Had I planned the trip on my own, I would NOT have tried to drive 7 plus hours on the first day. I would have stopped and overnighted in a quaint town on the Mississippi. Dad had insisted that we drive all the way to Sioux Falls on Day 1, and I assumed (because he insisted) that he would drive part of the way.
Things were complicated by the fact that I needed to stop at Enterprise Car Rental in Wausau to add Roadside Assistance to my contract. This add-on needed to be done in person so that they could check the condition of the car. Then, we drove to Onalaska, WI via a backroad route that took us through WI Rapids, a bunch of cranberry bogs, and finally through Tomah. Onalaska, it turns out, is next to LaCrosse and right on the border of WI and MN. Onalaska is the home of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Refuge, and they sell America the Beautiful passes. I wanted to buy one BEFORE arriving in Yellowstone just that I would be anxious about it all the way there.
The refuge had a real prairie. We ate our lunch there outside, but it was so hot when the sun peaked out from the heavy cumulous clouds. We didn't see all the animals I had promised we'd see, and Ailin was annoyed that her iPhone's storage was full. Rather than stay for a short hike, I insisted we leave since it was so hot, I was worried we wouldn't make it to Sioux Falls before dark.
Crossing the Mississippi was gorgeous, but we couldn't stop to admire it. I regret that we couldn't enjoy the river in Pepin as I had planned on doing, but we did see a nice prairie, and the kids discovered Milkweed plants.
Minnesota I-90 was not nearly as busy as I had imagined. I thought semis would be whizzing past me, but that was not so. It was quiet and speedy and much faster than driving on backroads in Wisconsin. The landscape looked a lot like central WI. Lots of agriculture and not nearly as many lakes as they brag about. We stopped at some of the waysides so that I could stretch my back and legs. The kids mostly refused to get out of the car or use the restrooms unless forced.
My plan was to make this a really fun road trip and stop to see all the unique sights, like the Jolly Green Giant, and the Mermaid Fountain, and Belfort. But, we didn't have time and I couldn't find these places anyway. They were not right on the highway, and you had to know where they were to be on the lookout for the correct exits. A driver needs a navigator for these things, and time. Time was of the essence, and I could not stop anyway. Jolly Green Giant had already closed by the time we got near it, and that is also something to think about.
I realize why it's helpful to reach the destination well before sunset because driving into the sun SUCKS. We got there 10 minutes before the sunset completely, so the final 2 hours was me driving into the sun.
Tonight we are staying at La Quinta in Sioux Falls. It's next to a Perkins so we ate dinner there at 9pm. A bit late. Ailin and I swam in the pool for the final 30 minutes it was open, and we had fun playing. She didn't insult me even once.
I got a free travel magazine about SD, and found out about a Black Hills Tour. I decided to book a tour so I don't have to drive all day. I think it will truly allow me to feel like I have had a day off of driving. Without Dad here, it is just easier to make decisions like this since I don't have to worry about him and whether he would want to do those things or not.
Things I am learning:
Fill up at half a tank. It costs about 30-45 dollars each time.
Kwik Trip coffee would be better if I just used my own flavored creamer.
The kids want lettuce or something on their sandwiches.
I need something to keep my seatbelt from cutting into my neck.
I need to stop and stretch frequently.
Restaurant meals are so expensive with or without tips.
Kwik Trip only exists in WI and MN.
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