You get to see interesting things when traveling on a bike. For example: I left the campground and headed west on 16. I came into Spring Valley looking for a place to eat when I saw a sign that it was the Wilderfest and it is the hometown of Laura Ingles Wilder of Little House On the Prairie fame. I stopped at the museum but they didn’t open for another 15 minutes but they did recommend a little restaurant for breakfast. While eating breakfast I talked to an older gentleman who is working on the wind power plants going up. We talked about power generation and he explained that all our cars should be running on acetylene because it is made from coal and limestone, both of which are readily available.
I got back to the museum and was give and guided tour by a cute girl who was probably a couple years younger than I… No, I didn’t get her number… It was kind of a flop. I guess Laura lived in many places and this was just one of them. There were some memorabilia but most of it was local history stuff. The museum is in the Methodist church she went to but there wasn’t a lot that was too interesting. I did learn that Spring Valley is also the hometown of Mr. Sears of the Sears stores.
I stopped at the Spam museum which was worth the price (free.) I learned yet more about pork processing. The museum is modern and had really good displays that seem aimed mostly and children. I almost bought a can of spam, but resisted the temptation.
I also visited the famous Corn Palace. It wasn’t that impressive.
The rest of the day was spent slabbing it across South Dakota and counting the Wall Drug billboards. I lost count. After one stretch of boring highway at “elevated” speeds I stopped for gas and returned to the bike to hear a horrid hissing coming from the rear tire. Drats! Sure enough I had a nail. I carry a plug kit but am hesitant to use it so I elected to spend $5.00 on a can of fix a flat to see if it would work… It didn’t, the contents of the can went right out the hole. I stuck a plug in and it held. I made it out to the badlands just as it was getting dark. I elected to stay at a KOA rather than finding a deserted stretch of road just camping there because the KOA advertised High Speed Internet. J
PS. My return travel is coming together. It looks like I’m going to fly from San Francisco to Indianapolis over the night of Wednesday the 30’th. I’ll drive a truck home from Indy.
August 20th, 2006 at 12:45 pm
You went to the Laura Ingles Wilder museum? you’ve probably never watched the series or read the books.
you didn’t get the cute girls number?!? what’s wrong with you!? you just missed your chance at love. if not with some random girl what chance do you have? haha
I’ve been to the corn palace, I wasn’t impressed either. If it had been made of black olives, that would be a different story.
PS. I saw a pile of poo and I thought of you.
Have a lovely day.
August 20th, 2006 at 6:19 pm
I can’t believe you had the willpower to resist buying a can of Spam from the Museum! That’s pretty impressive.
I love the use of the term “elevated”… I can only imagine what that means…
P.S. Ali says “Don’t die” and I second that suggestion.
August 21st, 2006 at 10:07 am
You didn’t get the cute girl’s number? It was probably because her number wasn’t on the CUBE!!! Ha, Ha! Just have to tease you:)
I pray your tire is okay now! It is so neat to hear about the people you are meeting and the places you are seeing!
I like the term “elevated” too!
August 22nd, 2006 at 6:20 am
A trip across the US. The Spam Museum, the Corn Palace….have you thought about visiting Mt Rushmore? Actually that was what Aaron wanted to know. Anyhow..enough with the “elevated” speeds (don’t forget that I find out everything) and get your tire changed! I am the mom and I have to nag
Be careful - I love you!
PS - Ali, no good homeschool education is complete without the “Little House” series
— Sorry Ryan your secret is out.
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:41 am
haha.. You’re mom knows everything.
My name is in two comments. That’s because I’m amazing and you know it.
you read the “Litte House” series. I did too, the difference is I’m a girl. Any other secrets?
Guess what! There’s going to be a present waiting for you. I think you’ll like it.
August 22nd, 2006 at 8:44 am
dang it!
ug.. too many errors in my previous comment.
Your not you’re.
little to litte.
I’m sick today. leave me alone. haha
I puked today and I thought of you.
I say that with love.
byebye
August 22nd, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Hey…I read the “Little House” books too, as well as watching the show! I also am a girl though…
Why bother visiting someplace like Mt Rushmore when you obviously have been stopping much more important national treasures like the Spam Museum and the Corn Palace…
As far as the “present” is concerned, be afraid…be very afraid…hehe
August 22nd, 2006 at 5:11 pm
Crap!
Insert “at” in between the words stopping and much in the previous comment…
I am not sick today, I just can’t type…I have no excuse
August 23rd, 2006 at 4:25 pm
Hi Ryan,
Hope the trip is going well. I haven’t seen any recent posts here or on the Forum, and I’m wondering when and by which route you’ll be entering the Golden State. Depending on the day, some of us may ride out to meet you.