Look Mom, No Mittens!!

(This post was written yesterday, but I could not get an internet connection to post it. Better late than never!)

Ward finally took off his toque and mittens. He is down to wearing a single layer of socks and one t-shirt. Thank goodness. I thought he would never warm up.

I, on the other hand have been without socks for days already, and today started wearing shorts and a tank top. We are about 60 miles into Nebraska with afternoon temperatures in the 80s and evenings dipping down to the mid 50s. I would say those are perfect temperatures.

Ward went to his first International AA meeting last night in Yankton, SD. The group was friendly, and I chatted with some of the members after the meeting as well. We found a meeting the evening before in DeSmet, SD, and waiting for people to arrive at the church, but there did not seem to be a meeting. I guess we will get that from time to time on the trip. I search on the internet and get information on the scheduled meetings, but really, who knows how current those lists really are.

I would have to say DeSmet, SD was not a total loss. I got to see Laura Ingalls house. We didn't actually pay for the official tour, but did check out the outside of the Surveyors  House and DeSmet's first school house.

 

 

This morning we left Yankton and crossed the Missouri River into Nebraska. About a mile later there was a rest area, which we stopped at. We checked out the scenic overlook and found a nature trail. I talked Ward into going down the trail. It ended up being a lot longer than I had expected. Ward took a short cut back to the parking lot and tourist information center, but I kept walking and finished the trail. I was a bit winded by the end, but it was a good walk. I would like to do more of those trails as we make our way through America.

We are now in Norfolk, NE, home town of Johnny Carson. And we are back in the old familiar campground of Walmart. We spent the last two nights in Church parking lots, the one in DeSmet and the other in Yankton. I must say, they are quieter than the Walmarts, but when camping at Walmart there is no sense of urgency to leave the next morning.

Photo log:

North Dakota Farm

 

South Dakota Field

 

Hwy 81 travelling south in Nebraska

 

Sunny Days Are Here Again

We made it across the border. I wasn't sure how difficult it would be crossing the border for the entire winter. But apparently we are not a threat to National Security down here. The border guard did ask us to pull over, and one of the nice men there came aboard our travelling house. He opened a few of our cupboards, checked the fridge, looked in the closet, then said we were good to go.
Last night we made it as far as Grand Forks. My husband and I were both fairly tired. I guess neither of us slept the night before. Between the cold temperatures in the RV and the anticipation of heading south, it was hard to get any sleep.
Today we are in Fargo. The sky is clear, and the sun is out in full force. It must be close to 70 degrees today. I took my socks off again, and my feet are very happily naked in their sandals. My sweater is parked as well. As for Ward, he is basking in the sun that is shining in the motorhome reading a book on Route 66.
Ah, the life of a vagabond.
Gotta love it!
Tonight we are going out for dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. I'll let you know how the roadkill tastes.
Later dudes and dudettes.

The Cold North Wind Is Blowing

Today is the last day of summer, with fall rearing its ugly head tomorrow morning. I saw ice pellets shooting down from the sky this afternoon. Thats a sign to get the heck out of Dodge and head south, well that and the fact that we have had the furnace on in the RV for the past few nights. It is getting down right chilly at night these days.
We have been in town for the last few months taking care of business, dealing with 'life' issues, and regrouping. I've got things to a point where we can once again continue on with our plans of heading south, just in the nick of time by the feel of this weather. It looks like we will be leaving early next week, Monday or Tuesday if things all fall into place the way they are supposed to.
I did not make the money I had hoped this summer, and we ended up spending more money that we planned on, but I am not going to let that stop me from getting away from the cold. We will head south, be frugal, and stay there as long as possible. If we play our cards right, we will last the winter.
We ran into a fellow RV enthusiast last week. He pulled up beside us at the Walmart and asked when we were headed south. We got to talking and he told us about an App that shows which Walmarts allow RV camping. I don't have a smart phone, but I do have the internet, so I googled it. I found this site, which is likely where he got his App from. It shows the Walmarts that allow RV camping as well as the ones that do not. The site may prove very helpful once we are in the Arizona area, as many of those southern Walmarts do not allow free RV camping.
We have our CAA books for the areas we plan on visiting. I took care of my banking. We visited the Autopac (for the car insurance and drivers licenses) and got information on renewing my license in mid-February. They said either get a friend to come down in person or give them a call. I will just fax them my account and payment information. Medications are topped up.
We are also taking along a friend this winter. She will be riding on the bumper, all bundled up and tied down. She is our proud new (to us) Harley Sportster, purchased in America with intent to sell, but we will use her during this winter to save gas on side trips. Our crazy insurance company only charges $10 a month for insurance over the winter, so we are taking huge advantage of that this year.
I hear the North Wind blowing. It's whispering in my ear. The RV shakes and shudders, it says the snow is coming, it's time to get out of here.
South, I say. Go south, I say. And let's get out of here.