The existing deck at this home was in poor condition so we are replacing it. Decks are subject to a lot of weather conditions which tends to promote decay. We constructed the new deck strucutre using pressure treated framing lumber. All the framing is being connected using the proper metal connector plates. We were able to use the existing concete deck footing supports which made the job a bit easier. Once the framing is completed we will finish the deck using Trex solid planking.

Once we reached Warroad our first stop was at the museum and training center. This is a fabulous building, new since the last time I was in Warroad. Marvin Windows constructed the building for training and handling groups that tour the factory. There are six main training rooms. Each of the large rooms is complete with full video systems and is surrounded by a particular type of Marvin product. One room has all types of casement windows, another all types of double-hung windows, another all types of doors, etc. You can work with the products, operate all of them, and see features that make the Marvin Windows and Door lines unique. The facility is a great addition to Marvin’s corporate campus, providing areas for meetings, relaxing and learning.

After each training session we then went and toured that part of the factory that produces the product. No cameras are allowed in the manufacturing plant, but we were able to access all areas, visit with workers and learn a lot about the products. Marvin Windows and Doors uses a complex order processing method that impressed me. When a custom sized window frame is moving through the plant, when it gets to the sash department there the custom sash is waiting right on the line where it should be. And when the sash is finished and heads over for glazing, there is the custom glass ready and waiting. It really is remarkable.

After dinner the first evening we went to The Shed. This is a private automobile museum owned by a member of the Marvin family that features about 85 automobiles. The vehicles are mainly from the late 1950′s to the early 1070′s….the ‘muscle car era’. Each automobile has been restored to pristine condition. There were also some older originial vehicles that I really liked.

…….After a busy two days at the Marvin Windows and Doors facility it was back to Northfield.

The owners have been busy finishing the new basement space. They painted the floor and are taping the walls and ceiling in preparation to painting. It will provide excellent clean, dry storage space.

Rapid City is know as the ‘City of Presidents’ . This is because they have life sized bronze statues of each of our Presidents on downtown corners. It is fun to walk around and view this artwork. I’m shown here with Ronald Reagan. The statues were all created with private funds.

Of course, no trip to South Dakota is complete without a stop at Mount Rushmore. We had absolutely perfect weather to see this magnificant carving, as well as the Crazy Horse carving. Both of these boggle the mind as how to accomplish such enormous carving jobs. The interpretive centers at both locations are very good, giving a fine feeling for what a job it is to accomplish this work. The walk down the avenue of state flags leading to Mt. Rushmore is a beautiful walk. The Crazy Horse Memorial has the face completed and much of the extended arm, but many, many more tons of rock still need to be removed.

On the way home we stopped for a picnic lunch at a rest stop at Chamberlain where we crossed the Missouri River. This is a wide, powerful river. The rest stop had an interperative center that told stories of the Lewis and Clark expedition into this area. And of course, we had to stop at the corn palace in Mitchell to see the current version of the corn palace. It is really remarkable artwork to see the pictures that they make with varieties of corn.

Lots to see and do in South Dakota!

From Pierre we continued west on highway 14 through central South Dakota. Highway 14 is not a freeway road (I like to take ‘blue highways’ when we travel) but it, like every South Dakota road we traveled on, was in excellent condition. I’m not sure if the good roads is related to having less than a million people in the state, or is reflective of an adequate transportation budget, but South Dakota has to be commended for the quality of their roads. We arrived in Deadwood for the night. Deadwood is a town that almost became a ghost town in the 1970′s. It is off the highways and in the Black Hills, jammed in between hills as narrow as 300 yards in some places. Infrastructure and buildings were decaying and the town was dying. City leaders came up with a plan to ask the legislature to approve limited gambling, with a big share of the stake going to the city to rebuilt itself. The legislature approved that in 1989 and it paid off hugely. Millions and millions of dollars have been generated to fund all types of repairs. And the city is busy with tourism now, generating strong economic dollars. We checked into the historic Bullock Hotel right on main street and enjoyed our visit. Deadwood had several fires in the late 1800′s and as a result, all downtown buildings were required to be rebuilt of brick or stone. The town is filled with historical buildings. There is a 1930′s gas station that reflects the Art Deco style. It has been turned into a restaurant—Mustand Sally’s— with good food and atmosphere.  This is the town where Wild Bill Hickok was gunned down in the #10 Saloon, marking a piece of Western history.

I’ll post more later.