 Checking map: "That lake has to be around here somewhere..." |
 "Found it!" Lake Mendota: Madison, Wisconsin |
 "If there's no lifeguard, we should just eat bagels." |
 Simon discovers our luck; it's National Learn-to-Row Day |
 In the boathouse, Lake Mendota Rowing Club |
 Simon is too young to row on the open water |
 Not too young to learn rowing technique! |
 Everyone is excited to see the Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, Minnesota |
 Actually, they're just excited to get out of the car. |
 Our campsite in western Minnesota is a tipi tent |
 Girls tending the fire |
 Maybe it was a bad idea to give them sticks? |
 Tree-climbing stop in Brookings, South Dakota with Shal & Geoff |
 Kristina in a stylin' SDSU Jackrabbits hat |
 Simon shows his climbing skillz |
 Annie is proud she got so high off the ground! |
 Kristina gets a top-branch seat with Daddy |
 The whole gang |
 Annie: "Why am I standing in front of a creepy ear of corn?" |
 Annie: "The palace made of corn is not any less creepy than that corn guy." |
 In case you were wondering, this is what all of southern MN and SD look like in early summer |
 Annie thinks we're lost; we've been driving past the same corn field for 9 hours now. |
 Seems to be some confusion about which way to go. |
 Finally, directional consensus! |
 Badlands National Park, South Dakota |
 "Can I go exploring?" |
 How did Simon get up that rock wall so fast? |
 "Dang it, that pesky Annie just keeps following us!" |
 Annie tries to keep up |
 Making her way through the eroded landscape |
 Kristina is hard to catch! |
 She finally decides to wait for Annie |
 Girls in wind |
 Contented adventurers |
 Matt on a mesa |
 Badlands at sunset |
 Kristina takes in the view |
 Annie at the wheel? |
 "Hang on, I gotta check out some amazing scenery over here." |
 Sculpted landscape |
 Colorful rocks |
 Maria takes over driving duties |
 Chasing the setting sun |
 It's almost dark but still spectacular |
 Final roadside break: it's cold at dusk! |
 Our friends' cabin in Custer, SD |
 The girls want their photo taken |
 Annie wants a photo of her molars after eating toast |
 Kristina would like a close-up of her eyes, please. |
 Another cool cabin; we'll stay here next time |
 Matt at Mount Rushmore |
 The big guys |
 Take 1: Photo of kids with presidents |
 Take 2: Annie briefly considers acting normal |
 Take 3: What the heck is Kristina looking at?? |
 Take 4: Past and future presidents |
 Simon channels his inner Lincoln |
 Kristina as Thomas Jefferson |
 "What's a president?" |
 "No, actually, I've never heard of George Washington." |
 Annie tries to look presidential |
 This is a fun game |
 Kristina loves her Daddy |
 How am I supposed to see with all these bugs on the windshield? |
 That's better. Racing the train in Wyoming. |
 Kristina's view: backseat companions |
 Kristina's view: downtown Glendo, WY |
 Kristina's view: cloudcover |
 Kristina's view: fence and hills |
 Kristina's view: roadside |
 Kristina's view: Glendo Lake Valley |
 Photographer overlooking the dam |
 The photographer is all tuckered out |
 Rest stop in Cheyenne, WY |
 "FASTER, Daddy!" |
 Simon hangs on for dear life |
 Rescued! |
 After all that spinning, it's time to build a dam |
 "Does anyone need a bridge to the other side?" |
 This bridge does NOT help you keep your feet dry |
 Roadtrips are fun |