Had a great time traveling across the United States, and I have now crossed over into Canada. After leaving Memphis on Monday, I traveled through Arkansas then up to Springfield, Missouri, to meet a former co-worker for lunch at the original and world's largest Bass Pro Shop. Continuing on I stopped in Kansas City, Missouri, for some more barbecue. After crossing the Missouri River into Kansas City, Kansas, (just to say I did), I continued north, eventually spending the night in Council Bluffs, Iowa, across the Missouri River from Omaha, Nebraska.
Tuesday morning, yep, I crossed the Missouri River again, into Nebraska, and then came back into Iowa, to head further north, before turning west in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to begin my trek across the state. About this time it began to rain. The temperature dropped, soon turning into freezing rain.
Of course, this was the night I had decided to camp in Badlands National Park. The wind added an additional challenge as I setup the tent, but I eventually got the stakes in the ground and camp setup. Before the sun set I drove over to the famous Wall Drug Store for my free cup of water. There are signs for Wall Drug hundreds of miles out. I began seeing these just hours after I saw my last billboard for Morgan and Morgan (big attorney firm in the Southeast). For those wondering, that madness ends in West Memphis, Arkansas.
As the freezing rain continued to assault my tent throughout the night, it sounded like salt crystals being poured onto a brown paper bag. Fortunately, my sleeping bag kept me warm and although the weather did not allow me to take any of my planned nighttime photos, I was able to get a lot of rest. Checking the weather I noticed that it was 28 degrees in South Dakota and 36 degrees in Alaska that night.. I’m so ready for Alaska!
Wednesday morning, my check engine light came on. A quick trip to the mechanic revealed, that it was not serious. The light intermittently has gone on and off for the last two days. Let’s hope we don’t hear about this again
Okay, I’m getting wordy, I’ll summarize:
I visited the Minuteman Missile Complex and Museum, Mount Rushmore.At both Mount Rushmore, I was greeted by mountain goats being less than 10 feet from me.I love our national parks/sites/memorials!
Mount Rushmore was fogged over when I arrived, but it eventually cleared
Today was mainly a driving day, the rain continues to fall off and on. although it's up to 50 degrees
Some Pictures:
North by Northwest (1959) - Stars: Cary Grant and Eva Saint Marie. Plot: Alford Hitchick directed this tale of a hapless New York advertising executive mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies, and is pursued across the country while he looks for a way to survive. The climatic scene takes place at Mount Rushmore.
After all the planning, and a one-day delay to wrap some items up, I can now say that I am on my way to Alaska. Part of me is so excited, that I think I can make it all the way to Canada tonight. As I was reminded by a friend, I will however, slow down and enjoy the journey.
My time in Florida, and Georgia was very brief, and as I travel the roads in the area frequently, the beginning of my trip was uneventful.
While passing through Montgomery, I went to Vulcan Park to see the large Vulcan statue (the Roman God kind, not the one with pointy ears) which has a commanding view over the skyline of the city. The statue served as a point of entertainment for my coworkers and me several years ago while we were in town on a trip, and I couldn’t pass up the chance to see it. At 56 feet tall, it is the tallest iron ore statute in the world.
Through the rain I continued westward into Mississippi. Although I am not that into Elvis, I got off the highway in Tupelo to see where he was born. It still amazes me how small houses were back then!
Onward I went, passing Graceland, the mansion that Elvis later moved to, what a difference money and fame makes for some. In Memphis I strolled up and down Beale Street for the sights, sounds, and smells, before sitting at B.B. King’s Blues Club. As this weekend marks one year since Prince died, the band’s set included a great edition of Purple Rain.
Like life, my epic road trip will not go in a straight path. Some detours will be of my own accord, time will tell if others await. I’ll try post brief updates/photos every few days for the next weeks. Videos from the trip will come down the road, when time to edit permits.
590 miles down, approximately 4,333 miles to go (if I were going directly). Time to get some rest.
The Departed (2006) – Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jack Nicholson. Plot: An undercover cop and a mole in the police attempt to identify each other while infiltrating an Irish gang in South Boston.
With under two weeks until I depart, this is another one of those “not too exciting weeks”, as far as blogging updates go, as will next week. It again seems like items keep getting added to the list to get done over the next few weeks – like repairing the new chip in my windshield from a rock that hit it. Although, I am also checking items off the list – I now have health care, my will completed, and all mechanical repairs for my car complete.
Without the structure of a work day, I find myself switching between acting like I am on vacation/retired and then realizing how quickly the time until my departure is approaching. One moment I am watching the Price is Right, the next I am furiously filling out insurance questionnaires or jumping in the car trying to accomplish a string of errands. One the inside, the repressed teenager within me throws a temper tantrum screaming “Why, I am supposed to be a ‘responsible adult,’. Just wait until after the Showcase Showdown.” But, as usually happens, my logical side prevails. Some items, like the will, are long overdue, and I am glad to have this time to get them done. Others, like completing a form to forward mail, shopping for a new wardrobe and work items, and looking for medical insurance are the direct result of my opportunity to go to Alaska.
My conclusion is one that is not new: time is precious. It’s easy to say not to waste it, harder to define what that means, harder still to live it. I also realize my challenges in life are small compared to many I know and those do not, whose stories I hear about across the internet and television. This again motivates me to be thankful for what I have and the opportunities I have been granted.
Deeper still, I am reminded that my plans, are just that mine and plans. They are not for everyone and they are subject to change, for me as God sets out. I must sometimes stop to listen to Him, to be able to hear the direction He is calling. However, once I know the direction, I am charged with carrying out His plans… "While it is daytime, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work." – John 9:4 New International Version
Thank you Lord, for all you have done. Help me to use my time wisely, to fulfill your will.
I wish you and your families a Happy Easter.
Home Alone (1990) – Stars: Macaulay Culkin and Joe Pesci. Plot: An 8-year old troublemaker must protect his home from a pair of burglars when he is accidentally left home alone by his family during Christmas vacation. (Like you didn't know!)
