Assignment from David
March 4, 2019
And so the story begins. Flat Stanley was born in Indiana, and then traveled to SD.
NOTE: you may click on any picture at any time to see a slide show of pictures (but without captions.)
Greetings from South Dakota
Flat Stanley arrived in good condition in Rapid City, South Dakota, late in the day on March 1, 2019.
The first thing Flat Stanley wanted to do was play with all the toys David had told him about in the basement where David stays when he visits Grandma and Grandpa.
Spelunking
Sleigh Ride with Frosty
Riding the Merry Go Round
Visiting David's Sister
Had Conversation with Frosty's Grandfather
Then Flat Stanley asked if he could play with the special toys that you only get to play with if you have eaten all your broccoli and peas for lunch!
ping pong catapult
ice cream parlor
double marble game
antique marble game
rental car
Here are some ocean toys in the Boat Room.
Then he wanted to see all the cool tools in the shop where Grandpa makes toys for little girls and boys!
Remember: You need hearing protection to work in the shop!
By now, Flat Stanley was getting thirsty, so he took a break and visited (literally) the refrigerator for a nice cool drink of water.
Then he wanted to learn about the garage that David had told him about - that David had helped build when he visited SD last summer.
Then he wanted to see the new back patio where Grandma works on toys in the summer - but now is covered with a lot of snow!
He said David had enjoyed cooking with Grandma last summer, so we showed him the barbecue that she uses in the summer time. But it was covered with lots of snow and even some icicles!
It was finally warming up to +3 degrees, so we bundled up and went on an adventure in the front yard.
We checked out the frozen waterfall by the front door.
Then we pretended to go to school and checked out the school desk on the front porch. It wasn't covered with snow, but it was a pretty cool place to do homework!
Flat Stanley said that David had told him about his scavenger hunts in SD, so he wanted to see where that happens. It was right here, and yes, the grass is covered with snow, but this was the place.
Maybe this week, we can visit a few places that David and his sister Abby like to visit when they come to South Dakota. If it warms up and the snow starts to melt . . .
Places like Mount Rushmore, Bear Butte, Canyon Lake Park, Story Book Island, Dinosaur Park, Geology Museum, Rapid Creek, Hill City, Keystone, The Needles Highway, Custer State Park/Buffalo Herds, Spearfish Canyon, Roughlock Falls, Sioux Park, The Swim Center, The Fish Hatchery, Robber's Roost Hiking Trail, Air Force Museum, and back roading thru the woods.
Flat Stanley, you may have to come back to visit South Dakota in the summer!
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March 5th, 2019
Trip to New Horizons Band Practice
Lunch at Apple Bees
Angels vs Cubs on TV
New Horizons Band Practice - David and his sister Abby enjoyed listening to Grandpa's band last summer and so Flat Stanley wanted to see (and hear) what all the buzz was about. Cindy plays the trumpet and sits next to Grandpa, so she invited Flat to visit and listen to our practicing. His favorite song was Mary Poppins, followed closely by Mickey Mouse, and then Rocky's Fanfare song!
Flat Stanley chatted with Cindy before practice today.
Bandleader Dick let Flat Stanley play his trumpet. Flat made it buzz, and he says that he wants to learn how to play the trumpet when he grows up!
Visit to Story Book Island - After band practice, we went to visit Story Book Island. David says this is one of his favorite places to visit in Rapid City. We showed Flat the playground and decided we would have to come back again when the snow melts and the Island opens for kids in the spring.
Grandma lifted Flat Stanley up so he could see over the fence and look at the playground.
Lunch at Applebee's - we went to Applebee's after Story Book Island to warm up and have lunch. We had broccoli and iced tea, one of David and Abby's favorite lunches!
Flat found a few friends who come to lunch every day all day!
Brocolli is Flat's favorite vegetable!
Iced Tea!
After lunch we went to Sam's Club and filled the truck with gasoline. Then we shopped and found a whole truck load of groceries. By the time we finished shopping, it was getting dark and cooling off and was too cold for pictures. So we went home, unloaded groceries, and tuned in the Angels vs the Cubs Spring Training baseball game.
BASEBALL ON TV. David is always telling Flat Stanley about these two teams, and how much he enjoys watching them. So we turned on the TV and got ready for baseball!
Flat was pretty excited to see one of the best players in baseball (Mike Trout) as he stepped up to the plate and hit a home run! Flat got up close and personal to make sure he didn't miss a thing!
Then another legend of baseball (Albert Pojols) stepped up and hit one all the way to the deep center wall, driving in a run.
Flat Stanley really fit into the crowd!
Later in the game, another veteran Angel player Kole Calhoun took it deep.
After this busy day, and this exciting game, Flat Stanley retired for the evening.
March 6, 2019 - Playing in the Snow
Next morning, it had warmed up enough to let Flat Stanley build a snowman. So the two of them became buddies, and played in the snow for a long time.
They went sledding on the big drifts near the patio.
Then Flat Stanley did a few somersaults into the snow bank.
Then the little snowman pulled Flat Stanley around on the sled.
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In the afternoon, Grandma wanted to do some chores in the Toy Shop. So Flat Stanley went with Grandma onto the production floor of the Toy Shop.
