Made it to Pine Ridge

NNot even sure where to start with this crazy day!  We left Sioux Falls around 9am this morning and made it to the Kyle, SD by 2:30pm.  This day’s drive is so much different than the previous day–so much beautiful scenery.  After a strained 15 minutes trying to check into the motel in Kyle (strained because I was initially told that there were only 2 cabins reserved for my party of 21!  More strain when I realized that the motel could not take my college-issued American Express).  Plenty of cabins and a different college credit card later, everyone had a room.  We relaxed for a very short time and then hauled to the Walmart in Chadron, Nebraska for supplies and a prescription pick-up for an ill student.  The picture posted of the clouds is on our way to Nebraska (a two hour trip).  On the way, I thought I saw a tornado–there appeared to be dust swirling under these very ominous clouds.  I stopped the van and was just seconds away from having my 14 passengers lie in the ditch, when someone realized that the dust was from a car traveling down a gravel road ahead.  OK, I know this sounds like a huge hallucination or delusion on my part, but I am TIRED and I SWEAR it appeared to be a tornado!!!!   I know that this will give the students lots to talk about–I am not sure that anyone will want to ride with me after this day!  At Walmart, we were able to get many items for our health promotion efforts–car seats, booster seats, baby items, strollers, etc.  We received so much more in cash donations than I ever expected.  The generosity of past students, current students, family members, friends, etc. is overwhelming.  Our student pitched in and worked as a team to get our shopping, loading, unloading, and stowing done.  I love to see this, and look forward to seeing them in action out in the community.  We have a big day planned for tomorrow so enough for now.