Connecticut to California – Day 3 – August 14, 2000

Alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. – and I look outside – it’s still dark.  Can’t wait to get on the road this morning – I want to find the Jolly Green Giant.

Brought my 4-cup Mr. Coffee with me – two pots gets me a full thermos and cup to drink while I am loading.

By 7:30 I am moving toward the Texaco station just down the road – see any correlation between the Red and Black Interstate and the Texaco colors.  My Lovie works in the corporate headquarters of Texaco – in Harrison, NY – so a little Texaco in the tank helps the retirement plan – so to speak.

I’m pulling into Texaco and what do I see – you got it – the Jolly Green Giant is right behind the Texaco station – would you believe on Giant Drive.  Well, Walt, you done me good – and it ain’t a sign either – it is a full blown statute that must be 50 feet high with signs on the fence posts for your friends.  I’m just about to snap the picture when I hear this loud racket – and I’m wondering if I have awakened the sleeping giant.  Actually no – it’s a Harley with straight pipes pulling out of the Texaco station.

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anywhere in the article!

I’ve got to tell you Walt and the other good people of Blue Earth, Minnesota – you have one fine little town here – a great place to live and raise your kids – in a different place and time I could put down roots right here with y’all.

But today is Day 3 and I must be on my way to Yosemite –so I am back to I-90 and going west again.  I stop at the Des Moines River Rest Area for a cup of coffee from the Thermos and I am reminded again of many signs I have seen along the road “American Veterans Memorial Highway.”  Just want to take a moment to thank all of those of you who have served.  All three of my kids have served.  My daughter was a Marine Corps Air Traffic Controller and now works for DOD at Quantico.  My boys are both still serving – Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle pilot soon to be joining the 335^th Fighter Squadron “Chiefs” at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC – and a NFO flying S-3 out of NAS Jax with VS-24 Scouts.  Just want all you Scouts to know that the Duty Cat works – pat her every morning first thing before I head out on the road.  For all of you who have and are serving – thanks – we appreciate you.  For those of you who fly – Watch your six.

Not far from the river I see a sign for Cabela’s store in Mitchell, SD – and I mark that in my mind as a must stop.  As I pull into Mitchell, I see a lot of tractors and farm machinery on display – sign says Dakotafest.  Now what shall I do – go look at the tractors or go to Cabela’s?  Can you imagine a phone call home – Honey – I bought a new tractor!”  The answer seems obvious – so I head to Cabela’s – looking for some fishing shirts.  I like wearing them on the motorcycle when it is hot – but I’m looking for a better design – and I find it here.  Bought 5 Guidemaster shirts – changed into one in the parking lot – I love it.  Honey, hide the catalogue!

By 2:00 p.m. I am approaching the Missouri River and stop at the rest area.  Thermometer on the bike has been as high as 105.7 degrees and I need a little cool and rest – together with some liquids.  The rest area has interpretive information about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and I am surprised to learn of a woman on the “Corps of Discovery”  Her name was Sacagawea – the wife of Toussaint Charbonneau, an interpreter.  She gave birth to a son on the journey and died six years after the expedition was over - at the age of 25.

Driving down the road again I am thinking that I should say thanks to Hal and the guys at the VRCC Store.  Ordered the Utopia Backrest and the Vista Cruise from them before I left – and both of them have been terrific.  Found a new use for the back rest today – fold it down over the drivers seat when you stop - to keep the sun from burning your butt – but then you already knew that didn’t you.

Signs along the road say trucks should use the left lane.  I’m thinking it’s because of that strong wind out of the north.  If it blows them off the road, they will go into the median instead of rolling over on some poor motorcyclist.  I’m glad they obey the signs.  Speaking of signs –

I couldn’t resist the Ag pilot sign.  I did enjoy my lunch – and thanks guys.

My gas mileage keeps falling – I think because of the wind.  My normal routine is to stop every 80 miles and fill up at every other stop.  Now I am stopping every 100 miles to fill up.  Sure could use some in-flight refueling.  Anyone know of a KC-10 that could follow me across the country?

As I near the Badlands, I am struck by the acres and acres of golden sunflower fields and the vastness of the buffalo grasslands.  For three days now I have been looking forward to I-90 exit 131.  This is where I leave the superslab, for the most part, and begin the scenic part of the trip.  I’m off the highway – fill up with gas – again - and head for the entrance.  My National Parks pass gets me through the gate – and here I am at last.

Just a brief look – because it is 4:30 p.m. and I’m not going to start through the Badlands at this hour.  Why do you think they call them the Badlands?  I’m out of the park and headed toward Interior, South Dakota.  I find a Budget Host – no phone or TV in the room – but the guy at the desk says he’ll let me use his fax line to send my diary.  He also has a little restaurant – the special tonight is “All you can eat Cow boy Stew” for $4.95.  Don’t you love America?  In Fairfield County Connecticut sometimes I wonder if I can get a cup of coffee for $4.95.

 Tomorrow the tour begins in earnest.

The bike trip meter says 428.4 the Garmin III+ trip meter says 442.1 and I say Goodnight from Interior, South Dakota.

Connecticut Yankee in Yosemite Valley- the Trek
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