Blowin' In The Wind

P-Rock - One Tired Pup

Day 27 - Spearfish, SD to Rock Island IL
The Question is "Why did you do that?"





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I'm certain that we've already lost the geographically challenged, but yesterday your Ironbutt wannabe travellers put in (according to Google) 827 gruelling miles across South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa to get to Rock Island. Now whether you're geographically challenged or not, I'm sure you're asking why?? Why?? WHY??? We were about 170 short of an Ironbutt Ride (to learn more go to the IRONBUTT site).

A few reasons for that. First, we needed to put in one very long day anyway in order to get back into PA on Tuesday sometime. The original plan was to do that long day Monday, but good weather, a tailwind and too much Java pushed the plan a day ahead. Second, I wanted to see my daughter who is off at college, and an overnight stay in Rock Island would make for a better visit.

So we blew out early from Spearfish, SD, near Sturgis (but West of, mind you) and set the cruise controls and rolled through South Dakota. Our first view was of the tourist trap that invented tourist traps. That would be Wall Drug in Wall, SD. They still have signs hundreds of miles out luring you into their dust collecting tidbit lair. Of course we didn't stop. Then we rolled past the badlands, which from a distance don't seem so bad. Looks can be decieving.

When we got to Sioux Falls, SD, we were treated to a display of the Blue Angels putting on an airshow. Blackie got a picture which I believe he will be posting later. We had a good vantagepoint for their routine, getting to drive right under them at one point.

As we crossed into Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes (I can confirm this - I have been to Minnesota a few times and there are lakes everywhere), we did not see one single stinking lake. South West Minnesota does not live up to their state's moniker - but they apparently are trying to also be the "Land of 10,000 Windpower Generators" We saw quite a few of these wind farms rolling east.

But if you want to do things right, leave it to a farmer. As we crossed into Iowa, we soon learned that you can take wind farming to a whole different level. This is the Iowa example. Go Big or Go Home. I do have to say that this sort of scenery helped us on our 14 hour ride yesterday.

Blackie and I rolled into Rock Island long after dark and were treated to a nice, 3 mile long cattle chute in some road construction as the cherry on this insanely challenging Sundae (on Sunday too!).. We checked in to the local downtown hotel and Daughter Rock picked us up in her hot sports car, an '80's vintage Buick Century. Oooohhhhh. We went over to her very cute apartment and I got to meet her Boyfriend, Mark. We didn't get to spend a lot of time, but I approve of Mark. First off, he's really very nice. Second, he was finishing up the dinner for us as we got home. I have a soft spot for men who like to cook. Third, the food was good. Fouth, and most importantly, Daughter Rock seems happy. They made a nice chicken alfredo dish with broccoli and mushrooms that was really excellent - especially for two travellers that hadn't eaten in 12 hours, and sitting down to food at 11pm. I told Mark I'd allow him to continue to see my daughter for a few more weeks based on this - OK - even longer if he's nice. It was really great to meet Mark and see where my money is going.

Today we're off to see Mom, have a nice steak dinner and then try to get far enough that we can make the stike for home on Tuesday.

P-Rock. Winded.