Day Seventeen

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Not being anxious to brave downtown La Crosse, WI; I drove back into
Minnesota to La Crescent, a rather smaller berg. Learned later that I
should have waited until I reached Winona where the gas was cheaper and
the stores larger. Since I was motoring in driving rain I wasn't moved
to climb up to the Mississippi River overlooks. The drive up the Great
River Highway (61) was variable. I failed to stop for Lark Toys:

http://www.larktoys.com/

Though I later learned it's one of the states principal attractions.

My GPS expressing no knowledge of my campground I used street signs and
horse sense to find it. I asked for a quiet corner where I could catch
up on my E-mail, read, and write blog entries. For once that's exactly
what I got. I wasn't ready for the request that I pay in cash but the
owner was willing to wait until I hit an ATM in town the next day for
payment. Pioneer Campsites Resort is not prepossessing but it's been in
business with its 240 some sites for two generations and several decades
with 200 of the sites occupied by seasonal campers. There's an air of
Evangelical Christian about the place but it isn't in your face unless
you count the sign that indicates up for Heaven and down for Hell. The
wood shed and the ice freezer lack locks and there's an air of trust and
informality about the place. I'll forgive the owner his recommendation
of a Vancouver New Age Religious writer I'll not be reading.

Sunday morning I drove into town and my GPS led me to the local cemetery
in lieu of Faith Lutheran Church. I drove on to the feeless ATM at the
Kwik Trip. For once a gas station with a decent collection of groceries.
Got back to the church and enjoyed worship in a mid-sized congregation
that has two Sunday Services. After drove home and spent a quiet
afternoon exploring the neighbourhood.

Day Fifteen

Got off slowly after a bout with loose stool. Paused to pick up info at
the Minnesota Welcome Centre passing up their coffee. Stopped at
Worthington for gas having to drive into 'town'; I lacked the appetite
to stop at the local Perkins Restaurant recommended by my last host.
During my travels I've passed at least a score of Laura Ingalls-Wilder's
Homes. I suppose if she was going to become famous for writing Little
House on the Prairie it was generous of her to spread the wealth around
however--though I've heard of being born again I don't quite understand
how she can have all those multiple birth places.

Found my way to Pettibone RV Resort in Wisconsin without incident. It is
open but the promised Wi-Fi doesn't exist. Walking a quarter-mile up to
the office to use the internet just doesn't cut it. That a steam-shovel
was dredging out a boat channel opposite me didn't add to the park's
appeal. The bleeping of dump trucks is annoying. The young hunk running
the office/bar while he browsed E-mail and watched a sports channel
seemed utterly indifferent. Pettibone is on an island in the middle of
the Mississippi on the Wisconsin Side of the Border--that border running
close to the West bank. My campsite backed on that backwater. The place
being in a flood plain the electrical hookups are at eye-level. When I
sampled the water I was thankful I'd filled up in Sioux Falls on the
soft water there. That night the temperature dipped to freezing and I
was thankful to awake next morning and see nothing white outside my
windows. Spent the day walking about the park, reading, and talking to
my neighbour; a retired probation officer from Winona. It was he who
recommended I head North-West toward the resort area of Lake Pepin.

Days Thirteen and Forteen

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Set off once more through the Badlands for I-90 at Cactus Flats. The
drive east was once more littered with sign pollution but uneventful
otherwise. There was little to relieve the tedium of the drive. At the
two hour mark stopped at Al's Oasis in business since 1919. Not quite
the size of Wall Drug but hopeful. Gave up on brunch at the restaurant
after no one approached me even with 5¢ coffee after 5 minutes. The
grocery store was well stocked with fresh goods--I picked up Mesquite
BBQ Sauce and smoked Cheese from Kansas.

Two hours later reached Sioux Falls near the border with Minnesota. The
only place open to camping was Yogi Bear's Jellystone and it was a
construction site in preparation for the pouring of the deck around the
new pool behind the office. My A/C covered the majority of the noise.
Next morning drove the 10 miles north and 1 mile east to a dead end that
marked the USGS EROS Centre:

http://eros.usgs.gov/

In spite of the fact that almost all their displays were of locations
outside the US the guided tour emphasized their principle task as being
the tracking of land changes on the US Continent. Tracking the Landstat
Satellite this facility adds 1 Terabyte of information to its existing 4
petabytes daily. The security one is subjected to suggests that 600
people working in the middle of a cornfield do much more but who will
tell. The place has been there since 1972. Interesting tour.

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