Jun 7: Dignity: Of Earth & Sky | Chamberlain, SD
I realized it’s time to stop lollygagging and get a move on…I’ve got places to be! Then, a friend told me there was a pretty cool thing he’s sure I’d like to see right off the freeway. Once I looked it up, of course I had to! I was super tired for some reason, so ended up taking it easy, with lots of long breaks along the way, so I didn’t get as far as I hoped to today.
Dignity is in the Chamberlain Rest Stop a rest area with a pretty grand entrance in Chamberlain, SD. It’s pretty popular, there were so many people! Lincoln was losing his mind with happiness to be around everyone. I took him off to the pet area first, but he wanted nothing to do with it once he set his eyes on Destiny. So, I gave up on that, and we went to check her out. It’s amazing from afar, and pretty incredible up close. Totally worth checking out! FYI: This rest stop does not allow overnights. Luckily, the next overnight rest stop was only half hour away in White Lake, SD. I pulled in there, and knocked right out.
From the placard on site:
Norm and Eunabel McKie of Rapid City, South Dakota, announced their gift of Dignity to the State of South Dakota in 2014, in honor of the 125th anniversary of South Dakota statehood. The statue was erected in September 2016 at this site, where it overlooks the Missouri River.
The statue measures 50 feet high, 16 feet deep and 32 feet wide. The start quilt held by the woman has more than 100 blue diamond shapes that move in the wind “like an Aspen leaf.”
Three Native American women from Rapid City, SD served as the models for the sculpture. (…) The statue boldly proclaims that South Dakota’s Native cultures are alive, standing with dignity.
Dignity: Of Earth & Sky | Travel South Dakota
Today’s Driving Stats: 196 miles, 3hr 13min
Jun 8: Missouri River All Day Long
I was still dragging pretty hard today, but I was on a mission so I settled in for a long day on the road. When I made it into Iowa, I got my first view of the Missouri River, and it was so pretty! Took a quick detour at a boat ramp for a surprisingly incredible view. As I continued south I could see downtown Omaha. It kept getting closer and closer, and I kept checking my maps app for that “Welcome to Nebraska!” banner to flash on my screen…but it never came.
I couldn’t believe it. I was so close to this major city… I’m looking right at it, and yet not even in the same state. The Missouri River hugged the freeway most of my drive today, and it separates Iowa and Nebraska. So, alas, I can still say I’ve never been to Nebraska. I did however get the “Welcome to Missouri!” banner!
Today’s Driving Stats: 342 miles, 5hr 54min
Jun 9: I’m in… Illinois?
I stayed the night at the Missouri Welcome Center in Rock Port, MO. Was feeling pretty good today, got up early and hit the road for another long day of catching up on some miles. From the freeway I saw a sign to a museum, and I don’t know what happened…my van just got off at the exit. But then I saw no more signs, couldn’t remember the name of the museum on the sign, and couldn’t find any nearby on the map. Guess it wasn’t meant to be.
Decided to fuel up and get back on the road, but then saw a Taco Bell. I hadn’t eaten out at all since I started on this trip, and thought, “Oh man a chalupa would be great right about now!” So, I pulled in, went up to the door…locked. Then I realized its under construction. That wasn’t meant to be either. Oh well.
So drove..and drove…and drove…for over 6 hours today. Then I saw it… “Welcome to Illinois!” Wait..what what am I doing in Illinois?! I checked the map and, visually it made sense…I know where the states are. But connecting the intellectual knowledge with my practical experience was making my brain break, cause I kept thinking… “but, what’s it doing so far south?!”
Ended my day at a very lush Southern looking rest area in Mascoutah, IL…questioning everything I thought I knew….
Today’s Driving Stats: 380 miles, 6hr 14min
Jun 10: Errands Day?! But I’m on Vacay!
So much to do today!!! Tomorrow is the big day!! Got on the road early and head to Nashville…no not Tennessee. Nashville, Illinois of course. Lincoln and I had a meet and greet with his sitter today so he needed to look sharp. Clipped his nails, took him to Tractor Supply to give him a bath, refilled the propane in my van there too, then took it for a wash before heading off to Clarksville, TN.
His sitter was super nice with a lovely home, and a nice backyard that Lincoln right away made himself comfy to relax in. All my excitement over tomorrow was tempered by the sadness of knowing I would be spending a whole week without my pup! For now though, laundry time. I can’t remember the last time I was in a laundromat. All I know is they were coin operated and looked like regular machines. This was not that…this was industrial space age equipment. The lady there had to explain every, single, step. It was super fancy too…like, there was an app that let me know when my clothes were done washing and drying, fancy. And fast! It took like 20m to wash, and 30m to dry. I was dubious, but yeah, everything was nice and clean. What is this witchcraft?!
Got to my Boondockers Welcome spot for the night at someone’s home in a really nice suburban neighborhood. I was super relieved the host was not home cause I was pretty tired, and not in a socializing mood to meet anyone. I just wanted to make dinner, put away my clothes and bedding, take a shower, and go to sleep. Tomorrow, I will finally be at my destination for this whole long crazy road trip! Eeep!
Today’s Driving Stats: 239 miles, 4hr 22min