Day Nine and Following

Friday, April 20, 2012

Paused for one last breakfast and set out along Hwy 44 for a grasslands
drive to Badlands National Park. Decided it wasn't worth driving miles
out of my to save a few cents on gas and filled up along the way. Passed
the town of Scenic on the way to Interior before entering the Pine Ridge
Reservation to find the Badlands KOA beside the White River. The place
is surrounded by that river, the Lost Dog River, and the highway.
Wounded Knee is a short drive further. The kampground is quiet save for
the Western Meadowlarks, Killdeer, and woodpeckers. The occasional deer
wanders by and the eagles and buzzards soar overhead. After spending a
day catching some rest set out on Saturday to tour the Badlands. Nature
provided cool weather, a sparkling azure sky and low-hanging fleecy
clouds for perfect photography. The gent behind the desk at the Visitors
Centre was ill-informed and the movie he showed was out of sync with the
house lights and the closed captioning. The park was spectacular.

On Sunday morning biked up to Interior, pop 70 to attend Presbyterian
Church. A congregation of fifteen worshiped in simple surroundings
accompanied by a pianist called in at the last minute. Rode through town
pausing at the general store I'd visited the day before where the meats
were all deep frozen, Bud Light seems to be the poison of choice, and
fresh fruits and vegetables hard to find. Interior has 3 bars, general
store, and gas station; a couple seasonal inns. Spent the rest of the
day quietly walking up to the height of land at dusk.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Today the sky was clear but hazy and the weather hot. Drove up Hwy 240
to see the Eastern end of the Badlands. At my first stop ran into a
young couple whose male member looked like an NFL Player. She was
concerned about non-existent rattlers. Without clouds the views lacked
Saturday's charm. At my second stop ran into a young man who was setting
off on a difficult trail without water or any tracking skills--buzzard
bate in the making. I did catch sight of a perched eagle. The drive up
to Cactus Flats was quiet. I did not stop to see the Minuteman Missile
Site or the oversized Prairie Dog Statue. For convenience grabbed I-90
back to Wall and parked at the National Grasslands Visitor Centre where
the staff were out to lunch.

Much of the rest of Wall was out to lunch as well. The restaurant opp
Wall Drug sported a flashing OPEN sign but all its doors were locked.
The Post Office was out to lunch. The one gift boutique that was open
had a stuffed animal exhibit which included a Polar Bear? I gave up and
went back to Wall Drug for a tasteless Grilled Chicken Salad--the greens
were fresh but the dressing had to be fought out of a blister pack. Back
at the Grasslands Centre the movie seemed long--not for children and the
picture was out of focus. Six Billion a year in revenues from Grasslands
in grazing rights, mining, and oil production. Definitely not a
recommendation for environmental protection. Drove back through Badlands
on roads I'd traveled Saturday seeing it in reverse order.

Day Six

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Took my time getting started today. The drive was due West along
Interstate 91 with only a light head-wind. This stretch of I-90 in South
Dakota displays the most egregious example of sign pollution I've seen
in 50,500 miles of driving. Firehall Brewing even has an old firetruck
parked beside each of its hoardings. The route tracks due West at 270º.
After seeing a score of signs got off the highway at Wall to visit the
Grasslands Visitor Centre to pick up bumph, then walked up to visit Wall
Drug. They have signs posted worldwide advertising free ice water. Must
be seen to be believed. Beware the T-Rex that lifts its head every 12
minutes to scare the kiddies. Chicken Fried Steak at $5.99 was an
acceptable meal. Coffee is 5¢. Not sure why anyone would want wine with
this menu. Bud Light on Tap for $3.99 in a frosted mug. I passed.

