Day 9 Iowa to South Dakota

I am refreshed and relaxed ready to hit the road, on to Mt Rushmore.

Headed out to 80W and found out I have to go back to 90W, so I get on 29N to 90W. As I bring my speed up to 70, I go by a sign that states the speed limit is 80. Set the cruise control to 80. Barely any traffic at all. After about an hour of passing everyone I decide to slow it down to 75, due to the crosswinds and the kayak on the car. Very few people actually go 80, they stay in the 70 to 75 range.

I arrived in South Dakota and went to the visitors’ center and checked out what I needed to see. I was going by the Badlands and decided to stop for the night. Spent the afternoon and evening taking pictures and went into Wall South Dakota. Known for the Wall Pharmacy, which is about the whole of the Main St.

The weather and sunset were not the most cooperative, so I did what I could. I did get one very nice sunset with clouds.

Stayed up too late attempting to get some pictures ready to post and never got to write for the blog.

Tomorrow I will spend some more time at the Badlands and then move on to Mt. Rushmore.

                                 

Day 8 Indiana to Iowa

Woke up with pressure behind my eyes so I, took some aspirin and ate, then rested for an hour before leaving. Rough morning as the pressure continued until noon. Took more aspirin.

So while the pressure mounts I am headed for 80W on 90W, which are the same until they split before Chicago. So I will miss going through Chicago, or not. The exit is closed, detour, they forgot to finish the signs for the detour. I arrive in Chicago at around 10am rush hour is going strong. I am not moving and there is an accident up ahead on 90, on the skyway. Traffic is stopped almost dead; I see a sign for 55S, figure I have to go south to get to 80W. So I take it and there is no traffic, I move right by Midway and Joliet, pick up 80W and I am on my way.

Stopped at Gramma’s Place for lunch had the meatloaf that was featured on The Travel Channel. I am not a big meat loaf fan, but felt a hardy meal would help. My lunch was very good; it came with crispy green beans (the only way I will eat them) and mash potatoes. My first wife made the only meat loaf dish that I really liked, all I remember is ground turkey, bread and pineapple.

It was a long day on the road over 500 miles through acres of corn, over the Mississippi river and into the threatening thunderstorms. Another 8 hours tomorrow and I should arrive in the Black Hills.

Today’s Political Count: 1 Trump sign in Iowa. I have not seen any billboards or bumper sticker.  Looks like no one is interested in this election.

I forgot to mention in the Ohio Republican Stronghold they have a restaurant for the republican politicians. At first I thought it was a sign for “Quaker State Oil” due to the style and color, then I looked closer and it said “Quaker STEAK and LUBE”, I am assuming they mean “Tube Steaks”. I can imagine the menu, starts with little smokies and goes up to bologna. Due they have 32 flavors of “lube”? I believe you are required to show your birth certificate and genitals before entering the restrooms. Young Boys are a side dish.

There was something else I forgot, and I forgot it again, Lucky You. I sure I will remember it again.

I just remembered.

So Indiana, you balanced the budget. That’s great, I actually balance my checkbook every month. The thing is I don’t purchase space on a billboard to announce it and not just one billboard but judging from the number I saw I would estimate there are 100 of these around the state. I saw an empty billboard the owner was asking $450/mo., which would mean the state, is patting itself on the back to the tune of $45,000/mo. For how many months have these been up? I think they might possibly be able to find a better use for the taxpayers’ money.

Enjoying some Pete’s milk chocolate from PA. That means Pennsylvania to all but Google. (see Day 7)

Time to rest the eyes.

Yes, I am, “Sick, Twisted and Perverted” so what?  If you know, me, you know that about me and accept it, as I accept you, however fucked up you are. My favorite bumper sticker, I have had it for about 40 years, I will never use it, and my son will inherit it.

Day 7 Headed for Mt Rushmore

Day 7 Headed for Mt Rushmore

Left the Allegheny National Forest this morning. Leaving the rain behind for the moment. Headed up to Eire Pa (in Google language it translated to “pa”, spoken directions)

Picked up I90 west and flew passed Ohio, if you know me you know why. Stopped twice to piss on the state. Entering the state there is a sign that asks “Drug impaired drivers to call #667, I laughed my head off while toking up. Now, if they had asked drinking impaired drivers I am sure they would have gotten lots calls asking for the location of the next bar. Well it Kadish country “Land of the Living Dead”. Love all of the abortion signs, wish they had Fourth Trimester abortions, I can think of a few mothers I would like to talk to about that.

Which I need to mention I have driven through a few states and many back roads. I have seen very few presidential posters on lawns, but the majority of what I have seen so far is $willary ZERO, Jill 2, Johnson 0, Trump 22. If we go by that we are FUCKED. I want to start see more Jill. Leaving Elkhart IN tomorrow headed west get those signs posted.

Tomorrow another long drive as I continue on to Mt Rushmore.

Went to a Chinese restaurant tonight that got a good write-up from someone from San Francisco. Their review compared it to the food in SF, obviously the person has no taste buds or they have been eating at Panda Express. Enough said.

That’s all for today folks.

I know a lot of posts at once, no internet in the National Parks and other areas.

Day 6 Allegheny National Forest

Day 6 Allegheny National Forest

Rain all night, Rain all morning.

Got up in the rain and ran around attempting to stay dry.

Drove into town to get gas and a few supplies. Happened on a pastry shop, rain delayed breakfast.

Drove around trying to stay out of the rain and get a few photos. It gave me a chance to recharge all the devices.

Tomorrow I head west, I will be going up to Erie PA and then pick up 80 west to the Black Hills. Looks like a long drive ahead. I will take breaks for pictures and hopefully kayaking. I have got my loading and unloading down to about 15 minutes, car to water and back.

The sky finally started to clear in the late afternoon. So I started to head back to the campsite, I saw a sign that said Kane 8 miles, more sausage for dinner, this time Bacon Sausage, and I bought some breakfast sausage for the morning. The bacon sausage was great for dinner. Another plug for Bell’s Market in Kane PA.

The sky is clear the sun is almost down and I am going to work on some pictures.

So until tomorrow, I hope you all had a great weekend.

Day 5 Allegheny National Forest

Day 5 Allegheny National Forest

Arose before dawn and took off to the other side of the reservoir to catch the rising sun.

I missed making my campfire breakfast, but I had a good breakfast at a little diner on the way to Kane. I went to Kane because I heard of a meat shop with 32 different homemade sausages. They have so much more, hot sauces, pickled everything, and fresh cut meat and more. Unfortunately do to my have to cook and eat things quickly, I settle for the Garlic Parmesan for dinner tonight.

If you are ever near Kane PA check out, Bell’s Meat and poultry.

I came back to the reservoir and took the kayak out below the dam. Just paddled about and went swimming. It has been hot and is suppose to continue that way.

Saw some deer, turkeys and birds of prey. All while driving down the road with no place to stop. At one point I stopped in the middle of the road when a hawk dove in front of the car, I crept forward and it flew out of the bushes to a tree. I stopped and got the camera out the window when a car came the other way and scared it off.

Tomorrow the plan is to get out early again for the sunrise and then spend the day relaxing at and on the water.

Started to cook my sausage over my fire when it started to rain. Left the sausage and grabbed my laptop and ipad and put them in the car. Then put everything else out of the rain. Then I stood in the rain and finished cooking. It was very good, may have to drive out there again.

Time to read for a while, work on some pictures and eat chocolate.

Bye for now.