DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' MAP

As we look at the map, going east from Sioux Falls, there is a rather direct route home - Interstate 90. Not a chance - Harriet is tired of driving that road - wants a change. Also wants to avoid Chicago (to drive through - if we would stay for a few days it would be fine). Before we leave, question of the day: Is anybody/everybody tired of looking at gorgeous (badlands) scenery?

So the obvious route is to go north to Wahpeton, ND, head east into Minnesota, pick up I94 and get to Bloomington, MN. This short detour is about 425 miles and should have taken about 6 1/2 hours. It took longer because of accidents and construction in the Bloomington area. Also because we needed to document some of our rest stops.

First in North Dakota:Not too impressive, until you realize that you are seeing 80% of the trees in the entire state.

Then in Minnesota:

Right on the shore of Lake Iverson. Actually as rest areas go, this was definitely one of the prettier ones.

Once in Bloomington, we immediately went to:

It really is a fascinating place, 3+ levels of stores and restaurants built around a fully functioning amusement area.

This was an attempt to capture it from the 3rd level.

We ate in Bubba Gumps, a restaurant with a Forrest Gump theme - it is a chain - we had eaten in one in Hawaii. Anyway good food, although a bit too spicy for Harriet and some local brews. Now to plan for tomorrow!!!