2nd Thoughts

The highlight of BigTravel Minnesota: Proud dad, happy grad!
Since my last report further high jinx in Minneapolis included the obligatory vist to Mall of America; lunch at a lakeside(Minnetonka)marina (the place was jumpin on a sunny Thursday afternoon and it seemed like everyone was there), had a touristly correct walleye sandwich; a visit to an exhibit at the Walker in Minneapolis (The sculpture garden is pretty cool and comprehendible; the art in the museum not so. Either these 3 Wyeth's are philistines or we have a genetic aversion to modern art).

Hated to leave Minneapolis and the fam. But you know what they say about visitors and fish (does it count double for Pisces?) So I hit the road on Friday, June 5,heading for Pipestone, MN. where Native Americans have traditioanlly mined a special stone used for carving pipes and such. It was the first national monument in the state and has a protected section of long grass prairie. But Saturday morning it was freezing and raining so decided not to hike out to see the guarry and tall grass.

What have I learned?

• No matter which way I want to go on 62 in Minneapolis-I will get turned around


• The joy of taking down a wet tent.


• The weather gods are agin' me- this pix is my South Dakota, grey and raining

• Camping in cold is not fun, in rain is not fun but both at the same time is uncalled for


• Cell phones can demagnitize hotel door swipe cards


• The new Subarus are a little more precious than necessary


• It's wise to make sure you have your camera with you (I missed to great shot of a buffalo calf nursing mom with a bird on her back)


• The west has big weather - miserable from Minnesota through South Dakota and beyond


• Road bugs really stick to white cars


• And, I'm not a good tourist

Re my precious car - it went into full 'Danger! Danger! Will Robinson." mode - the cruise control was flashing and wouldn't work (how does anyone drive without cruise control?), the 'check engine' light was on and etc. So I had to track down the nearest dealership and get it calmed down. All that just because I got a little distracted and forgot to put the gas cap back on after a pit stop!

Friday was travel, Saturday car maintenance, and Sunday just more cold, rain and fog. It finally cleared out this morning, Monday, so I did see Crazy Horse (he's got a head but not much else) and rushed to the presidents before they disappeared again. It was a short visit. Also visited Jewel Cave but didn't want to wait 3.5 hours for the good tour; took the cheap one and want my 4$ back.

So, my visits to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and area were less than amazing, barely interesting actually. Part of the problem was that since I was there I thought it would be a good idea to hang around until it stopped raining in order to see something. So I did. Happens again I'll just move on. But, I drove up to Devil's Tower this evening and just love it! Something about it just makes me grin. So South Dakota is forgiven and Wyoming is on my good side. I'll start off the day tomorrow with another visit to the Tower and then head for Yellowstone. I'll hit my car's first 3,500 miles around then so there'll be a visit to the Subaru folks in Jackson.

I'm seriously hoping that the weather will improve very soon- I heard that it was 37 this afternoon at my target Yellowstone camping area- because I'm hoteling way more than intended. No fun in that, but no fun in being miserable either.

Hope I have more to report next time. All hail decent hotels with wifi!