You’ve already read about my horrific day of travels from last Thursday. Now to fill you in on the rest of my journey back to Carpenter, South Dakota.
Friday: Once Steve Poulter delivered me to Granite Falls, Dad drove me home from there. When I arrived at the farm, the Krogman children jumped out to surprise me. For the rest of the day I mostly caught up with Peyton, Emerson, Hudson, and Colton. The kids really surprised me with their intimate knowledge of technology, whether it was on a computer or iPhone or whatever. Emmy and I made lots of hilarious pictures and movies on the kids website Kerpoof, which is essentially just a step below programming ActionScript, dragging things onto various places on a timeline and synching them up with sound and actions. That night we went into Willow Lake for dinner at The Rusty Nail, one of the two new establishments in town. I ran into a handful of old familiar faces that night including Travis Johnson, Kirk Madsen, Doug and Shawn LaMont, Bob Syring, Lucille Birkholtz, and Rick Zantow.
Saturday: Saturday was much of the same with Krogmania sweeping the house, plus Hadley! Any plans to leave the house were pretty much thwarted by the cruel unseasonal wintry weather. I really can’t remember what else might have happened. The days all kinda ran together for a while there.
Sunday: Jordan and family departed Sunday morning, setting off an hour of heartfelt “I’ll miss you, Uncle Ryan!” from Emmy. Mom and I went into Willow Lake to take Hadley home to Alex and Ann, who were returning from a wedding in Fargo. It was also my first chance to meet newborn tot Adrienne. Very baby-like! That night Mom, Dad, and I went to Huron to see Granny at her assisted living home and then out to dinner at a sports bar.
Monday: For my trip finale, I spent the snowy morning indoors scanning old pictures. In the afternoon I rode around in the tractor with Pa to check cows. Later the whole family went to Willow Lake for happy hour at the other new establishment, Gunners. Deciding to keep the good times rolling, Dad, Alex, and I ventured over to Doland to visit Grandma Bell and Uncle Stuart at 10pm. The five of us sat up chatting and pounding brandy drinks until nearly 2:30am.
Tuesday: After just a couple hours of sleep and a bit of a headache, Alex drove me to Sioux Falls to catch my flight back. I am thrilled to report the day of travel went as smoothly as possible, given the state of my hangover-like symptoms. The Sioux Falls Airport had zero people in the security line, and when my plane landed in Denver I was only one gate over from the Austin gate. After picking up Baxter from the Megos, I came home and passed out hard by 9pm. Lauren was still gone on a work trip, but I was pleasantly surprised to come home to a very tidy house. Nice going, Lauren!
All in all it was a successful trip back. Days before leaving, looking ahead at the weather forecast, it occurred to me that maybe I should pay a airline fee and delay the trip a week. In hindsight maybe that would have been for the best, seeing how if I were flying today instead of a week ago today my flights likely would have been less delayed, if at all, and I would have had a full extra day in South Dakota and a chance to swing by DSU. Plus Alex and Ann were gone for a bulk of my time back. But then again I am not sad at the way things turned out because that meant a night hanging out with Walsh, Sarah, and Feeney in Minneapolis that otherwise wouldn’t have happened. And the rest of the trip was fun too. Thanks to the Glanzers for all the hospitality! I’ll be sure to return the favor next time you visit us in Austin!
Ryan Glanzer Blog 
Loved having you here, snow and all. Next time Lauren will hopefully get to join you!