Nomad Life - Day 163

This morning, I woke up at 0515 (before alarm) and spent time reading, doing puzzles and working on Duolingo exercises.  At 0600, I started teleworking, with only a short break for breakfast (0745).  Once I was back in my room again, I went back to teleworking and continued online until just after noon.  I took another break for lunch (which I made in my room) and then worked until 1530.  Leaving my hotel as soon as I could, I got on Business US-31 (later, IN-933 and MI-51) and drove north.  Once I was in Niles, I began looking for the Madeline Bertrand County Park, which I'd heard had some cross country ski trails, and finally arrived there at 1550.  Next, it took me about 10 minutes to get my ski equipment out of the car top carrier.  Feeling hopeful, I donned my boots and my (old) Salomon skis and was ready to start some fun on the trails at 1605.  Unfortunately, the man selling passes at the entrance to the trail system told me "we lock the gates promptly at 1700".  At that point, with less than 50 minutes, I realized it wasn't worth the cost ($8) for such a short adventure.  Reluctantly, I left the park drove to a nearby field I'd earlier seen (it turned out to be the property of an Evangelical Free Church) and parked in the plowed lot there (1620).  I'm sure almost everyone who saw me during the next hour probably laughed but I managed to get nearly two miles of skiing in that location.  Fortunately, there were already some snowmobile tracks that made this easier - when I tried to break some new trail, I found it very difficult because of the heavy eight inches of snow.  Next (1720), I drove north (suing unplowed back streets) from the "ski field" towards downtown Niles.  I was searching for a Brewery that had signs posted everywhere but it turned out to be a significant distance away and I had trouble getting on US-12 (which I'd need to use to reach it).  Instead, I gave up and drove to the nearby Iron Shoe Distillery, where I was able to sample a flight of delicious drinks (bourbon, rye, single malt, whisky barrel aged rum, limoncello and "orangecello").  Along the way, I ordered some dinner ("the special", which was a good chicken sandwich and fries).  It was a pleasant ambiance - lots of '80s music.  I finally departed at 1845 and, from downtown Niles, I drove (more unplowed surface streets) back to MI-51 and went in search of a Walmart which was holding a new ink cartridge for me (unfortunately, the one I just bought last week leaked out all over the place). I finally arrived there and picked up my ink cartridge at 1905.  Before departing, I tried to recycle bottles and cans but had no luck because the machines couldn't ID them.  Also, there were some ominous warning signs on the machines about not bringing recyclables from other states.  Once I gave up on this project, I decided to try to get the rest of my daily step goal by walking around inside the Walmart building.  Between 1915 and 1955, I logged 1.8 miles (reached 10K steps).  Leaving the store, I carefully made my way out of the parking lot - I couldn't find a traffic light to access MI-51 until I had already gotten on that road...  From Niles, I made my way south and back into Indiana - I arrived at my hotel just after 2010.  The rest of the evening was consumed with eBird, Duolingo, reading and movies and I finally went to sleep at 2230.  Very glad to have gotten some time on skis today!

Nomad Life - Day 162

My first day in the Eastern Time Zone required an alarm clock to wake me up at 0600.  After getting out of bed, I drowsily started teleworking immediately.  I took one break for breakfast in the lobby of the Baymont (South Bend) at 0730 and then returned to work.  Without further interruptions, I worked until noon and made lunch in my room.  After my meal. I did some reading until 1300 before resuming my work day.  I finished up my hours by the end of my last meeting (1600).  After that, I left the hotel and drove a short distance (south on US-31 Business) to the west end of the Notre Dame Campus.  In the Dorr Parking Lot I had trouble driving around the mostly-unplowed lot but eventually found an open spot (no charge after 1600).  Starting at 1615, I started walking around familiar haunts of the campus; even though I'd been here last Spring, there were still several things I'd neglected to do and see.  First, I walked completely around St. Mary's Lake (it was hard going because of the roughly 8 inches of snow on the ground), visited the Grotto (saw students praying there) and went inside (for the first time), Remick Family Hall, which I learned was a post-graduate teacher college.  Next, I looked around inside the Main Building.  As I had in May, I visited the Hall of Honor Wall.  This time, I noticed some new plaques (posted there in memory of some of my professors); before departing, I sent a photo of Dr. Craig's plaque to Eileen. Exiting the Main Building on the south end, I headed over to La Fortune Student Center (closed last Spring) and found some familiar things (barber shop, flower shop, bank, etc.).  There were also some improvements: they had a nice display of all the editions of "The Shirt", a wonderful Game Room, a Multicultural area, etc.  The best part, though, was that there were lots of students in the building - it reminded me of my time on Campus.  Departing the "Union", I explored the area near the Hesburgh Library (found Robert Moran Engineering Chair etching) and the Jordan Science Hall (returned to Dominic's family bench in front and sent him a photo).  While looking for the Loftus Sports Center, I found myself inside (only because someone let me in when they were exiting) the Guglielmino Athletics Complex.  In the lobby, I found the 1988 National Championship Trophy, Heisman Trophies for all of ND's winners and a huge statue of the Four Horsemen.  Just as I was finished marveling, some nice people started shooing me out...  Continuing to the north and west, I found new parking lots, watched the Army ROTC students wrapping up their classes and then made my way to the southeast corner of Grace Hall.  On the way, I got to see the (lit!) "#1" sign on the roof and then took a look at my dorm room window from sophomore year (1988-1989).  High above that room (way up on the 11th floor), I could see my dorm room from freshman year dorm (1987-1988). From there, I made a full loop around St. Joseph Lake and was impressed by the huge number of birds I saw on the (unfrozen) surface of the water.  I even met some birders (Engineering students but also volunteers with eBird).  I stayed for a while with them, watching the activity through some wonderfully capable "long scopes".  At one point, every bird lifted off the lake and covered the sky with their wings.  As the sun finished setting, I got some more nostalgic sights (e.g., Golden Dome lit up) and sounds (chimes ringing in Sacred Heart).  I was done with my walk at 1900 and departed (by car) from the Dorr Road Lot.  At that point, I started looking for a place to get some dinner.  Driving north on Business US-31 until passing the Indiana Toll Road, I found myself on IN-923 and experienced lots more Deja Vu with several old businesses in that area.  I ended up traveling into Michigan (road became MI-51) and briefly considered stopping for dinner at a restaurant I found in Niles (near the junction with US-12).  In the end, though, I wasn't "feeling it", so I backtracked to my hotel again.  After arriving at 1930, I ate "dinner" (snacks) in my room and then spent the rest of the evening reading and watching movies.  Bedtime was at 2215.  Happy I took the trip down memory lane today!

Nomad Life - Day 161

Last night I realized that I'd likely be transitioning to the Eastern Time Zone today so I decided to try to get my circadian rhythm in sync.  With that thought in mind, I woke up at 0500 (alarm needed) and started teleworking immediately.  After my first meeting of the day, I took a break for breakfast in the lobby of the Super 8 (Davenport).  With the morning meal completed, I went back to work and didn't stop again until I had finished all my hours (1300).  Just before turning off my computer, I made lunch in my room and, after finishing the meal, I loaded up my car.  Outside, it was 29 F and sunny - another clear, blue day!  Next, I departed the hotel and got on I-80, which I followed to I-74.  After continuing (south) through Bettendorf, I crossed the Mississippi River on a beautiful new bridge and entered the city of Moline (Illinois).  With the Mississippi behind me, I truly began to feel like I was back on the East Coast...  Before departing the Quad Cities, I stopped to visit the Deere-Wiman House in Moline (1325).  Even though I couldn't go inside the building (it required prior arrangements for a tour), I walked around the grounds.  Next, I moved my car (a few blocks) so I could explore, a nearby green space called Velie Park.  I was hoping to get a good view from the plateau there but found too many trees blocking the view.  There was, however, a nice monument to the Spanish American War.  I also encountered a nice old man who wanted to talk - at first, I believe he thought I was local and commented on the 30+ degree day.  When I told him I was just visiting, he started extolling the virtues of Moline and described how the Viking River Cruise ships docked at the waterfront below to give tourists a view of this "important area".  It was nice to meet such a passionate ambassador!  After getting my fill of the crisp air (1345), I left Moline at and got back on I-74 (still headed south).  When I reached I-280, I followed that Interstate to the east.  As I mentioned, the temps had risen well into the 30s - I started wishing I wasn't driving... Before long, I reached the merge with I-80 and continued east until I reached Bureau County.  With a long drive ahead of me, I didn't plan any stops; but then I saw a big sign for Ronald Reagan Birthplace and exited the Interstate.  I've long wanted to see that landmark but have always been in a hurry when I passed nearby.  So, I followed the prominent signage north on IL-40, west on I-92 and north on I-172 until I reached the town of Tampico (1500).  In the center of the little hamlet (I think the population was about 800), I found plaques, statues, banners and monuments that celebrated the 40th President.  After wandering around on the Main Street (no coat required), I eventually found the "birth apartment" - it had a sign and seemed to be (or have been) the second floor of bank building.  After that, I backtracked towards I-80 (by a reverse reverse route), stopping briefly at the Hennepin Canal and Tow Path (Bridge 56) to get in some more steps.  By the time I reached the Interstate again, I realized my sightseeing had ended up being about a 45 mile round trip detour from the exit.  Don't regret the decision, though!  Continuing east again, I passed the time on the lonely prairie by listening to SiriusXM and audiobooks.  Even though I passed through the area close to Dixon, which was apparently the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan, I didn't stop.  Maybe next time!  I drove through Peru (La Salle County) at 1555 and Morris (Grundy County) at 1615.  During this phase of the drive, I started to see a lot more snow on the ground and the traffic began increasing.  It was quite clear that I was getting into the Chicago Metro area and this realization was amplified by annoyed construction zones with speed enforced by camera (55 mph for a while, then 45 mph).  Hoping to avoid a ticket, I stayed under the limits, even though everyone else was blowing by me.  Once I reached Joliet (1640), I got a warning from Google Maps about a traffic jam ahead.  Unwisely, I the apps advice and departed the Interstate to follow a convoluted trail of side streets.  The time of arrival really didn't change but it was slow going (lots of lights and traffic).  At one point, I ended up on a road with a (stalled ?) train that wasn't moving from the road.  Without delay, I balked at the route and tried another way - Google then took me through a maze of streets until I crossed into Indiana.  I should note that I never got any TMPS warning lights at all today - maybe that's a good sign?  Anyway, I stopped for dinner at Taco Bell in Muncie and also recycled old tech and an ink cartridge at Staples in the same parking lot (done with both tasks by 1750).  By then, I was only a stone's throw away from I-80.  When I got on the highway again, though, I found myself in a traffic jam immediately.  Dang...  Fortunately, the slow down (caused by cops/car in far left lane) didn't last long; within a mile, the speeds opened up a good bit.  Soon after clearing the slow down, I switched to I-94 and it got dark.  At around the same time, I realized I'd found the "real Winter", with lots of snow piled along the side of the Interstate.  Strangely, it reminded me of my four years in Michiana and didn't seem so bad.  Other than snow along the edge of the road, the surface seemed normal and the speed of the traffic seemed unaffected.  Temps were in the mid 20s by this point but, I think, they might have had some melting during the daytime.  Near the town of Springfield, I got off the Interstate and took US-20, which I followed for about 30 miles to the east before switching to IN-2.  I had to stop at several traffic lights along the way but the road remained a four lane until I reached the west side of South Bend / Mishawaka.  I don't recall being on the "new US-31" before (sort of a beltway) but I enjoyed the drive around the Northwest side of the city on that road and ended up intercepting Business US-31 (the old US-33/31 Highway near the Notre Dame Campus) from the north.  Somewhere during this time, I realized I'd reentered the Eastern Time Zone for the first time since mid September...  I arrived at hotel in South Bend (Baymont) at the "new" 2015, checked into my room and got organized.  Hoping to catch up on my steps (since I'd only walked about 1.5 miles for the day by that point), I went looking for the Fitness Center.  It turned out to be very limited (broken equipment) but, starting at 2045, I walked on the one functioning treadmill for almost three miles in one hour.  Afterwards, I checked out the Pool area (closed for renovations).  This place was definitely not as good as my last Baymont!  I spent the rest of the evening reading, catching up on Duolingo and getting tired.  My bed time was at the "new" 2315 and I quickly fell asleep.  It feels good to be back in South Bend!

