July 2 Day 8

Today we start our second week on the road. We started off in the middle of a thunderstorm, which didn’t bother me at all. I like to watch them, and they don’t occur in Alaska, so I’ll miss them. We drove all morning in the rain, then just about the time we crossed from Michigan to Wisconsin, it stopped, cleared right up and the temp went from 63 to 89 in about an hour.

We crossed our first time zone today, so made better time then I’d planned on. We made it through Wisconsin, and we’re camped about 30 miles into Minnesota tonight. Today was a driving day, and tomorrow will be another as we traverse the length of Minnesota, then camp on the Minnesota/South Dakota state line tomorrow.

I called again, and Smudge the cat still hasn’t shown up. I expect I may not see her again. Hope she’s alright and with someone to care for her.

July 3 Day 9

Had wicked thunderstorms last night for most of the night; thunder, lightning, and heavy rain. Stayed nice and dry in the campa , though. Driving through Minnesota has been different. It’s all large farms and fairly flat. That and windmill farms. They haven’t banned billboards out here, and most of them are for either fireworks or casinos, both of which are legal.

Made a new milestone today. We crossed the Mississippi River this afternoon.

We’ve been worried about getting a room during the 4^th, but just called and were able to make reservations for both the 4^th and the 5^th. Gonna splurge and spend both nights in a motel. The 4^th will be in the town of Wall, SD, near Badlands Nat. Park, and the 5^th will be in Rapid City, SD, near Mt. Rushmore. We plan on spending a few days in this area to see all the sights.

I have to be very careful how I rest my hands while typing this as we go down the road. The dog’s ear is on the computer and her head is on my lap. If I bother her she’ll have to get up and turn around again, which is always exciting.

Tonight we’re spending in a Good Sam campground near Pipestone Nat. Monument. The campground packs them in, but the owners are very nice and accommodating and the facilities are very nice. They even gave me a free membership (and a 10%discount)!

July 4 Day 10

Got woken up by a hellatious Mid-Western thunderstorm last night just about mid-night. Almost continuous lightning, the likes of which I’ve never seen before, high wind and lots of rain. For only the second time in my life, I was worried about a tornado.

We crossed into South Dakota shortly after starting out this morning. The land continued to be flat as a pancake until we crossed the Missouri River around noon, then it began to become a bit more hilly. We’re driving thru an area now that you can see 30-50 miles in any direction and can count on one hand the number of trees there are. The highway here is flat, straight, and has a 75mph speed limit. Since the campa begins to sway if we go much over 65, we’re getting passed on a regular basis. It’s clear and hot again, around 88. The humidity is only around 60% though. Tomorrow we are planning on visiting the Badland Nat. Park and it’s supposed to be in the 90’s.

Stopped into Cabela’s today. It’s the first time I’ve ever bought anything from them and didn’t have to pay shipping!

Crossed another time zone today; we’re now on mountain time.

Over the next three days, we plan on taking in quite a number of sights in the area—Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, Wind Cave Nat Park. More photos tomorrow and again in a couple of days!

Flat, straight, and 75 mph. No trees!
		Mid-West thunderstorm approaching
	Windmill farm
			Grain elevator