FAMIL-E-FUN CAMPGROUND, MITCHELL, SD – Camp 19

After our brief stay in Wall, SD we headed more to the east to another destination we had enjoyed so much in 2006.  Our destination was Mitchell,SD.  

Our chosen campground this trip was Famil-E-Fun Campground. 

We enjoyed our stay there.  The couple running the park were friendly and helpful.  The facilities were all clean and well maintained.

There was free wi-fi in the laundry room that extended to the benches outside of the laundry room.  The park manager guided us to our spot where we were able to pull thru with ease.  Complete hook-ups with 50 amp service were the order of the day.  Once discounts and taxes were included our rate was $27.50 per night for the four nights we were there.

It was a little more than the national and state parks, but then it had more to offer.  We felt the rate was reasonable for the accommodations.

The sites are set up where they are double front to back sites, but during the off season they park only one rig per site, which makes it a pull thru.

Once again we were greeted with a beautiful sunset.  It seemed like everyone in the campground was out snapping photos of it.

There were three sites we wanted to visit in the area.  The Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead, the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, and of course the Corn Palace.

We had previously visited the last two in 2006, but enjoyed them so much we decided to visit them again.  Of course they will each get their own write up to help keep this post from being too long.

All three were an easy drive from Famil-E-Fun Campground.  The expressway get on is not far from the campground, but traffic noises were not a problem.  It worked out to be the perfect four night stay spot for us while we were there.

If we should venture to Mitchell again we both agree that this would probably be the place we would stay. 

CORN PALACE, MITCHELL, SD

In 2006 when we were planning our trip north a friend of our son’s, Heather, said we absolutely had to go see the Corn Palace, and so we did.  We were fascinated by the art work on the building both then and now.

The art work is unique for two reasons:

11.     It changes from year to year with a different theme.

22.     It is all done with corn, grasses and grains that are individually placed on the murals.

So naturally we had to go back to see what the 2016 theme was and how they had interpreted it.  “Rock of Ages” was the theme.  When you view the photos I think you will be able to recognize all the artists they saluted.

The very first salute was an unexpected one when we went to park in a parking lot nearby.  We have never seen such a parking spot in all our travels, but felt honored for Gary to be able to park there in a choice parking spot due to his Viet Nam service.

The inside of the Corn Palace also has corn, grass and grain murals, as well as a lot of historical information with photos of all the murals from days gone by.  Even the pillars in the lobby are tiled to look like corn.

The Corn Palace is not just a showplace for the unique artwork it possesses, it is an arena where live performances and basketball take place.  I am not a sports fan so I can’t tell you the exact name of the team that was playing that night, but I did like their spirit equipment.  I’m thinking it is probably the Vikings, but then what do I know.

I do know they had several big name stars scheduled to do live performances throughout the remaining part of the year.

A little research on my part shows that the 2017 theme for the Corn Palace is not changing from 2016.  They will replace the grasses used, but not the full murals.  This was decided in May of 2016.

So if you wanted to see Willie and Elvis last year you still have the opportunity to.

MITCHELL PREHISTORIC INDIAN VILLAGE, MITCHELL, SD

I love this place, we visited in 2006 and I was insistent we go back.  It really didn’t take much persuasion on my part, Gary enjoys it too.

Archeology digs fascinate me and this location has an ongoing one, you can walk around and view as they dig and in certain instances even take part in. 

The museums, yes there are two locations on site, are very nice as well.  We learn something new each time we visit.

In 2006 we were thrilled to see they had a “spear thrower” that you could try your hand at.  I know for many of you this makes no sense, but if you are a fan of the Earth’s Children book Series, IE: Clan of the Cave Bear, by Jean Auel then you know exactly what I am talking about.

In 2006 Gary found the weapon easy to use and looked forward to trying it again.  However, they had no practice ones available in 2016.  They did, however, have one on display. 

As I said there are two museums on site.  One, the Thompsen Center Archeodome, is at the dig site and deals mainly with the dig and archelogy. You can view various artifacts from this area and others. An employee will explain various aspects of the dig and how it works.

While I enjoy the dig site, I also love the first museum you see as you enter the area from the parking area.  It is the Boehnen Museum and Visitor Center. This museum gives you a look into the daily lives of the Native Americans who lived in the area around 900 AD.

Once again the displays make the Auel Books come to life with the life size displays of the dwellings, artifacts like the spear thrower and a bison skeleton.

 In 2006 they had a bowl boat on display, but it was not available for viewing on this trip.  There were, however, photos of it on the pleasant walkway from the upper parking lot to the museum. 

Like any tourist attraction they have a gift shop on location.  This one seemed to be a little less expensive than some we have encountered, or at least that was what I told myself as I purchased my brag rag, errr t-shirt.

We have been there twice now and would quite cheerfully go a third time because we learn something new every time.  This trip it was that the hump on a bison’s back is not, as I had thought, water storage as on a camel, but is actually part of the backbone or upward facing ribs of sorts.

If our ancient past intrigues you as it does me I highly recommend you taking the time out in your travels to visit this location.