2500 miles...

After close to 2500 miles, we've reached The Badlands in South Dakota.  We can see the strange peaks of this former underwater sea floor from our campsite and look forward to heading in first thing in the morning.  Then it is off to Custer State Park and the wildlife loop that include a huge herd of bison, loads of pronghorns, wild burros, prairie dogs, and who knows what else!  We'll camp in Hill City near Rushmore and Crazy Horse, spending the day in the Black Hills before heading into Wyoming.  Yes...we'll be visiting Wall Drug tomorrow after the Badlands.  Probably the best tourist trap in all of the USA!

We got such wonderful hospitality up in the UP of Michigan on Hagerman Lake from the Gotberg's and Strom's.  The kids spent the day tubing and trying to waterski, and we went down to Covenant Point, second best only to Squanto, for a visit.

We also stopped in to visit our old neighborhood, Currie Street in Maplewood, MN, and were thrilled that all the old gang was there.  It was just like old times, hanging out in the driveways, talking about life, and laughing.  Amazing people that we still love dearly.

At each stop we've been making sure to keep our eyes and ears open, sharing the purpose of our journey with those we meet.  Interestingly, it seems to make others want to help us instead of us helping them!  In Bear Lake, MI, a wonderful older couple gave us a tour of the town, took us to get firewood, and even helped us to get our fire started.  We shared our s'mores with them!  Red also showed me his trophy buck that won him first prize...a beautiful deer.

Today, Ann met Bob here at the campground, who is riding his bicycle from MI to Phoenix, AZ.  And yes, you just read that right.  His bike is loaded with packs and panniers, a tent and cook gear.  He is averaging about 80 miles a day.  He said the hardest part is being lonely, so we invited him to join us for dinner (he declined because he was already set) but Ann spent sometime after dinner talking with him and hearing more of his story.  It's good to know that sometime the best gift we can give to someone is our simple presence.

Thanks for all you prayers!  We feel them!

Elsie reports that soon after crossing the Mississippi River in MN we pulled into our first Dairy Queen. There was great rejoicing.