Mood:
We went on a daytrip yesterday. Made a big circle from Norfolk to Yankton to Mitchell to Niobrara to Yankton to Norfolk. Ok, so it's not really a circle. More like a tomahawk-type-thingie.
We left right after work Tues morning, had breakfast in Yankton, then headed to Mitchell to go to Cabela's. Bought all kinds of fun stuff, including a new pair of chest waders for Jim. Also got some new teardrop ice fishing lures and some huckleberry honey. We had lunch there, Jim had a bison brat, and I had a roast buffalo sandwich. Pretty good stuff. We decided against the more exotic items like ostrich and elk. Jim and the salesman laughed when I called the color of his new waders hideous. Well they are! :) Essentially, they're the color of rotting grass with some cattails and other stuff thrown in. He should blend in nicely, which is a good thing, I guess.
Next we headed to Niobrara State Park to drive around and look at the deer. Saw quite a few, but not as many as we usually do. Jim says that's because it was a full moon. Apparently they stay bedded down longer when it's a full moon because they can see better at night, so they don't have to eat as much before the sun sets. While we were there, we visited the "Group Lodge" which, if all goes according to plan, will be the site of our reception. Jim says it's supposed to be big enough for 200+ people to be inside, I don't buy it. Unless there's more than can be seen from the doors (it's locked, I've never been inside), there's just no way. I could be wrong, we'll have to wait and see...
After the sun set, we had to decide where to have dinner. Our choices were: a B&B in Crofton, the Quarry, or the Black Steer (both back in Yankton). We had originally planned to go to Crofton, but we changed our minds and headed for the Quarry. However, as is our luck, we weren't aware that it's closed on Mon and Tues. So, we were stuck with the Black Steer (or the Argus, as it was once called, and still is by some people), much to Jim's angst. Apparently, he severely dislikes some of the wallpaper. The men's restroom is covered in red velvet-like paper, with white foil golf tees and other golf stuff. For the record, the women's isn't much better. I had to look at orangey-gold foil greek goddesses on two walls, and orange, gold and green splotches on the other two. The redeeming factor here is that the steaks were great. We both had ribeyes.
After dinner, we headed home. I slept some, but had to keep Jim awake for the last half. He'd been awake for well over 24 hours at that point. Add to that a full belly, and you have a great recipe for drowsiness. We finally resorted to singing (loudly, and not well) a wide variety of songs. We'd turned off the radio, so it was whatever popped into my head. Pretty dangerous, I know. But, we got home safe and sound in the end, and piled ourselves into bed. A good day, if you ask me.