By Stephen Simpson
If your family is anything like mine, as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are in the dishwasher, you’re plotting your Christmas bucket list. Holding a very prominent spot, of course, is strolling through the magical Christmas wonderland that is Storybook Island. This is a nonnegotiable, and if memory serves, I believe we’ve only ever missed the magic once (to much wailing and gnashing of teeth).
Through the years, I’ve discovered a few hacks that can optimize your visit.
My Secret Parking Spot
I can’t believe I’m sharing this. I may regret this, but I’ve been holding on to this secret far too long. You basically have three choices when it comes to parking at Storybook Island. First, the regular parking lot, which is highly accessible, well-designed and has abundant space. However, during a super popular event like this, that lot fills up. Your second choice is to park at Sioux Park, and hoof it across the crosswalk with the family in tow. This feels like getting a lump of coal in your stocking.
What if there was a better way? Well, I’m here to tell you there is. Yep. Here it goes. Drive down Canyon Lake Drive and park at Old Storybook Island. Then, just cross the bridge, and you’re there. Easy Peasy. It’s dark, but just use your phone flashlight. And if you’re curious, I have used Google Maps to measure: It’s 600 feet from the farthest spot in the normal parking lot. It can be up to 1,500 feet from the Sioux Park lot. And from my secret Old Storybook Island spot, 750 feet.
The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway
In the Black Hills, a December night can be anywhere from 40 degrees to negative 40 degrees. If your family is one to avoid crowds (and you’re feeling hardy), purposely don’t aim for the mild temps. Aim for the frigid ones. Bundle up, invest in handwarmers, keep Jack Frost at bay and enjoy the lights.
Set the Tone
Whining is contagious. So is a good attitude. If the kids are grumping, don’t grump back. Be a force for positivity and Christmas cheer. It’ll catch on.
How the Slow Cooker Saved Christmas
Let’s do a “Choose Your Own Adventure.” Imagine you and your family just completed a most glorious stroll through Storybook Island. It was all oohs and ahhs. The kids were laughing, you were holding hands with your spouse. And you’re pretty sure Santa nodded his head your way. Yes, Santa, this is how it’s done. Now, imagine going home and you have no idea what to feed everyone for dinner. That walk sure did make everyone hungry. Evening potentially ruined.
Not today! Lo and behold, the warm, comforting meal awaiting your family at home. Chicken soup, tacos or even Maddie’s white chicken chili recipe are all fabulous considerations for a post-Storybook Island dinner.