Nomad Life - Day 160

Like last Sunday, I didn't plan to drive anywhere today.  Bonus: I slept very well and didn't even think about getting up until 0630.  After my eyes were open, I spent time reading, doing Duolingo exercises and finishing puzzles.  At 0745, I went to breakfast in the lobby of the Super 8 (Davenport).  Sadly, there were very limited selections and the pancake machine was broken.  Eventually, the staff fixed it for me (the only guest in the dining area).  After finishing my "meal", I returned to my room and spent the rest of the morning working on finances, planning for upcoming lodging and continuing work on the digitization project.  Meanwhile, it was snowing outside so I deferred my plans for outdoor fun.  At around noon, I ate "lunch" (snacks).  When I was ready to leave the hotel (1330), I came outside to about an inch of snow and temps in the mid 20s.  I used US-61 Business (with one mistake that took me on to US-6) and US-67.  Before long, I crossed the Mississippi River on the Centennial Bridge.  It was strange to think that this was my first time on the east side of the River since September 2025!  Using IL-92, I explored the waterfront area of Rock Island (IL) and, at 1355, parked in lot by the river that was next to the Schwiebert Riverfront Park.  Not completely sure that my car was sitting in a good place, I walked around nearby and found bike trail that followed the top of the levy.  There were SO many waterfowl!  This gave me the impression that there must be a parking lot for that somewhere nearby.  Before moving my car, though, I explored historic Rock Island downtown area.  After that, I moved east "up river" and found a better place to leave my car (Botanical Gardens) before I resumed my walk on the Quad Cities Riverway.  During this part of my day, it was snowing steadily and there was a light breeze.  I backtracked to downtown Rock Island, then checked out the bridge to the Rock Island Arsenal (didn't cross) before continuing my walk upriver.  The bike path was isolated between two tall fences (one for the river and one for industrial properties) and I was itching to get off the trail by the time I reached Sylvan Island.  During this time, I was impressed by the behavior of the partially frozen Mississippi River.  There were lots of birds on the water and in the trees above and there were several small islands scattered nearby.  After checking out Sylvan Island (I even crossed a pedestrian bridge to reach it), I started looking for a way out of the green space.  I noticed a John Deere statue in the parking lot for the island and, after maneuvering through sides streets that connected lots of manufacturing and farming businesses, I finally reached a main street.  By this point, I could why this place is popular with the politicians during the Caucuses - lots of Labor, Agriculture, etc.  As I walked west on side of the road, I ended up on the edge of a major railyard.  Near the old Depot (for sale!), I found a monument to the construction of the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River.  I reached my car (after walking four miles) at 1545 and decided to cross the River into Davenport.  The bridge I chose took me across the property of the Rock Island Arsenal but I couldn't access it (gate closed).  I parked right near the north end of the bridge to Davenport and got a great photo of the "Welcome" sign.  Nearby, I spotted the Great River Brewery and decided to go in there for some beer tasting (1600).  It wasn't too busy so I decided to order food (panini-like sandwich & Caesar salad).  The nice lady bartender was a wealth of information and she pointed out that the Quad Cities was the only place where the Mississippi flows West to East, has the longest "Roller Dam" and (as I'd seen in town) boasted the first bridge across the Mississippi River.  After finishing up my drinks and dinner, I (re)crossed the river to Rock Island again.  On the way (1730), I stopped briefly at Fort Armstrong (built in 1816) - there were nice views there of the bridges along the river (they were lit up for the night, even though it wasn't dark yet).  I arrived at my goal, St. Pius X Catholic Church, at 1745 and was one of the first parishioners in the building.  When Mass began (1800), there still weren't many people.  The priest appeared to be from somewhere in Eastern Europe and he gave a good Homily.  The service was over by 1845 and I exited the church to find it was snowing much harder than it had been earlier.  Carefully, I drove back to Davenport using surface streets and the Centennial Bridge.  Before long, I was backtracking on Business US-61.  By this point, my gas tank was nearly empty so I stopped for (cheap) gas at Stop N Go before heading back to my hotel room (arrived at 1910).  I spent the rest of the evening relaxing and watching movies and finally went to bed at 2215.  Glad I got a better feel for the Quad Cities today!

Nomad Life - Day 159

I had a good night's sleep at the Baymont (Des Moines Airport) and, since I didn't set an alarm, I stayed in bed until 0615.  All I could thin about when I awoke was "thank goodness there is no teleworking today!"  I love my job, generally, but making my way to the East Coast is a lot easier when I don't have to wait at the hotel all day...  Before getting ready, I spent time reading, doing Duolingo exercises and completing puzzles.  At 0730, I went to breakfast in the dining area of the hotel (very close to my room).  Next, I went back to the Fitness Center and walked for 3.15 miles on the treadmill (60 minutes).  I was also able to complete a workout on the recumbent stationary bike (4.6 miles in 20 minutes).  There were several other people in the gym with me and I worried for a little while if I'd have access to equipment I wanted to use - fortunately, the others took only a little time on each machine.  However, when I went to the pool with the goal of logging some laps, I found kids were using it.  No swimming for me today, unfortunately...  Instead, I returned to my room (0930) to prepare for departure.  There was time for blogging and making arrangements for my upcoming evening in the Quad Cities area.  I ultimately left my hotel at 1145 - by then, it was 17 F but very sunny (no clouds).  I used surface streets to reach I-235 (north side of Des Moines) and, once I was on the Interstate, crossed the Des Moines River).  My initial destination was the Iowa State Capital Complex and I arrived there at noon.  After finding an area designated for Visitor Parking (just like in Lincoln), I spent time walking around near the Capitol.  The architecture was rather stunning, actually, and looked like something out of Eastern Europe.  Nearby, I found lots of interesting monuments to veterans of various wars, memorials to beloved politicians and (probably most surprising of all) a statue of Christopher Columbus.  At 1215, I got back in my car and used surface streets to return to I-235, which I followed to I-80.  As I continued east, I passed near Baxter (Jasper County) at 1240.  In that area, I was surprised to find that there was still no snow on the ground.  There were, however, lots of rolling hills, more remnants of the harvested cornstalks and windmill farms.  I was glad to see that the temperatures had risen (up to 22 F) and this gave me a hope that I'd have more fun walking outside when I reached the Herbert Hoover National Historical Site, which I planned to visit before stopping for the night.  As I drove, I went through Victor (Iowa County) at 1325 and Oxford (Johnson County) at 1345.  By then, I'd begun to pass lots of state troopers.  Passing the time with audiobooks, I very much enjoyed the wonderful weather and scenery.  At 1405, I arrived in the town of West Branch and very easily found the the Herbert Hoover NHS.  Inside of the NPS Visitor Center, I explored the exhibits and learned more about the 31st President, including his early life in the town (first President born west of the Mississippi), his becoming an orphan and moving to Oregon, his attendance at Stanford University, working life as an engineer, philanthropist and favorite son of Iowa and West Branch.  Sadly, the nearby Presidential Library & Museum was closed for renovation.  However, I was able to tour a recreation of the old village - most of the buildings were original but had been moved from the main town to create the feel of 1870s/1880s Iowa.  They had a school house, Quaker Meeting House and Hoover's father's blacksmith shop - the highlight, though, was a place called the "Birthplace Cottage."  Before I was done with my nearly two mile walk on the grounds of the NHS, I visited the grave of the President and his wife.  Along the way, there was plenty of (really good) birding!  I concluded my visit just after 1500 and got back on I-80.  I listened to more audiobooks (making good progress through "Zorba the Greek").  As I passed through Stockton (Scott County) at 1530, I started feeling very tired.  Luckily, I was getting close to my hotel, the Super 8 (Davenport) by then.  By 1550, I'd checked into my room and was settled within 10 minutes.  I'd had big plans to work hard at that point but, as the drowsiness continued, I ended up lounging around with no sense of urgency to be productive.  For the rest of the evening I read a book that I needed to return to the library within the next week ("East of Eden" and made dinner in my room.  When I finally got to watching movies (now a daily habit, I think), I had to fight to stay awake as the time ticked away between about 1930 and 2100.  In the end, I barely made it to my bedtime of 2145!  It's been decades (since February 1988) since I had a few days in the Quad Cities - hoping I can do some exploring but, also, get some rest and relaxation here this time...

