Road Trip Day 12 Home

Left Mitchell SD monday the 26th about 8:15am after filling with gas. We followed I90 east 80 miles. At MN exit 1 off I90 we picked up MN23. This road takes you diagionally across Minnesota 275 miles to just a few miles south of Hinkley MN. A nice drive with the only slowdown encountered being St. Cloud. From Hinkley we followed MN48 into Wisconsin which was now called WI77. This road takes me to within 4 miles of my house. Easy Smeezzy. Now pics from this last leg.

Minnesota, only about 375 miles to home. A quick bathroom break and a new map.

Large grain facility along hwy23, ex Burlington Northern SD7,9 or 18.

Wind turbines in the Buffalo Ridge area of Minnesota.

It sure looks like this crop of marshmellows is going to be a good one. I heard the growing conditions have been excellent.

BNSF train south of Granite Falls MN.

There has been some snowmobiling going on in southwest MN.

Another BNSF unit grain train near Clara City MN.

Only about 95 miles to go.

We crossed the frozen St Croix river into Wisconsin and Flat Ryan wanted one more pic of himself with a state sign. Only 65 miles to go.

In Minong WI is the home to Jack Link's jerky and Sasquatch. They have a new aquatic and activity center in this town of about 600 people. Only about 35 miles left now if you where to ask.

It's good to be home even with the snow.

Feb 27, 2018.

Feb 22, 2017. Big difference.
Totals for the trip; 4503 miles, $621.23 for gas, 265.5 gals, 16.95 average mpg.
Average price $2.34 per gallon. highest price $2.60, Hayward WI; cheapest price $2.14, Bullhead City AZ.
Flat Ryan and I visisted 14 states, or at least a little piece of each.
List of states: WI, MN, IA, MO, KS, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA, NV, CO, NE, SD.
All in all great trip, should of taken more time.

Road Trip Day 11 Hammer Down

Left Sidney NE on Sunday the 25th about 8am. It had got to the point that I was about ready to just be home. Flat Ryan was in agreement. The route I was taking to get home I have driven before. There was at least some snow cover from here all the way home in Hayward WI. It got deeper the closer I got to home. We did manage to make some photo stops.

First history lesson of the day near Gurley NE on US hwy 385.

Just a trace of snow in this part of southwest Nebraska.

Another history lesson.

Downtown Bridgeport NE and old train station.

One of many flocks of geese Flat Ryan and I saw in western Nebraska. Headed north already or winter home?

I was a little surprised to find out I was this high above sea level. I was just north of Bridgeport. A few more pics of the area.

It looked like they have some form of cactus that grows around here.

The area just south of Chadron NE is much like the black hills to the north.

Then it was back to more high plains short grass prairie.

Flat Ryan and I stop for another quick break.

Who needs the internet. Go old school and just wing it. Flat Ryan and I wish we had more time to check things out. Maybe next trip.

Seeing a little more snow as we get closer to the South Dakota border.
This regional railroad engine was spotted just north of Chadron NE, on former DM&E tracks.

Not sure if this a SD7 or SD9 from the 1950's.
Next stop was Hot Springs South Dakota.

This was taken at the gas station at the jct of SD79/US385 north and US18 west.

Downtown Hot Springs. From here it would be 788 miles to my driveway in Hayward WI. The only side trip was to have lunch with my friend Terresah in Rapid City at our favorite place, Marlin's, exit 55 off I90. No pics sorry. I filled with gas in Rapid City, got on I90, set the cruise at 80mph all the way to Mitchell SD. With a slight tailwind I got 14.97mpg.

Some Antelope along I90, the rolling hills just east of Chamberlain SD. The frozen Missouri river at Chamberlain.

Last pic of the day at the rest area along I90 at Chamberlain SD, milepost 264. From here it was straight to Mitchell exit 332 and the Comfort Inn.
Tommorrow home.