Tag: #USAroadtrip

“Wall Drug” Wall/Rapid City, South Dakota

17 June 2018

On my way to Rapid City South Dakota I stopped at Wall Drug in the town of Wall on the edge of the Badlands of South Dakota. So many people told me that I must stop there but I didn’t expect it to be such a commercial tourist attraction, although the many signs throughout the beautiful countryside should have alerted me. Many people do enjoy this tourist spot as evidenced by the big crowd of people there, in the middle of nowhere and pouring with rain. I saw it as “just” another shopping centre, however, the history behind the original store beginnings and how it has become a mega tourist attraction is interesting.

It was set up as a pharmacy in 1931 by Ted and Dorothy Hustead and business was not going well in Wall, known as the town “in the middle of nowhere”. Dorothy decided to put up signs on the highway to attract customers to their store by offering “free ice water” or “cold root beer”. This was so successful that they continued to expand the pharmacy to include food, clothing and this town in the middle of nowhere caters to 2 million tourists each year.

They even have a Harley Davidson store.

It is a popular spot to stop on the way to Rapid City and Mount Rushmore. There are apparently signs all over the world depicting the distance to Wall Drug including signs put up by American GIs around the world during WWII. Wall Drug Signs

Later when I arrived in Rapid City I did a walk around town and they have statues of a USA president on each corner.

I just photographed some of my favourites, not necessarily politically. There isn’t one of Obama yet and that should be unvieled around September.

A couple of Rapid City buildings in the historical centre.

I then went to a pawn shop looking for some Indian tribal paintings and the gun section shouldn’t have surprised me but it is disturbing.

I then went to Mount Rushmore, although I wasn’t expecting to be able to see anything as a thick fog hanging around all day got worse. Hopefully it will clear tomorrow.

Little House on the Prairie

16 June 2018

For all the Little House on the Prairie fans, I stopped off at Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

Laura’s family travelled 1500 miles to various towns including Walnut Grove, Sleepy Eye and settling in De Smet South Dakota. I cannot imagine what that would have been be like in a wagon over rough terrain.

This is the Ingalls family homestead in De Smet, South Dakota.

Last stop today was Mitchell South Dakota. The most popular tourist attraction is the Corn Palace, famous for its corn murals which change every year. It reminds me of the displays at the Sydney Royal Esdter Show.

Red Wing/ Northfield/Mankato/Sleepy Eye Minnesota

15 June 2018

Goodbye to Red Wing from the Memorial Bluff overlooking this town. In the distance you can see the red dragon on the houseboat, in the marina, I was introduced to an incerator toilet.

Red Wing shoe Company was founded in the town of the same name.

On to Northfield famous for the infamous Jesse James’ and the bank of his last bank robbery. You have to imagine horses and not cars out the front.

The Cannon River flows through Northfield.

Reconciliatin Park in Mankato is dedicated to 38 Indian Warriors who were hanged near this site in 1862,by the government. The buffalo repreesnts the spiritual survival of the Dakota people.

Down the road is Minneopea Falls where I appreciated the spray of water as it was quite hot in Mankato 37C (98F).

The Minneopea State Park has a reserve with bison. I did find them but wonder if you can see them.

I found a lovely airbnb in a town called Sleepy Eye, named after a Sioux, Chief Sleepy Eye (he had a droopy lid). The town did not habe much to see as lmost all the roads were being dug up, but I stayed in the best Airbnb home eve. My hosts Janet and Bruce have the most beautifully decorated home I have enjoyed. I thank them for their wonderful hospitality.

Minnesota

14 June 2018

Leaving La Crosse, Wisconsin I crossed the bridge to Minnesota. Again, the changes of scenery astonish me. The speed limit on the road was 80kph (50mph) and I wanted to go slowly to take everything in. To my left there were stunning valleys that met the sky and to my right the majestic Mississippi River.

As this will be the last time on this trip that I will see the Mississippi, I decided to stop at as many towns as possible on the Great River Road.

Winona Minnesota

Wabasha Minnesota

Stockholm Wisconsin

On the road at Maiden Rock Wisconsin I stopped to help this turtle. The speed limit here was 80kph (50mph). I put on my hazard lights as I was on a no overtaking part of the road. I was so worried a vehicle would run it over. Did you think turtles were slow and docile. I got the shock of my life with this aggressive one. I had my jacket I was going to use to pick up the turtle from behind and take it to safety in the scrub. This thing started snapping at me, rearing up like a snake and coming at me, it followed my every move with quick sudden moves as I was trying to get behind it but I didn’t get closer than a metre (3′). It scared me more than the snake yesterday. I was avoiding getting hit by trucks and cars to save this damn animal but I got into my car and drove off feeling a failure and shaky. I found on Google that this species of turtle is appropriately known as a “snapping turtle” and their bite is very painful. I won’t be stopping for one of these again.