Nomad Life - Day 158

Now in Iowa, thoughts about the drive east had moved to the forefront of my mind.  East of the Mississippi, my friends were complaining (on social media) about the terrible weather conditions (extreme cold and deep snow) - that didn't make me want to continue my journey in their direction...  In the present, though, I got up at 0530 (alarm needed) and started teleworking.  I thought my hotel, the Super 8 (Council Bluffs) had breakfast but they apologized that they didn't.  As a result, I ended up deferring a morning meal and continued working through the morning.  At one point, I was interrupted by the cleaning staff, who didn't seem to know about my late checkout.  Undeterred, I stayed online until 1200 and reached 6.5 hours for my work day.  After noon, I checked out of my hotel and, while packing up my car, found that a bit of snow had fallen on my car.  The temps were steady at 14 F and the conditions were overcast and windy.  After driving (via I-80 and I-29) east for a little bit, I found a shopping area on the far eastern edge of Council Bluffs.  In that area, gas was very cheap (close to $2 a gallon in places!).  Since I'd ordered ahead, I picked up my lunch at Panera (1215) and finished it inside the warm restaurant.  Afterwards, I went grocery shopping (using a gift card) at a nearby Target.  This trip was opportune, since I'd run out of essential supplies during the last week... Finished at 1245, I returned to the parking lot to find it was still windy and cold.  Deciding not to let these conditions affect my plans, I made my way north to the nearby Lewis and Clark Monument (arrived there at about 1300).  The monument was located on top of a high bluff above the Missouri River, with a commanding view of the prairie (and Omaha) to the west.  Apparently, this site was the setting for the first Indian Council conducted by the Expedition (August 1804) and later gave backing to the name for the town of Council Bluffs.  The bluffs were comprised of yellow dirt and stone that fell out of exposed hills as they eroded; the underlying soil wasn't visible in the immediate area of the monument but I saw it later.  When I was finished learning about the history and topography of the eastern side of the Missouri, I used surface streets (including Old Lincoln Highway) to make my way to I-80.  From that junction, the Interstate actually headed northeast until it (re)joined I-880.  As I drove east (entered Cass County at 1410), I passed lots of big windmills on both sides of the highway and dodged light, blowing snow.  The highway traveled through lots of farms with fields that still showed the remnants of harvested corn because there was no snow cover.  For most of the drive today, I was getting annoying messages about my Subaru's TPMS, even though the tire pressure was normal.  Hopefully, these electrical issues will stop before long... Before long, I saw signs that talked about a "Danish Windmill" and decided to stop for a look.  Once off I-80, I drove north (on IA-173) into the town of Elk Horn (Shelby County) and, at 1420, I stopped t get photos of the interesting landmark.  The air was cold and biting (mostly due to the wind) but I wandered around a park nearby to read signs with lots of interesting data about the Danes in Iowa (and their Viking ancestors).  Nearby, I noticed a road sign about a place called "Little Mermaid Park" and decided to go looking for it.  This was easier said than done, since I didn't have cell signal in this town.  After unsuccessfully seeking additional signage, I explored on the countryside until my iPhone picked up a tower.  From there, I was directed to the town of Kimballton.  Arriving at 1435, I found the park to be quite nice, despite the fact that the fountain was turned off for the Winter.  I walked around a bit nearby and found lots of little statues inspired by Hans Christian Andersen stories (e.g., Ugly Duckling, Thumbelina, etc.).  There was also a mural (painted on a rock) that connected to John James Audubon (namesake of the County).  From this town, Google Maps took me back towards the east, mostly on gravel farm roads, so that I could visit the nearby Danish Countryside Winery.  I arrived at 1450 and, after rousing the proprietor (he wasn't on site initially), I was able to do some wine tasting.  In the end, I tried five vintages ("Tivoli Celebration", "Maid of the Harbor", "Catawba Sunset" and two others that were tinged with blueberry and cherry flavors) for a very reasonable price.  I ended up talking with the Vintner, Loren, and learned that he was a Lutheran Minister who used his wine during services at his nearby church.  He also turned out to be an Air Force construction sergeant so we had a lot to talk about.  The conversation even strayed into Theological topics and we talked for a long time.  Ultimately, I didn't depart until after 1600!  Once I got (reluctantly) back into my car, I drove east on Littlefield Drive (AKA Audubon County Road F58).  Along the way, I passed through Exira and crossed US-71.  After that, I continued (same road) all the way to I-80.  During this time, Brenna called; it was great to hear from her but we couldn't talk long because of the bad cell service in the area. By then, I'd gotten back on I-80 (synonymous with US-6) and resumed my drive to the east.  There was a lot of truck traffic and cars "parked" in the left lane during this phase of the drive.  Meanwhile, I passed through Adair County, Madison County and Dallas County while listening to audiobooks.  Somehow, I missed a chance to stop at the Jesse James Train Robbery site near Adair - dang.  At around this time, I also passed signs for a NPS Unit called "Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area".  (When I looked it up later, it appeared to be a huge zone of Americana in northeastern Iowa.)  Eventually, I got off I-80 and took I-35 to the south; I used that to reach IA-5.  From there, I drove east until reaching Veterans Parkway.  By 1720, I'd found my hotel, a Baymont by Wyndham, (Des Moines Airport) and checked in (it was reward night).  After getting into my room about 10 minutes later, I resumed teleworking immediately.  Outside my window, the sun had just set and there was a lovely orange glow for a while afterwards.  Upon reaching the required 1.5 hours of additional work (1900), I left my room and walked around the hotel (to get my bearings).  During this time, I reached two miles of walking for the day - the potential for more arose when I found a fitness center and a pool.  To take advantage of this opportunity, though, I had to go back out into the frigid (low double digits by this time) air to get my workout/swim gear.  The upside of this unplanned trip outdoors, however, was that I got a great view of Jupiter next to the moon.  Before starting my workout, I ate "dinner" (snacks).  In the Fitness Center and Pool, I completed one mile on the treadmill (20 minutes), 4.5 miles on the recumbent stationary bike (20 minutes) and 0.25 miles of lap swimming (15 minutes).  After that, I took in a sauna for 10 minutes and jacuzzi for 15 minutes.  During this whole time, there was only one other person nearby (a lady) and I enjoyed the peace and solitude.  Once I reached my room again (2130), I spent time online taking care of emails and then read for a little while.  For once, I didn't' watch any movies!  By 2315, I was ready for bed.  This Baymont hotel turned out to be a wonderful location - it seems to be a major Conference Center and is connected with a flatbed trucking school (next door).  The amenities are great and I hope to take advantage of them again in the morning!

Nomad Life - Day 157

This morning, I woke up (with my alarm at 0530) with the knowledge that it was time to move on to a new place again.  Putting this thought aside, I immediately got started with my telework day.  Meanwhile, I saw that it was snowing outside (temps at 16 F) and that my car was already covered!  During a short break, I went to the lobby of the Rodeway Inn (Lincoln) and picked up some breakfast (the lady gave me lots more granola bars again).  Otherwise, I continued working until I reached 6.5 hours - the rest would have to wait until my next hotel...  By then (1200), it was sunny and the snow had stopped (temps had risen into the 20s).  After packing up my car and dusting off all the snow, I drove east on O- Street (US-6 until it became US-34) and located the Nebraska State Capitol building.  I found it strange that there was paid parking almost everywhere but that they also seemed to have short term visitor parking very close to the Capitol.  They definitely are going for a "People's House" idea!  While there (1215 to 1230), I walked around the entire building and, nearby, found the first state government building and other historic markers.  The weather was pleasant and I would have kept exploring if I didn't have anywhere else to be.  Instead, I drove north (via I-180) to I-80.  On the way, I listened to audiobooks.  While on this section of Interstate (Lincoln to Omaha), I encountered a LOT of state troopers...  At 1315, I stopped at Flying J in Gretna for gas.  For the first time in many years, I had trouble with the pump (it acted like it was "stuck").  By the time I'd sorted everything out, I noticed that the price had increased by $0.06!  Still, the cost per gallon was much lower than I'd seen on the West Coast... After my tank was full (1325), I drove south (NE-31) and west for a little bit in hopes of visiting the Holy Family Shrine.  Unfortunately, it was closed and had ominous "do not trespass" signs.  Still, I got some good views from the road.  It looked like a soaring wedding sanctuary and I kept thinking about a similar building I saw in Arkansas with my friends (John and Laura).  At 1330, I drove back towards town and, after crossing over I-80, stopped at Nebraska Crossing, a huge outdoor mall complex.  Hoping to find some food, I walked around and marveled at the idea that anyone would enjoy an outdoor shopping area, ala Southern California, in this part of the country.  Several businesses had closed and there weren't many food choices.  Fortunately, I did get a good bit of walking and reached one mile for the day.  Looking for better options, I next drove north on US-6 until I found a local Runza franchise.  After ordering (a burger and side of a "meat pocket") at 1355, I ate my lunch inside the mostly empty restaurant.  Once I was done easting, I returned to the Interstate and redirected my drive towards the Lauritzen Gardens, which were located along the western side of the Missouri River.  After driving through the entire city of Omaha, I arrived at my destination at 1445.  Using an electronic kiosk outside the main building, I bought a ticket and then went looking for the Thomas Dambo trolls that were on special display at the park (there were six and I found them all).  With the increasing temperatures by this point, was I pleasantly surprised to find so many birds on the grounds of the garden.  Bonus: wild turkeys!  While the winter weather had clearly made most of the flowering plants dormant, I was pleased to be able to explore several kinds (Japanese, Lithuanian, model train, etc.) of gardens.  I encountered deer inside the park and passed by lots of construction that was clearly going to improve the visitor experience.  Altogether, I was at the Gardens for about 90 minutes and logged nearly three miles of walking.  Before departing, I also checked out the indoor parts of the garden (they had huge greenhouses and pleasant covered courtyards).  At 1615, I walked across the parking lot and climbed up a steep hill (fortunately, there were steps).  At the top, I found a memorial to the Union Pacific Railroad and a monument to the Transcontinental Railroad.  The signs claimed that it actually began in Omaha, I guess because there were tracks to the east of that location before the Act which created the nationwide system.  From the top of the hill, I got some amazing views of Missouri River and Iowa to the east.  Even better, there were some HUGE train engines up there!  After finishing my visit to Lauritzen Gardens (1635), I started looking for a train trestle I'd learned about at the park.  There was a photo of an impressive (hundreds of feet tall) bridge and a location that made me want to see it.  I drove west from the Gardens and tried to locate 32nd Street (eastern edge of the zone).  On the way, I stumbled across signs for the Gerald R. Ford Birthplace and Gardens.  When I changed my focus to this landmark (1655), I discovered it o be a nice little historical park. The home had been demolished but there was a model, artifacts and exhibits connected with the late President's life and lots of stone monuments to Nebraska leaders there too.  Finished at 1705, I continued my search for the train trestle - I finally gave up when I reached 60th Street because the traffic was getting annoying.  Instead, I got back on I-80 and drove east to Council Bluffs, IA.  I arrived at my hotel (Super 8) by 1730, parked in a Veterans parking spot (nice) and checked into my room easily.  Almost immediately, I resumed by telework day and worked 1.5 more hours.  Before retiring for the night, I read, did Duolingo puzzles and watched movies - I turned out the lights at 2230.  Farewell, Nebraska, I really enjoyed my visit!

