Bits 'n Pieces

Hello to all and how are you? I pray you are all well and living life to the fullest this fine Thursday afternoon!

I'll kick this column off with Bethlehem Lutheran's Pastor Mark's Coffee Shop Wisdom. He states, "Every generation revolts against its parents and makes friends with its grandparents." Thank you, Pastor, for sharing!

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My family just got home from an amazing vacation in the beautiful Black Hills. I genuinely think that no matter how many times you've been there, the Black Hills continues to provide an exciting, enjoyable, adventurous and aesthetically gorgeous vacation for all. From Bear Country and Reptile Gardens to the Cosmos Mystery Area, Mount Rushmore, and Custer...we packed our five-day trip with nonstop fun and relaxation. We enjoyed Evans Plunge Mineral Springs water park, the breath-taking Badlands, the Mammoth Site, Wind Cave tours and the children had a bit of culture shock as we took them to one of the filming sites of Dances with Wolves, Fort Hays and enjoyed a chuckwagon dinner show. They loved it all – we all did.

I remember going to the Black Hills with my family growing up. We even were able to go with our cousins, aunt and uncle and our beloved grandparents for my Grandma Arlene and Grandpa Bud's 40th anniversary celebration. We went horseback riding, my little cousin had to ride the pony in a helmet because he was too tiny for that ride. We wrote Grandma and Grandpa an anniversary song and camped out like we always used to. We looked forward to Grandpa's campsite breakfast dish and made sure to keenly watch that toaster so that we didn't burn the breakfast toast.

While I am obviously not affiliated with the South Dakota tourism department, I highly recommend this Black Hills trip to all! Adventures with family truly are one of the best things in life. I've been blessed to go on many trips with my family growing up and now I am so thankful that I get to do the same with my babies and husband. God is so good.

Sentinel-News contributor Iesha Toft lives in Royal.