Van Marel tour/reunion through State of South Dakota June 14-23, 2019

Van Marel tour/reunion through 

the State of South Dakota 

June 14-23, 2019  

Sculpture of Dignity--Earth and Sky to honor the culture of the local tribes

Entrance to Akta Lokato Museum

Bison statues placed on a major highway near Murdo

Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo--exterior of car made 
totally from wood

Badlands was designated as a Federal Park in 1978
with over 240,000 acres (375 sq. miles)

Exact replica of a 1150 Borgund, Norway, stave church, built in 1969 (Rapid City)

Dinosaur Park

Lovely Sylvan Lake

Signing the Constitution at the Founding Fathers of America

Famous Mount Rushmore was constructed from 1927-1941

Watching a video of sculpting the huge Crazy Horse Memorial monument,
 which was started in 1948 and have no estimated completion date.

Entrance to Homestake Mine started in 1877.  It is the second largest gold producing mine in the U. S.

Buffalo stampede in Tatonka

Man sharing a carrot with one of the friendly donkeys

Mammoth Dig of prehistoric animals near Hot Springs

Devil's Tower is part of the Black Hills Mountain chain, located in Wyoming.  It can be seen for many miles
 and was declared the first National Monument in the U. S.by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.

    Lunch at the huge Wall Drug Store, the most noted advertised establishment in
South Dakota.  Water is still free but the coffee is no longer 5 cents.

South Dakota Capitol building in Pierre.  They were the 40th state to join the

Union in 1889.  This building cost $1 million to build between 1905-1910.

 A memorial  for all persons who put their lives at risk be
serving their country in various way.

The Oahe dam started in 1948; is the largest dam on the
Missouri River; and its reservoir stretches for 231 miles

Last home of Charles & Caroline Ingels, parents of Laura Ingels Wilder.  "Pa"
built this home, which was built in the country and later moved into De Wtt.

Devil's Gulch, where the outlaw Jesse James and his horse jumped to
get away from the posse after robbing a bank in Northfield, Minnesota.

Family members on the tour--seated:  Susie Van Marel, Clarella Van Marel, Colleen Bomgaars, Kathy McKinstrey, Anne van der Marel, Delma & Wayne De Weerd, Don De Weerd and Kevin Jeffers;  Standing:  Alvin Van Marel, Steve Bradley, Cal & Lois Cleveringa, Keith & Mary De Jager, Joop van der Marel, Dee & Clarence Gorter, Jopie van der Marel, Sheryl Colton, Melissa Bradley, Craig Colton, Twila Oolman, Bill Van Marel, Jaylynn Jeffers, Jay Van Marel, Rena & Wilem van der Marel and Carl Van Marel.  Not pictured: Norm Te Slaa.  You will note that there were 5 more-distant family members who came all of the way to join us from the land of our forefathers, The Netherlands. 

This was another wonderful trip that was totally enjoyed and cherished!!!!  We had a little rain, but it did not dampen the spirits!  A big thanks to Keith and Mary De Jager for volunteering to help set up this trip, along with our faithful tour guide, Elaine De Jong, and her husband Paul, the safe driver.

A big thanks to the families who volunteered to help organize future reunions/tours.  In 2021, plans are being made to go to Oklahoma and Texas during the fall of the year.  Willem van der Marel has also invited us to go back to the Netherlands again in 2023, which will be in the summer.