A few quick anecdotes followed by a picture book this time. Who doesn’t love picture books?
The anecdotes:
1) For you Australia folks, I got to see Mel and a bunch of the Moeser clan in Madison! I’m telling you, the Moeser clan is even better than you imagined. And of course Mel and I had a blast. How could we not?
2) For you KaBOOM! folks, I ran into Whitney Hampton (former CA PM for you newer Boomers) walking around downtown Madison! I was with a couple people from the local hostel (yes, Madison has a hostel – very good one too) and I hear “Bing!” And it was Whitney! She was there cause her sister just graduated from U Wisconsin and it was graduation weekend. Talk about random!
3) I didn’t think my car locks if the key is still in the ignition to prevent you from locking yourself out, but apparently I was wrong cause I did it…in Big Timber, Montana. I told the woman at the gas station counter and she called the police for me to see if they could send someone. Within 15 mintes, the SHERIFF shows up with his kit and unlocks it for me. Only in a small town would a sheriff be available to unlock someone’s car. I thought it was hilarious but was certainly very grateful. Quick and free!
And the picture book. Enjoy!
giant cowboy wielding a shotgun...must be Wyoming
Bighorn Canyon (I wonder what the model scale size would be relative to the Grand Canyon? 1:25?)
what better place for me to fit in than with cowboys and bikers at the Cowboy Saloon
the endless prairies of Wind Cave NP
top of Harney Peak; though a modest 7,242 feet, it's not only the highest peak in South Dakota but the highest peak east of the Rockies and west of the Pyrenees
entering Rushmore where for a ridiculous $10 you can park at the entrance (not covered by the parks pass); but for a more reasonable $0, you can park 1/2 mile down the road and walk up; HA! No hussling me!
the four wisemen
the Badlands on their baddest behavior
hugging the ear of corn; behind me is the "only corn palace in the world", which is in Mitchell, SD; I wonder if Nebraska's pissed since THEY are the Cornhusker State
as you can see, the palace consists of thousands and thousands of ears of corn
beautiful view of the Mississippi River from an outlook at Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa
Q: how do you know you're making your way east? A: when Dunkin Donuts start to pop up regularly
hot weather finally! the dunes by the beach in Indiana (not kidding, I swear it's Indiana)
handstand score...8.7
Very interesting, and so fun to read!! The pictures are great. I LOVE your “East” question and “Dunkin” answer. I will give it a 10 for that handstand.
DUH Indiana has dunes. Come on now…we do border Lake Michigan for at least a few miles! On a clear day you can see Chicago across the lake.
Great writing, and even greater photos! Call me a wimp, but even if I could see the snakes, my a** would not be diving in!