A Surprise Stop on the Way to Sioux Falls - Friday, June 11, 2021

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, here we come. Our next stop is the RV Park at Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood, Iowa, just across the state line from Sioux Falls. Or so I thought. 

We crossed the Missouri River into Iowa. As we were driving north on I-29 in Onawa, Iowa, Bob saw a sign for Lewis and Clark State Park. He said, "I want to go there." So, we immediately exited the freeway to visit this state park. 

Crossing the Missouri River on I-29.

Now we're in Iowa.

I love Lewis and Clark, the intrepid explorers who found the way west to the Pacific Ocean in 1804 (way before roads got there!). Having read "Undaunted Courage" by Stephen Ambrose and living in the Pacific Northwest where we had plenty of Lewis & Clark history, I was interested in what we would find here. 

It turns out, there is a plethora of information about the keeled boats, the Native American interactions, and the overall history of this area as it relates to the Corps of Discovery/Lewis & Clark Expedition. This park is part of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail.

When we arrived at the park, which is just a couple of miles off the freeway, the first thing we noticed was that a number of people were setting up tents and booths. Most of the people were in period dress. It turns out that we were just a few hours too early for the Lewis and Clark Festival which is being held this weekend. Events include history enactors in frontier attire, movies, bluegrass music, and historic presentations.

We parked our 5th wheel and truck in a large turn-around area by a replica of the keeled boat. (We learned on the expedition, this type of boat was called a "barge.")

We parked on the inside edge of a 
large turn-around with plenty of 
room for others to get by us.

A replica of a keeled boat outside.

There was a short walk from the turn-around to the Visitor Center. We walked past the 1930s-era historic lodge built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The lodge is used for special events.

Historic lodge.

Then we walked next to the lake and read historical markers before we headed up the stairs to the Visitor Center. The milkweed was in full bloom.

Lewis & Clark State Park 
Visitor Center.

Blue Lake at Lewis & Clark State Park.

Milkweed in full bloom outside 
the Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center is a wealth of information about the local history of Lewis & Clark's visit in 1804. The ranger on duty was a wealth of information. Bob loves history and he quizzed the ranger on everything he could think of. I was ready to see the exhibits and get a move on. 

I loved seeing the replicas of the boats, exhibits on uniforms for Corps of Discovery (who were military), and the challenges they faced in traveling on the river.

First, at the entrance, we saw this painted prairie dog. 

"Prairie Dog with Friends,"
by Jayme Huff.

 A harmless, non-aggressive fox snake.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition map.

Looking for the Northwest Passage.

Learning about and recording
as much as they could in their journals.

Badger.

A lovely painting of a keeled boat
of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. 
Painting by J.D. Speltz, © 1991.

Hazards on and in the water.

Dugout canoes.

Beautiful and lightweight native canoes
of the lower Columbia River.

The first catamaran??

Portaging 17 miles around the 
five falls of the Missouri River.

The bullboat.

Here you can see the saucer
shape of the bullboat.

The bullboats.

How to make a bullboat.

A painting of bullboats on shore.

It was very hard work to go upriver!

A pirogue boat.

A Corps of Discovery Travel Day.

Can you imagine being some of the first white men to cross the West? They faced hardships, hunted, learned about flora and fauna, communicated with the Native Americans, and found their way to the West Coast! What an achievement at that time.

Wow, this looks really hard.

The crew cordelling the boat.

As military men, the Corps had to meet U.S. Army expectations for proper attire. The exhibit below gives details of the uniform and the reason for the pageantry.

Other people and their skill sets.

When we finished reading the exhibits on the second floor, we went down to the first floor to look at the replicas of the boats. It was great to see how big they were.

Bob next to the keelboat 
or "barge."

In front, a pirogue; behind it, 
a keelboat or "barge."

Bob checking out the keelboat.

Bob standing next to the 
keelboat ("barge").

Looking into the captain's cabin.

A pirogue.

I am next to the keelboat.

The heavy dugout canoe.

What the captain's cabin
may have looked like.

Explanation of the exhibit above.

After spending more than an hour at Lewis & Clark State Park, we got a feel for what this part of their expedition consisted of, as well as an overview of their whole journey. We definitely recommend this stop just off I-29 in Iowa!

Now, back to our itinerary. Thanks, Bob, for insisting we stop here. It was a good leg stretcher and learning experience.

When we arrived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, we made our way back into Iowa to spend the night at the RV Park at Grand Falls Casino. To stay in the RV park, you first have to go to the front desk at the casino to pick up a key to unlock your electric box. The parking for RVs is way out in the lot. No problem, we're used to walking.

Once we had our key, we headed back to the main highway to get to the RV park. If there was a road from the casino parking lot to the RV park, we didn't find it.  There's nothing special about the RV park, it's a gravel lot overlooking the golf course. It has full hook-ups, and you need to be self-contained. There isn't a bathhouse in their RV park. There's a tall fence between the campground and the driving range, but the RV park brochure states there is still a possibility your RV could be hit by a golf ball. 

Your stay includes the use of the pool area and, I believe, the fitness center. There's a path from the campground around the edge of the golf course into the casino. Convenient. Down the side road from the campground is a tri-state marker. We'll check that out tomorrow. That's it for today.