Greetings from Sioux Falls, SD where we arrived 573 miles, 10 hours and 14 minutes after we left home this morning!  Yes, I know – lose the stats, Anne, and relax but it’s fun to keep track of our miles and Burl is even worse – he’s tracking our MPG every time we fill up with gas!

Fortunately we managed to get everything loaded into our trailer.  I got everything for a month + into my airline  carry-on bag, a soft-side zipper bag and a gym bag.  Plus of course the book/knitting bag.  I even managed to hide some of my books in the other bags so Burl wouldn’t realize just how much reading material I was taking with me!

By our first stop I had finished a so-so beach read that I started earlier in the week – I left that one on top of a gas pump in Belton so someone else can read it. 

North of St. Joe we found a MODOT rest stop and took a lunch break.  I had packed sandwiches, fruit, yogurt and chips so we had a great picnic on our portable picnic blanket and then Burl opted for a short snooze.  While he dozed, I did a power walk around the rest area.  I figure this will be our MO most days as he needs a power nap to stay alert while he drives and I need some exercise to keep from porking up on this trip.

I thought we’d spend a large portion of the afternoon driving through Nebraska until Burl told me that actually we’d stay in Iowa until we crossed into South Dakota.  Since one of our goals is to hit states we’ve never visited on the bike, I wasn’t disappointed when the gas light came on and the closest place was 3 miles to the west in Nebraska.    Too bad the jaunt included $3 of toll bridge charges, a surly toll taker and over-priced gas.  Still, it beats hiking for gas after I have done bodily harm to “someone” who likes to wait until the last minute to fill ‘er up!

I had grand plans to get a shot of the “Welcome to South Dakota” sign but it was upon us before I could get the camera out of the case – and I didn’t think my driver wanted to detour back for that reason!

Tonight we’re cashing in some reward points from Wyndham Hotels and enjoying a free night’s stay – even used a Red Lobster gift certificate Burl won at a poker rally to give us a cheap meal.

Tomorrow morning we’ll be on the road early heading west to the Badlands.  We have some motorcycle scenic routes to explore so will get off the interstate for a large part of the day.  We’ll be at a B&B in Rapid City for at least the next two nights – after that, no telling where we’ll be or when.

I miss Mulligan already.