Northwest Trip 2012

Ok, so we didn't get started at 5am. Intentions were good. Kissed all the fuzzies on  their perfect little heads - I cannot look them in the eye when I go to the grocery so this kills me! But, we were headed out by 8:30 and with perfect weather headed north on I29. It was sunny and 77. First stop was Mickey D's in St Jo for mocha frappe and mcmuffin. An American (or 2) cannot function without some type of caffeine in the am. And the coffee at home had worn off!
Lots of hawks, birds of prey  circling in the sky. Seems like north of us has got more rain than we have. Everything is green and still lush before the devil of summer burns it to a crisp. 
We tried some old favorites and some new music -  if you have not heard John Fullbright sing - you have missed an old soul. His voice and music are astonishing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5teMqHsThI&feature=plcp to see a live video. We also just found Pontoon by Little Big Town -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5teMqHsThI&feature=plcp

Sioux City Iowa - did you know that only one person died on the Lewis and Clark team? He is buried overlooking the river there with a great obelisk. Seems a bit odd when you look up and see this Egyptian monument reaching for the sky. Hope to stop at the museum sometime.  


We drove this road 4 years ago but it seems different this time. Perhaps just noticing different things - a sign on the side of the road for Dick's Body Shop with "24 hour toe service". 


And until today I didn't realize that South Dakota has less then a million people in the whole state. I found that amazing. The vast stretches of open grass land - have a beauty all their own. I prefer more trees but still - when you look at this land you feel it looks quite similar to how it did 100 -200 - 300 years ago. That man has not destroyed more is amazing. 


We made it to Rapid City, SD tonight. America's Best Value Inn had our reservation correct and with a bedroom on the second floor which smelled divine when we walked in we are resting up for day 2. Had dinner at Texas Road House - they offer Boulevard Beer from Kansas City. Amazing! Much better than the TRH in KC - wish ours had this layout and feel and the steak was tender and tasty! 


Photos will have to be loaded tomorrow. Cable in the car!