Sioux Falls was just a quick stop. We slept, ate, swam and left. Within a few miles we were in Minnesota. As we drove across the state I noticed
something. It’s pretty, lots of farms
and hills but not a lot of roadside attractions. South Dakota doesn’t have a lot of things to
see beyond the Badlands but they make it up.
It was pretty impressive. And (this
is looking ahead) the minute we crossed into Wisconsin there were windmills
everywhere. No windmills in Minnesota. Hm…
Our trip across Minnesota was pretty much business. Drive, stop at rest stops and make it to the
next goal, Milwaukee. By the time we
were approaching La Crosse, Bob and I asked the kids if they wanted to press on
or if they wanted to stop. It was the 4th
of July and the kids wanted to stop and play.
We made it to La Cross by 2:30 and just let the kids play in the
pool. They needed it.
After pool time we went downtown to get dinner. We went to Buzzard Billy’s, a Cajun
place. Everyone got what they wanted and
then we went to Riverfest three blocks away.
People were scouting out spots for the fireworks so when in La
Crosse….. be from La Crosse. We found a spot and then Bob went to the car
to get provisions; chairs, blankets, jackets.
It was fun to watch the crowd go by and see all the smiling
faces. People were really happy and just
having fun together. Bob came back and
we set up camp. The kids ran and
played. They did some bungee thing,
bought a few treats and giggled together.
That’s the good stuff of just spending time as a family.
At 10pm the fireworks started. I negotiated with a couple who
had a great view to let us sit with them when the show started. La Crosse does a good job with the fireworks. One of the things I appreciate about the Midwest
is that people show their appreciation when they like a firework. At the beginning of the show people were
oohing and aahhing and then breaking into applause. I loved it.
The fireworks lasted about 20 minutes.
Kees, who hasn’t been to a fireworks show in years kept asking, “Is this
the finally?” I kept telling him, “You’ll
know when it is.” Poor kid, he hasn’t seen
big fireworks in years because we are always at a family event or block
party. This year he indeed knew when it
was the finally. The fireworks went off
for about two straight minutes and there were hundreds of them. And the second they were done….the crowd erupted
in loud and unanimous cheering. Awesome!
We went back to the hotel fed, happy and ready to proceed
the next day. It was a good day.
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