On Our Way

We were up before the alarm was to go off at 4:30 excited to finally be on our way.  After finishing our check list & putting the final last minute bags in the car, we backed out of the driveway at 5:39 right on schedule.  We wanted to leave between 5:30 and 6:00. The car was loaded to the gills, but we were able to see out the rear window... for the most part.  We are taking fly fishing gear for 4 people, plus a few Christmas gifts, plus requested items from St. Albert & all the things needed for a 2 mo journey - easy to do in a truck, but this year we took the Equinox.  It took a little pushing here and there, but pretty much filled it up with ease.
As we cruised along, I enjoyed the rolling hills of Iowa filled with corn and beans as far as the eye could see.  I absolutely love the luscious green color of the corn with the golden tassels waving in the breeze.  Green is such a restful color to me.  It was total relaxation buzzing along with the truck traffic on I80.
Our first stop was for breakfast at McDonald's in Center Point, IA 40 mi south of Waterloo.  We opted for McDonalds instead of the usual Machine Shed breakfast.  Machine Shed food just seemed to heavy this morning.  What were we thinking?? 
As we left Rt 80 and headed West on Rt 20, then 35N to Albert Lea, MN, it was good to get off the roar of Rt. 80.  The ditches were filled with the wildflower that reminds me of Blackeyed Susans... beautiful!  I love the unmowed, natural landscapes - not only relaxing to see, but it helps the wildlife thrive - something that is much needed as humans take over the wildlife habitat.
As we crossed into Minnesota shortly after 11:00 we saw a Loon on a lake. Love those Loons!
At Albert Lea, we headed west on I90.  Then we started seeing motorcycles (lots of Harley's) heading for Sturgis.  Shortly after noon, we stopped for gas and a bite to eat in Fairmont, MN.  Oh, the sights we saw in the form of "biker's".  I wish someone would have told some of these people that when a person gets tattoos in their youth, you don't want to see what happens to a tat or even worse,  a group of tats as you age.  It's not pretty!  HA!  Surely they can see that now.  Wonder what they think when they look in the mirror...

Surprise, surprise, we stopped at Cabela's in Mitchel, S.D. Gary did find what he was looking for and we were out in record time.  Even he couldn't believe it.  HA!.  Does that mean we won't be stopping at the Cabela's in Rapid City, S.D. tomorrow?????  Probably not.... :)
West of Mitchel are fields of sun flowers... beautiful!  There were also signs of cover with plots of food for the wildlife.  Apparently the farms had hunting operations. By now I90, normally void of much traffic,  was brimming with  motorcycles and/or trucks and rigs that were carrying them.
We landed in Murdo, S.D.  - a 750 mi day - about 6:00, checked into our room, walked a short distance to "The Diner" and had supper.
It was an uneventful day, but it was a good day and we thank the Lord for our safe arrival here. 
Let's just hope the din of the "bikes" and their rider's will knock off early tonight.  :)
Ahhh, sleep well my friends.