After that distressing event, I went on to my final Mississippi town, Red Wing Minnesota.

I went across to the marina (in the photo above) across the bridge back to Trenton, Wisconsin to find someone who might lend me a line so I could go fishing in my favourite river. How many of you can say you have fished in the Mississippi River.

Thank you to Brad from the Harbor Bar Restaurant Marinawho lent me his rod, although I think there was something wrong with it because I didn’t catch anything.

Quirky local man, Kevin, invited me onto the houseboat he has built. The boat has a dragon (because he couldnt find a gargoyle big enough) on his houseboat complete with glowing red eyes. (I did say quirky).

I was very impressed with the amount of travel Kevin has done and also the interesting decor of his floating home.

He has an incinerator toilet!! It burns the waste and once a month he removes the tray below the pan and empties the remains which are ashes.

Kevin doesn’t drink alcohol but he collects wine from every vineyard he has been to around the world.

The bathroom

Kitchen cupboards with collectables.

And collection of pubs.

This is the view from the houseboat on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River looking at Red Wing Minnesota and watching the Canadian Pacific go through to Canada. Click here for video

Kevin has party lights all over the boat, inside and out, with huge speakers facing Minnesota across the river on which he plays music including ACDC cranked up like it’s meant to be. I took this photo of his houseboat from across at Red Wing.

He apparently puts his music on at a set time every night and my visit distracted him and people were shouting across the river reminding him he was late with his music show for the locals. This is what it sounds like across the river.

What an enjoyable day on the Mississippi River. I will miss you Old Man River and hope we meet again soon.

Wisconsin

13 June 2018

I discovered the Great River Road (GRR) which runs alongside the Mississippi from Minnesota to Louisiana through 10 states. It is known as Old Man River, Father of Waters, “body of a nation,” Big Muddy—by any name the mighty Mississippi cuts a mythic figure across the American landscape.

I have driven through all those states but not along the GRR. However I am glad that I will have driven through Iowa, Wisconsin and Minesotta along the GRR.

The Effigy Mounds are in Iowa and I stopped to do my 10,000 steps through this national monument park. I did not expect to see my favourite river with a Turkey Vulture flying in front of me.

The mounds were created by Native Indians and built in the shape of animals and some are burial mounds. Interestingly the shapes of the mounds can only be seen from above and to this day the meaning and origin remains a mystery.

Walking through this beautiful National Park, I did not like the snake I almost stepped on. It was only about 30cm (1′) long and 20mm ( 3/4″) thick but it was a snake, and scared the S..T out of me. I later found out it was a Garter Snake which is not harmful to humans. Regardless, it’s a snake.

Earlier I had a different fright caused by a bambi who ran out in front of my car and I nearly hit it. Thank goodness mum wasn’t with it.

Magestic homes in the Mississippi town of McGregor.

I

was expecting John Wayne to come out of one of these.

I stopped at st Feriole Island Prairie du Chien Wisconsin for this photo of Villa Louis where you can experience the Victorian lifestyle of the 19th century.

I finished off my evening with a free concert in Riverside Park La Crosse Wisconsin. A stunning spot on the Mississippi.

Tristates Iowa Wisconsin Illinois

11 – 12 June 2018

The Mississippi River! I get so emotional every time I see it! Interestingly I have been to 5 of these 10 must see towns on the Mississippi without realising till now.

I am in Dubuque (rhymes with The Duke)Iowa listening to the bird song mixed with the sound of the huge freight trains. I am getting accustomed to them sounding their air horns day and night in many of the areas I have stayed. Memphis, Goshen and Dubuque being the most noticeable so far. I am so glad I took a day off from driving and chose this spot to sit and enjoy the river reading and people watching.

The Shot Tower was built to produce lead shot in the 1850s with a brewery next door built in 1898 only to be shut down in 1917 due to prohibition. It reopened in 1933. The building is in the Sylvester Stalone movie FIST and an Art Carney film Take This Job and Shove It.

