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...