Day Five

There's a long tradition of campers writing letters that cannot be
mailed so here goes.

Yesterday being Sunday I got active early and walked to church at 8:00
AM at Bethany Lutheran missing the choir and pipe organ which performed
at the late service. After walked up through the Bethany College grounds
and found no one stirring at that hour. At 9:30 attended worship at
Messiah Lutheran Church and stopped for coffee in their Rec Centre
afterward. After making it home rested from my labours with an afternoon
nap. Walked over to Scott's Homeland Foods before they closed at 5 and
picked up locally made potato salad, eggs, and frozen peas. The talk
about the place was of the tornado scene the night before. People still
without power, who spent the night in their storm cellars, and who
sustained damage to their property.

The wind seemed higher where I was parked than the day before but I
settled in and went to bed early after watching the latest Twilight Movie.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Managed to get off at 6:45 and the first thing I discovered was that I
hadn't gotten around to cleaning the kamikaze insects off my windshield.
It wasn't until I needed to fill up that I finally redeemed the
situation. I spent most of my day driving due North crossing the state
of Nebraska. My route not being along a major highway I encountered no
Welcome Centres today. When I reached my planned campsite in South
Dakota I discovered that Randall Creek Campground does not open until
May 1st --something about nesting Bald Eagles. The information on the
State of South Dakota and Woodalls websites were both inaccurate. After
driving a further 100 miles and a second fill-up at a nondescript gas
station in Pickstown found a campsite at the intersection of Highway 281
and Interstate 90 thanks to MS Streets and Trips. Located in the 'town'
of Plankinton I now find myself 1000 miles North of Austin Texas.

Someone took my cash but the campground is not really open. The power is
on but there was no TP in the washroom and the hand driers didn't work.
I'm just back from a walk uptown. Tee Hee'd at Steele and Steele
Attorneys at Law. There's a railway museum in the process of
restoration, a few bars and eateries most closed, and Ron's General
Store selling Hunting and Fishing Licenses. I would note that the tulips
are just opening here along with the lilacs and redbuds.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

After nearly a month of trying to stay cool while I slept overnight
temperatures near freezing had me reaching for my quilt. Coiling my land
line is going to be a challenge when I go outside. Today I'll be back on
a limited-access Interstate Highway so I should make good time to Rapid
City. Speeding along at 70 mph with level crossings ahead feels
unnatural and although I had no near misses it does cause one to watch
approaching traffic more closely. I'm headed west toward Mountain Time
so I'll be gaining an extra hour today. With only 250 miles to travel
today I'm taking my time getting underway.

All Clear

To one not accustomed to life in Tornado Ally yesterday was somewhat
stressful. Last evening a tornado touched down just 2 miles north-west
of town. At one point someone came around to inform us as to where the
tornado shelter is located--the office basement. However the air raid
sirens never did begin their undulating wail. That is not to say that we
didn't have our share of gusting winds, thunder in the distance, and
spattering rain. No hale though. A wind warning remains in effect for
the rest of the day. Hopefully the winds ease for my drive on Monday. At
present I'm getting ready to be off to church.

Days Two and Three

Friday, April 13, 2012

Spent most of my day traversing the Sooner State. At 9:00 AM this
morning departed the "Great" State of Texas and stopped at the Oklahoma
Visitor's Centre for a cup of decent if very hot coffee. I must wonder
why reduced speed limits are posted in construction areas if no one
observes them and no one enforces them. And wonder why the speed limit
on I-35 within the City of Oklahoma changes every half mile. The route
tracks a path straight due north with only a few rolling hills just
North of Ardmore. I'm glad to report that the trip was unremarkable. No
crosswinds and no significant traffic. A tornado hit Norman, Oklahoma
just 3 hours after I drove by. Kansas and Oklahoma remain under a
24-hour tornado watch. What can I say?

Once more I encountered the Toll Booth on I-35 upon entering the State
of Kansas, the Welcome Centre is 21 miles up the road. When I got off
the toll road it cost me $1.90. Turning off the highway to get to
Lindsborg one sees nothing but open fields until the grain elevators in
town come into view on the horizon. Little appears to have changed about
town. Scott's Grocery Store has re-arranged a few items but still
specialize in Swedish Specialty Items including 10 pound pails of
marinated herring.

Having driven 600 miles nearly due north I remarked tonight at the
length of time it takes for it to get dark after the sun sets at this
latitude. A fire truck and ambulance just went roaring by but otherwise
peace rains supreme here. Next door a Carbonation truck slowly oozes
CO2. Just beyond the parking lot lie open fields. Two giant concrete
gorillas still stand sentinel at the entrance to the house two doors down.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Got my assets in gear in time to make Men's Bible Study at Messiah
Lutheran. The church website read of a study of 1st and 2nd Samuel, in
fact it was 1 Thessalonians 2 and 3. The group was a rather high-powered
collection of retired college professors and assorted other
professionals. Interesting discussion.