The Mississippi at night in Dubuque.

A daytime video of the above.

A little foggy today.

Dubuque is a pretty town with hills and some houses which remind me of San Francisco.

Diverse architecture.

Another impressive Veterans Memorial.

I came across these black dragon flies caught in a spider web.

And more Amish. This was just outside of Dubuque.

Iowa

10 June 2018

For the John Wayne fans, I stopped at his birthplace museum and his birthplace in Winterset Iowa.

The film, the Bridges of Madison County with Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood was filmed with real historical bridges in Winterset.

The one made famous in the movie was the “Roseman Covered Bridge”

It has its own gift shop.

The oldest is the “Imes Covered Bridge”built in 1870.

The “Holliwell Covered Bridge”.

The “Cedar Covered Bridge” was sadly destroyed by an arson attack committed by 3 local teenagers.

The “Cutler-Donohoe Bridge”.

The “Hogback Bridge”.

I am intrigued by the patriotism of this country. I always thought that the USA was founded at a similar time as Australia however, a band of Vikings date back to 985 as the first to found North America.

They have endured war,on their home soil, with the British, French, Spanish and of course their own Civil War. There is evidence of all their battles in almost every state. There are forts and battle grounds that are reminders of their fight to keep their freedom. Other examples of their patriotism are homes decorated with their flag everywhere. Driving through many towns the flags are lined up as if a procession is to be held.

Then the memorials.

And today I witnessed a man who is running through Iowa to raise awareness of Veteran suicide.

Nebraska

9 June 2018

I had a very special stay in Mayetta Kansas. My lovely Airbnb host, Rose and her husband Freddie made me feel like family. Freddie allowed me access to his man cave to show me his model electric trains.

I said a sad goodbye to Rose and Freddie and on to Nebraska. I was feeling melancholy and was not sure if the driving was getting to me but later realised that it was because I have not been dancing.

After checking into a cheap hotel in Papillion Nebraska, I drove to the riverfront in Omaha as I heard there was an Italian Festival on.

I had one of the best times on this trip. Not only because I got my hit of dancing but I met several wonderful fun people.

Jan and Frank are retirees who are from Omaha but they spend three months of the year in Arizona when Omaha gets too cold.

Dale from Omaha and Nyon from South Korea met 34 years ago when Dale was stationed in South Korea. What fun we had dancing!

Then Peg and her family joined our table. We had some laughs and danced with Peg’s daughter Angie. Then this kind woman gave me a note and angel token which made me feel so humbled.

Thank you kind Peg. Look forward to when our paths cross again and will definitely keep in touch.

This is the only experience I had in Nebraska but I don’t think I can take any better memories from this place. Omaha, the Santa Lucia Italian Festival, thank you.

Kansas

8 June 2018

Leaving Missouri I stopped off at the Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn statue.

Up the road a bit is the humble birthplace and museum of the Titanic’s Unsinkable Molly Brown.

Compared to Amelia Earhart‘s wealthier beginnings. This is her birthplace in Atchison Kansas.

The Airbnb I am staying in Mayetta Kansas has twinkling fireflies or lightening bugs as the locals call them. The only other time I have experienced these magical creatures was when I lived on the farm in Brasil. Unfortunately I couldn’t capture them with a photo.

Missouri

7 June 2018

First stop today was in Arcola Illinois to see the Hippie Memorial, dedicated to Bob Moomaw by his wife. Bob was not a hippie but admired the freedom of the hippie culture.

Just down the road I discovered a memorial to the creator of Raggedy Ann and Andy, John Barton Gruelle who was born in Arcola in 1880.

There is a Raggedy Ann Festival here every year in June and it started today. I met 4 avid fans, Diane and Charlie from Indianapolis, Christie from Alabama and Mary from Arkansas. There are several murals throughout the town to enjoy as well.

This mural for the Arcola Candy Kitchen was painted by 5 New Zealand and 1 Australian artist.

Arcola has a population of around 3,000 and it fascinated me how much art and history you can find here. They also have a broom corn festival!

Illinois also has an active Amish community. I love this pic of how they meld with modern day community.

I then drove 4 hours to Hannibal Missouri, the land of Mark Twain. I enjoyed a play “Mark Twain Himself” Actor Richard Garey, the owner of the Planer’s Barn Theatre, plays the role of Mark Twain recounting his story.

I then enjoyed a Mark Twain Riverboat dinner cruise on the Mississippi River.