Jewel Cave National Monument – Discovery Tour

Jewel Cave National Monument - Target Room on the Discovery Tour

Took a bit of a drive today to the southwestern part of the Black Hills, and after heading west from Custer about half way to the border with Wyoming I stopped to check out Jewel Cave National Monument. Proclaimed a National Monument by Teddy Roosevelt back in 1908, Jewel Cave is currently the fifth longest … Read more

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial - View of monument from parking lot with zoom lens

Overnight temps were very mild in the 60’s and I could have lounged at the lake drinking coffee all day without much argument, but instead I arose and broke camp quickly to maximize the daylight hours that are now growing noticeably shorter all the time. One of the main “to-do’s” of my trip was to … Read more

Wall, South Dakota trap 2024

Dahl's Chainsaw Art - World's Largest Jackelope Sculpture

Stopped for fuel and snacks in Wall, South Dakota. Doing my best to avoid tourist traps but this place is inevitable. First stop unintentionally was the Wall Drug 80ft tall dinosaur that is right behind the Sinclair gas station (their logo/mascot is a big dinosaur so that makes some sense). Decided it was time for … Read more

Dignity Of Earth And Sky

Dignity of Earth and Sky - Closer view of the sculpture

Eastern South Dakota is about as exciting to drive through as southern Minnesota, which is to say that if you enjoy long stretches of flat land and straight roads then this is your place. For the rest of us, any small diversions on a route like this are welcome to break up the monotony. Thankfully … Read more

Welcome to Minnesota Sign

Welcome to Minnesota sign

One of the quirks of road-tripping is encountering all the fun little oddities along the way. State welcome signs fall into that category for me. Just north on IA-60 (which turns to MN-60) from Hawkeye Point at the intersection of 100th Street in the town of Bigelow you’ll find one of the “Minnesota Welcomes You” … Read more

2024 October Western Road Trip Start

Kenosha County Drive Start - Late start but decent sunset

Welcome to the start of my 2024 road trip that spans almost the entire month of October. I’ve basically taken no vacation this year and had nothing in specific in mind this year, so figured what better to do than become a willing nomad in search of some good old fashioned American road trip adventure. … Read more

Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout

Sedona Airport Scenic Lookout

Made my way into Sedona, Arizona with intentions on exploring it for the rest of the day. Turns out today was their “Festival of Lights”, a large winter event. It also turns out today is Saturday (which I lost track of) and frankly Sedona is not the place I’d suggest visiting on a weekend. I … Read more

Irma’s Restaurant @ Deming, NM

Irma's Restaurant @ Deming, New Mexico - Fried Gorditas with Chicken...Muy Delicioso!

Left Benson in the early morning and started heading very far eastward. Crazy fog, clouds, wind, and some rain across I-10. Traffic on a tuesday morning is pretty light and the drive is pretty monotonous anyways so it didn’t matter. Met my dad & his co-workers for lunch at Irma’s Restaurant in Deming, New Mexico. … Read more

World’s Largest Truckstop Iowa 80

Iowa 80 - Worlds Largest Truckstop

Pulled off for my (hopefully) last stop before home near Walcott, Iowa.  Lots of corn here.  LOTS.  Apparently I found myself at Iowa 80 Truckstop (the world’s largest truck stop) so there’s that.  My life accomplishments may have just peaked… Lat = 41.6175071 , Long = -90.7816946 — Show at Google Maps

Des Moines River Rest Stop Sunset (Redux)

Des Moines River Rest Stop Sunset

Pulling off the highway to give my eyes a rest from the blinding low sun was the right call. Stopped at the Des Moines River rest stop in Jackson, Minnesota just in time to watch an incredibly vivid sunset. Next stop is Sioux Falls where I found a place to stay via Couchsurfing. Author’s note: … Read more