The Problem With Facebook

At the risk of making a blanket statement, the problem with Facebook is . . . its users.

It doesn’t seem like there is any "fair balance" in the way their lives are portrayed.  You’ll rarely find an entry on someone’s Facebook page talking about how grossly underpaid they are in their job, or a picture of themselves first thing in the morning – bed hair, mouth guard, sleep marks across their face.  No, usually you’ll find pictures of the gorgeous vacation destinations, that one flattering picture in their bikini body, or entries that only elude to how much better their life is than yours.

After looking back through my pictures, I’ve realized I have a Facebook problem.  I really want to accurately portray this year of our lives.  But, I have found myself documenting and taking pictures of the things that have made our journey appear more “flattering” than it is.  So, let it be known, that I am going to make a better effort to document in a way that truly reflects the essence of our time on the road – whether I want to remember it or not.

Let’s start here.

This is commonplace in my new neighborhood.  I'm not judging, but apart from the beach I've never been around so many shirtless elderly men.  RV park people are really great.  Very comfortable in their own skin, you might say.

In Minnesota, our neighbors were in town for a wedding, and just decided to bring their camper and make a weekend of it.  They sat themselves down at our table and asked our kids to join them for a game of UNO.  It was all going well, until I hear CBR bawling crying.  I rushed out to attend to what I sure would be a broken bone.  No broken bones.  He had gotten his own hands stuck in his own pockets.  He was freaking out and thrashing around.  This poor couple just stared at my clown of a son.  I am sure they were quickly sizing up our freaky homeschooling, RV traveling, family from way down south.  They agreed to one more game of UNO, then drifted back to their own camper.

(In his defense, I later learned CBR had clenched fists full of rocks he’d found, and was trying to bring them out to show them off.  I don’t want to type this, but he’s gotten his hands stuck in the pockets of those same shorts again since that day.  Twice.)

The drive from North Dakota to South Dakota was long and arduous.  We’re traveling with a Yakima Rocket Box topper and a paddleboard strapped to the roof rack of our tow vehicle.  We were forced to pull to the side of the road every 15 to 30 minutes for a long stretch of our drive because of powerful winds.  I can not put the force of these winds into words.  It is so scary.  At one point, the wind blew the awning off the side of our motor home, and it blew the roof rack off our tow vehicle.  Thankfully, we were able to catch them before they were completely ripped off, but we spent a considerable amount of time waiting in the RV for my “Mr. Fix-It” husband to address all the issues with his tool kit while overcoming 30mph winds.  We spent most of the day in prayer.

By the grace of God we rolled on closer to our destination in South Dakota.  Within about 30 minutes of coming through Sturgis, SD we began to wonder if it was Bike Week.  I have never seen so many Harley Davidsons, and bikers in all my life.  Sure enough, we were "lucky" enough to hit one of the country’s largest biker rallies.  The kids were exposed to a culture very different from anything they’ve ever seen.  In fact, I believe I was even exposed to some new things.

As far as you could see . . .

Needless to say, we were exhausted and short tempered upon arrival at Black Hills National Forest.  I “wisely” decided to continue the day with a trip to Mt. Rushmore.  My husband warned against it.

I'm too tired to figure out how to insert background music, so why don't you take a minute and hum a few bars of the national anthem to set the mood.  Go on, do it.

The grandeur of this monument really is spectacular.  But, I had pushed too far this day, and our family was crumbling.  One child was sobbing and couldn’t stop, and another fell asleep during the movie at the Visitor’s Center.  CBR lost his shoes in the theater while sleeping.  We tried to let him sleep a little, so we carried him, not realizing we didn’t have his flip flops.  Had to go back and get them.  All this wasn’t enough to stop me.  I demanded we make the drive to see Crazy Horse Monument immediately after Mt. Rushmore.  We’re changing our last name to Griswold.

I think CBR is already sleepwalking in this picture.  Look at his face.  He's asleep!  That's why he wore sunglasses.

And, as if all that wasn't enough for one day . . . I'll give $20 to the person who can watch this video on high volume for three minutes straight.

After a good night’s rest, we were refreshed to take on the next day.  Besides Mt. Rushmore, which really was amazing, we were most excited to visit the Badlands in South Dakota.  Usually, before we leave "home" for the day, we tidy up.

I hope I never forget how CBR washes dishes.

Yeah, just your every day chores.  Running the water hose through the kitchen window and into the bathroom to thoroughly flush out the holding tank.

Our first day in Badlands National Park was incredible.  We read about a place we really wanted to see called Sheep’s Table, which is deep into the Badlands.  When I say deep into the Badlands, what I mean is once you enter the park, Sheep’s Table is about an hour drive in.  You’ll exit the National Park at one point and enter an Indian Reservation.  The entire drive is on a bumpy dirt road, but once you enter the Indian Reservation, you can only get there with a high clearance utility vehicle.  The roads barely passed for roads.  When we laid eyes on it, we were all overwhelmed.

God is an incredible artist.  We sat, and enjoyed our lunch taking in the splendor around us.

The Sheep's Table was certainly a highlight of the Badlands, but our drive in was far from disappointing.

My husband and kids walking the Badlands.

Prairie Dog. 

Notice the guy hiking in the background.  There was a herd of about 40 bison all around him.

Miles and miles of sunflowers.

My kids.  Going up was fun, then they realized they had to come back down.

Each formation of rock was uniquely different.

Just passing through.

My kids.  Going down was fun, then they realized they had to come back up.

I can not explain the brilliance of the yellow.  It was striking.

So, we spent our days playing and learning in the Badlands, and our evenings at the famous Wall Drug Store.

The jackalope.

CER as Sacajawea.

CBR and LAR.

Our campground was a block from the Wall Drug Store, so we walked over for cookies and ice cream every night after dinner, and let the kids play in their Backyard.  If we never pass this way again, I can at least rest knowing we made the most of our time in South Dakota.

Giddy Up.