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Phil Dalton

Belle Fourche, South Dakota

6/18/2019

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Today we were blessed to perform once again in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.  It's been a couple of years since we last brought the show to this area.  Time flies!

We had a couple days off since performing in Montana, which gave us the opportunity to see what was in this area.  If you're ever in Rapid City, you're only minutes away from Reptile Gardens:

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This big zoo holds the Guinness record for the largest collection of reptiles in the world.  Eli was having fun making friends with snakes through the glass:
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Reptile Gardens has three live presentations that you can see throughout the day.  Here's a handler wrestling an alligator (in the rain!):

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. . . and this was at the end of a bird presentation where, if you donate a dollar to the zoo, a cockatoo will personally take it from you:

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BUT- the most amazing thing, by far, was this:

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That's "Tank", the giant Aldabra tortoise.  Reptile Gardens has an area where these guys run free, and you're encouraged to come in and interact with them.  They love to have their necks rubbed!
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It was truly incredible to see the kids playing with these gentle giants.  Where else can you do this?  Everyone loved it! 
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One of those tortoises is 113 years old!  I can't describe how incredible it is to walk in and play with these guys.  Thanks Reptile Gardens!

After our visit, we went to the same Taco Bell where we ate two years ago.  This one had something that truly made me laugh.  We were curious as to whether it was still there.  It was!  Take a look at this garbage can-  first, in the regular position:

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. . . and with the door open:

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I've always wondered how many places collect both trash and recycling in one giant can.  There's at least one confirmed!

So, today, we headed to First Baptist Church of Belle Fourche for our show.  We've been there before and we were eagerly anticipating it.  let me tell you, this church really took care of us!

First, there was the load-in.  It takes a while (and quite a bit of muscle) to load all of our heavy cases into the venue so that we can assemble everything on the stage.  Today, though, we had assistance from Pastor Tim and a local friend named Jason (and his boys).  If something heavy has to be moved, have you ever met one of those people who just pick it up and move it, even if it weighs a ton?  That's Jason.  I have never seen anyone who can lift our cases and move them like he can.  Thanks Jason!

Now, there have been several instances across the country where the church will offer to provide us with dinner before the show.  This church did that.  But, here's a new one- Tim's wife Sandy provided tacos (one of our favorite things), with chicken quesadillas (another of our favorite things), and ROOT BEER FLOATS to drink (we all love that, but it's Paula's favorite thing in the world).  Who does that?  Amazing!

Showtime arrived.  We had a great time!  This really was a fun crowd.  An interesting thing happened- we've added the straitjacket escape to the touring show this year, and the two volunteers really made it a challenge.  I always tell the volunteers to secure the straitjacket as tightly as they can, but as the old saying goes, be careful what you wish for!

Load-out went just as smoothly.  Jason and his boys helped us get everything in the trailer and Pastor Tim's keen eye caught an important piece of equipment that we almost left behind.

Thanks again FBC Belle Fourche for really making us feel welcome!

We're really enjoying this tour- especially Eli: 

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Tomorrow we perform in Lower Brule, South Dakota.  It's a part of the state that we've never seen.  We're excited!
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