SharivilleLife stories from Shari

Today seemed like a long day.  We drove about 300 miles, from Rapid City to Mitchell SD.  Guess it just seemed long because we were crossing prairies. All along the way were cattle, definitely cow country and of course, Mylo and Corn and Soy Bean fields.  They all seem to go together.

All the while I kept thinking about the pioneers and how very difficult it had to be for them.  The prairie is hot and dry and hilly.  Since I’ve been around here I’ve gotten a good look at those Prairie Wagons and I can only imagine.  They had to be very brave and determined and selfless.  I wonder how many of us could take off on an adventure like that?  This adventure we are on doesn’t compare and yet sometimes I wonder if I’m brave enough to do it.  Theres so much to get together and figure out and follow through with.  I pray every day that God will see us through and I’m sure that’s a lot of how they did it too.  I’m so far away from my comfort zone, all these miles out now.  I just hope they had a little fun along the way, because we sure are.

The most exciting thing we did today was to stop off at the largest tourist trap on I-90.  It’s called Wall Drug.  It’s in the town of Wall SD, population 838.  Despite it all it was a fantastic place to tour.  They bring bus loads of people here after they tour the Badlands.  They have the most extensive collection of western Art , probably in the USA.  Fab stuff.  I couldn’t find anything they didn’t have, nor anything that I needed.  So we had buffalo burgers with fries and 5 cent coffee.  No, it was not Green Mt. coffee for that price.

The old folks built their business on free ice water during the depression. Travelers crossing the prairies were hot and thirsty, and some often bought ice cream and so it began.  Boy I wonder what the pioneers would think of this place, see I told you I’m obsessed with Pioneers. I took a picture of Jerry on a giant jackolope, can you visualize that?

We also crossed the beautiful and huge Missouri River this afternoon.  Another milestone in this adventure.  I’m still wondering about  those pioneers and that river.  More to come I’m sure.  tomorrow Iowa.          Hugs,   Shari and Jerry

It’s not Sunday,  but this  is our day of rest from sightseeing.  The wind is blowing a gale outside with occasional brief showers mixed with occasional rays of sunshine.  Just looked at the weather channel and see it’s triple digits at home and here in SD its in the 50s. Jerry went into Rapid City this morning and bought an electric oil heater.  We left the one we had at home. Some of these RV parks have weaker breakers that won’t support our RVs  heat pump. Theres always a way around anything. Sure glad this is not a travel day.

We will do some badly needed house cleaning, vacuum and pickup and I’ll even cook dinner in today.  Hamburger steaks, baked potato and green beans.  Jerry will be thrilled.

I’m hoping this weather front moves on by tomorrow, we still have to do the day tour of Mt Rushmore and Wind Cave Natl Park. I can’t be this close to a Natl Park and skip it.  It’s so convenient to have this air card and not have to try to find places that have the Internet. This way I can send messages at 2 AM if I want to. Hope I don’t.

NOTE, some interesting stuff at least to me anyway, is the sad state of affairs with all these pine trees dying due to pine beetle infestation. All over this area while driving along we see bunches of red dead pines.  The forestry is now going in and stacking forest brush, what a job, and we see tee pee style stacks all thru the forest floor and they will burn these when the snow starts, that prevents spead of fire.  They are also thinning the pines so it’s not so dense and the trees aren’t so stressed and susceptible to the dastardly beetles.  Its a real serious problem here and the rangers are really concerned for the future of the trees.  Apparently south of Custer  State Park entire slopes are dead and only Aspens are left.  tomorrow is another day.       Hugs,     Shari and Jerry