Nomad Life - Day 156

Somehow, I woke up at 0530 without needing my alarm!  I was teleworking by 0600 and only took one short break to pick up breakfast in the lobby of the Rodeway Inn (Lincoln).  This time, the lady at the front desk was very nice and let me have several additional granola bars (making my meal more substantial).  Otherwise, I kept working for the rest of the morning and, at noon, made lunch in the room.  My telework day ended at 1500 and I then spent time doing some Thanksgiving planning, making business phone calls, etc. As a result, I didn't leave my hotel room until much later than I'd planned.  This (intentional) delay caused me to miss out on the best weather day of the week - temps were in the mid 30s and there was some good sunlight.  Even more indicative of the great conditions: ice melted in the parking lot and I could see the parking spot lines for the first time!  Finally, at 1645, I left the hotel and drove east (via US-6), searching for a place to park at University of Nebraska Lincoln.  This goal was much harder to achieve than I'd hoped - there were so many rules, so many strange directional signs and so many restrictions!  It wasn't until just before 1700 when I gave up on parking on the camps and got out of my car at the lot next to the Amtrak Station (near the Pinnacle Bank Arena) again.  I'd thought that parking was free there after 5 PM but, unfortunately, the signs indicated it wouldn't be free until an hour later - dang!  From there, I resumed my search for parking closer to the center of "UNL".  Along the way, I drove through the area of town called the Historic Haystack District and realized this provided a reason for the name of the baseball field I'd passed earlier.  Actually, I'd been in this area the previous night (while looking for a way back to my hotel) but hadn't realized what it was.  The zone was filled with bars, shopping and an old-town vibe.  Not wanting to give up on learning about the campus, though, I ignored the urge to try out another Brewery...  Finally (1715), I decided to park in spots reserved for guests to the Natural History Museum.  Hoping to follow the rules on the signage, I walked around nearby, looking for the actual building.  Along the way, I was able to walk inside the College of Business building - it was very fancy.  Also in this area, I got up-close views of the Memorial (Football) Stadium.  Eventually, I spied a statue of a giant mammoth and realized I'd found the museum in question.  At the front door of the building, I discovered that they had just closed.  However, one member of the staff came outside to talk with me.  In addition to telling me not to worry about the parking enforcement, Adam (who was originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland), was a wealth of knowledge about fossil hunting in Nebraska.  He told me about the mammoth, affectionately named "Archie", and explained that "90 of 93 counties in Nebraska have fossils and the rest may too".  I was particularly fascinated to learn that one site (with prehistoric rhinoceros) was still being excavated and was open to the public during the summer.  This conversation was so true to my Nomad Life experiences that it definitely raised my spirts high!  After saying goodbye to Adam (1730), I wandered around the campus for the next  90 minutes.  Along the way, I visited the Nebraska Union and bought some dinner at Chick-fil-A (1750).  In addition, I passed several historical buildings, walked through the Sports Hall of Fame gateway and even watched classes taking place in buildings nearby.  One of these was clearly a classics or religion class because the monitor behind the professor showed diagrams of cathedrals.  Almost everyone I encountered was (at least) three decades younger than me - the campus was actually very busy and it was nice to see such active young people.  In the end (1850), I discovered that I had walked over four miles!  Overall, I felt good about what I'd seen.  Like last night, I had some trouble getting out of the area again and, even though I briefly considered stopping for a drink at the Kinkaider Brewing Company again and another place I passed ("Top Hat Pub"), I decided against staying out later.  Instead, I made my way (via I-180 and the Cornhusker Highway) towards I-80/US-77 and was back at my hotel by 1900.  I spent the rest of the evening catching up on eBird, Duolingo and reading.  Later, I watched one movie until bed time (2230).  Very glad that I was able to get a personal feel for one of the big features of Lincoln!

Nomad Life - Day 155

Changing time zones isn't fun - I needed my alarm clock to wakeup at the "new" 0630 (old 0530) but I'm relieved that I didn't set it for earlier...  I started teleworking immediately and, along the way, ate snacks for my breakfast.  Hours later, I remembered that I was promised a free breakfast from the hotel; when I went to the lobby of the Rodeway (Lincoln), however, the only thing they gave me was a fruit cup, a granola bar and a bottle of water.  Not going to get filled up on that...  Anyway, I worked for the rest of the morning and, at noon, I made lunch in my room.  I continued working until a doctor appointment I had scheduled (virtual) at 1415.  The doctor didn't come on until more than 15 minutes later but then we only had to talk for about 20 minutes.  After that, I finished up my telework day (1545) and left the hotel in hopes of getting some outdoor exercise.  I'd seen a place on the map called the Lincoln Saline Nature Center that was located only a few miles away and quickly made my way there.  Upon arrival, I found a snowy parking lot next to an expansive marsh area (1600).  There were signs that hinted there might be a building ("Center") but I never encountered any kind of structure.  The temperature was 29 F but the sky was mostly sunny - even better, there was very little breeze.  The snow in the park was only about one inch deep and there wasn't any ice.  These tame conditions allowed me to walk around in the extensive trail system for about three miles.  Along the way, I got some nice views of the (frozen) Salt River and a huge herd of deer.  On the minus side, the park had lots of homeless encampments.  At times, I crossed train tracks (both active and dormant) and encountered some fat rabbits. There were actually a large number of birds in the wetlands and I did some good birding (first time in weeks I've logged new species) - a highlight was seeing a bright red cardinal.  Afterwards (1715), I drove (via US-6, inspiring more memories of Cape Cod) towards the north end of Lincoln.  Along the way, I encountered lots of tailgaters and strange intersections with unpredictable traffic lights.  Bottom line: I had to be on my guard constantly (ughhhh).  Eventually (1730), I arrived at the Super Walmart and picked up some ink for my printer (online order).  Fortunately, I was only in the parking lot for about five minutes and was soon (1740) able to relocate to a nearby restaurant I'd noticed: Runza.  A friend (Kevin A.) had mentioned that Nebraska was known for this unique venue and the "midwestern burrito" type food they sold.  From the outside, it looked popular: the restaurant parking lot was very busy and the drive-thru line was extended out on to the street!  I ordered two flavors (original and cheese) of the eponymous snack and enjoyed them in the restaurant - I could definitely understand the appeal!  Meanwhile, I watched a grandma and her granddaughters talking about the tasty "meat pockets" any why they were so special.  At 1800, I wrapped up my dinner and made my way towards the sports complex that included the Pinnacle Bank Arena.  The parking garages there were mostly empty but charged money (even in the evening).  Fortunately, I found a free place to park near the Amtrak Station and spent some time walking around.  At 1815, I located the Kinkaider Taproom (I'd hoped to check that out) and went inside to sample beers (ordered a flight of five) produced by the Kinkaider Brewing Company.  There was a College Basketball game on the TV and the place was full of Nebraska Cornhusker fans who, apparently, hate the Michigan Wolverines as most Notre Dame football fans do.  With all the noise and excitement, I really didn't talk with anyone.  Instead, I soaked up the ambiance and enjoyed my beers.  Afterwards (1900), I walked back to my car (reached my 10K step goal at that point) and started to head back to my hotel.  This ended up requiring more effort than I'd hoped because of the wide train tracks and elevated major roads.  Instead, I ended up using a roundabout route through the downtown (9th Street and Van Dorn Street, with the latter inspiring memories of Alexandria, VA).  Before long, I was on US-77 and was soon able to reach O Street (AKA US-6) and my hotel again.  I spent the rest of the evening working on eBird, Duolingo and reading.  I also watched some YouTube videos (i.e., news) related to current events.  When I finally went to bed at 2330, I kicked myself because it was past time to start getting adjusted to the "new" time-zone.  Tomorrow probably won't be any easier...

