Surf's up in South Dakota, June 29-30

We head straight west out of Monona, Iowa and a brief 400 miles later we are thinking, "sailing would be fun".

Oh ye of little faith. You say South Dakota and water sports don't go together. While South Dakota may not be known for great water sports, it has a fabulous large reservoir near Pickstown on the Missouri River. The Fort Randall Dam and Lake Francis Case are a sight to behold, over two miles wide and forty miles long. We also have a connection there. My college roommate of 40 plus years ago has a beautiful 32 foot sloop docked at the aforementioned reservoir. Old friends, a stiff wind and plenty of grog and we're off for the final weekend of our trip. Bill (Pig Willy) and Joyce spend most summer weekends on the lake after traveling three hours from their home and farm in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Bill, a purveyor of pork, learned his sailing techniques on Long Island Sound as a lad. Joyce has also learned well and the master and mate titles are interchangeable in that household.

The 'ol Cobra got a days rest as we explored the length and breath of the lake on the good ship "Hog Tide". We met many friends of our hosts and, naturally partook in too much good food and drink. This was a perfect finish to our month long odessy.

Sunday we arrived home in Castle Rock, Colorado where we started on June 3rd. We have traveled 6180 miles, used 300(299.3) gallons of gas, and averaged 20.6 miles per gallon. We estimate we have scraped 6 pounds of bugs from the car. We were rained on only once while driving for about 15 minutes. Our only repair was the welding of a crack in the exhaust system ($35.00). Are we ready to go again? Check back next year.

Thanks for following us on this blog. May all your journeys be as much fun as this one was for us. This is a beautiful country to see, with the top down.

Best regards,

Bob & Peg

Boy, da corn is everywhere. June 27

We are headed west to Iowa. Agriculture is the predominant feature of the countryside. After struggling for several years of the last decade, the farmers have finally won one. It would appear that every square inch of the midwest is planted in corn, and the price is twice what it was last year. The methanol plants, the live stock farmers and the food producers are all buying as much as they can get. That's a long political discussion that my wife has instructed me not to get into. Whatever turns your crank.

We crossed over the Mississippi River at Praire du Chien, Wisconsin and stopped at the "Pikes Peak State Park". It would seem that old Zebulin Pike spent some time here on his way to Colorado. Not much of a peak by Colorado standards, but a great view of the upper Mississippi River, from a bluff several hundred feet above.

We continued on to Monona, Iowa, a small town where Peg's aunt and uncle, Lynn and Jack hosted us for the night. Good conversation, great food and a wonderful bed. What else could we ask for.

Tomorrow it's South Dakota and water sports. Sound strange?

The ferry to Cheeseland, June 27

Bright and early, we boarded the 410 foot "Badger". It is the last coal fired, steam powered commercial vessel operating in the U.S. It took a bit under four hours to traverse the 60 miles across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconsin. After landing and getting our bearings, we headed south along the edge of Lake Michigan, through Sheboygan, the bratwurst capital of the world, and on to the Milwaukee area, where, yours truly spent about 14 of his formative years prior to the time when I left for college in Colorado.

We drove around the Village of Elm Grove, where I lived, and I managed to remember an incredible number of names of former friends and neighbors, to the resounding yawns of my wife.

We spent the evening with old friends John and Gail, he being a dyed in the wool Ford flathead V-8 maniac. Everybody should have two garages full of '36 & '37 Fords in pristine condition. Gail is a master gardener and the yard is a thing of pure beauty. Needless to say, we had a great time.

Tomorrow we continue to head west across Wisconsin and into that zany madcap land called Iowa.