With the cold winter we are having, it is a blessing to get a chance to break away from the chores for a couple of days. Just a quick get away, away from our everyday normal.
Every February the kids get a four-day weekend from school. We like to try to make it a cabin fever get away. When they were little, a favorite place was in Owatonna, MN. The Holiday Inn there has kids suites, thus we had lots of room for a family of 6. There is an awesome water park that is kid friendly, yet relaxing for the adults too. Cabela’s was close by. We call it the dead animal zoo. The animals are always in view and the kids stay amused for hours. Most importantly, we stay warm. We have also taken a cruise. Those trips are always a treat. A few years we have just stayed home due to activities on the calendar.
This year, the trip came with a twist. With the kids getting older, and deciding there are more things to do than what Mom & Dad decide, our family outing was minus one child. Sonny boy decided he would rather go ice fishing with friends. So with that, he was in charge of the chores. That makes it easier than having Uncle come over to do our chores on top of all his own. Hubby was going to stay home as a cow is due to calf during our retreat. And it’s always a good idea to be around just in case. But with the boy home, he thought one night away and only two hours from home was safe. The decision to install cameras last year helped too. Mobile monitoring can’t be beat. When it works.
Our destination — Sioux Falls South Dakota. This town has grown so much over the years. No chance of boredom at all. We don’t have an itinerary, but a couple of To Dos was mentioned. The trip was almost a girls only weekend until Hubs decided to come for the first night. Not that it’s a bad thing, it does change plans a bit.
First stop, the hotel. The Hampton Inn was our home for a couple of nights. First impression–very nice. Staff greeted and checked us in in under 3 minutes.
And the decor made us feel right at home.
The commons gathering area is comfortable to hang out in. Outlets to keep the electronics charged, coffee for personal charging, TV for Olympic updates.
Our room was clean and spacious. Most importantly, comfortable. We don’t need fancy suites, but we don’t like to be on top of one another when in our room.
Not being needy when stay away from home allows us to appreciate a good hot complimentary breakfast. Waking up is on each person’s own time. Some very early, some need woke up before breakfast is shut down. Non the less, The Hampton Inn hit the mark.
Our first evening was very simple. The oldest daughter came down from SDSU, got unpacked, and dove right into taking a couple quizzes. Finally when she finished, we went to Sam’s Club to start price checking for graduation in May. Of course we stocked up on a few essentials. And most importantly, as the kids would say, got our fill of samples. We stopped to look at a furniture store then back to the Hampton Inn.
Getting to be supper time. Across the parking lot is Outback Steakhouse. Perfect. Convenience literally steps away. When we walked in, I guess the rest if the town thought it was supper time too. 50 minute wait. No thank you. Hubs had a great idea. I called the restaurant, made a reservation for 45 minutes. Perfect. We stayed in the comfort if our hotel room. Low and behold I received a text about 35 minutes later saying our table was ready. Off we go, seriously less than a football field length from door to door. I will definitely use this technique again. No more waiting in the door way, watching people come and go. Thankfully it wasn’t terribly cold, but it is February in the upper Midwest.
The next morning, breakfast at the hotel. So many choices. The kids say they feel spoiled due to when they are at home, it’s one option, cereal. Unless their dad is not at work, he makes good breakfast.
The girls wanted to go see the Butterfly House & Aquarium. This was truly a neat place to see. Very informative, and staff were available for answers to all sorts of questions. There was lots of little kids running around. Lots of them. It’s alright, mine were little once too. Perfect place to go and visit on a Saturday morning after it snowed a few inches overnight.
While the butterfly side of this naturally wasn’t hands on, once you entered the aquarium side, the shrill of excitement was every where. Beautiful tanks of ocean life surround you in this room.
There was a tank to touch sting ray and sharks. Another with star fish, sea urchins and sea cucumber. Actually, I had never heard of a sea cucumber before.
The large aquariums had facts, as well as a laminated listing of all the fish or plants in them.
There was some flashbacks of Nemo and Dory. I could hear their voices. Well Ellen’s mostly. It made me laugh. If you go to Sioux Falls, check this place out. It was $10 for each of us to get in, kids were cheaper. Unless you are already an ocean and butterfly expert, you will learn lots of cool facts to share with your friends.
Across the parking lot was another building. Similar to our Nature Center and free. They said they have 100’s of classes a year. Snowshoeing was on the list for the day. Too bad we weren’t dress for that. We are definitely going to come back when it gets nice out and take the trails around the area, and look ahead for the classes offered.
Next, Falls Park. The falls have been there for ever. I say that, but I really don’t know how long. There are remains of an old mill. My husband went there for a wedding when he was younger. I remember seeing them, but nothing like it is now. Now the area is set up like a scenic park. Even as chilly as it was, it was beautiful. From the Observation Tower, you can take in much more of the view. There were people at the information area but we didn’t go ask questions. Maybe next time. This too was a free visit. We didn’t gift shop or eat, but it’s available.
And then it’s time for lunch. Pizza was the focus today. We like to try new places, or something we don’t have around us. Our middle daughter Tieg found a restaurant based on its tasty looking pizza picture — Fazoli’s. Turned out to be a pasta pizza place. If you like either, go there. Service was fast and they were busy. You also get free breadsticks if you dine in. Warm and tasty. Thank you.
While it’s a fast food, you don’t get that impression of the normal fast food. They bring your food to the table for you on real plates, quickly I might add. Add freshly shredded cheese…..YUM. There are staff coming around to check how the meal is, picking up plates and bussing the tables as soon as you are done. This place is very comparable to the cost of other fast food establishments, only you get sit down dine in service. Location is perfect as well. Across the parking lot from the mall. This is on the list to go to again.
Girls were ready to go back to the hotel and go swim. Perfect. Drop them off and Hubs and I will go look at vehicles. Not something I enjoy at all. But since mine was totaled in an accident with a deer. I’m on the look out for a good deal.
First stop, Home Goods and Hobby Lobby. Beautiful things, but when one doesn’t need a thing, and would prefer to get rid of everything one already has. Well I felt a bit anxious and needed out of there. There is just so much every where. No offence to those who walk out with arm and cart loads. Have fun putting it all away. Someday soon, when our addition is complete, I may enjoy shopping again. For now, I will pass.
Car shopping went about the same. There just isn’t the right one. So we went through one lot, when the dealer guy came buzzing along in his golf cart, yeah, I felt the take off as my hubs got out of there. No talking today. It was funny, but geesh, warn a gal next time.
The girls were watching a movie when we got back. So I pulled out a crochet project I started. Later we sat in the hot tub, then ordered pizza and turned in early. Girls went swimming again. I sure am glad they are old enough to tend to themselves.
Sunday morning, we ate breakfast at hotel again. You cant go away hungry. It would be your own fault. Checked out, said farewell to Hubs, he decided to stay the next night as the cow was showing no sign of calving. Girls and I went shopping. Well we tried. We are not good at it. No one needed a thing, much less wanted anything. A few hours of just walking around, we decided to head our opposite ways. Zoe, north back to college, the two younger girls and I head east to home.
On our way out of town, I hear, “I’m hungry”. Ugghhh. Well it just so happens that we just passed a Pottbelly’s. Never have I eaten there. Heard on the radio from another town in Minnesota that it is really good. So let’s try it. Glad we did. For a sandwich shop, that was phenomenal. Loved the decor, staff gave great service. It must have shown we were newbies. Another for the list of “gotta go again”.
Homeward bound we go. Fun little retreat to get away. It was so good to get home. Even with the chores, laundry, and house work, there is no place like home.
