South Dakota

Not much more to see in the central portion of South Dakota. But as we approached Badlands National Park we noticed the topography starting to change. The flat landscape was starting to crinkle up and so we decided to go into Badlands National Park. We bought an annual pass so that we can go to all the national parks we want to for the year and not have to pay any more. Badlands is amazing. With very unique scenery. We drove around the whole park and then decided to stop for the night in Badlands/White River KOA. It was so hot that we opted to take one of their cabins instead of go into a tent. Good choice. It was cool and comfortable. We met some really interesting people in the campground. One guy bought an old C Class motor home and is doing it up. He has painted it black, which is quite strange, but it does match the trailer that he pulls behind. We also met Barry from Kentucky who is travelling in his motor coach with his wife and dog. They carry Kayaks on their toad. Interesting guy with some great political views. It was a good day all round, culminating in a refreshing swim in the pool.

Handing our home over to the factory

This morning we handed the RV over to the folks at Triple E. They made a note of all the places where they needed to repair the fiberglass. We also asked them to replace the microwave with a convection/microwave. Replace the kitchen sink. Attach a flip up counter to the end of the galley and put a fitting on the gas tank so that we can use it for the barbecue etc. Gonna cost a bit, but all these things will help make our home more comfortable.

We left Winkler at about 1030 and drove West to the nearest border crossing, down into North Dakota. We took some side roads to get down to the I 90 so most of the day was taken up with getting through the one state. We stopped for the night at a Motel on Rte 85. Very sparse pickings for accommodation. North Dakota is very flat and full of farms growing sunflowers.

Off to Winkler, Manitoba

The trip to Winkler was quick and we got to the Triple E factory at about 3 pm. The temperature was 37C (100F), luckily the factory has some places where you can plug in the motor home and has water so we were able to turn on the AC. Ahhh the luxury. We spent the afternoon getting our stuff ready for tent camping and putting everything away. There were about 4 motor homes there by the time we were ready to go to sleep. I am going to miss our little home.

West Fargo, North Dakota

This morning we left Moorhead KOA and headed in to town to get a haircut. We stopped at Great Clips, where we parked for about an hour while I got the haircut, we did some grocery shopping and got some wine. We had arranged to stay the night at Debbie Atkins-Schons house in West Fargo because I refused to stay any longer at the KOA. So we found her house very easily and disconnected the car and reversed onto the driveway. It was so hot and humid with the temp sitting at about 37C (100F). Lovely to be in the air conditioned comfort of her house.

Many years ago, back in Yellowwood Park, Natal, South Africa I had given Debbie and her brother, Wade, swimming lessons and had become quite friendly with her mom as well. Wade was very friendly with my son as they were in the same class at school. Then in about 1984, Debbie's father had got  a job in North Dakota. The family left and we lost contact. Many years later, when we had immigrated to Canada, I found Pam Atkins phone number and called her. We had a lovely chat and updated each other on our families. We lost contact again. Forward to about 2008 or 2009 and through Facebook, I find Debbie, who informed me that her brother Wade, and her mother, Pam, had both died tragically. What a shock that was to me! To add to the tragedy, her father Steve was battling cancer. I vowed then and there that one day I would get to North Dakota to see Debbie. When the opportunity came to travel through Fargo on our way to Winkler, Manitoba, I jumped at the idea of adding a visit to Debbie. Now here we were, staying with her and meeting her 2 lovely children. It was a very special night. Laughing, crying, reminiscing and consoling. We all went out to dinner at Applebee's which was great! Debbie was even gracious enough to give up her bed for us.

Indiana Dunes State Park to Moorhead KOA

Today was a long drive. The biggest hurdle was getting through Chicago. As we came through the city at about 11 am it wasn't too bad, but man those highways and toll roads!! We missed one toll booth and now have to send the money by mail, within the next week. What a pain!! Once we were out of Chicago it was pretty plain sailing, except for a big delay because of Obama's stimulus dollars at work on the highways. This holdup was in the region of St Paul, Minnesota. Wisconsin is very much like rural Ontario. Minnesota starts hilly but begins to get quite flat the further north you go. We crossed the Mississippi River in Minneapolis-St Paul

We decided to stop for the night at Moorhead KOA, and then drive the few miles to West Fargo, to visit a friend, the next day. What a dump!! This is by far the worst KOA we have ever stayed in. We will NOT be returning. It was off the I94 on a very dusty dirt road, which curved around and the campground was right next to the highway. The sites were tiny and the one they gave us was right on top of the site behind us so those people were almost camped in our living room. Our site was so close to the dirt road inside the campground that every time someone drove past, the dust was kicked up into our MH. While I was cooking supper it happened 3 times and I ended up yelling at the louts who were camping on the group site and every so often would send one of their buddies out in a car, presumably to buy more beer. In the morning, as I was about to step out, I almost stepped into a "Gift" left by some passing pooch. Lovely.