Nomad Life - Day 154

Unlike I usually try to do during my Nomad Life, I was still in Alliance when I woke up this morning, with a plan to move in the middle of the day.  Hoping to get a good start on my telework day, I was up at 0500 (before alarm) and immediately got on my computer.  At 0730, I took a break for breakfast in the lobby of Alliance Hotel (Alliance) and then moved into the workout room for some exercise.  During the following 80 minutes, I used the treadmill (3.25 miles in 60 minutes) and recumbent bike (4 miles in 20 minutes).  I thought about swimming some laps but, instead, went back to my telework at 0920.  Fortunately, I also had time to get a load of laundry going at around the same time.  While the washer worked fine, the dryer didn't - there was enough time to hang dry clothes for a few hours, though.  In the end, I worked all the way until the time of my late checkout (1200).  By then, I'd reached the five hour mark for my work day.  With the indulgence of the hotel's staff, I was able to pack up my car after the official time.  Before departing, I thanked the owner of the hotel for two wonderful stays this month and told him that it was, by far, the best property of any hotel chain I'd visited during my Nomad Life journey.  Next (1210), I drove to nearby a Maverick gas station to fill up my tank and also picked up lunch at McDonalds (1220).  Hoping to get rid of the Christmas Tree lights ("check engine", etc.) on my dash, I drove to nearby Red Beard Garage and Towing (recommended by the hotel) for help.  There was a little bit of reluctance at first (outside temps?) but, in the end, they definitely did a good job.  The only downside was that this visit cost me a lot more than I'd hoped - I'll admit to some unhappy thoughts directed at the Subaru Dealership in Rapid City...  Still, I was able to leave Alliance with a clear dashboard by 1230.  By then, the outside temps were 35 F, the sky was beautiful (sunny) and there was very little wind.  My five (plus) hour drive began when I accessed NE-2 and received a message from Google Maps that I'd be on that same road for over 200 miles.  During the early phases of this trip, I encountered some un-melted snow on the road surface.  Luckily, there was almost no traffic and I was easily able to avoid the hazard.  Meanwhile, I traveled through expansive ranch fields and (occasional) interesting bluffs (mostly near creeks).  Across the prairie, I had expansive visibility for many miles in all directions.  Along the way, I passed many historical signs - most seemed to be about pioneer journeys and "firsts" for the Panhandle.  I passed through Antioch (Sheridan County) at 1250 and reached Ashby (Grant County) a bit later.  By 1330, I reached the town of Hyannis (< 200 pop), which, almost certainly, has to be named for the town on Cape Cod I know so well.  At about this time, I started fighting with another dashboard annoyance: my tire pressures, which had worked so well at higher elevations and colder temperatures, seemed to be setting off the advisory lights.  The rest of the dashboard was clear, fortunately, but I didn't like the thought that my tires might be overinflated.  As a result, I stopped several times to let out a little bit of air.  As for the continuing scenery, though, I was not disappointed - when I passed a lake near the town of Whitman, I saw a soaring Bald Eagle.  After that, I passed through Mullen (Hooker County) and Thedford (Thomas County).  Just about that time, I transitioned (back) into the Central Time Zone - hopefully, this will help with my coordination with East Coast folks...  Imagine my surprise when I noticed the temperature gauge showing 42 F!  I'm not sure I trust that (since the car has been having electrical issues) but it seemed warm when I stopped (again) for the tire issue.  Later, I reached the town of Halsey, I passed a nice looking bike trail system (never could figure out the name) and noticed that there was no more evidence of snow.  I should have mentioned by now the large number of trains (mostly BNSF) that kept passing me during this whole drive - these were impressive!  I think some could have been coal trains because I saw a lot of cinder/coal piled along the road.  The terrain had also changed to being what you might call "drumlins" - the whole area looked like something out of a Highlands inspired golf course.  Beyond this point, I passed through Dunning (Blane County), saw a sign for Brewster (another Cape Cod name?) and reached Anselmo (Custer County).  When the traffic started to get more plentiful, I realized I'd only seen three other cars going in my direction during the previous three hours.  When I reached Broken Bow (1635), the larger size of the town was in stark contrast to all the things I'd seen during the previous few days.  This led to an increase in the number of cops along the way (especially in subsequent small towns).  For some reason, I started to see snow again - there was a lot by the time I passed through Mason Cit (1700).  Wrapping up my prairie passage, I drove through Litchfield (Sherman County) at 1710, Sweetwater (Buffalo County) at 1720 and Cairo (Hall County) at 1735.  The town of Grand Island (really big) had street lights (which I hadn't seen since Alliance) and I was finally able to change the clock in my car.  By 1745, I was on US-281 and only had to drove about 10 miles to reach I-80.  The temps were still at around freezing while the sun was setting and I caught a glimpse of the sunset when I got on the Interstate (1755).  After that, I made good time as I drove east.  I passed the time with audiobooks but had to keep my attention focused on the road because I kept watching trucks pre-emptively changing lanes in front of me, even though traffic levels didn't seem to justify this.  There were also LOTS of tailgaters and some construction.  Before long, though, I arrived at my hotel in (West) Lincoln, the Rodeway Inn (located on US-6 near a big Prison).  When I checked in at 1915, I was rewarded with three nights due to my 2025 loyalty points earned with Wyndham.  As I got settled in my room, the temps dropped all the way down to 20 F - brrrr.  I resumed teleworking immediately and was able to finish my last three hours of work with no issue (mostly because of the time change).  Meanwhile, I had snacks for my dinner.  The heater was not working very well but I was comfortable with it set at the max level (86 degrees).  There was barely any time to watch movies before bed time but I tried.  In the end, I had to force myself to turn out the light (2345).  Looking forward to learning more about Lincoln over the next few days!

Nomad Life - Day 153

With no plans to drive today and lower temps again, I didn't have a lot of things planned.  I hoped to sleep in, actually, but this didn't work out - instead, I woke up at 0530 (without an alarm set) and struggled to stay in bed until 0645.  After giving up on sleep, I worked on puzzles, Duolingo and my blog, with a little bit of reading too.  At 0745, I went to breakfast in lobby or Alliance Hotel (Alliance, NE) and then returned to catch up on social media posts.  Outside, it was snowing steadily, with temps below freezing (low single digits) until about 0930.  Coupled with the cold, it was a "gray day" (some clouds and sun but the swirling snow on the prairie obscured the views).  For the first time during all my Nomad Life travels, I had a chance to return to the same Catholic Church for Mass as I had attended the previous weekend.  With a bit of curiosity, I drove to nearby Holy Rosary Catholic Church for Mass (arrived at 0945).  Almost immediately, I noticed subtle differences between the Sunday morning (1000) Mass and the Saturday Vigil Mass the previous weekend.  For one thing, there were fewer people.  Also, the choir was smaller.  I liked that the kids came up to the front of the church to deposit money in an offering basket held by the priest.  I suppose the fact there was no Blessing of the Catechumens this week might have been the difference...  All that really mattered, though, was that the building was warm!  Afterwards (1050), I returned to the hotel and took care of some more admin stuff.  Along the way, I deferred lunch.  Hoping to continue my lucky break on fitness equipment, I returned to the hotel gym (1130) and started my workout.  First, I walked 3.25 miles on the treadmill (in just over an hour).  After that, I rode on the stationary (recumbent) bike for 20 minutes (4 miles).  My timing with these first two activities worked out perfectly because a child's birthday pool party, which had been going on outside the fitness center for the previous hour, ended just as I got off the bike.  Since everyone had departed by then, I was able to change into my bathing suit and swim laps for 15 minutes (0.25 miles).  What a great deal!  I finished my extensive workout at 1330.  As I was drying off, one of the hotel staff told me I was lucky because there was another party scheduled at 1400 and I'd have had difficulty with the laps (he admitted he does the same thing as I did whenever he can).  Back in my room, I caught up on some eBird entries (I'm actually going back to record historical entries now) and continued digitizing files.  At around this time, I made a (very) late lunch in my room.  Feeling very productive, I thought it would be a good idea to head out for some beer and to watch the AFC and NFC Championship games.  So, at 1530, I left the hotel again and headed to Brewery 719.  Unfortunately, I found that they were closed (because it was Sunday?).  After exploring the entire town, though, I couldn't see a single place that was actually open for football and beer!  Something else I noticed, though, was that if I was a member of the Elks or the American Legion, I might have been in luck (they had lots of cars in their lots).  After basically giving up on social interaction, started on my way back to my room.  Suddenly, I saw a few lights on (despite the dimming afternoon sunlight) in a strip mall close to the hotel.  The business, Sam & Louie's, turned out to be a pizza restaurant that was almost empty.  Initially, though, I wasn't even convinced they were open until I saw games on the TV.  Funny story: the playing surface was all white on the screens and I thought the were showing hockey!  I was going to ask them to turn on some football before I realized the game (which was happening during a snowstorm in Denver) WAS the AFC Championship.  At 1600, I sat down at the bar and ordered a tall boy (Fat Tire).  The first game, which was already winding down when I arrived, ended up being pretty close because of the elements.  Everyone who worked at the bar (and the patrons who arrived after me) were clearly Denver fans and they were very disappointed when the game ended in a Patriots victory... During the break between games, I ordered a bowl of the soup of the day, which ended up being a tasty chili.  When the NFC Championship game began (1645), I ordered another beer.  Meanwhile, the restaurant gradually filled up with local people.  As usual for the Plains States, I found everyone was very friendly and was very pleased that I could socialize during the game.  At halftime, I paid up and departed for my hotel, which was only one block away.  After arriving there (1815), I spent the rest of the evening watching movies and didn't get to bed until 2300.  Great, lazy Sunday!

