434 miles and whadda get? Minnesota!

A long day, but the roads are now only rolling instead of mountainous, traffic is lighter, and the traveling is easier as we get back into the routine.

Northern Iowa and southern MN are very similar.  Both have large farm complexes, surrounded by acres and acres of brown fields.  The fields here have only just begun to sprout whatever is planted. We are seeing a few that have that greenish blush of sprouts just peeping up from the ground. (but not this field...)

Lots of barns in each complex

And many, many silos, all protecting the harvst from the severe northern Midwest winters.  This system is a group of inter-linked steel silos.

We do still see the old-fashioned concrete stave ones, plus the tall blue Harvestore ones.  The Harvestore ones are a low-oxygen silo construction, making them safer.  Unfortunately, we don't have any pictures of them, as it's' pretty hard to get good pictures at 70 mph of things in the distance. Maybe tomorrow....  But, for more than you ever wanted to know about silos (pretty interesting, actually) click on http://www.farmbuildingguide.org/silos.html

We did cross the Mighty Mississippi River.  Not too mighty at this little crossing

Luke was especially enthralled with the nicely done and informative rest stop near Davenport, IA.  ---- from Luke --- tidbits of trivia: The elevation of the Mississippi River at Davenport is 735 ft above sea level. It flows for 2552 statute miles to the Gulf of Mexico and makes 26 "steps", presumably dams and locks.

We also traveled part of the "Avenue of the Saints", a 563 mile long series roads that connect St Paul MN with St Louis MO. For more than you probably want to know, you can click on 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_of_the_Saints

Last night's Wal-Mart was a good stop.  We were able to park out of the way (as usual) beside, basically, a drainage pond.  But this is a clean little pond, green grasses surrounding it, purple flowers blooming, and best of all, BIRD LIFE!  Can you imagine Smoke's fascination!??  She stayed glued to the windows, watching and talking to the birds. This morning 3 Canada Goose families, complete with all of their ugly little gray babies, crossed to the pond and did their morning swim/weed nibble.  Very cute.

I can make a recliner just by turning passenger chair and the rocking chair - did so last night and Smokey decided it would be good to join me.  Very comfy.

I have another traveling companion this year - Chickie!  Chickie is a soup cup filled with the old standby plant, Hen and Chicks.  Nikki's boyfriend Tom gave it to me on Mother's Day.  It is GREAT to have something green (and hardy) in the RV. She was helping us navigate yesterday....

Tonight we will be in the Badlands of South Dakota.  We have passed through there before and were amazed a the formations.  This time we are spending 2 nights at a campground in infamous Wall, SD (will explain with pictures later) and will have more time to visit the Badlands. 

Into IL

434 miles today - wohoo!!! progress!  It's not always easy getting gas, as we are a little high and too long to fit in a lot of the gas stations.  We were lucky today to find the perfect set up en route.  Then came the question of propane.  Our gauge showed only 1/3 of a tank left, so we went on a propane hunt as we drove westward.  None in the state of WV - at least not at gas stations or convenience stores.  Seems the state put an end to that after an under  trained employee leveled a convenience store and killed 5 people with propane a few years ago...  But Luke persevered in finding a place where we could get a fill.  It only took 6 pounds, but that'll hold us for a long time.  Getting to the LPG place was easy - getting out wasn't.

We surveyed the situation carefully before we drove down to get propane and decided that we could slip out the back (can't back up the RV with the car attached).  It eventually worked.

After our fill-up, we found a little cul-de-sac to park for lunch.  Smoke enjoyed the open door.

Onward past Dayton, OH

and into the flatlands of IN

and to a Sam's parking lot in Champagne, IL

On our way!

We are on our way!  Last preparations, as the RV sat blissfully in the driveway, shaded by the trees.

We finally left town around 12:30, arriving about 224 miles later around 6 p.m.  It's slow pulling her up the mountains of WV, plus we had several stops.  The day started sunny and warm.

About an hour out of our destination, Nitro, WV, the rains came...excuse me, the "scattered showers"... not scattered enough!

But we had no problems and the weather cleared as we reached our first Wal-Mart parking lot of this trip. When we're just making tracks, it's just not worth going to or messing with a campground or park, which we do prefer.

A large, orange semi has chosen to keep us company.  Suits us fine - he isn't keeping his engine running all night.

First dinner of the vacation - spaghetti for Luke!  Look carefully and you'll see the 2 new pillows we bought for the RV.  Gotta help support the Wal-Marts when we stay here!

Smoke howled once in disgust after we left, but then divided her time between the passenger's lap and under the sofa.  Tough life.... she's quite happy now, as it's dark and there are things to be watched from the safety of her big RV window!

Preparing to go RV'ing

As the start of our trip to the Pacific NW nears, we are in the first stages of getting ready. The RV needed to have some of the usual maintenance done, plus a state inspection.  Check.  Next came bringing her to the house and a little (lot) of TLC.  Washing was a big start...It's a tall chore..

Next, waxing at least the front of the RV.  This is especially important after we get underway - makes it a lot easier to clean the gazillion bugs off after a long day of driving.

We hope to leave in a couple of weeks - lots to do before then!
It's been wonderful at home in the mountains of VA this spring.  We've been here through the blooming of the Redbud trees.

And the dogwoods

And now, the rhododendron are in full, glorious bloom

Smokey is enjoying home, too.  She especially likes it when unsuspecting widdle birds land on her porch....We heard the "thunk" of a bird hitting our storm door, leaving it dazed on the porch..I noticed Smoke's wild antics, trying to get my attention to let her out (she never goes out).  I understood when I looked at the porch. NO, she still didn't get to go out and the little bird eventually flew away.
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Today we had pancakes with friends at a Kiwanis function - mmm, love all-you-can-eat pancakes!  Then we did an open-house at a regional historical park adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway, Explore Park.  Just a few views of the restored buildings.  A couple of barns...

 

An old shed

And the old grist mill

 

Yes, it is a beautiful time to be here, but the Pacific NW does await!