Skip to main content

Joy Ranch, South Dakota

In my last post, I kinda poked fun at South Dakota by sarcastically calling it "beautiful". If you follow me on Instagram (@mama_m) or Twitter (@5CrookedHalos), you know that South Dakota truly showed off during our visit there.

We visited a place called "Joy Ranch", which always the most amazing place I've seen in a long time! Created as a summer camp destination for children with disabilities, all I could think about is how perfect it would be as a get together setting with my in-laws (my MIL is in a wheelchair)!



Set on a bluff, overlooking rolling pastures and a valley lake, the scenery was breathtaking (there I go, eating crow...I'm sorry for implying you weren't beautiful, SoDak!!) and the setting was perfection. 6 outdoor fireplaces, huge porches overlooking the lake, Old West street facade, covered boardwalks with oversized rocking chairs, playground, Gaga Ball pit, walking trail to the horse stable with the friendliest horses you've ever met, a potbellied pig, noisy turkeys, and the most wonderful, accommodating staff you could imagine. I was blown away...and the kids were in heaven!


There was a beautiful, old church on site that set my photographers heart on fire. The setting sun made it even more beautiful! (These iPhone pictures don't do it justice!)





An adorable old school house:



Paddle boats that my hubby and Hambone took to the other side of the lake and discovered a few cow skeletons. This is the pelvis bone of one, that Hambone thought looked like a mask!


We all had such a great time celebrating my bestie's mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary at this amazing place! A wonderful couple and such a fun family...so, so grateful we made the trip out there.

Dear South Dakota,

You truly are beautiful...and some pretty amazing people come out of your glorious state!

Comments

Most Popular Posts

Coming soon...

Come here looking for the tutorial? It can be found here:  Halo Braid Tutorial!  Let me know how it goes! I had something in mind to try on Baby Girl's hair the other day...my best bud, Dr. J, did something similar to it on Belle once, and I was trying to replicate it. Instead, I got this: Isn't it pretty?! It didn't take nearly as long as it looks and isn't nearly as intricate as it looks! Vlog tutorial coming soon...(for those of you waiting, I'm sorry it's taking me so long!)

Halo Braid Tutorial!

How appropriate, "halo braid", no?! ;) Finally, I have this ready for you...I apologize for the delay! This braid looks intricate, but is really quite easy and quick to pull off...the original video (prior to the warp speed braiding...watch the video to see what I mean) was just a bit over 8 minutes long...not too shabby! So, here you go...right in time for you to try it out on your little girl for Easter!

Crock-Pot Fajitas

You! Yes, YOU!! You must stop whatevertheheck it is that you are doing, and make this recipe. Right now. Tonight. Well...wait. You should probably finish reading this post first...you know...so you know how to make it... But then...STOP! STOP everything, make this, and thank me later! Oh, hold it...wait just a sec (again)...actually, I got this recipe from Melissa...yes, the Melissa of this story ! And this story ...which, well...is the same story, just told two different ways! ;) So, you can thank her...I guess. Well, in any event...prepare your tastebuds to be tantalized! You'll need this: And, this: You'll also need chicken breasts or steak, but since photographing your "main ingredient" is, like, soooo passe, I've left it out. ( Ahem... ) Just keepin ' up with the times, friend. So...slice up those peppers and onions into cute little strips... And...try your best to not slice up the little fingers that are sneaking away pepper strips... (Lemme just inte...