LBJ Photography Blog
This blog features travel notes and photographs.
Reptile Gardens
Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD
July 12, 2019
Jake's favorite: The Skydome's hundreds of snake lairs—we did that circuit TWICE —his favorite was the venomous green mamba: Green Mamba Snake
Lou's favorite: The flower gardens which reminded him of Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.
Bonnie's favorite: The alligator show.
Pipestone, Corn Palace, and Indian Lore
Westward Sites in Pictures Along I-90
July 9-10
Pipestone National Monument
This area is a sacred site to the Dakota and Lakota Peoples. The pipestone quarried here was used by ancestors to make pipes used in ceremonies offering prayers up through the smoke. Native families today join in quarrying the elusive catlinite pipestone which is buried under layers and layers of quartzite. Per the ranger, Lou's Boy Scout ceremonial pipestone may not be catlinite but a different type of pipestone quarried in Ohio.
Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village
This is an active archeological site. Students spend their summers meticulously seeking secrets of the past.
Corn Palace
Simply an amazing endeavor!
Roadside Rest—Gift to Dakotas
The inscription on this huge statue is entitled “Dignity—of Land and Water” and overlooks the Missouri River.
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells, WI
July 7-8, 2019
Wow! Wisconsin's summer playground is here in Wisconsin Dells. A combination of the glitz of Niagara Falls' main street and Myrtle Beach's sprawling resorts, every type of entertainment is available in this summertime mecca. We may have experienced 1/1,000th of the offerings.
Studebaker Museum
July 6, 2019
Studebaker National Museum
South Bend, Indiana
What a boon the Studebaker brothers contributed to the growth of South Bend, Indiana! Starting out as blacksmiths; evolving into carriage makers; and then finally becoming car manufacturers—the company exuded high quality conveyances throughout its 1852-1966 reign. Renowned for its quality Presidential carriages, many presidents in the mid 1800's used Studebaker carriages (including President Lincoln) for transport from one location to another. In the Muppet Movie it was a Studebaker whose trunk was altered creating a hidden steering column so that it looked like the Muppets were driving instead of a human. What a quality museum! What a proud history!
