Impressions of the Good old USA

Central Plains

North Dakota

North Dakota is the closest state to our province, so we go there more than to the others.

Mostly we go to Grand Forks or Fargo to shop. Even though I personally hate shopping, I go for the weekend away. Actually, most Winnipeggers who admit it, do the same. Well, most Winnipeggers need the excuse of going for cheaper goods to justify the trip. (Most of us can t do math either.)

Just like Saskatchewan, North Dakota has all sorts of hidden corners if you get bored with flatlands.

The western part of North Dakota is most interesting. The badlands in Theodore Roosevelt park are quite scenic, especially if you like hiking/walking. If you must shop, Bismark, the capital, offers a bit of that, and is more interesting than Fargo if you want my opinion. It s much farther to go than Fargo though :-)

South Dakota

The first road trip my wife and I took, was to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Mt. Rushmore of course, and the Needles Hwy . Some tacky tourist stuff including Wall Drug in Wall, SD can t quite be described. Ditto for the stuff along the highway between Rapid City and Mt Rushmore, but all good fun. They kind of ruined the historic western town of Deadwood with all the casinos and such, but the countryside offers excellent driving and hiking. Check out the trail to Sylvan Lake. (After taking the hiking trail there, we were shocked to discover cars in the parking lot.)

This was the trip where we drove all night in a meandering route from Rapid City, thru Pierre (capital of SD), and on to watch the sunrise thru a cloud of mosquitoes in Fargo, ND all because a rodeo in Mitchell, SD filled all the hotel rooms for 200 miles around.

(Amazingly, that s what started us on our myriad of road trips we re still enjoying.
Most people couldn t do it.)

Nebraska

The first impression of many Canadians driving thru Nebraska, is the striking resemblance to Saskatchewan.

As with Saskatchewan, it contains many hidden corners, especially in the more westerly parts, that would surprise you if you thought the state was all flat and farmland.

One of the better known landmarks is the distinctively shaped Chimney Rock , along the historic Oregon Trail. I passed by there after a long day s driving on the way homeward from somewhere, but was really too tired to care. I felt compelled to stop at the trailhead, however, taking a picture of the landmark way off in the distance. I didn t take the hike after reading the sign saying to keep to the trail and watch for rattlesnakes.

Scot s bluff is another such place. In Manitoba, we sometimes refer to a patch of bush as a bluff , but the true definition of a bluff is a steep cliff or wall of rock or soil.

Iowa

Iowa has a Pike s Peak ; a little littler than the one in Colorado, but Pike s Peak nevertheless.

It also contains a little city called Dubuque, where I stayed twice for some reason; once sitting in a restaurant in a booth beside a travelling deputy talking with the waitress - claiming to be travelling thru on his way to transport a prisoner. Not sure why I remember that. Must have been really bored.

Rich farm country, though. Good people. More hills than Nebraska. Probably a good place to live and have kids.

Missouri

Did you know that Kansas City is actually in Missouri? Well, there is one adjacent in Kansas, but the bigger one is across the border. Not the nicest place to visit either. The section of town I drove thru must not have been the high rent district. Just kept driving, and felt lucky to have gotten out.

A lot of misery in Missouri. Overheard a young doctor and his wife at an interstate coffee shop, telling another couple that they were on their way to Colorado with their U-haul. Just too depressing.

At one time we thought that when we retired, we d join the old folks who come Branson, Missouri to attend concerts by has-been entertainers, but I think the ones that we d recognize are all gone now.

Kansas

Another drive thru. Seemed like Nebraska on steroids. I m sure it s quite wonderful, once you get to know the place. Needs more investigation.

Oklahoma

Nothing to say so far. Drove thru it once. Didn't see anything until reaching the Red River at the Texas border.