Day 1: Winner, SD

I'm posting this from just outside Winner, SD. We spent fifteen hours on the road, and covered over 800 miles yesterday.

I do not recommend that.

We pulled in here to the Howland's house about midnight local time (1 AM Plymouth time), after much confusion, wrong addresses, and dirt roads that stretch on forever.

Nate and Rob were kind enough to loan us their room for the evening, so we spent our fist night sleeping in actual beds. And Chef Nate made us waffles and sausage for breakfast this morning. I'm thinking about suggesting they open a hotel chain out here. Truly 5 star service we received today. We're very grateful.

As we prepare for the day, we've checked the schedule and discovered that we've only got a few hours to spend out here. Fishing was suggested as a possible pastime, along with 4-wheeling and prairie dog hunting. Not sure yet what exactly the day holds, but we've got a bit of rearranging and organizing to do in the back of the van this morning first thing.

The plan for this afternoon involves the four hour drive to Mt. Rushmore, and from there, another bit of driving out to the badlands/black hills area.

The first thing I noticed about South Dakota, was the hills. There's so much more variation in the terrain here, and (in my opinion) it's quite an improvement.

The second thing I noticed were the bugs. Driving 80 down the highway, and it sounds like rain, but the yellow and green splatters across the windshield are definitely not water drops. Windshield wipers didn't help either, and actually only served to smear it about and make it harder to see. We stopped at a gas station some 30 miles out last night and washed it off, only to jump back on the road and find ourselves in the same half-blind situation not 10 minutes later. Yuck.

So for now, we're relaxing with the youngest two Howlands and planning the day. Dawn and Daron may come home from work at lunch to see us off. I only regret that we can't spend a few more days. I foresee another trip out here to visit in my future, this one a little longer. And maybe I can talk mom into coming with.

More later, as the day unfolds.....