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!