We moved a little slower this morning - only rolling out of bed at 7ish and hitting the road at 9. We left our really awesome stay over spot. More like glamping (glamorous camping). Super cool spot with the new owners looking toprovide great accommodations and a desire to connect with each person and help them during their stay. Was kind of cool how invested they were in each person that stayed there. So if ever you are in Boulder and need a place to stay, check out Boulder Adventure Lodge (A-Lodge). It helps a lot that they are in a canyon and a huge creek runs through the property and they sit at the base of one of the rocky mtns. Tag Lines for those of you that like the extra challenge, campfires, outdoor hot tub, pavilions.... worth checking out.
Signs were throughout the canyon area to climb if a flash flood hits. Literally no where else to go except up. I know my pictures won't capture it well, but one quickly realizes how a flash flood could quickly bring one to their end unless willing to climb.
Probably the best stop of the day was in a little town of LaGrange, NE. Population of 400ish. Small town America at it's best (ok maybe not best). We needed to mail some postcards, so Duane dropped into the very busy post office where he's certain that Thelma and Mary Sue read every post card brought in before delivering them to the pony express. We walked into the town's grocery store that had maybe 1/4 of the shelves filled. Hmmm... what's for dinner. I found a not so good sale on a 6 pack (of soda).
Duane incessantly watched his gas mileage - who put that in cars anyway? Somebody get that man a car that runs on Tesla batteries!! And something happened to his hearing or he's forgotten which way is right and which is left.
We entered the poorest section of Nebraska right on the border. As we sailed past the small South Dakota state sign, we sighed and Duane did a U-turn so I could get a picture. Proved to be a less than exciting move, when a police car began to tail us for the next umpteen miles. Finally, he flew past us, but not before causing a little anxiety for Duane. Take a deep breath. Oh wait, not for long. There's the monument/site of the Massacre of Wounded Knee. We pull off to read the sign. Duane smartly realized we were about to be swindled by all the Native Americans (and yeah, I'm part Cherokee so it's ok for me to say that) sitting and waiting for tourists to pull in so they can beg for money. A quick picture and already they were out of their vehicles and heading towards us. Quickly, we were on our way again.
We crossed back and forth over parts of the Badlands - beautiful. And no, my pictures will not portray it well, but I tried. We attempted to get to the main ranger station (who knows now if there really is one). Our GPS tried to take us down a restricted side road. So onward we went. Of course no cell service at this point. The longer we are driving the more uncomfortable I became - not the right direction. Finally enough cell service to get a new GPS reading, another U-turn and we were on our way towards Rapid City and our hotel. Wait... What is with that dinosaur?
Finally arrived at our hotel (maybe there was one more U-turn in there and "right, honey, right"). It is freezing cold here! So glad I caved and packed winter jackets. We're talking in the 30's and windy. Brrr... We ate at a cool brewery in town tonight. Beat out the Mexican place from last night.
That about sums up the excitement of the day. Tomorrow we are headed out bright and early to go see our boy. It's time. We miss him and, gasp, he misses us too.
Till then...