Nomad Life - Day 152

My decision to wait until the weekend to depart from Rapid City seemed to pay off, with the coldest temps fading in the rear view mirror when I woke up at 0545 (no alarm set) this morning.  I spent part of the morning reading, completing Duolingo exercises and working on puzzles.  After doing some packing, I went to breakfast in the lobby of the Microtel (Rapid City).  By 0745, I was back in my room and took some time taking care of paperwork and making hotel reservations for coming week.  By 1030, I was packing up the car and planning to get on the road.  Unfortunately, the last few days of weak starts finally resulted in a series of clicking sounds (but no start).  Temps were in the 20s by then so I don't think it was the extreme cold.  Regardless, I didn't want to be stuck in Rapid City for much longer...  When I went back into the hotel, I found some nice people who helped me charge the battery - this jump start was almost a one-for-one on my own support for another person back in Cheyenne...  I finally left the hotel at 1100 and made a beeline back to Courtesy Subaru (where I'd gotten help a few days before).  The staff was pretty busy (with curtailed hours for a Saturday) but they agreed to do a battery test (started at 1115) to see what might need to be done.  After about an hour, they told me that they recommended a new battery (the old one had been nearly completely drained, was too small and didn’t have the correct CCA for cold weather).  Though I wasn't exactly certain when I last replaced the battery, I still authorized them to replace it.  This turned out to be an extremely costly and time consuming decision.  When they released the car back to me (1300), I immediately noticed a check engine light and had to wait for that to be reset.  It wasn't until 1330 that I was able to depart the dealership.  Now I have a shiny new battery (should last five or more years).  As I drove out of Rapid City (on SD-79), I had lots of problems because all of my settings had been reset with the battery change.  The sun was shining brilliantly but it was still below 30 degrees as I drove - the wind was a nit of a factor but it didn't last once I'd passed through drove through Buffalo Gap.  For a little while, I enjoyed traffic-free travel on a four lane highway.  Before long, however, I reached the place where US-18 and US-385 headed west to Hot Springs (I'd been there about a week prior).  As I drove through town, I picked up late lunch at Dairy Queen (1430).  Since I was feeling a bit behind schedule by then, I ate most of the food in the car.  Meanwhile (still on US-18), I climbed into Black Hills - I could feel the pressure differential in my ears.  At 1455, I stopped at the parking lot for the Minnekahta Trailhead so I could check out the George S. Mickelson Trail that I'd seen signs for during my northbound drive through the area.  It turned out to be a 109 mile rail trail that connected Edgemont and Deadwood.  There seemed to be a good amount of infrastructure and signage so I started walking southbound.  I noticed some signs nearby that indicated I was supposed to pay but I never did.  The outside temperature had descended to 17 F and this was not comfortable for walking.  In the end, I gave up and returned to my car after about a half mile of trail (one mile total).  Starting up my car again, I found that I had Christmas Tree lights on my dash, the continuation of my problems at the dealership (and last seen in South Lake Tahoe, CA).  This didn't make me happy at all because I could no longer use my cruise control.  Departing from the trailhead (1510), I continued south and west on US-18 until I reached the town of Edgemont - just before that, I crossed the Cheyenne River.  At 1525, I parked near City Park and walked more of the Mickelson Trail.  Along the way, I found a unique covered bridge (the locals claimed it was the only one in the plains states), saw lots of military equipment and items connected with the railroad.  The town had signs that celebrated their role as a "Trail Town" at the southern end of the rail trail. By the time I was finished (1545), I'd logged another two miles of walking and felt pretty good about my progress on such a cold day.  I checked online about services at the town's Catholic Church but discovered they only had Mass at PM on Sundays.  From Edgemont, I took SD-471 and SD 71 towards the south.  There were some times in when I wasn't on pavement anymore and I followed a zig zag pattern (all right angles) between ranches. I crossed into Nebraska at 1615 and the road became NE-71.  During this drive, I passed through the Oglala National Grassland (another place my family visited in 2010).  At one point, I saw a coyote - this seemed was a surprise because I didn't see any prairie dog towns nearby.  The remoteness of my drive was underscored by the fact that I saw no cars at all for many miles.  Eventually (1645), I reached the town of Crawford and was shocked to find unplowed roads - there was a lot of snow!  Like before, I checked into the Mass times for their Catholic Church but learned there were no services on Saturdays.  Dang...  Throughout this part of the drive, several town welcome signs showed populations below 300 people.  I wanted to stop for a bathroom at times but each one I encountered (rest areas, etc.) were locked.  On the plus side, I saw some amazing sunset views, with beautiful colors in the sky and on the distant horizon.  After passing by a sign that indicated I was close to the town of Belmont (probably named for the town in Massachusetts where my company is located), I got on NE-2.  This road helped me to reach US-385 and, a bit later, my destination: Alliance (1745).  Like in Crawford, there was lots of snow on the ground - the most I've seen since Washington State.  I checked back into the Alliance Hotel (by HoJo & Wyndham) and the desk clerk remembered me.  We ended up talking for quite a while before he upgraded me a wonderful room on the second floor!  It was better than the one I'd stayed in during the previous weekend and I felt very welcome.  I set up my work stuff in the room and then bought three beers (a "buy two get one free" offer) from the hotel desk clerk - they only cost $6 and featured two new beers from nearby Brewery 719.  Before enjoying them, though, I decided to go work out in the hotel fitness center (started at 1845).  I ended up completing 1.5 miles on the treadmill (less than 40 minutes) and 4 miles on the stationary/recumbent bike (20 minutes).  After that (1945), I returned to my room and caught up on paperwork and my blog.  While looking through all the maintenance records for my car, I couldn't find any reference to a previous battery change - this might mean I had the original one and it would have lasted for seven years!  The rest of the evening was spent watching movies.  Meanwhile, I drank all three beers - they were all good.  Bed time was at 2330.  Feeling quite relieved that I've resolved the battery issue but hope I can clear up the dashboard lights before continuing east...

Nomad Life - Day 151

Final work day of the week!  I was up at 0500 (before my alarm) and began teleworking.  At 0730, I took a break for breakfast in the lobby of the Microtel (Rapid City).  Outside, it was below 0 F (-4) and it looked like there had been a thin dusting of snow.  Needless to say, I didn't go out there...  After returning to my room for more teleworking, I kept busy for the rest of the morning.  Along the way, I deferred my lunch.  Despite it being a Friday (typically slow), I got a lot done, including making travel plans for work trips in February.  My telework day/week was finally complete at 1400.  After that, I resumed my "digitization" projects (still making good progress).  Unfortunately, my printer was suddenly out of ink and I couldn't make copies of travel documents I needed.  I was not able to find a nearby Staples to replenish the cartridge.  Deciding to move on with other tasks, I packed the printer and other non-essential items in the car.  Since I was also tired of being in my room by that point, I decided to go look for food and exercise opportunities.  The outside temps were 2 F and, when I tried to start the Subaru, the battery struggled.  Eventually, the engine started but I began to have a sinking feeling I might get stranded somewhere on the cold prairie with a battery issue...  This was not an idle concern - most of the country was experiencing frigid temperatures (it was all over the news) and the East Coast was getting big snow storms.  To the north of my location, the Weather Channel showed areas of North Dakota with -45 F wind-chills; a few hundred miles to the east had -25 F wind-chills.  All things considered, may 2 F and very little wind wasn't so bad.  Still - I don't want to have car trouble in this weather.  With the car started, I returned to  Old Chicago to have their pizza and salad lunch special.  Even though it was early, I had another tall boy beer (this one was from Sturgis, SD).  The lady bartender from Tuesday was there again and she was very nice to me (I think I got a Happy Hour price on the beer).  The food was good (and filling) and I stayed in the cozy restaurant until about 1510.  By then, I was ready to go walking - this time, I went to the Target (very close by) and walked around in the aisles of the store for about 90 minutes.  Despite the boredom, I managed to log nearly four miles again. This indoor "exercise" felt kind of like cheating but it was SO COLD outside.  Finished at 1645, I returned to the hotel, where I spent the early evening organizing my bags.  After all the work I did this week, I think I'll be much more in tune with the items in the car (far less clutter).  There was also time for me to make some important business phone calls.  The rest of the evening was consumed with watching movies but I got to bed by 2245.  It was a rather slow day (in terms of Nomad Life adventure) but I won't complain - I have a roof over my head, reliable heat and a warm bed!

Nomad Life - Day 150

My body must be getting really used to Mountain Time because I woke up before my alarm again (this time at 0515.  As usual, I started teleworking immediately.  At 0730, I went to breakfast downstairs at the Microtel (Rapid City) - while in the lobby, I extended my stay for two more nights (the lady working at the counter gave me a very good rate).  After that, I continued teleworking (once again, I had lots of meetings).  Just after noon, I took another break and drove over to the nearby Millstone Family Restaurant, where I ordered a good lunch (club sandwich and side salad).  My meal only lasted until 1230 and I was soon teleworking in my room again.  My work day ended at 1430 this afternoon.  Since it was quite cold outside and I didn't feel like I had it in me to do a second day on the trails.  Instead, I went through some boxes in the car (consolidated and reorganized them) and finished digitizing my volunteer and exercise events from 2025 (I've been working on this all month).  At 1530, I'd had my fill of paperwork in the room and decided to leave my hotel room.  By then, the temperatures were in the teens, even though it was sunny, and quite windy.  With limited options, I ended up trying to complete my daily step goal (10K) by walking near the hotel.  Starting at 1545, I used a combination of inside/outside (probably a 2/3 outside) steps but it was hard to stay consistent.  When I was outside, I found shelter behind the hotel next door - it had lots of floors and sections of the building and I was able to get many steps there before wondering if I looked suspicious to the residents.  Each time some of them appeared, I walked back over to my own hotel.  That's how it went for the whole time I was trying walk - back and forth I went.  In the sky above, there were a LOT of Canada Geese flying in long "V" shaped groups.  They nearly covered the sky at times and I even saw smaller groups trying to join the larger "convoys".  I also watched a demolition team pulling apart another hotel that was located next door to mine.  There must be a good story there because there are many, many lodging places right where I am staying and I can't imagine someone wanting to give up their business.  One more highlight of my walk: I got some good views of the prairie to the north and east of my hotel because it was located on a rise in the terrain - I actually believe I could see Ellsworth AFB.  As I was getting close to finishing, though, the weather began to degrade, with mist and snow flurries obscuring the lower areas.  As the visibility continued to get worse (1715), I wrapped up my walk.  Altogether, I walked four miles in 90 minutes!  Back in my room, I made dinner and then watched movies for the rest of the evening.  Before 2000, I was feeling VERY tired and had to struggle to make it to a "reasonable" bed time (2145).  I've had such good luck outdoors until recently - I truly hope the cold days don't continue forever!

