South Dakota is a very strange, but cool, place

South Dakota -- At last, things to do!
Albeit, weird things to see and do.

Badlands were amazing.

The wind was blowing across the grasslands and through the crazy crags.

Missed the rain (actually drove through it earlier) so we ended up with a gloriously cool, fiercely windy visit.

We saw sculptures along the road, visited the "world's only" Corn Palace, stopped for buffalo burgers at Al's Oasis, and after climbing all over the Badlands, stopped to ogle strange things at Wall Drug.

Looking forward to seeing Mount Rushmore and a whole lot more tomorrow.

Great day so far

We have been having a great day. Thanks to the Weather Channel for totally missing the forecast (they predicted rain for most of our drive yesterday and today).

We started with a stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. No rain, lots of corny jokes.

Now we are at Al's Oasis, a Wall Drug-like stop. Most of us had buffalo burgers for lunch.

Now, on to the Badlands.

posted from Bloggeroid

Two days and more than half the country

We left Maryland with Remi and Elliot on Friday and made it to Chicago from Baltimore in one night. Then we made it to Brandon, S.D., on Sunday.

What a drive with two amazing kids who, among other things, put up with Simon and Garfunkel music, endless hours across windmill strewen Minnesota and numerous potty breaks.

But now, today, the adventure really begins as we will hit our first national park of the trip: Badlands National Park. What an amazing place.

Along the way will be the Mitchell Corn Palace and Wall Drugs.

Mitchell leaders wanted their town to be state capital but lost out so the became the corney capital of the world and are probably better off.

Wall Drugs is the South Of The Border of this region. But it will be great for the kids to run and cool off after the badlands.

posted from Bloggeroid

We're making good time

After a shaky start early today, we are well on out way west with two sleeping kids.

We are during the Appalachians and getting great views on a road with beautiful views and no tolls, U.S. 22. From here it's to U.S. 322 up to I-80.

posted from Bloggeroid

Ready, set, wait

So at 5 this morning we get out to the car, pack the kids in and crank up the car.

Only thing is, it didn't crank back.

Yep, packing in the night likely drained the battery a bit too much. Giving it a bit and we'll jump it.

So the early start was a bit of a bust.

posted from Bloggeroid

We are on our way

We are en route.

We embarked on this 4,800-mile round-trip journey last night when my shift ended and arrived at Melissa's and EJ's place about 4 a.m.

The reason at night was miserable and Catherine took over the driving when we got off the highway in Maryland.

A day of rest and we hit the road about 4 in the morning.

We hit the grocery soon to stock up on provisions.

The drive to Maryland was a bit trying. Rain, rain, rain. Plus some scary lightning. Keith drove most of the way -- I just took over when we got off the highway to go to Melissa's. Den was all ready for us when we got in about 4:30 in the morning. Ahh, sleep is so nice!

This morning we showed the kids the Vacation Binder and talked about where we were going. They are very enthusiastic. Today we buy groceries for the trip, pack the kids' stuff and take Remi to the orthodontist. Tomorrow it will be out the door early in the morning. First stop -- Chicago.

Packing and ready to go

Car is clean and packed. Oil changed. Maps, computers, phones and GPS on board. Only one more hour and it's time to pick up Keith from Newsday and head out to Melissa's house in Maryland to pick up Remi and Elliot. Looking forward to a great time!