roadside (minneapolis to south dakota)

Our new air mattress doesn’t have an auto-deflate feature. Today was so great that I have little else to complain about. Except maybe the excessive bugs on my windshield.

We started with lunch. And if you read Amy’s post before this one, you’ll know why. All fun nights deserve a special next-day meal; and all departure meals deserve to be momentous. Amy’s been mentioning this “Jucy Lucy” concoction for a while. Minneapolis is the home to Matt’s Bar and Matt’s Bar is the home to the “Jucy Lucy.” (Which, I’ll add, is apparently debated.) Andrew kindly called the order in for one “JL” and I saw a twinkle in a certain eye. While plans were being made for Matt’s the previous evening, I was making my own plans for a delicious vegetarian lunch. Birchwood Cafe did not disappoint. I ordered the black bean quinoa burger with avocado mousse (goat cheese based and so yum) and a jalapeño aioli. Andrew and Angela split the summer veggie pizza and it looked really great. Amy waited for us to get our food so we could eat together (read: so she wouldn’t be judged harshly for bringing a greasy burger to the local granola hangout). According to her, it was worth the hype, the wait, and the judgment. I loved my burger – I have had some great food so far. After we finished lunch it was time to say goodbye to Andrew and Angela. It’s not “goodbye”, it’s “see you soon.” Thanks guys – you were great. If I have my way, I hope we’ll visit Minneapolis again next summer(ish) – not winter. I think Amy and I were both impressed by the city.

Have you ever driven from Minneapolis to Rapid City, SD? No? Just stare at this for 10 hours:

Though a consistent scenery (we all know I love consistency), it was really gorgeous. I thought my eyes would tire of the rows and rows of corn, but I surprised myself. We drove a lot today. In fact, we are still in the car as I am typing this. We’re in the Badlands, but it’s late and dark. We encountered farmland from outside Minneapolis until about 50 miles ago – about 8 hours of it. Shortly after crossing into South Dakota a longhorn sculpture in the distant prairie caught my eye. We hadn’t made but one stop for sodas, why not? This type of experience is what this trip is about. Porter Sculpture Park is odd America. And so is the sculptor. I think Amy was a little (lot) wary of the strange man with crazy gag glasses and a sunscreen-pasted face…he did want to know if she was a botanist because she was photographing a flower. I still think we should have played along with that. His grapes needed her. The “garden” was scattered with metal sculptures – some with accompanying philosophical stories. See the pictures, I don’t think I could do the details justice.

Back on the road. Another 10, 67, 100, or 200 (I can’t keep track) miles and we decide to succumb to the many advertisements for “The Corn Palace.” We also needed gas and a caffeine fix. After the very brief, but “I wonder what it would be like to live here” drive, we arrived. And departed. Drive bys count. There was a small fair of sorts happening as evidenced by teenager girls in short shorts clandestinely hopping out of mom’s minivan. It was big and corny. Here’s are pictures that other people took

On the way to the interstate, we stopped at the local gas station/convenience store for gas and restrooms. Of course, we chose the one with the small green dinosaur on the sign. Duh. I’m only adding this segment so I can tell the world (aka our 200ish followers) that the Sinclair at Exit 332 on I-90 in South Dakota has an awesome bathroom. There was a wicker chair in there for guests. It felt just like grandma’s house.

We’re now 10 miles from our exit and I need to navigate. I’m sure the Rapid City Holiday Inn is anxiously awaiting our arrival, but I doubt it compares to the excitement I am building for a washer and dryer. We’ll miss friends greeting us with open arms and free room and board.

Update: Room is great. We’re in a corner suite with a mini fridge and like 80 (3) sinks. Also, not to toot my own horn, but I have become quite the car chef. Amy has driven the late shift and I have made sure that we consume food for fuel. I make a really mean Triscuit/cheese snack. Be jealous.

Time to change the laundry over…yay!

Joellen