Nomad Life - Day 149

I woke up at 0500 without an alarm this morning and started teleworking.  The day began with several early meetings and very few breaks.  So, after the first one was completed, I got breakfast in the lobby of the Microtel (Rapid City) and hurried back to my computer within 15 minutes.  All told, the online discussions lasted until almost 1300 - as a result, I deferred lunch.  One minor annoyance was that I had to evacuate my room for loud fire alarms (two different levels of noise); fortunately, the whole thing ended up being a drill...  After wrapping up my work day at 1330, I departed the hotel and drove a short distance to get lunch at Culvers.  I ordered a butterburger at 1340 and ate in restaurant.  Meanwhile, the cold and wind made me question whether I should try to get any outdoor exercise.  Hoping to avoid another walk for exercise inside the Walmart, I decided to look for a park in downtown Rapid City.  Before that, though, I drove east on the Frontage Road for I-90 and located the memorial stone for William Coogan.  He was killed by Sioux in 1876 and I'd visited his memorial stone/sign least once (and possibly twice) before.  In the years since my first visit (2010), the sign and stone had been weathered a good bit.  The stone was located right next to the Comfort Suites Conference Center on the far eastern edge of town and, like I'd noticed before, seemed like a lonely place to have died when Rapid City was only a small village...  Next, I drove towards the center of Rapid City, intent on trying to walk in Memorial Park.  Along the way, I ended up having some trouble with my phone and this delayed me from exiting my car when I first arrived at the park.  Outside, it was very cold (mid 20s) but it was also sunny.  There was a stiff wind but, altogether, it seemed possible to walk on the trails.  With this in mind, I left my car at 1450 and started exploring.  Almost immediately, I encountered an exceptional Veterans Memorial, which paid homage to heroes from all the wars in US History.  I was even more impressed by all of the names of local soldiers, sailors and marines - and I found a stone with a Medal of Honor winner!  There was another stone that listed POWs/MIAs (there were several from the area).  Meanwhile, the trail I was walking on followed (and crossed under bridges for) Rapid Creek.  At one point, I encountered some strange ducks that were all white with black heads.  They looked so pout of place while handing out with the numerous Mallards and Canada Geese.  A later search on Google indicated that candidates for these species were Common Goldeneyes, Ring Necked Ducks and/or Buffleheads.  The farther west I walked along the creek, the more interesting things I found - at one point, I encountered a place with a section of the Berlin Wall (from a section located near Checkpoint Charlie) and, nearby, a beautiful music stage.  I later decoded that I was actually walking on an extended trail that was named the (Eastern) Memorial Park Greenway.  Despite not really knowing the name for my trail, I walked back and forth between East Omaha Street (the underpass on the east side) and Founders Park Road (road crossing on the west side).  The trail in this area passed under an active railroad track and a busy Interstate (I-190).  At one point, I visited The Monument (entertainment and sports venue) to use the bathroom (because all the ones outside were locked for the season).  The building was ultra-warm inside!  I made it back to my car by 1620 and felt good about weathering the elements for about four miles (1.5 hours).  Feeling a bit hungry by then, I drove (without using Google Maps) back towards my hotel.  I managed to reach the Mall/Shopping area I'd found a few days before and decided to visit Old Chicago again.  Not only was it Trivia Night (although I didn't know what time that started), I wanted to get my free appetizer (from signing up for rewards the previous night).  The bartender was different but immediately made me like him when he brought me beer samples.  Ultimately, I bought a tall boy of another Jeremiah Johnson beer (this time, the Honey Hefeweizen) and a pepperoni roll appetizer (free).  The bartender also recommended ranch, rather than marinara, as a dipping sauce "because it's better and we make it ourselves") - he was correct in his assessment.  Unlike on Tuesday evening, there were LOTS more people at the restaurant.  I guess my sleep deficit from earlier in the week (along with the food and beer) caught up with me because I ran out of steam by 1715 - Trivia Night will have to wait for a day when I don't wake up to work on East Coast Time...  I reluctantly said goodbye to my new bartender friend and departed for my hotel.  The rest of the evening was filled with movies and a bit more reading.  Bed time was at 2215.  During my exploring this afternoon, I got cold but didn't give up on trying to get outdoor exercise - hope that trend continues! 

Nomad Life - Day 148

Once again, I didn't sleep well.  I think the room climate (very dry air) was the main culprit but, added to that, my head was swimming with thoughts about establishing South Dakota residence for hours after bedtime.  For weeks, I've been trying to decide if changing residence to South Dakota was a good idea or not.  There were hours spent on online research at state websites, RVer message boards, phone calls to banks and insurance companies and assembling papers from several sources.  Finally, just as I arrived in South Dakota yesterday, I decided that I'd try the process.  If the plan worked, great - if not, that was fine too (I knew I still had lots of other options).  Unfortunately, my brain was racing too much to be calmed by these logical thoughts...  In the end, I was awake at 0530 with alarm and felt VERY tired (I probably only got about four hours of sleep).  Regardless, I started teleworking immediately, with only a short break for breakfast in the lobby of the Microtel in Rapid City (0730).  After that, I went back to work.  Meanwhile, the outside conditions were cold (high 20s), clear and calm.  At 0900 (after my first work meeting had ended), I left the hotel and drove to the Driver's License Exam Station on Catron Boulevard.  For the next 45 minutes, I completed requirements from New Hampshire to South Dakota - I found the process to be much easier than I'd expected (because I'd done all the research) and I was assisted greatly by a nice gentleman who commented that we were the same age.  When I was done establishing residency, I had a shiny new license (good until the summer of 2031!) but then learned I'd have to go to a different location to get license plates.  With directions from the staff at the Exam Station, I next drove to the Pennington County Treasurer's Office (on Concourse Drive).  Sadly, the wait times there were excessive.  Fortunately, the staff there entered me in the queue and told me I was free to leave until I received a 30 minute warning that my appointment was imminent.  This allowed me to return to my hotel (arrived at 1030) to continue teleworking.  I had meetings for the next 90 minutes, with one short break in the middle.  With this free time, I completed an online form that I found which would greatly streamline the process when I returned to the Treasurer's Office.  Along the way, I skipped lunch.  Eventually (1230), I received a text that my driver license appointment would occur within 30 minutes.  Leaving the hotel again, I returned to the County Offices (arrived at 1300) and, almost immediately, was able to get to a counter for the services.  The lady working there was very nice but this was the first time all day that I hit any snags - the State of South Dakota wanted to see my original car title (from Virginia) and I didn't have it.  Fortunately, I still received the plates (with the faces on Mount Rushmore on them) and was told that anything out of order would be reported to me during the coming months.  As a result of this stroke of luck, I walked out of the County Office with exactly what I'd been seeking - even better the plates are good until early 2027!  The only downside of the entire situation is that I won't be eligible to vote in South Dakota elections until I've completed additional steps in the Sioux Falls area.  Hopefully, I can take care of that in time for the 2026 (or, worst case, 2028) elections...  I forgot to mention that the nice lady who'd handed me the pates also lent me a screwdriver so I could change out the plates in the parking lot.  Unfortunately, my return to the outdoors coincided with the arrival of strong winds and snow flurries.  Even though the temps were in the mid 30s, the wind made it seem colder.  While struggling with the elements, I was able to replace the front license plate easily but was completely stymied on the back one due to corroded bolts (probably caused by New England winter weather).  So, with one NH plate and one SD plate, I left the County Office (1345) and drove west in search of an AutoZone or Home Depot.  Along the way, I noticed Courtesy Subaru (Dealership) and thought "maybe they can help me?"  After checking with their staff, I was pleased to find that they were willing to graciously assist me.  Within minutes, they'd removed the bolts and replaced them while I ate snacks in waiting area.  They were so nice!  (Later, I sent their Service Manager a thank you letter).  With my new plates on the car, I began to really feel like a South Dakotan!  From the Subaru Dealership, I drove a short distance to a nearby AutoZone and attempted to return the snow cables (i.e., "chains") that I'd bought in Carson City for the wintry mountain passes.  (The idea of this return had actually been given to me by the staff at that AutoZone.)  At first, they couldn't find my account in their system and this made returning the item without a receipt almost impossible.  Fortunately, I knew exactly where it was and, minutes later (1425), I had successfully returned the cables.  Feeling rather accomplished after my many completed tasks today, I returned to my hotel (arrived at 1430).  During the driving today, I confirmed what I suspected about the drivers in Rapid City - they are a bunch of tailgaters!  Added to that feeling, I'd noticed that people had no problem getting right into my personal space for minor tasks (e.g., throwing away trash).  Everyone must be really friendly around here!  Now that most of the work of changing my residence was completed, I extended my stay at the Microtel for one more night (updated them on my car details too).  After that, I teleworked until 1500 (ultimately, I logged a half day, with the rest PTO).  For the rest of the afternoon, I took care of a lot of administrative stuff (e.g., car insurance). Meanwhile, the temps dropped into the mid 20s and the spitting snow continued; sadly, the wind didn't depart, either...  At 1700, I departed the hotel and drove to the nearby Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom location, where I hoped to get my first proper meal since breakfast. I sat down at the bar and had a nice conversation with the (lady) bartender.  For dinner, I ordered a Jerimiah Johnson Amber Ale (tall glass, discounted because it was Happy Hour) and a Chicago 7 Hoagie (it was inspired by the restaurant's signature pizza toppings) - I also joined the restaurant's loyalty program and was immediately notified that I could get a free appetizer during a future visit.  After getting done with my dinner (1815), I drove to the nearby Walmart and spent the next 75 minutes walking around inside the (expansive) building.  Safe from the unpleasant elements outside, I logged over three miles inside before I was done.  At 1930, I returned to my hotel and spent the rest of the evening watching movies on my tablet.  Bedtime was at 2215.  It was a big day and a huge load was taken off my mind.  I regret that I couldn't stay connected to Hanover  and New Hampshire but that town/state required a physical address for car tags while Rapid City only asked for a permanent mailbox.  In any case, I've now joined the ranks of full time RV Nomads and other permanent travelers!

