Oh, the joy of the Interstate 90! Which was only improved today by 40 miles of roadwork, i.e. 40 miles of crappy terrain, dodging big blobs of discarded asphalt, gravel, roadkill and rumble strips 2 ft wide. Today's distraction of choice, counting 'Wall Drug' signs. Wall Drug is a South Dakotan institution, a tiny pharmacy, in a tiny western town was about to go out of business in the thirties until the owners wife had a bright idea. They would offer free iced water to the hot and tired travelers trying to cross the plains. Ever since Wall Drug has only gotten bigger, and on a hot summers day up to 20,000 people will stop in. The free attractions keep coming, with free coffee and donuts for veterans and honeymooners and a backyard full of curiosities.
The 54 miles of interstate produced 55 signs for Wall Drug, each one different and sufficiently distracting that we pedaled so fast we reached Wall in time for lunch and a top temperature of 95F (35C), yay for free iced water! The evening again saw some spectacular weather roll in, when you can see so far into the distance on the plains it really is awe-inspiring!
The answer to yesterdays question is... because the cows can't get a square meal! (thanks to Jeff of Illinois for that pearler!)
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I was just thinking some more about your comments regarding the dynamiting of sacred places for American Indian people in order to create Mt Rushmore to commemorate American leaders. The history of broken treaties, and essentially desecration of a culture is absolutely devastating. Devastating...I have a book of American Indian quotes about the loss of their land, their spirit, their way of life. It is beautifully written, and very depressing indeed. It is interesting to me...American Indian spokespeople are incredibly eloquent, as compared (in my opinion) to Aboriginal people in Australia, whose eloguence is expressed in painting.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I can share this book with you if you are interested, when you return. I think I mentioned to you the book "Centennial", by Michener. You may have said you had already read that, Louise. Very interesting stuff.
Amazing Clouds! I love the pic!
ReplyDeleteJackie & Liz, there are many black scars on the American soils as time has progressed. It is sad, but it is also what it took to get to the present in the entire world....