Winnebago - Forest City, Iowa

Since Daddy wanted to go to Winnebago's factory for the tour, Daddy is posting tonight to the blog.

Today we went to the Winnebago factory in Forest City, Iowa.  The entire complex is 200 acres with multiple buildings, including their final assembly building which is known as "Big Bertha" which we were able to tour.  Unfortunately, we were not able to take photos inside the factory itself, (I guess to guard against industrial espionage).

Dinette in the 1967 Winnebago
(very similar to today's dinette)

In the museum itself we got to see a 1967 Winnebago motor home (or motor coach as the more snobby owners refer to it).  Amazingly it was not too much different than today's Winnebago's, although technology has certainly come a long way, especially as it relates to the bathroom.  In 1967 the bathroom was one room with the shower, sink, and toilet all in one.  That's right you could brush your teeth, sit on the pot, and shower all at the same time in 1967, (a luxury that we don't enjoy today).  Also on display was one of the first campers manufactured by Winnebago in 1958 which was a travel trailer.  It was eight years until they made their first self contained motor home, (something I didn't know).  Interestingly, Winnebago just recently announced they are getting back into the more affordable tow-able travel trailers business as purchases of motor homes are way down with higher prices of fuel and the current economy.

Katie, Chelsea, Chris
with their Winnebago Trading Cards

The kids really liked seeing the motor homes going down the assembly line.  They got to see the front cab over being welded on the "Tour" model, (one of Winnebago's largest units), and the floor being installed onto a Class C frame that will look very much like our Winnebago when it is finished.

Unfortunately, Winnebago does not award badges to Junior Rangers, but Chris, Katie, and Chelsea wore their new vests with their badges.  They did hand out Winnebago trading cards for the kids however.  Tomorrow we will be making our way north into Minnesota.
- Posted by Ted

The Badlands

Last minute studying for their Junior Ranger review
by the Park Ranger at Badlands

We spent a day at the Badlands National Park and the kids earned another Junior Ranger Badge, (that's eight if you're counting them).

In case anyone is thinking they just hand out these badges if you answer a few questions, the review by the Park Rangers at the different national parks is different from ranger to ranger, but each  one is very thorough to make sure the junior ranger has completed everything they are supposed to.  In many cases the ranger will ask additional questions to make sure they understand what they learned.

The Badlands

The ranger at Mt. Rushmore was especially tough asking things like, "What was George Washington's job before he was President?"  Who was the 3rd President of the United States?"  and, "What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?"  He also told a guy who asked for some ranger badges for his grand kids, "they have to come here and work for them like these junior rangers did," (referring to Chris, Katie, and Chelsea).  Interestingly he also knew that the kids were home-schooled without us saying anything.  He said that home-schooled children always look him in the eyes when he speaks to them and are not afraid to talk to him.

Since with their eighth badge there is no more room on their lanyards to hold them, the kids received Junior Ranger vests today that will hold all of their junior ranger stuff and display their eight badges with room for many more.  Not sure yet where or on what we will put all the junior ranger patches they received from each park.

Here are some photos from our trip through The Badlands.  We are in Sioux Falls tonight and will be heading to the Forest City, Iowa area where on Friday we will take a tour of the Winnebago factory and see where our camper was born.
- Posted by Ted


Learn more about:
The Badlands: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badlands_National_Park

Home on The Range

“Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, and the deer, and the antelope play…” we were there today. We drove through Custer State Park in South Dakota and saw buffalo, deer, antelope (they are not actually antelope; antelopes are in Africa; these are really called pronghorns) and prairie dogs. It was a beautiful drive on the way to Wind Cave National Park.

We took a 1 hour and 15 minute tour of the cave. It is the 5th longest cave in the world. It is different from other caves that we have seen in that there are no stalactites or stalagmites. The passageways were also narrower than any other cave that we had visited. We descended over 300 stairs to reach the bottom (fortunately there was an elevator for the return trip). The kids also earned another junior ranger badge there. 

Tomorrow we are leaving Custer and heading to The Badlands.

Check out more photos in Photo Gallery #2. And Check out our new page: "Animals We've Seen!"

Learn more about:

Wind Cave NP: http://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm

Custer State Park: http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/default.aspx

South Dakota Black Hills

Yesterday we rode the 1880’s train. It was the first time we ever rode on a real steam engine. We watched them pour the water into the top. The train cars were beautiful. The ride was through the Black Hills National Forest on one side; (I unfortunately was sitting on the less scenic side :O). Trains are always fun and we had good snacks.

Our favorite part of the day was Fort Hayes Chuckwagon. The chuckwagon was located where they filmed “Dances with Wolves.” We had a good old-fashioned chuckwagon dinner served by cowboys and a great show after. Before dinner, we wandered around and watched a blacksmith, the penny smasher, and a rope maker.

Today we spent the day at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. The kids earned their junior ranger badges and were quizzed extensively about American history from a park ranger (I must admit I was a little nervous.) Fortunately, they did well.

Bentley (before his bath)

Right now, Ted’s grilling chicken, the kids are running around screaming, the dogs are digging holes (I’m a little concerned that they’re going to need baths), and I’m sitting at the picnic table . After dinner, we are finally going to get to have a campfire (this is the first western state that doesn’t have a fire ban) and s’mores.

Learn more about:
Mt. Rushmore: http://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm
The 1880 Train: http://www.1880train.com/history.html
...and more photos from today are in Photo Gallery #2!!!