We were moving south on US 41 by 6:30. There was hardly a vehicle or person to be seen this early on an Appleton Sunday morning. As we drove south on the six lane highway with a large concrete barrier down the middle, I spotted a very confused looking large box turtle in the centre breakdown lane. We were past before I realized what it was or I would have stopped to help it over the barrier.
Private mini wind farm near Oshkosh
In Oshkosh, we took the exit for Wisconsin 21 and immediately ran through two roundabouts. Not as bad as the seven we faced in The Dells a few years ago, but these were also brand new. It looks like the state has really committed to them.
West, that's the way we're going....
Oshkosh is even prettier than Appleton. Then we were out in the scenic green rolling Wisconsin countryside. Some guy on the radio said "Life is a tragedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think." There, the quote of the day. We drove through a few small towns before stopping in Wautoma for coffee and a sausage McMuffin.
City Hall (1896) - Omro Wisconsin
Interesting Omro business
We didn't know if this was a residence or a future country club
Coulee country
Then we were through the construction on the bridge over the Old Man River and into Minnesota, where we started to climb out of the valley. And climb.
Dam Mississippi River
Minnesota had a more washed out appearance than the lush Wisconsin. We drove along up and down the long, slow grades as we passed small towns from time to time. We passed a number of wind farms, although many turbines were not turning. Those that were confirmed the headwind we were facing. There were also sections where I-90 was down to one lane each way as we went past miles of orange barrels. We stopped for lunch (to go, as usual) in Albert Lea and for gas at a station in Alden, a nice little town with the gas station as its only business.
Rochester - home of the Mayo Clinic
Many idle wind turbines
That reminds me what's on TV tonight.....
I cut the speed back to 55 MPH and saw the mileage indicator improve. The wind was now out of the south but was still pushing against us. I was being passed by half ton pickup trucks towing trailers, some of them as big as ours. At the pace they are going, I have to wonder what mileage they are getting.
Outside Worthington, I saw a very nice industrial building with large lettering that said Hitchdoc. I've used their hitches before. We stopped at a rest area while still in Minnesota for another walk around. I talked to a couple from Alberta on a Harley as well as a man and his son on a 2004 Wing. It was hot and humid enough that I was happy to be back in the air conditioned truck.
A bit earlier, Sandy had taken a picture of a trike from behind but we didn't catch him. He was here in the rest area and slowed down when he saw me getting ready to take a picture.
Trike in the distance
Trike up close
Cow art in South Dakota
As we approached Mitchell, we could see some weather cells building on the horizon. We stopped and fueled at a Shell that used to be a Pilot. The regular gas was $3.69 while the mid-grade was $3.49. This phenomenon means that regular is ethanol free and lets you know how much the motoring public appreciates alcohol in their fuel. We did NOT visit the Corn Palace. Sorry, Gary, it isn't on our bucket list:-))
Still no visit to the Corn Palace
We encountered another stretch of orange barrels starting in Mitchell and extending west. I was still not totally awake when the phone rang. It was Heather looking for Sandy's chili recipe. The conversation propelled me into second wind territory and I didn't have any urge to nod off after that.
The afternoon weather cells changed to what looked like a nasty storm front. We found a local FM station that was passing on severe thunderstorm warnings. They named to counties which did us no good at all since we have no clue where each of these counties are. Then Sandy dug out the Road Atlas which did have the counties marked. We found the worst of it, with large, damaging hail was passing south of us.
The rain was heavy for a bit and the winds were gusting so I slowed to 40 MPH and put the four way flashers on. There was significant water build-up on the road but it was all controllable. The temperature dropped from 32 C to 19 C in a matter of miles. Before too long, we were out the other side and approaching Chamberlain, our destination for the day.
Ominous looking line
Starting into the rain
And out the other side
Through the back window
And then it was all over
Do I have enough mirrors?
I stayed in Chamberlain, SD back in 1980 on my way to Sturgis. It hasn't improved with age. Remembering our supper last night, Sandy and I decided we would pick up Subway on the way to the motel. There were a few people in line but the line was so slow we went to McDonald's instead. We decided to split an Oriental Chicken salad and ten McNuggets which we took to the motel via a scenic route imagined by the GPS.
Downtown Chamberlain SD
There are Super 8's and then there are Super 8's. This was one of the latter. It sits high on a hill overlooking the Missouri River. We couldn't get Sandy's tablet to hook up to the WiFi and the front desk said that was just the way it was. Apparently there was a sign I didn't see at check-in that said the WiFi was flakey. Then the TV channel guide didn't match what was actually on the TV. But it cost almost double what we paid for that nice place in Appleton last night. Oh well, locale dictates quality.
We did talk to a nice lady from Connecticut. She and her husband are meandering their way home after a camping trip out west. We wished her well in their travels.
Sandy read for a bit and then went to sleep as I took care of my end of day chores. Then I hit the sack before 11:00 PM.
Today's Route (592 Avalanche/trailer miles):
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