Day 3 - The Long Drive Pays Off!

So, let me start off by saying, southern Minnesota just sucks to drive through. I know awesome people from Minnesota, but they are in the MSP area and I'm sure they would agree that driving though southern Minnesota sucks.

It was my first time in the North Star State. At first I was impressed after crossing the Mississippi. There were crazy hills and the trees were pretty. Then it quickly became flat farmlands, which shouldn't be too surprising considering Iowa is just 8 miles south of I-90. I could not believe the wind farms out there. Near Dexter, there had to have been 300 turbines. It went on past where you could see anymore. Just so strange.

It was cool to legally be able to drive 75mph once we reached South Dakota. Unlike Minnesota, SD had signs everywhere for every attraction - most of which are in the western part of the state. As expected, I saw so many Wall Drug signs that I have to go there, and will be going tomorrow.



We finally made it the Badlands, covering a good 620 miles in 10 hours including stops. It was amazing. Here is a small sample:



Check out the rest at http://www.flickr.com/photos/64644471@N04/sets/72157627081467028/

Tomorrow's preview: More Badlands, Wall Drug, Rushmore, Devils Tower...very busy day. Besides a lightning storm, no serious mishaps, so we are miles ahead of the Griswolds on this trip. Hopefully, we can keep it up.

Day 2 - Toll Crazy

Ohio Turnpike Westbound from Streetsboro. 187 miles. 6 construction zones. $11.75. Well thank you to the fine bureaucrats down there in Columbus who are obviously doing a crackerjack job. Indiana wasn't much better. Well, actually, it was much better with no construction. Their cost for 135 miles of freeway was $7.30. I bypassed the Chicago Skyway by way of I-80 and I-94 - a 4 mile detour or so, but cheaper and probably quicker.

Chicago was tough to get through, especially heading toward the Illinois Tollway. Once on the tollway, it started to move, but so much of it was under construction. It was so nice to get out of the Land of Lincoln. We were greeted by this sign at the rest area after crossing the border into the Badger State:



Later, we spotted a trailer with my childhood nickname on it:



We finally arrived at the Oakdale KOA at 6pm Central for another 11 hour day on the road. Traffic has not been the best both days, but in rural Minnesota and South Dakota, that shouldn't be a huge problem tomorrow...I hope. This particular KOA is very close to the Interstate. How close you ask?

(Heh, it says PP.)

We are also in view of my Interstate travel center of choice <3 <3 <3



It is a very nice KOA, despite the highway noise, which we really don't mind. We took a quick swim in the pool and we are pleased to say that it does not resemble the pool at Kamp Komfort that Russ and Audrey were disgusted by. It is a fine place to stay, and the owners are very friendly! They even delivered us a pizza! Talk about roughing it!



Also, I saw a guy with a Brewers hat today and thought, "Who in the world is a Brewers fan?" before quickly going, "Ohhhhhhh, right..." Definitely a lot more Packers decals though. That's not very surprising.

Nothing too exciting yet, I know, but we will have some Badlands pictures tomorrow!

Tomorrow's plan: Drive across Minnesota where I plan to count all the lakes to see if there really are 10,000 like their license plate says. Much of South Dakota will be traveled through as well. Will it suck? Only time will tell...

Day 1 - Playing Dodg'em with Trucks

So I-80 in Pennsylvania is about as fun as an evening with Aunt Edna. It's beautiful for about 10 miles with nice small green mountains all around. Then you drive 100 miles and you'd swear you'd gone in a circle. Add to the fact that we had to go 258 miles on the road, dodging tandem trailer trucks and even TRIPLE tandem trucks who have a tendency to put their tires just enough into your lane to take off a couple years from your life expectancy.

After finally making it into the Buckeye State, we were able to purchase gas for $3.35 a gallon. Not that that's cheap, but you know. Plus, I got to go to Love's, my travel stop of choice where you have the least chance of a congressman reaching his foot over into your stall. Flying J on the other hand...

We pulled into the KOA in Streetsboro, Ohio at around 5pm - 11 hours including stops and the dreaded construction traffic in Wilkes-Barre. Here are some shots of the Kampground. Yes, that is with a K.


Very nice setting, except for me getting my own shadow in the picture.


There is no point to this picture, except to recall useless information like the site number we stayed at for our first night of the adventure.


I did OK pitching the tent. but hopefully will get faster each night.


Police Trainer! At UNT, my name was all over the top 10 because I could beat the game with just a dollar - and also since I was the only loser who played the game. Years later I proved to be rusty, getting only to the 4th rank with a dollar.


I don't even though how to explain this...

Tomorrow: Streetsboro, OH to Oakdale, WI

Day 0 - Thoughts the Day Before

I suppose that it's very daring to theme my vacation blog after a movie where not a single thing goes right on a family vacation. Yet, National Lampoons Vacation is the ultimate road trip story (sorry Mr. Kerouac), and if nothing else I've learned what not to do on a trip out west by watching Clark W. Griswold and his increasingly desperate attempts to reach the Mecca that is Wally World...

1. Never buy a car from Lou Glutz Motors. If the words "You think you hate it now, but just wait 'til you drive it" come out of a salesman's mouth, run far, far away.

2. Don't put luggage on the roof of your car.

3. When traveling through St. Louis, DO NOT leave the Interstate

4. When you say you have a hundred miles left in you, you probably don't.

5. Think of family first...unless family involves Cousin Eddie.

6. If you see Christie Brinkley pass you in a sports car, don't even try.

7. Never tie your dog to your car bumper.

8. Colorado is nice, but don't use Kamp Komfort for your accommodations.

9. Be sure to check with your destination for important details such as operating schedule.

10. Getting there is not half the fun.

Just a side note. The Griswolds ended up flying back to Chicago. I wonder what happened to the Wagon Queen Family Truckster? That's not really explained.

Today I turn 30. I celebrate the milestone by nursing a minor thigh contusion caused from a pickup basketball game two days prior. I currently have a slight limp from the experience and watching me enter a car, you would think I was turning 130. Will it go away before the 6am departure tomorrow?

Tomorrow's preview: John and the girl sing Mockingbird together a la Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo and then I miraculously manage to pull into the campsite in Streetsboro, OH while asleep.