SD-WY

First, we had an uneventful morning. As someone said, I bet we had to cross the Mississippi to get rid of the bad mornings. Here are some random thoughts from the day.

- We passed up the opportunity to see the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the Fatima Family Shrine, and the Corn Palace (we did look at the outside)

- It rained for the first hour of our drive. The rest of the day was beautiful. I enjoyed the South Dakota landscape. I love looking at all of the farms (ranches as I continued heading west). This part of Wyoming is also beautiful with the rolling hills and wide open landscape.

- South Dakota has the best billboards. The signs for Wall Drug, Reptile Gardens, some frontier town and all of the other tacky sights made for fun reading. The billboards definitely changed after Rapid City since we left most of those things behind us.

- Other interesting signs: "We Dakotans reject animal activists" (Elston shuddered at this one but I told her she was safe with me), "Toe Service" instead of "Tow Service", "No Hunting at Rest Area", and "Wonderland Cafe. Millions of Years Old". I was really disappointed that I couldn't hunt at the rest area. It took all of the fun away.

- The family themed ones were especially interesting. "Family - the Anti-Drug" and something about families that eat breakfast together are happier or something like that. The billboard was for the Holiday Inn that I happen to be staying at tonight.

- I used to study Native American history. At one point, I was interested in the images of the frontier and Native Americans in popular culture. One billboard that could have been included in an exhibit that the Newberry Library had a long time ago on this subject was for Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns. It showed white children with stupid, goofy grins with some catch phrase like "we are so happy" and "this is so much fun."

- A few more interesting things about South Dakota. They have casinos everywhere. Seriously. They have casinos in gas stations. I would see signs that would say "gas and casino." You know how people place roadside memorials where someone has died? They usually have a wreath or some handmade sign. In South Dakota, they have a sign, "Think Drive Safely" or something like that. In Wyoming, they also have a sign but it looks like a bleeding heart. I don't think that is the message they are trying to send. I was reading the USA Today from the hotel and they actually referred to the Wyoming sign as a broken heart with a dove. I should tell them it is a bleeding, broken heart with a dove. I liked the South Dakota signs.

- Wyoming. They have warning signs for deer like most other states. Their signs will say "Deer next 15 miles" and in 15 miles there will be another sign that will say "Deer next 8 miles" and so on. I think they should just put a sign that says "Deer the entire fucking state." I saw hundreds and hundreds of deer hanging out. Explain to me why they have to put up the signs for specific miles if they continually run together???

- I really, really want to go to Yellowstone. I might plan a trip for the summer of 2008 to check out Yellowstone and the rest of the area south of Sheridan.

- Wall Drug was overwhelming. Thank God it wasn't crowded. Pedro picked up a new friend (see photos) and I bought a fantastic gift for my friend, Meg. Heh..heh.

I think that is enough for today. We are supposed to have a bad thunderstorm tonight and then snow in the morning! Most of the snow will be south of us but they still expect 3-4 inches in Sheridan. I am glad I decided not to take the I-80 route since they are expecting significant snowfall in that area. I should be okay. I guess we will expect a windy, snowy morning as we head to Missoula. The weather in Montana looks fine.