North Central States

[kelpie]

I am planning a trip this summer to add some more new states to my map to include Iowa, Minnesota, ND, SD and Nebraska. Probably taken about 3 weeks to do the loop (I will start and end in NW Ohio). I have two questions for those familiar with these areas: 1) Would June be a good time of year for this, weather wise? I was originally thinking of Sept so kids would be back in school, but now I really want to go to the GTG in Pa instead and am hoping to work at Amazon in KY this fall. Not crazy about the high heat of summer so I'm thinking June would be good. Opinions, please. 2) Any "don't miss" attractions I should see? Here is a list of my potential ones so far, Iowa - Amana Colonies, Des Moines state capital and heritage carousel; Minnesota -Albert Lea doll and toy museum, Mall of America, explore Minn/St Paul area IF have toad by then;ND - Theodore Roosevelt national park scenic drive; SD - Mt Rushmore, the Badlands and Wind Caves; Nebraska -scottsbluff national monument, birthplace of KoolAid, Museum of Prairie Pioneer, BoysTown, Lauritaen gardens and St Cecilia's Cathedral.

[Liz]

Looks like a good list. June should be good, but maybe cool. You might want to add Wall Drug Store, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Drive, Deadwood, and Crazy Horse Mtn Memorial. in SD. Also, in eastern SD, if you are a Little House on the Prairie fan, DeSmet is not to be missed.

[Bethers]

June is a good month - before the heat completely sets in. And if you leave at the beginning of June you'll have a couple weeks while lots of places will still have kids in school. Let me know if you make this trip - would suggest a route along the Mississippi River up to MN - and maybe you could stop and have lunch with my sis

[Mollysmom]

You forgot a main attraction in Des Moines - Trudy's house ! HA !!!
June is pretty decent in Iowa - it'll probably be a bit humid, but shouldn't be too horrible yet.
Living History Farms is a neat place http://www.lhf.org/ The Farmer's Markets are fun - most suburbs have one on different days.
Winterset (south of DsM) has the covered bridges (Bridges of Madison County was made there) and John Wayne's birthplace. If you want to go out to the countryside I could take you out to my sister's place - they have 40 acres with horses & a few head of cattle - there are some really neat places by the river to go exploring for "treasure" - my sister found a really old buffalo skull last time she was down there, it's amazing !!
Be sure to let me know when you're here !

[dpf]

Looks like a good list. June should be good, but maybe cool. You might want to add Wall Drug Store, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Drive, Deadwood, and Crazy Horse Mtn Memorial. in SD. Also, in eastern SD, if you are a Little House on the Prairie fan, DeSmet is not to be missed.

(Clearing my throat....) What am I...CHOPPED LIVER? I'm in eastern SD and I have a FREE parking spot with a 30 amp hookup! So is the Corn Palace in Mitchell and the Prehistoric Indian Village. In Watertown is the Terry Redlin Museum. The Falls in Sioux Falls. Yankton SD has a Lewis and Clark Recreation Area. Pickstown SD has the historical Fort Randall site.

Go to http://www.travelsd.com/ They'll send you all kinds of information.

[flick4411]

Well, I don't know about Kelly, but you can be sure you are on my future trip from VA to WA in spring 2012!!!!

[snowball]

All of the above plus make sure you figure the way to do it and do the river road along the Mississippi...Think they still have them but in Minn is some big domes that have flowers depending upon the time of the year is what you will see...seasonal in one rainforsest in one and desert in one I think it's been so long ago that I saw them they may no longer be there
there is a museum outside of can't remember the town but it stretches across the interstate...haven't seen it but drove under it and is on the list to stop at next time which hasn't come yet
enjoy your visit you will totally enjoy it
sheila

[Liz]

(Clearing my throat....) What am I...CHOPPED LIVER? I'm in eastern SD and I have a FREE parking spot with a 30 amp hookup!

Oops! So sorry, but you are certainly on [url]my[/url] list next time I'm in SD!

[dpf]

I forgive you Liz!

Things to see of interest in Nebraska:

Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha is awesome. One of the best in the US.

http://www.iptv.org/iowapathways/mypath ... =ob_000219 The museum about the riverboat Bertrand,

http://ashfall.unl.edu/ Ashfall Fossil Beds.....about 60 miles South of me. Corn Palace is about 50 miles North of me.

[kelpie]

Thanks all of you for your suggestions. I will certainly look at all the options including the offer of a free night. I can't always remember where everyone lives.

[sharon]

Thanks all of you for your suggestions. I will certainly look at all the options including the offer of a free night. I can't always remember where everyone lives.

Which is why we like to post possible itineraries...so those of us in the area can speak up with a very loud AHEM!!

[Liz]

I can't always remember where everyone lives.

I can't either...sounds like a project for Mitch.

[mitch5252]

I can't always remember where everyone lives.

I can't either...sounds like a project for Mitch.

..

I was in the kitchen baking a new batch of experimental bread for the trash can when my ears started ringing...

So, you mean like either one of these?







..

[bluepinecones]

Way to go, Mitch. Think something like this member locater should have its own header, maybe at top of intro section.

[mitch5252]

I've started another thread...
Sorry I hijacked, Kellie!