I’m back in Indiana after a nice week in South Dakota. I highly recommend the Black Hills as a vacation spot – particularly if you have little kids. There is just a ridiculous amount to do. I will, however, have to make better arrangements for the traveling. My natural inclination is just to keep driving and driving and driving until the job is done. But, that takes a toll after 1,000 miles or so. It just seems wrong, somehow, to pay a hotel $100 or so to skip the best driving time of the day – then start driving again during the day when you have to stop every couple of hours for meals and whatnot. But, with the kids to look after, the following day is kind of tough – they are reasonably well rested, and I am not.
On July 7th, I capped off the day ditching the kids and going fishing with my buddy. I have little to no experience fishing, but after this week, I can certainly see the attraction. The nature of the activity has an addictive quality. And, I mean that literally. It gives you variable positive reinforcement which is generally a pretty effective way of inducing behavior.
The beers we were catching were bigger than the fish. We released the fish. The beers weren’t so lucky.
Yesterday, we started the long drive home. We took I-90 from Rapid City to Albert Lea, MN, stopping at Wall Drug, Al’s Oasis, and the Corn Palace along the way.
Wall Drug
Mitchell Corn Palace
By dinner time, in Jackson, Minnesota, we had not quite reached the half way point in the drive.
The kids caught some sleep on the road.
I was not as well rested.
Priceline, Priceline, Priceline (and Hotwire isn’t bad, either). Particularly in this economy, you can do far better than $100 a night for a 2.5 star or better hotel. On our way to and from Florida last year, we ended up in a Jameson Inn for $51 a night (including tax), and in a Hyatt Place suite for $65 a night.
I agree with you on the desire to “make time,” but I can’t sleep in a car, so even if my wife drives through part of the night I will get virtually no sleep.
I remember my first long driving trip with my wife. I asked her if she wanted to drive. No, she was too tired. So I pulled off into a rest area, put the seat back down, and prepared to sleep.
She asked what the hell I was doing. I was like, well, I’m going to sleep. She was of the opinion that rest areas weren’t good for that. But that’s how I was raised, dad being a truck driver. Emma eventually warmed to the idea, and now does the same herself rarely, though she’s more likely to get a room.
I must not have looked too great at about 3 a.m. Amy kept asking if I wanted her to drive. I gave up the wheel at 4 or 4:30 — I suppose that was roughly 16 hours at the wheel, minus some pretty healthy stops for tourist sites and meals.
The drive to my Dad’s house in Longlac is about 16 hours if u don’t stop so I understand that feeling. But once I get up there I don’t want to sleep. Too much fishing and beer!
I thought that last picture was you practicing your “court” face. lol
Nice first picture. Makes a powerful statement when the size of the beer can is larger than the fish. Congrads on a successful family adventure and thanks for taking us along for the ride.
The last shot has a mugshot quality to it.
That is some strong driving.
I’m jealous Doug, sounds like a great trip. I’m going to Idaho the week before Labor Day, am going to meet a buddy and his wife who live in Boise and we have some fishing and drinking times planned there along the Salmon River (hope we catch at least as much fish as beer). I’m also an inexperienced fisherman but am looking forward to it as well as driving to the coast in Oregon and Washington state. I’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest, it’ll be a new experience. I was in Mishawaka last weekend, alas though didn’t get to Welliver’s for their last weekend.
Sorry for the typo, Hope we catch at least a few fish in Idaho the week before Labor Day.
I need to get to the Pacific Northwest some day. I’ve never been to Washington or Oregon — major blank spots on my travel map. In retrospect, maybe I should have gone with a Lewis & Clark theme and gone up the Mississippi, along the length of the Missouri and down the Columbia.
You guys sure didn’t over spend on the beer! Or is all they sell out there?
I’m pretty sure fishing in a boat demands that one drink some quality swill instead of microbrews. PBR & Old Milwaukee served quite nicely. At the moment, however, I’m more confused than ever about why folks would spend more for Budweiser or Miller. They don’t taste much, if any, better than Old Milwaukee, Busch, Natural Light or other fine swilling beers, and if you want to spend a little more there are far superior options – Three Floyds’ Robert the Bruce comes immediately to mind.
Water’s for fishin’, Dickel’s for drinkin’.
What was the name of that budding distiller in your Army unit? Earl Tunney?
Either Earl or Merle. He was either in the Tennessee unit, or a friend of someone in the unit. His brew was harsh, but effective.
Beautiful children, Doug.
Wall Drug and the Corn Palace! Whoo Hoo! I was pretty young during our first western family adventure in the early 70’s, but I remember these stops! Quality stuff!