It was a nice trip, but traveling with aging parents is always an adventure.

Mom called Northwest before they left to check on the flight. The very nice customer service agent told her that as they weren't leaving the United States, they didn't need their passports to get on the plane. Somehow this got confused as not needing the driver's license...

TSA let them on the plane after lots of questions.

I discovered the fastest way to get my Dad out of bed in the morning – have a steam train go by the window at 7:30am.

The pullout sofa in Hill City had had too many little kids use it as a trampoline. Either that or it was bought at Lumps R Us, but it was nice to have the extra room. Mom used the jacuzzi one night.

The hotel in Hill City was pre-paid on my business card instead of my personal credit card, so I'll have to remember to reimburse AILF tomorrow. The rest of the reservations I was able to change to the personal card, I think.

I managed to wow my parents the first full day by taking them over the Needles Highway. It's named for the rock formations and features a narrow winding road through the Black Hills. Literally through – there are six one lane tunnels.

I managed to prove my ability to get lost by turning left instead of right and traveling the length of the Rosebud Reservation. We sped by Wounded Knee before I realized what that valley was. Interesting trying to find gas when you're lost and it's 100 miles between gas stations.

Roosevelt National Park was really worth seeing. We would have missed it if we hadn't needed a stop between Devil's Tower and Minot. It was an expensive stop though. There was a doll museum and shop just outside the park and I have a doll collection.... We stopped at UPS in Minot and shipped dolls to Trenton.

The Hertz agent in Minot had me keep the car until 8 PM, then drove us to the train station. That worked out rather well. I was really glad I'd called for directions in the morning before we went down to breakfast.

We went to the Minnesota State Fair after we got to my brother's place. The Fair seems to specialize in selling everything on a stick – corn dogs on a stick, hot dogs on a stick, key lime pie on a stick, cat toys on a stick, self threading needles on a stick (don't ask).

My sister-in-law called this morning to say that my mother when through security in MSP faster than my Dad this morning. My Dad had to stop and tell stories able going through security on the way out.

We saws of wild life, even got caught in a buffalo traffic jam. I've can now say I've spent time in all 50 states. I'm trying to convince my parents we have to do U.S. territories next. I wonder if there's a steam train anywhere in the Virgin Islands?

Lois