After discovered they don't unroll the sidewalks in Downtown Lindsborg
Saturday Morning until after 10:00. Although few in Lindsborg still
speak Swedish signs in Swedish and Swedish goods abound. The most
unusual storefront along Main St is the International School of Chess
run by one Anatoly Karpov, visited by the likes of one Mikhail
Gorbachov. I regret having missed the fact that there was an organ
recital last night at 8:00 in Presser Hall. Had I known I'd have been there.

Today is overcast and a gust of wind blew through at 10. One can only
pray the predicted Tornadoes miss us.

On my way home dropped by Scott's Hometown Foods once more. Learned that
their supplier for all things Swedish is Noon Hour Foods out of Chicago.
As I was picking up a smaller bottle of Imported, (Canadian) Herring I
noted Ost Semi-Soft Cheese and was asked to look up and note the
Lutefisk slabs selling for $34.99 a pound. Believe I'll wait for an
invite from someone who actually knows how to prepare it. I did pick up
a locally made strawberry rhubarb pie, sweet rub, raw milk cheddar,
bread and butter pickles, and ice cream. I'll diet later.

Setting Out Once More

Thursday, April 12, 2012


After 5 months in the US set out today for Canada.


Just reached my first campsite in Lewisville, Texas after transiting Dallas without incident or slowdowns. I am given to understand I made good time from Austin leaving at 6:30 and arriving around 10:30. I did not give state troopers reason to remark my speed. At $8.00 a night, seniors rate, Lewisville Lake Park Campground is a bargain in anyone's book providing key-locked washrooms [5-digit code], water and 30 AMP Electricity, free Wi-Fi, dump site, and peace and quiet. Oops, the place is on a direct flight-path to the Dallas Airport.


This is not to say that driving in Texas is without its annoyances. I particularly dislike people who enter the highway from behind one against a double line and then force one to brake in an entry lane that is already too short to allow them to pass. The price of gasoline varied from a high of $3.99 to a low of $3.71.


Four hours on the road was about right for my first day on the road to break both me and the RV into highway driving. It also allows me to get in before the heat of the day and rest up for an early start tomorrow which will be over 400 miles--twice the distance. This is about the journey, not covering the distance.


I regret the lack of entries in the last six months. Living across from Gethsemane Lutheran has kept me busy witness the last week or so.


On April Fool's Day choir sang at two services marching to the front of the church. There was a special service at 6:00 PM and a choir rehearsal between services in the morning. On Monday the second I joined the guys who have been working on the house in front of which I'm parked for BBQ at their home. It was particularly gracious of them to allow me use of their bathtub since I have been without such amenities for some time now.


Tuesday was quiet save for a resident's association meeting I got talked into attending. Developers looking for exemptions to exceed zoning bylaws for their property is something I understand all too well. Pitied the female pastor at noon service clad in a heavy floor-length black cassock. Attended evening service on Wednesday followed by choir.


Thursday last went on a Mystery Tour with a friend. An early spring and dry weather in the Hill Country South-West of Austin meant we saw some lavender but very few bluebonnets. A stop for morning coffee and muffins, afternoon chocolate cake and ice cream. Visit to a Polish Catholic Church complete with beautiful stained glass and murals. The Silver Spur 'Dude Ranch' near Bandera introduced us to roping and their herd of 12 pet longhorns. A hay ride towed by pick-up truck was a surprise as was the dinner of baked chicken--they did serve beans and salads with buttermilk pie and coffee.


Good Friday Service at 10 followed by the stations of the cross in a walk around the church block with a large heavy cross. Choir sang multiple numbers during Tenebrae service at 7:00 PM. Holy Saturday accompanied pastor for a community Passion Play in which actors mimed to a pre-recorded sound track. I marveled at the thieves, centurions, and Pilot coated in orange pancake makeup head to foot.


Easter Sunday began with rehearsals at 7:30 AM. Service at 8:00 and 10:30 with taco breakfast and flowering of the cross thrown in between. At least Choir Members had reserved seats. A friend from choir invited me to join his 20 other guests for an Easter Lamb Dinner. My contribution was the provision of background music on their piano.


Went shopping on Easter Monday for groceries and to use a Best Buy Rewards coupon before it expired. U-Haul was out of propane! The line-ups for gasoline were intolerable. Was thankful to make it safely home. Toward evening finally got to see Mount Bonnell a place I've heard about since I first arrived in Austin. Tuesday Morning Bible Study and a trip to see the Ladybird Wildflower Garden. In Austin Spring Flowers are a thing of the past. Saw the site of Austin's new Formula One Racing venue and had lunch at Tres Amigos.


Yesterday made my Brother-in-Law proud by washing my RV. Getting the gunk out from behind my awning was a chore. The vehicle sparkled briefly until the birds found it. Joined George for a last visit to Mann's BBQ for the season. At 4:30 walked over to help set up tables for dinner, ate hamburg dinner, attended Bible Study, Youth-oriented worship and choir in a hot balcony. Had a Woodchuck Cider from Vermont and went to bed early.


Do you understand the lack of entries? Have spent as little time as possible in Gethsemane's Nave since Easter to avoid the over-powering scent from 150 Easter Lilies. Hearing that a jet from the Oceana NAV in Virginia Beach crashed into an apartment complex brought back memories of the week I spent looking up at their underbellies 300 ft above my head at the KOA there.