AUGUST 26TH

Well the night behind the bar turned out OK. Had a great night sleep. Pain not having a shower or bathrooms, but hey.  We are Rvers.  On the road by 8 am, and other than a stop at McDonald’s for coffee, and Dairy Queen for lunch kept motoring all day.  Ran into construction - again - so managed about 250 miles.   Only problem with this back roading is the lack of information about camp grounds.  And actually the lack of campgrounds.  They are few and far between. We stopped in Watertown at a municipal park.  Lovely place, camped in the big trees, big sites, a lake just steps away.  Clean.  Only down side is that we are still in South Dakota. The next campsite I could find a listing for is 160 miles!  Oh, and we are still in the Rogers black books, so the atmosphere is a bit depressing.

Nope take that back.  Its darn annoying.

It was an interesting drive today We went from pretty barren, if beautiful, landscapes to amazing colour and cheer early in the day.  They grow sun flowers here and they are just at their peak of beauty.  Sometimes these rolling fields were yellow for miles in all directions.  Between them was a mix of what we think is flax, corn fields, hay, and the ever present cattle and horses.  Passed some big herds today - mostly Black Angus. Towns are few and far between.  Most of the dots on the map represent a half dozen buildings sprawled around an intersection.  We crossed the Missouri River, but many of the other rivers marked on the map (and showing on our GPS) were dried up.

We’re in north-eastern South Dakota, and will cross into Minnesota tomorrow morning.  This area we stopped at has lots of small lakes or ponds so we are seeing pelicans again, along with some tall white birds that look like cranes, ducks and Canada geese. Also saw pheasants today - the state bird and some hawks.  We often comment on the lack of small birds - have to wonder if it is the spray they use on all these crops.  Sad thought.

‘Tis now the evening of the 27th.  We really put the peddle down today.  Drove from Watertown, South Dakota, through Minnesota and about 80 miles into Wisonsin.  Total of about 350 miles, with 5 detours because of bridges out, construction, etc.  We went a bit out of our way to avoid Minniapolis/St. Paul but it was a pleasant drive so no problems with it.  Crossed the Mississippi.

 It was a long hard day and once again we ended up having to hunt for a campsite.  We are in a little tiny park, out in the boonies, about 15 sites at a put-your-money-in-the-box place.  No showers, etc. Very pretty though.  Was a bit odd at first.  The park is also home to a gun club, so it was pretty steady shooting for the first while.  Made you wonder if it was safe.  But it was a range, they stopped and all is well.  We drove an extra 2 hours to find this site and our only alternative seemed to be behind the bowling alley in Ladysmith, with no services.  This is why most folk stick to the interstates.  Campgrounds are located close to the heavy traffic areas.

Things are much better on the C&R front.  We had it out this morning before we left - aired our feelings, and got things out in the open.  So everyone is now trying to get back on an even keel.  Happily it working!

Love to all,

Julie