I think this is a good time to go through some of our family trips following the smoke of the Sioux. These pictures will likely be shown later and in context, however, it feels right to provide our family touchstones.

First up is a 2008 family trip to Pipestone National Monument in southwestern Minnesota.

The following is from the monument's website:

"When you pray with this pipe, you pray for and with everything." -Black Elk

For countless generations, American Indians have quarried the red pipestone found at this site. These grounds are sacred to many people because the pipestone quarried here is carved into pipes used for prayer. Many believe that the pipe's smoke carries one's prayer to the Great Spirit. The traditions of quarrying and pipemaking continue here today.

Well-known artist, George Catlin visited the site, among many others back in the wild days. Catlinite, the name for the pipestone was named for him.

The following pictures were all taken on a family trip in 2008. It is stunning to see how much the kids have changed. This is an oasis on the prairie surrounded by level farmland.

The first 3 pictures shows a Native American (presumably Sioux) mining Catlinite. Only native Americans are allowed to mine the stone. It was a very hot day, and obviously hotter down in the hole.

The rest of the pictures are just random photos taken in this oasis on the prairie. The metal plate attached to a rock is related to Joseph Nicollet (of whom more later.) I just noticed the one of the little guy pouting. Obviously, something was going on.