South Dakota to Wisconsin

Just completed an approximately 26 hour journey across Montana into South Dakota. Then carried on through Minnesota, Wisconsin and down into Illinois. About 2000km. Casper held up pretty good, better than me as it was exhausting. As you can see the exciting lay of the land in South Dakota! was of little help as far as distraction. The only things I found worthwhile to photograph was the GPS and my rear view mirror...I think you go a little crazy after awhile. As I drove into the night I saw many deer and elk. I had to be very sharp as tumble weeds would blow across the highway and after too many driving hours they would look like animals. The startle responses did help keep me awake :) One stunning sight was, just off the road, a full size dead white tail deer with an eagle resting on top of it looking very triumphant. It appeared to be basking in the glory of a kill. But I could tell he knew I knew :) that a tractor trailer had taken down the deer..quite symbolic never-the-less. Speaking of tractor trailers...as I traveled along at the speed limit of 75 mile and hour I would be passed easily by tractor trailers loaded with live cattle....terrifying if you think too much about the "what ifs" out here on the open road. Another way I found it useful to stay alert was to finish an audio book I had been saving for such a trip. It was so bad it was quite effective. It was called NetForce by Tom Clancy. It was so full of stereotypical American ego I felt ill at times. One character I can take...but all of them!!! lol...thankfully my American friends share similar views regarding both American and Canadian stereotypes.

Just after crossing the Mississippi River in Wisconsin I pulled over for a few hours rest in a Rest Area. As long as there were other cars I felt okay, though as I closed my eyes all I could vision was a serial killer making the rounds. Then the light from a flash light filled the car interior. Casper was on the job...ready to attack...it was just the good old State Police on the job. Relieved and too tired to care I ignored them, let them do their license plate checks, pulled my sleeping bag over my head and drifted off to sleep for a very restful five hours...Casper stayed awake keeping watch.

Scoop out.