Playing Catch-Up

We have compiled a sort of play-by-play of some of the more interesting moments from the last few days, as a means of filling in certain unavoidable gaps. Unfortunately, this puts us slightly out of sequence...but so be it. Please be sure to enjoy the podcast in the post from late yesterday.

P.S. The photo above was taken during one of the strangest storms that we have ever witnessed, let alone driven through. The storm was in Central South Dakota.

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First Night of Camping

Our first night of camping (in Minnestoa, just outside of Winona) was hindered a bit by our inability to read AAA directions literally ("Off I-90" apparently means that the campsite is off I-90). We ended up a little short of our intended campground on the banks of the Mississippi, and instead found Beverly, a nice old woman who had plowed under about an acre of her field and put in water spouts, electrical hook-ups, fire rings and picnic tables. As we were the only campers there, we asked Bev if she would turn off the rather large area light shining on the camping area. Giving us a real taste of the Midwest, Bev replied, "Well, sure, I can turn off that light. But I usually try to keep it on, you know, just in case anyone else comes by at night needing a place to camp. Ok, well g'night."

A "no" without ever saying "no." Beautiful.

It's worth noting that Bev's register revealed we were the only people to come through her campground in the last week. Regardless, we cooked a delicious dinner of black beans and turkey kielbasa on our handy $25 Cabella's stove and had a nice fire going before bed.



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Super Wal-Mart

Somewhere in South Dakota, we decided it was probably a good idea to get some food for dinner. We decided to give Super Wal-Mart a try, and with more than a little bit of an ironic spring in our step, we entered the cavernous produce and housewares jungle. We now understand why Wal-Mart is the greatest shopping force in all of America and possibly the world. For a mere $7.85 we outfitted ourselves with enough food for two nights of dinner for two people.

Granted, we aren't making duck confit, but we bought a pound of ground turkey for $1.48, and saw beautiful pieces of beef for under three dollars.

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Badlands

The Native American word for Badlands is apparently that rare straight translation. They considered them "bad lands."

Coming up out of the prairies in the middle of nowhere rise these dark mud spires streaked with inexplicable red, gold, and green bands. They end 50 or 60 miles later just as abruptly, and one can't help but get the feeling that if evil spirits are flying around, they may very well sleep in Southwestern South Dakota.

We took a deep breath and slept there too, cooking in a whipping wind and watching the clouds burst with lightning flashes to the East.