3 more States and now we’re really on holidays

Awoke to the alarm at 5am today. It was a beautiful sunrise in Rapid City South Dakota.

After a quick tear down, we were on the road at 550am and headed for Minnesota. The navigator said Google estimated 10 hours but the GPS lady said 11.5. Guess who was right? Before we get to that, there are a couple of items I forgot to mention yesterday.

We (I) saw a big grizzly in Montana right on the side of the highway. I am certain of this from my early years in Northern BC and the Yukon. She (or he) was a big fella (gal) munching on something just down the bank off the I90. Along the side of the road we’ve seen more than a fair share of road kill. Mostly deer but a few skunks (and you know what, it actually is a skunk rather than weed, which we smell at home) and coyotes. Today, since we have changed terrain, we saw a few dead deer but also some possum and armadillo. Honestly, I would have preferred to see them alive but not bounding infront of our gas guzzling Tundra.

Once again we visited 3 states. After leaving Rapid City, we waited with great anticipation to arrive in Wall the home of the famous Wall Drug – there must have been 1,000 signs between Montana and Wall like the one below.

We had virtually no head wind as we passed into the central time zone, a nice change until we reached Murdo where we stopped for gas. Really cheap gas – I was able to fill 3/4 of my tank for $52. The guy in the station was a simple sort but very friendly. Being from Canada, we can’t pay at the pumps because they keep asking for a zip code. I only know one – 90210 – and it never works. So I went in to ask him to preauthorize my card for $75. He said, “let me save you some money by just starting the pump and you can pay when you fill. We do that for the locals”. I said thanks but I couldn’t help wondering because I looked nothing like a local. Here’s me in my shorts, t-shirt and flipflops surrounded by boys and gals in blue jeans, cowboy boots and hats. Got to love these Americans!

While I filled the tank I listened to the local gal, telling her friend about a fight her beau was involved in on the night prior (Sunday). I gather he was quite a site based on her witness of the event.

I went in to pay and thought I’d grab a coffee (no Starbucks in these parts) and I drained the pot only to receive a 1/3 of a cup. My new friend at the counter brewed me a fresh pot and didn’t charge me. Another great morning I thought.

After leaving Murdo, I headed for the I90 but the navigator (not the GPS lady) corrected me and suggested I turn around and follow route 90. I obediently navigated a u-turn. As it turned out, route 90 is an old highway and not the direct way to I90. Of course being the obedient driver that I am I fully committed to the new route while steaming on the inside and occaisonaly on the outside, mumbling about how it’s not like we have oodles of time today. The navigator was apologetic and suggested I turnaround but being the stubborn male that I am, I pursued the new route with passion, while smoke exuded my ears and my finger pounded on the poor GPS lady’s screen as I expressed my extreme disatisfaction with two navigators who led me astray.

After a short detour we arrived at a cross roads, where we were able to reconnect with the I90 by turning south and driving for 2 kilometers. All was well again…such a relief.

I apologized to the navigator and after some time she fell asleep as we headed down the road towards Minesota. We encountered a strong headwind as we drove by Kennebec (home of the famous fries?) and the bridge over the Missouri River, by De Smet the home of Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie) towards Mitchell, where we stopped for gas and decided to grab a subway sandwich (to save some time). I haven’t had Subway for years but a footlong sandwich between us came to $5.91!

The navigator and I switched spots because I needed to do some work in preparation for a Board committee meeting I needed to attend via video in the afteroon.

The navigator did great, although she complained that she couldn’t see behind the trailer because of the mirrors…not an issue for me! Shortly after we passed through Sioux Falls, we stopped on the side of an exit ramp to swap jobs. I was driving again!

We quickly passed into Minnesota with the ‘odeur de Chilliwack’. Just before 3pm CST, we stopped for gas (I tell you this Tundra guzzles the stuff!) and switched spots so I could attend the Board meeting by video. The Directors all got quite a chuckle as they thought it looked like I was in a helicopter.

For 2.5 hours I don’t remember a thing about the trip. The navigator (now driver) tells me it poured rain as she pulled the truck and trailer through Minnesota. I have to take her word for it.

The navigator pulled over into a rest stop and we switch roles once again. It rained off and on until we reached Wisconsin and the Mississipi River.

Despite construction delays, we arrived at our campsite in Wisconsin Dells at 8pm – 12 hours of mostly driving! We enjoyed a fine steak dinner, the first real meal we’ve had since Friday last week.

Tonight we will sleep with the sound of frogs (millions of them!) and the occaisonal train that vibrates the ground underneath the trailer.

Tomorrow is expected to be another long day…an estimated 9 hours (not sure you can believe Google) as we drive through Chicago and end up in Port Huron before departing the US on Wednesday morning.