Where I've been...

My mom suggested that I also post a list of all the states I've been to, and I thought I'd just do an updated "Where I've been" map. Hopefully soon I will be adding to it, as I'm so close to states I've never visited before. here it is:

visited 27 states (54%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or determine the next president

I have finally arrived!

Part of the reason I planned my route through St Louis was so that I could isit the Gateway Arch. So sunday morning before leaving St Louis to head to Nashville, I went down to the Riverview park where the arch is. It took me a little bit to find the parking lot as it was down on the levy out of sight from the road. I finally parked (just barely getting the cheaper price of $4 instead of $6) and the walked up to the park. The Gateway Arch is so much bigger than I thought it was from the pictures! It was so huge, I couldn't hardly get it all in one picture. It was a beautiful day to see the arch. You can see some of my pics below, and more on myspace or facebook (if you are on my friends list). After that I didn't really pay attention to things around me, because all I really wanted to do was get to Nashville as soon as I could.

One thing I did on my trip was keep a running tab of state license plates to see how many different ones I saw... here is what I found:

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

North Dakota

Ohio
Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Washington

Wisconsin

Wyoming

I also saw these Canadian plates:

British Columbia

Manitoba

Ontario

Only 1.5 days to go!

Was just going to get directly on the freeway but then I saw a flyer for this cool-looking park in downtown Council Bluffs, so I decided to check it out. It had some really interesting structures in the center of the park. One was part of the fountain that isn't currently running (presumably because of the changing weather). It was a nice start to the day. (see pics below)
Finally I've had some change in scenery. Missouri has more hills and greenery (or rather trees changing colors), than western Iowa did.
Once I reached Kansas City area I noticed a definite change in humidity levels. Just east of Kansas City the sun disappeared behind a foggy haze. It continued until almost right before St Louis, and then the fog disappeared and the sun came out again.
I went through Warrenton, MO and noticed a distinct smell of Onions. I'm ready to be done with my trip. Now that I'm so close, I kind of just want to get there.

Beginning of the Last Half...

Most of this post is going to be random observations from my drive today...
Somewhere near a town called Java, SD I saw a massive gathering of birds out in an empty field. Not only were there tons of birds, but they looked to be of a variety of types. It was a very odd sight.
Saw a sign for a town called Eureka, SD... thought of Ian C (from Eureka, MT).
Passed Bowdle, SD which apparently has the tallest water tower in the state. I wouldn't have known except for the sign.
Thanks to Grandma D I had her famous Lemon Bread for breakfast on the road. Yum Yum!
What kind of fuel is 'E-85', and why is it only $1.79/gal in Ipswich, SD?
It seems like every little town in SD I've gone through has some sort of museum... that would be an interesting trip just to visit each one.
Another fuel question - Why is regular more expensive than plus? And what does it mean when 10% Ethanol is added?
I guess I will have to do some research ... and then post my findings.
I was really excited when I stopped in Sioux Falls, SD and only paid $2.25/gal!!
Unfortunately the scenery today has been almost identical to what I've already seen, so I don't really have any new pics... I will try to be more obliging tomorrow. :) I miss you all and hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Hometown Feel and Family History

When I was little I thought my Mom was morbid for taking pics of our dead relatives grave stones. She always said it was for Family History records, but I still didn’t get it. Now that I’m older and both of my Dad’s parents are buried here in SD, I found myself wanting to take pics of their grave stones too. This morning, at my request, Grandma D and I went to both local cemeteries where my relatives are buried. I took pics of my Grandpa H & Grandma B’s graves, and also my great-grandparents graves. Because my Grandma B died when I was only 2, I don’t remember her and have never really felt close to her. It was strange though… seeing her grave today and wondering how she would feel about her granddaughter moving cross country from the only home she has ever known, it seemed like I was closer to her. Hearing Grandma D (who is actually my Step-Grandma) talk about their childhood and the relatives that are still around has made me feel more a part of the secluded life here in Mobridge.
After visiting the Mound City cemetery Grandma D treated me to lunch at Calico’s where we enjoyed some real good German food. I tried the Cheese Button, bratwurst, creamy cucumber salad, and something called Fleiskeuchle (a beef patty wrapped in dough and deep fried). It was all very delicious! I’ve really enjoyed this time spent with Grandma, and consider it a true blessing.
on a side note – I saw another pheasant today, but it was a male this time. He had a beautiful green head and really long tail feathers.

Here is a couple pics I took today...the last one is of me and Grandma D.

To Grandma's House

Apparently eastern MT is big hunting country. There were several hunters staying at the hotel last night.
Most of my trip today was on Hwy 12 between Miles City and Mobridge, SD. The scenery was reminiscent of old westerns I used to watch with Dad and the boys when we were younger. Driving along this stretch of more nothingness I noticed a sign for a Historical Point. I turned where the arrow pointed. I got excited because I saw a cool old steel bridge ahead. (You see I have a slight obsession with photographing bridges.) Apparently the road I turned onto was a private drive and not the Historical Point after all. So I had to be content photographing the bridge from afar. It did seem somewhat out of place in this desert like area.
I went through this “town” called Marmarth, ND that seriously looked dead. All the trees lining the main street looked dead, and there were abandoned buildings that were probably active businesses at some point. The only places that looked open and alive were the convenience store at the end of town, and the Antique Auto Museum.
I also saw several different types of wildlife today… some live, some not. The list of noticeable roadkill included: a skunk, a rabbit, and a coyote. Besides several unidentified birds of prey, the list of living wildlife I saw today included: a coyote, and a pheasant (which I almost became roadkill).
Finally I arrived at Grandma D’s house and it was like we just picked up from where we had last left off. She doesn’t look much different after 4 years, just a few more adorable wrinkles but she is still Grandma.

Here are some pics from the road today... (note the second pic with my monkey road companion that was a gift from the ladies in my office :) )

Long stretch of nothingness...

I left Missoula at about 9 this morning, which was earlier than yesterday, but later than I had planned. I didn't sleep well last night. But I finally got off after getting my mocha at Starbucks where I met a girl originally from Seattle. (Ironic that she works at Starbucks eh? ;) )

After leaving Missoula, there were several places along I-90 that I saw signs for "Clark Fork" when crossing a stream of water. I remembered that I had seen several yesterday too... was this just one that keeps criss-crossing under the highway, or are there more than one Clark Fork's in MT? just a thought...

Today while driving the section between Billings and Miles City (this is where the nothingness comes in), I realized that I couldn't see anyone in front of me or behind me. This wasn't even because I was going over a hill, or around a curve! I was on a long straight flat stretch with no one in sight. Kind of a weird sensation.

I've noticed another unfamiliar thing while on my trip... with all these open fields close to the highway, there are political ads which are like billboards almost. They consist of several boards with part of a message on each and as you drive you can read each one as it comes. Most of them have dealt with ideas about using alternative energy sources. However, today I saw one that I was really confused by... it said: "Don't stick your elbow out the window too far... It might just go home in a different car." What the heck is that supposed to mean? and what does it have to do with Brad Molnar running for Public Service Commissioner?

During my hours of driving today, I was taking note of the extraordinarily nice weather once again... During the past couple months I have been trying to keep my eyes and heart open for signs that pointed towards the idea that I need to stay in WA. However, with each step I made to move, things went very smoothly. The wonderful weather just seems to be a continued blessing on my journey.

Here are a couple more pics from my journey today...