and only the Advantix available for pictures - so if you want to see them, you'll just have to pay us a visit!
As you can see this was a most tranquil setting and we quietly strolled along the lake and remembered our times spent in the Japanese Gardens in Brooklyn (both together and individually). There were many more picture ops, but it was at this point that battery died in the digital. This was quite unfortunate as we had more to see and only the Advantix available for pictures - so if you want to see them, you'll just have to pay us a visit!From here we drove to the far end of the park to the newly completed Veterans Memerial Park. Just as the name implies it remembers the men and women of Sioux Falls who served in all branches of the armed services; with a special walk honoring the 5 Medal of Honor winners. Very moving.
We moved on to our last stop - McKennan Park. This area was donated to the city in 1908 by a Mrs. McKennan. At the time it was nothing more than prairie, but Mrs. McKennan didn't just donate the land, she specifically stated that it must become a park for the use of all citizens. It contains formal gardens, sunken gardens, memorial statues, swimming pools and wide open spaces. The most unique feature are the Pillars of the Nation. These are two pillars about four-five feet high at one of the entrances. The two pillars originally contained 24 squares each. Each square contained stones from a specific state with the state name engraved below. Yes, only 48 states as the pillars were built in 1940-1941 with each state actually shipping stones of their own choosing to Sioux Falls - most paid the shipping expenses, which was just as well as the city council had voted to permitted a $2.00 per shipment maximum freight charge. When the pillars were renovated in 1998, room was made to accommodate our final 2 states. Again picture were taken on the 'other camera'.
If it seems that we visited every park in Sioux Falls - not even close! There are 70 public parks in the city - what a wonderful use of all the available space.
At this point it was necessary to return 'home' as dinner is promptly at 5:30 (usually Ardice and Ralph eat at 5:00 - they pushed it back for us.
Again only good food and good company (somehow we survived).
If you were interested in an update on the guest bedroom - tune in tomorrow - there be pictures!
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