Day 6 Jackson, MN to South Wayne, WI

It was late when I left the motel around 10:30 AM.

I stopped to see Ele from Quiltchat in Buffalo Center, Iowa.  We had a lovely visit.  She prepared a delicious meal --  chicken, baked potatoes, veggies from her garden.  I had a grand tour of her sewing room.  What a lovely space.

I took Highway 9 and then Highway 35.  At Williams I changed over to Highway 20.  I saw two cars pulled over this afternoon.  I guess they were speeding.  By the time I got to Dubuque, it was dark outside.  I crossed the river and then took Highway 11 to Country Road N and my destination.  It was after 10:00 PM when I got here.

Oh... I had to take a little nap at a rest stop earlier in the day.

I am now at my new home.

So far...

So far I have driven 1,399 on this trip.

I am on my way to Buffalo Center, Iowa to visit a Quiltchat friend.  For years we have talked about a visit.  Today's the day.   Hello, Ele.

It is about 1 1/4 hours away from here.

And...then...it depends upon my energy level, if I continue on to South Wayne, WI. 

Day 5 Wall, SD to Jackson, MN

It was a long easy drive on I-90 - 396.7 miles.

I stopped in Chamberlain, SD and visited a quilt shop and McDonald's.  No,  I didn't buy fabric.  I bought some homemade bar soap.  One fragrance is called "Road Trip."

Later in the afternoon,  I had to pull into a parking lot and take a short nap.  I think I slept for 1/2 hour or so.  And, then I was ready to go again.

I lost an hour due to a time change zone.  It was around 5:30 when I checked into the Super 8 Motel here.  I don't usually like the Super 8's, but this one is very nice.

The buffet at the Pizza Ranch downtown was very good. 

When I returned to the motel,  I watched one of the K-dramas.  It was close to 10 PM when I went to bed.

Quilt Shop

Oh... how could I forget???  I stopped at a quilt shop today.  Dakota Quilt Company.  I was looking for a McDonald's for free wifi, which I never did find.  Instead,  I found a lovely quilt shop.  No,  I did not buy any fabric.  I bought 2 buttons and a thimble.

Day 4 Gillette, WY to Wall, SD

Good-bye, Wyoming.  Hello, South Dakota.

It was around 9 AM when I sat in the car this morning.  Before I left Gillette,  I wanted to see the Orthodox church there.  I drove around for about 1/2 an hour.  I found it and took a few photos.

Then,  I was off to see Devil's Monument.  I took a few photos and headed to Sundance.  I was really sleepy when I got to Sundance, so I found a shady spot under a tree and parked the car.  I slept for about 30 to 40 minutes.  Next it was back on I-90.  I stopped in Sturgis at a McDonald's for free wifi.

I am now in Wall, SD.  It has the largest drug store in the world.  I checked into a Days Inn.  I had an early dinner, a Indian  taco, which was not very good.  But, I was hungry so I ate it.

I came back to the motel, turned on the TV and fell asleep for an hour or so.

Day 3 Cody, WY to Gillette, WY

Good grief.  I am still in Wyoming.  LOL

The drive from Buffalo, WY to Gillette, WY was easy on I-90. 

I had dinner at a Chinese restaurant tonight.  The portion was huge.  I brought half of it back to the motel.

I am staying at a nice Motel 6.  My cheapest lodging so far.  Under $50.

Ten Sleep

It was a lovely drive from Greybull, WY to Ten Sleep, WY.  I stopped at a country store for an iced tea.  After that the road was very winding around the Bighorn Mountains.  The Powder River Pass has an elevation of 9,666 feet with 8% grades of up/down.

I am now at McDonald's in Buffalo, WY.  I am tired of driving, but I really would like to spend the night in Gillette, WY, which is a little over an hour away.  I am trying to revive myself with a big iced tea.  It is nice to be out of the car for a bit.

Bucket List

And, now I have been to Greybull, Wyoming.

Greybull has been on my bucket list for a long time. 

I used to buy fabric from Big Horn Quilts online in the middle of the night when I lived in California. I loved shopping there.  Unfortunately,  I did not get to Greybull before Julie closed her shop and retired.  When I drove through Greybull,  I saw where the store had been.

I had to buy batteries for my camera.  Yes,  there is a Shopko in town.

I am now at McDonald's in Worland.  I had a breakfast muffin.  I am really here for the free wifi.

Lead Me, Lord

Lead me, Lord.  And, He does.

When I arrived in Cody, WY yesterday afternoon, I went to the Visitor's Center.  The young woman recommended a couple of local motels.  Both were more than I was willing to pay.  I drove around town for awhile.  Several times I passed Moose Creek Lodge.  It looked nice from the outside.  Rustic décor.  I looked around at a few other motels, but kept coming back to this one.  There was a Senior Discount sign out front.

I decided to stay at Moose Creek and I am glad I did.  It was very nice and clean.  It had a continental breakfast. 

There is a sign in the window at the office:  "We support our troops."  Inside there is sign on the wall with a Christian message.

It seems....especially when I travel alone...I sense God's presence.  I don't know how or why. 

I marvel at the beauty of this wonderful country - God's handiwork - in the mountains, rivers, trees, and all.

Day 2 Jackson, WY to Cody, WY

It was around 9:30 when I left the motel this morning.  I stopped for gas on my way out of Jackson.  It was $30.43 or $2.749 per gereallon. 

I could not see the mountains as I drove through Grand Tetons NP.  It was completely socked in.  I was disappointed.   Fortunately,  I saw those mountains during the summer of 1980 when I rode my bicycle through this area.  I was headed south at that time.  On this trip I was driving north.

By the time I reached Yellowstone NP the weather was clear.   During the late morning and early afternoon, I started to feel sleepy.  Not good.  So... I loaded myself up with caffeine.  After that...well... you know a full bladder is not very comfy.  Where's the next potty?  So..it was not entirely a fun drive.

I think it was three something this afternoon when I got to Cody.  I drove around a bit.  Where should I stay tonight?  I settled on "Moose Creek Lodge."  I am happy with my selection. 

I took a little nap soon after I checked in. 

I went to a nice Italian restaurant downtown.  The food was excellent.  I had eggplant parmesan.  The garlic bread was...well... very garlicy.  Yum.

I am back at the motel now.  It is time to relax and rest.

Day 1 - Twin Falls, ID to Jackson, WY

It was noon when I sat in my car to leave on this trip.  Good-bye, Twin Falls,  Good-bye, Idaho.  It was an easy drive on I-84.  As I headed east I saw big puffy clouds in the sky.  It didn't take long until I was back in the "road trip" groove.  I found myself smiling a few times as I drove along and enjoyed God's beautiful Creation.

I had been in Twin Falls for about 10 years.  Leaving is "bittersweet."  I will miss the wonderful people I met there.  I am looking forward to the next adventure.

I stopped at a rest area near Idaho Falls.  There was a bus load of Asian people from Southern California.  One of them asked to have a picture taken of me.  A few of them gave me hugs.  It was a fun meeting.  Poor dears were cold from the low temperatures.  It is  good thing they were going back to La.

I stayed at a very nice Motel 6 in Jackson WY.  It as 5:45 PM when I checked in.  I had a good Mexican food dinner - chicken enchiladas.  Yum.

It was a great first day on the road.