The last three days have been spent moving through South Dakota and Iowa. Continuing to marvel at the geological gifts we have been given required a tour of the Badlands National Park with its rugged ridges and spires. From there we were yielded to the temptation created by the multiple roadside signs, the epitome of advertising tactics, Wall Drug Store in Wall, SD. It is amazing what can truly be built from nothing given imagination and commitment.
I remember first visiting Wall Drug in the early 1950's when my parents read signs posted as far away as Southern Idaho, "Y'all seen Wall?" You just had to stop and see what you had read about on all those signs when you finally arrived in Wall, SD. What I remember at that time was a collection of trinkets and keepsakes displayed with fun and humor.
Today the fun and humor remain but the place has grown to encompass a full city block, if not more. It is still tourist friendly and has products across a wide price range and of interest to everyone. It has arcades, fountains, soda and the squirty kind like in Las Vegas. It even includes a chapel.
I admire the entrepreneurial skills that have gone into Wall Drug since it was founded in the 1930's
Last night we pulled in to a small town in Iowa. Cheryl was immediately impressed by the sense of care and pride people invest in thier homes and in the public property. As we began to encounter the people of Traer, Iowa, we found them friendly and ready to share with us. Starting a conversation was as simple as saying""Hello" to someone. You just don't expect that kind of friendliness and openness.
We spent the evening with David Brezina. David was in the middle of harveting crops but took the time to show us the Traer hospitality as he fixed dinner for us. We watched the interaction between David and his mother, his son - Michael and a couple phone calls with his daughter, Joni. David raises up to 5000 hogs at a time, owns several hundred acres and rents some more. He manages to do this with one hired man. His work ethic and commitment to what he sees as his goal in life is outstanding; but, he still has time to welcome visitors from Oregon.
David is a REAL caring person, a REAL caring parent. Having met his daughter in Oregon I can see how he has passed on his values and personality to the next generation of Brezinas.
Cheryl and I discussed the dynamics David showed last night with his son and with his mom, and we feel assured that because of people like the Brezinas, their relationships, their values, their work ethics, America is in much better shape than we are led to believe based on media reports.
David has the values, the work ethic, the empathy and compassion for people, the optimism to face obstacles and work through them to form a nucleus to stabilize the helter skelter created by those who cahse greed and power. The critical mass of America is held together by the David Brezinas of our country.
Today, I found the burial site of my grandfather who died in 1913 in Harper, IA. Some interesting emotions were aroused. I'll have to sort them out before commenting.
Tomorrow, it's on to Chicago. First stop - Museum of Art.
I remember first visiting Wall Drug in the early 1950's when my parents read signs posted as far away as Southern Idaho, "Y'all seen Wall?" You just had to stop and see what you had read about on all those signs when you finally arrived in Wall, SD. What I remember at that time was a collection of trinkets and keepsakes displayed with fun and humor.
Today the fun and humor remain but the place has grown to encompass a full city block, if not more. It is still tourist friendly and has products across a wide price range and of interest to everyone. It has arcades, fountains, soda and the squirty kind like in Las Vegas. It even includes a chapel.
I admire the entrepreneurial skills that have gone into Wall Drug since it was founded in the 1930's
Last night we pulled in to a small town in Iowa. Cheryl was immediately impressed by the sense of care and pride people invest in thier homes and in the public property. As we began to encounter the people of Traer, Iowa, we found them friendly and ready to share with us. Starting a conversation was as simple as saying""Hello" to someone. You just don't expect that kind of friendliness and openness.
We spent the evening with David Brezina. David was in the middle of harveting crops but took the time to show us the Traer hospitality as he fixed dinner for us. We watched the interaction between David and his mother, his son - Michael and a couple phone calls with his daughter, Joni. David raises up to 5000 hogs at a time, owns several hundred acres and rents some more. He manages to do this with one hired man. His work ethic and commitment to what he sees as his goal in life is outstanding; but, he still has time to welcome visitors from Oregon.
David is a REAL caring person, a REAL caring parent. Having met his daughter in Oregon I can see how he has passed on his values and personality to the next generation of Brezinas.
Cheryl and I discussed the dynamics David showed last night with his son and with his mom, and we feel assured that because of people like the Brezinas, their relationships, their values, their work ethics, America is in much better shape than we are led to believe based on media reports.
David has the values, the work ethic, the empathy and compassion for people, the optimism to face obstacles and work through them to form a nucleus to stabilize the helter skelter created by those who cahse greed and power. The critical mass of America is held together by the David Brezinas of our country.
Today, I found the burial site of my grandfather who died in 1913 in Harper, IA. Some interesting emotions were aroused. I'll have to sort them out before commenting.
Tomorrow, it's on to Chicago. First stop - Museum of Art.
3 comments:
Gary and Cheryl:
It was good to read your impressions of "middle America". Iowa sounds like a place to retire to (as long as one can get a good flight to Vegas once in awhile)!
I hope you enjoy the "Windy City". Rumor has it that you went there to get to the Ball Parks!
We have enjoyed your travelogue and look forward to reading more as you continue your trek. It will be tough to beat the information about the 5000 hogs though . . .
Best wishes, sounds like a trip of a lifetime!
Dan and Sherry
Just checking to see if you get the comments. I am enjoying your itineray as I took most of the north and east coast in 60 and 68. The first trip in 60 was on a motorcycle, alone and up north. Remember Utah, but you might need snoshoes.
I'm back. I can see I butchered the "itinerary" word. Oh, well, been out of school for a long time.
Be safe.
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