Nomad Life - Day 147

For the second night in a week, I didn't get enough sleep.  I've noticed (in nearly all hotels since the weather started to get colder) that the air systems are tough to manage - the rooms seem unnecessarily hot and the air seems unusually dry for most of the night.  Soon after midnight, I was completely parched and could never catch up on my hydration (this also affected the quality of my sleep).  Fortunately, this was a holiday and I didn't need to get up early in the first place. Somehow, I eventually got a bit of sleep and was wide awake by 0630.  I spent the morning catching up on reading and puzzles before going to breakfast in the lobby of the Super 8 (Hot Springs) at 0730.  After returning to my room, took care of some more admin stuff and then packed up the car.  I departed the hotel at 1035.  At that point, temps were in high 20s and the weather conditions were clear and sunny.  The best part, though, was that there was hardly any wind.  Before getting on US-18 again, I took a photo of the Mammoth Site (our family visited in 2010), which was located next door, but didn't attempt to enter the grounds.  Backtracking towards the downtown section of Hot Springs, I found myself on US-395 again.  A sign for the local Veterans Affairs facility suggested that I exit on to side streets - I was NOT disappointed by what I found.  The VA in Hot Springs was more of a Campus, with multiple (historic) buildings on a high bluff above the Main Street.  After getting my fill of the VA area, I drove down to a parking lot located along the Fall River (namesake of the county) and started a walk through town (1050).  First, I located a Post Office (mailed a letter for Carolyn) but then found a paved walkway/bikeway called the "Freedom Trail".  From the American Legion building in town, I walked south until I reached the end (US-18 at Umiker Park).  On the way, I noticed a lot of visible steam from hot springs that seemed to be flowing into the river.  I even stooped town at one point, to touch the water, and found it to be quite pleasant (warmer than the surrounding air).  When I turned around and headed north again, I noticed that the trail split and allowed me to walk on the opposite side of the river.  This was great because it allowed me to pass through Centennial Park and access a pretty waterfall I'd noticed earlier.  The water fell from a high bluff on one side of the canyon where the town is located - there was ice and frost on every surface at the bottom.  Thinking that water might be a source of the warmth I felt in the river, I tentatively reached out for drops to fall on my hand.  They were cold.  Clearly, then, the hot springs were coming from another source - a bit farther north, I found a place where the local people had built a formal well (Kidney Springs), with big rocks.  That water was much warmer.  After following the river (opposite side from the Main Street), I walked through a resort/spa and a residential neighborhood.  The "pot of gold" at the north end of town was the Evans Plunge hot springs park (located on Battle Mountain Road).  Our family had a great time there in 2010.  In the end, I finished walking the entire Freedom Trail and reached my step goal for the day.  During this whole time, I kept thinking about getting food or sampling local whiskey; I ultimately decided against it and just completed my walk (3.75miles).  Meanwhile, the temps rose into the 30s.  After returning to my car, I left town at 1220. When I was driving north on US-385, I started feeling quite hungry - I then stopped the car so I could get snacks ("lunch").  Felt much better after downing some granola bars and finishing the Tillamook Jerky I had.  Before long, I entered Wind Cave National Park - almost immediately, I noticed buffalo grazing on the side of the road (got some good photos).  Even more impressive, though, was the millions of prairie dogs that were running to & fro on the empty prairie.  I had to stop at one point because the road was blocked by two coyotes who were clearly browsing for their lunch among the prairie dog towns.  When I parked at a lot near one of these towns later, one of them jeered at me loudly when I wasn't even hassling him!  Meanwhile, the wind returned and the rest of my drive was very breezy.  Even though I'm pretty sure I've been in the area multiple times over the last 50 years, I still found the drive to be quite pretty.  Along the sides of the roads, there were slight remnants of snow - otherwise, it looked like Spring or Summer...  The terrain but much more hilly, though this was no surprise because I was now deep in the Black Hills themselves.  I stopped in the town of Custer for a gas fillup at the Conoco Station (1315) before continuing north on US-385 again.  At around this time, I started noticing lots of signs for the George S. Mickelson Trail, which I later determined was a 109 mile hike/bike/etc. path that travels between the towns of Edgemont and Deadwood  Seems like it would be a great thing to do on a future trip!  Shortly after leaving Custer, I was able to get some good photos of the Crazy Horse Memorial (I didn't enter this time but our family had been there in 2010).  Continuing north to SD-244, I drove to get photos of Mount Rushmore.  This road (which I remembered from the 2010 and 2017 visits to South Dakota) had lots of curves and beautiful views.  On the descent (east side of the mountains), I passed through the town of Keystone, where my kids had a great time on a chairlift and slide down the hills.  Next, I used US-16 to reach Rapid City.  After entering town, I used a lot of surface streets (got stuck by a train at a crossing).  Eventually, though, I got on I-90 and traveled east to where my hotel, a Microtel by Wyndham, was located.  I was able to get an early check in there at 1430 and quickly set up my computer so I could join a Zoom meeting with Ella, Shannon and Sean (2026 Thanksgiving planning) at 1500.  Sadly, Mollie didn't join because she forgot... Afterwards, I did some more SD residency research in anticipation of the next day.  At1800, I left the hotel and drove to the nearby Millstone Family Restaurant, where I had delicious dinner (chicken parmesan and a salad bar).  When I finished eating (1845), I returned to the hotel and spent the rest of the evening watching movies.  My bed time at 2230 but, almost immediately, I realized I was going to have trouble sleeping again due to the dry air (sadly, I was still restless at midnight).  I sure hope I get SOME sleep tonight...

Nomad Life - Day 146

Due to my late bed time last night, I didn't wake up until almost 0630; even worse, I didn't feel rested...  Trying to regain some kind of normalcy, I spent some time reading, doing Duolingo exercises, completing puzzles and working on my blog.  At 0745, I went to breakfast in the lobby of the Alliance Hotel & Suites (Wyndham property) - the food was good!  The more I experience the hotel, the more I think it really is exceptional for the price/location.  After that, I returned to my room for some more blogging and reading - I also made a reservation for my upcoming visit to South Dakota (i.e., for later in the evening).  At 0930, I went to the hotel fitness center and walked (2 miles) on the treadmill.  Finished with that (1005), I moved on to cycling (4 miles) on the stationary bike (1010 to 1030).  Finally, I got to swim laps in the pool (fortunately, no one else there) and logged 0.25 miles in 15 minutes (1035 to 1050).  My workout felt great - I wish I had access to a gym/pool combo during every stay!  Meanwhile, it was VERY windy again outside and I could see poles and wires moving wildly.  Temps were in low 40s so the day still seemed to hold some potential for outdoor activities.  After that 1055), I had trouble getting in my room but was able to get my key extended for the late checkout.  Next, I got ready for departure, packed my bags and loaded up the car.  In the end, I departed the hotel at 1200 and drove north, out of Alliance, on NE-87.  My destination was an interesting piece of Americana called "Carhenge" and, when I arrived at 1210, I was not disappointed with the sight that greeted me.  The cars were, indeed, piled on top of each other and looked just like a twin of Stonehenge in England.  To get a close up view, I parked and started walking.  However, I could barely move in a straight line because it was so windy.  Somehow, I managed to make my way around the site and took photos for about 10 minutes before continuing north on NE-87.  There wasn't much traffic, but I found myself noticing the license plates on the vehicles I did pass - the distinctive Nebraska County number scheme that was explained to me yesterday was clearly evident...  After a little bit of driving, I switched to NE-7E Link and headed west.  In the distance, I noticed a huge dust cloud and some beautiful, golden-swirled fields of harvested hay.  At the same time, I started to have concerns about my terrible gas mileage (as the wind was hitting my car in the front) so kept my dashboard indicator in the green as much as I could.  I soon reached US-385 and headed north; I passed a sign that I was on the Gold Rush Byway.  A bit later, I suddenly found myself surrounded by rolling hills and the terrain was in stark contrast to what I'd seen earlier.  Also during this time, I grew increasingly concerned about being struck by heavy objects (e.g. signs, items off truck beds, etc.) that were blowing across the prairie.  Fortunately, I made it through unscathed.  Before long, I entered the Nebraska National Forest and Grassland and then passed by the Pine Ridge Job Corps Site (1300).  By then, temps had dropped into the mid 30s.  I passed Red Cloud Campground (USFS) and then noticed Chadron State Park - I initially missed the turn but backtracked to explore.  Inside the park, there were great views of the surrounding countryside because the land was just about the only high point on the prairie.  At times, I hiked on short trails I encountered (mostly just for photos).  Another highlight of the stop was a short drove onto USFS land - using a dirt road, I reached a place that advertises the Black Hills Overlook Trail.  From signs nearby, I figured out that it was a 1.8 mile walk to the actual vista.  Hoping to see the view, I started walking.  However, the wind was so strong that I gave up after about half a mile to escape the cold, biting breeze.  Backtracking into the state park, I soon found some other places that allowed for brief glimpses of the Black Hills, which were actually mostly obscured in haze/dust.  After a pretty nice visit, I departed the (1345) and resumed my drive to the north on US-385.  When I reached the actual town of Chadron, I notices signs that indicated I was getting on US-20 (westbound), which I last saw in Newport, OR.  Boston is at the eastern end of the road... A bit later, more signs indicated that I'd never actually gotten off US-385 and I followed that road towards the north.  Meanwhile, temps had returned into the mid 40s. Outside of my windows, I land stayed mostly flat, with only occasional "swells" of land - there was, however, higher terrain visible in the distance.  I crossed the border into South Dakota at 1410 and then US-385 opened up to a fast (70 mph) four lane highway.  During this phase of my drive, I entered the Buffalo Gap National Grassland and continued north.  As noted before, I kept below the speed limit to save gas (that seemed to be working).  At one point, I passed a State Trooper vehicle in what appeared to be a supercharged vehicle (Mustang? Charger?  Either way, wow).  At 1425, I drove the town of Oelrichs and, a bit later,, followed signs for US-18 (towards the west).  Like before, though, I was still on US-385 until I reached the town of Hot Springs, where I'd made my hotel reservation.  Just after entering the outskirts of that town, I stopped for a late lunch (early dinner?) at Taco John's (1450).  After eating inside the restaurant, I made my way (a very short distance) to my hotel, the Super 8.  On almost every corner and sign, I got a lots of Deja Vu feelings - these were mostly related to my family's 2010 visit (Mammoth Site, National Park Units, etc.).  After checking into my room (1510) and moving all my stuff inside the building, I worked on eBird entries and my blog.  For the rest of the evening, I read, did some more Duolingo exercises and watched movies.  I struggled to stay awake for several of those hours and went to bed at a much more respectable time (2215).  By then, I felt I had completed my initial research into establishing residence in South Dakota - hoping I'm ready (with all paperwork, etc.) to try that on Tuesday...