He put on his Supervisor Hat and inspected the large firetrucks being sealed by Grandma.
He put on his Supervisor Hat and inspected the large firetrucks being sealed by Grandma.
Then he checked out the small firetrucks.
It was a very noxious smelly operation, but Flat held his breath and kept on supervising and inspecting.
He checked over each and every large firetruck to make sure the sealer was drying properly.
Then he spoke with the bears to see if they had any complaints, or suggestions to improve the process.
He checked the inventory of hardware on hand, and updated the new order lists.
Moving along (while still holding his breath), he reviewed the newest model of VW bugs coming off the assembly line.
Then, he posed for a "Where's Flat Stanley" photo.
He took a little break to feed the dinosaurs, and check over the operation from the crow's nest.
Finally, able to breathe again, he posed for his ad for physical activity for kids and adults as well.
One hour per day!
3-9-2019 Toy Workshop
Early Saturday morning, we drove to town to attend the bi-weekly Toy Workshop. Everyone was very helpful and showed Flat Stanley what they were working on.
Ed on the Scrollsaw
Danny on the Bandsaw
Rick on the Scrollsaw
Darwin on the Scrollsaw
Mary on the Drill Press
Jim on the Drill Press
Lauree on the Drill Press
Al tracing race cars for the Pinewood Derby
Flat inspected the ceramic hands being made by the art students
Flat seemed to identify with the flat face mask made by the art students.
Then he had to pose with the penquins for David's cousin.
Then he found a buffalo that was made by the Toymakers and painted by the art students.
Kathie tracing dinosaurs
Julian tracing dinosaurs
Grandpa and Flat Stanley
3-10-2019
Church, Chinese Restaurant, Kmart, Dinosaur Park, Canyon Lake, Fire Station, Hiking
On Sunday morning, we went to church, and then out to lunch. After lunch, we talked about Kmart and its closing, then drove to Skyline Drive to visit Dinosaur Park. Then we drove over to Canyon Lake to watch the Canadian Geese on the frozen lake.
Church
Lunch
Kmart is closing...
Dinosaur Park
Some people were climbing the steps up to the dinosaurs, but it was very icy and slippery so we just telephoto-ed the dinos. Flat seemed to think that was okay for today.
Canyon Lake
We took a little walk to the lake, to the gazebo, and then back to the car.
We wanted to show Flat Stanley this sign. On it is a story about a flash flood that happened on this spot in the evening of June 9, 1972. Grandpa and Grandma were only dating at that time, and had eaten a picnic in the park nearby earlier that day. By God's grace, we survived the flood ... and got married a few months later.
Weddings are held in the Gazebo on Gazebo Island!
We met a nice lady here on the bridge who knew Flat Stanley - she hadn't seen him for over 20 years, so was very excited that he was still out and about! So she took our pictures with Flat Stanley.
Looks almost like the glaciers in Alaska!
Picnic?
Squirrel out on a nice warm 36 degree afternoon!
Fire Station
On the way back up the mountain, we stopped for a picture of the volunteer Fire Station. Firemen from this station came to put out a grass wild fire in our backyard a few years ago (1-4-2012).
Buzzard's Roost Trail Head
Then we stopped at the Buzzard's Roost trail head just off the road, so that Flat Stanley could see where the trail starts. David and Abby hiked that trail last summer with Dad and Grandpa. The road was very icy and a car coming out of the parking lot came very close to leaving its signature on our car... We were only about one mile from home at this point.
Home Again with the Penquins
Flat Stanley says "Hello Natie!"
Visiting Relatives 3-11-2019
March 12, 2019 - Sunset
Blizzard - First Day Outside 3-15-2019
Snack Time with Oreo Cookies
Truck Factory Tour
The Truck Factory is in full swing, as models are being prepared for show at the Annual Woodworking Show coming up on April 27, 2019. Models to be shown include the Tow Mater Tow Truck, the Stake Truck, the standard Flatbed Platform Truck, and a modified Flatbed Platform Truck. Stanley inspected the motors, the cabins, and the front frames in their initial assembly station. He reviewed the Tow Mater Tow Truck as it was being prepared to be sent to the final finishing station.
Visiting with Pen quin
Fortunately, Flat Stanley was able to catch Pen quin before he made his way up the stairs to the attic for summer resting and hibernation.
Baseball in Seattle
Visiting with Thumper in Backyard
It's an other April snowstorm!
Flat Stanley's world is flat, but the world is round...
After three days of snow days, Flat Stanley was feeling pretty fenced in!
And then he went to the shop to fix a few things:
When it was time to relax and watch a little baseball, he discovered that is was Thursday, and the Angels were on holiday!
So Grandma came to the rescue and found some good books to read:
And then a rousing intellectual game of Monopoly...
Flat Stanley is getting ready to travel. He hopes that he still has someone in Indiana that loves him.
He really enjoyed his visit especially the morning and evenings visits from Bambi and his friends:
He's looking for his suitcase and will soon be catching a late flight (a red eye) back to Indiana. He has many more places he would like to visit, so hopes to come back and do more traveling and visiting this summer.
Indiana here I come!!!
Now more photos featuring Flat Stanley 's Shadow:
Last Stop ...
the end
