20 June, 2000

States visited today: North Dakota

Total states seen: 1

Day 1

Aaron arrived in Bismarck, the plane about 10 minutes late. It was a strange looking French aircraft. He got his first taste of North Dakota; the winds were around 35 mph. Stopped and got some gas, then we visited the North Dakota Heritage Center; a museum on the State Capitol grounds. Driving up to Minot we stopped at the Custer Mine area and at Sportsman Centennial campground and looked at Lake Sakakawea. Saw the Falkirk Drag-line. Showed him my house and the 5th wheel then went and saw Pete; Mike didn’t remember him. Had dinner at the Truck stop, and then played a game on the computer. He was tired and went to bed.

21 June, 2000

States visited today: North Dakota, South Dakota

Total states seen: 2

Day 2

Got up and drove to the Minot AFB and looked around. Went back to town, had lunch at Quizno's. Good subs, but a bit too high priced; I’ll stick with Subway. Ran around town; washed the truck, got Dad’s new 5th wheel hitch. Visited Sonny, a parrot for sale at a local pet store, Aaron scratched the head of an African Grey Parrot. Aaron wanted a North Dakota Bison’s shirt, so using the finely honed Johnson skills, he found one for 7 dollars. Aaron had to have some "Fart Candy" ask him about it… Went to Wal-Mart for film and batteries, and to the motorcycle shop to show him that not all bikes sound like a John Deere. Didn’t work, Rick has corrupted him, next is the big belly, ear pierced and tattoos (maybe a ride on a real performance bike might help). Got on the road late, wind was still high. We stopped to watch the drag-line again, it was moving except when you point a camera onto it.

Stopped at New Salem Sue, the worlds largest Holstein cow.  Heard a "thump" on the truck, I think I hit a bird. Crossed the border, stopped for a rest room break in Lemon, South Dakota.  The park in the center of town is all made of petrified wood; it was very impressive. We ate dinner at Faith SD, one of only two restaurants in town. It got dark, and I took one of my famous new roads. It would have been nice in the daytime, a gravely twisty road; saw a deer and a porcupine; Aaron saw the inside of his eyelids. Wimp.

Made it to Rapid City, but our reservation was in Keystone, Saw lots of empty rooms in Rapid City, but Keystone was right next to Rushmore. After a bit if searching, we found our motel and room. The key was in an envelope taped to a door. Good thing someone else didn’t get it first.

22 June, 2000

States visited today: South Dakota, Nebraska

Total states seen: 3

Day 3

Bought some shirts (cheap) in Keystone, filled up with gas and bought some taffy. Found a bird we hit the day prior stuck in the visor. 

Saw Mt. Rushmore.  So many changes have been accomplished on it that the only thing that I recognized was the Presidents. Saw a Norwegian elkhound, huge dog. It was getting more pictures than the dead presidents were.

On to Crazy Horse National Memorial and looked around, the buildings are getting more construction than the Indian is. But his face is done now, such a change sense I first saw it in 1990.

Finally heading south into Nebraska and this is where the adventure really begins. The truck died while doing 65 MPH. I switched to the other tank and she fired right up. The aft tank fuel pump has been getting louder lately, so I figured it had finally gave up the ghost. Not too much farther, the truck started acting up on the front tank… bad gas was my suspect.

We stopped at a convenience store near Chadron and looked at my truck, also helped a couple having engine problems with their Minivan. The van started OK now that I looked at it, but they chose to wait for the wrecker for an escort to the larger town. (Good choice)

We limped into Alliance Nebraska and got a room at the "Road West" motel, the manager wonderful about helping us out. While the rooms are nothing to brag about, the service makes up for that. They gave us a complementary breakfast at the associated restaurant; much better than a continental breakfast. We scouted out the Ford dealership and had dinner. Called home and Rick informed us that Rapid City area was famous for "Bad Gas" (I have now heard other stories about gas problems in that area… use only the larger fuel dealerships and it may save you some problems later.) We tried to get the camcorder to play videotape on the TV, but had to give up. Stumbled across a porn station, Aaron was embarrassed. So we watched TV.

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