Stopped at the Visitor's Centre in Rapid City, then drove down to my
KOA. I am pleased to report that I received a cordial welcome and found
the staff helpful and engaging. The hale storm that blew in with
marble-sized hale as I was out photographing the area was not so
pleasing. When the first balls of ice hit I feared for my rear windows.
Even this early in the season enjoyed the fact that someone was present
to cook bacon and eggs plus pancakes at 7:00 AM in the morning. Lucked
into a two-man guided tour in a Dodge Van of the local scenic backroads;
Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and The Chief Crazy Horse Memorial. I
chickened out on the idea of Bison Stew, kudos to the Governor-General
for trying raw heart. The prairie dogs whistled for us, the pronghorns
wandered by, the bison imperiously ignored us, and the begging burros
stuck their heads in the windows for carrot treats. The sheer scale of
the effort at Crazy Horse enthralls, I'm not certain how many
generations it will take to complete the carving of an entire mountain.

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.

Encyclopaedia Britannica to end print editions - Arts & Entertainment - CBC News

Encyclopaedia Britannica to end print editions - Arts & Entertainment - CBC News

Reaching the Three Month Mark

I've been in Austin for just over 3 months now after leaving Canada on November 12th. After living parked on a driveway opposite the church I will be moving back to Pecan Grove Campground on Monday. It will be a relief to once more have a 30-AMP hookup and not have to think about turning off the heat before I run the microwave, start the coffeemaker, or make toast. With the thermometer about to hit 90 again by Tuesday it will be quite pleasant to be able to count on running my A/C. It will also be a relief to have neighbours who speak English as a first language. Being weird is an Austin Tradition; the neighbourhood that has been home these three months is a foreign country. Hispanic and Afro-American.


I have become relatively accustomed to Texan's relaxed sense of timeliness, fondness for hot foods, failure to serve vinegar with fries, smoked BBQ, Spanish as the second language on packaged goods, tortillas and salsa, black and refried beans--not, up and down weather, rapture at the arrival of rain,.... I am less excited about my neighbour's treatment of the great outdoors as their garbage dump, fire crackers on Christmas Eve and fireworks at New Years, outdoor parties with loud Mariachi. Not particularly a welcome neighbour is the trucking company next door with its fleet of trucks departing at 10:00 AM and 2 AM daily or the roar of traffic on the overhead expressway that begins at 4:00 AM. I'm not fond of the little ankle bitter from next door that gets loose at least twice every day nor of the neighbour further down who lets their German Shepherd roam the neighbourhood at will.


After four winters in Austin I seem to be developing a new set of allergies beginning with Red Cedar, (Juniper), which blooms in late December. Next up is Texas' State Flower, the bluebonnet:

A plant which, as you can see, occupies major sections of real estate when it is happy. We'll see, I wasn't around when it came out last year. Bleeding sinuses are not fatal but they certainly aren't comfortable, guess I'll have to go back on anti-histamines.


Singing at musical events is fun; choir rehearsals not so much. At this point it feels like I've visited every senior's home and hospital in Austin. The arrival of the Choir of the West, from PLU in Washington has to have been a highlight. Forty-four choristers singing from memory without accompaniment is impressive. A few weeks ago I finally got to see the Texas State Capitol and the nearby History Museum. After years of allowing concealed weapons in the building they now force those with metal buckles to remove their belts before passing the scanners. Did you know Texas is a major grower of Cotton, in early days supported by 500,000 slaves. The oil everyone has heard of.


Just learned that Samsung, who made my RV TV are subject of a class action lawsuit due to faulty capacitors. Alas, I have to wait until my Canadian TV is back in Canada to have it repaired.

Mitt Romney Opposes Social Safety Net

Being the vulture capitalist that he is Mitt Romney wants to end the social safety nets of Unemployment Insurance and Welfare. He believes that anything that serves to prevent people from taking low-paying jobs after they have been put out of work by the policies of he and his cronies is bad for business and his bottom line. His proposals are insulting to the working man on two fronts. First he implies that workers would rather sit home and collect pogey than go look for a job. Second he believes that people put out of work by he and his ilk should work for less so he can make more money. Robbing-Hood would steal from the poor to make the rich richer.

Attack on Privacy