Day 4: MT, WY, SD

I visited few rest areas in Montana. One particular rest area had a restroom that was pretty much that - a rest room! The only thing missing in the room was a shower! Otherwise, each room had a wash basin, air dryer, w/c, men's loo, baby changing station... I am not sure if Wyoming tops that or not - there was one that advertised free wifi. Well, it was clear that resources were plentiful in these western states.

I am yearning for a day without rain or snow. It is the 4th day with fairly heavy rains yet again in Wyoming and in South Dakota. I-90E was such a pleasure to drive - both in MT and WY. There were several stretches where my car was the only one as far as eye could see. On those occasions, both in MT and WY, I had to see how fast my viggen would go; rather, how fast I could drive her. No, I cannot write here how fast that was - gotta take the fifth! Other than those occasions, I was a well behaved driver, keeping my speed no more than 10 mph over the limit. So, I was surprised when I was pulled over in Wyoming by a state trooper. True to his name, had Officer Hunt found a prey? Well, Wyoming, the Forever West state was very forgiving. He mentioned that he clocked me at 83 and warned me to drive safe. Well, I was driving safe, but I wasn't going to argue with an officer who was not going to cite me. My goal now is to have no more trooper stories.

The high point today was the visit to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. If Yellowstone National Park was a remarkable place filled with natural beauty, Mount Rushmore is a man made wonder that proves what humans with big vision can accomplish. If you want to feel proud of America and what our great nation has contributed to the world, visit Mount Rushmore and learn about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. I know you can read up these things on the web, but it is something special when you see those more than lifesize faces of the four Presidents in person. It is a shame that we have no statesman of the calibre in our times.

I can't believe I have done 4 days of the trip and am in Rapid City, South Dakota. It seems surreal to be doing this trip. Apollo is charming everyone who gets to see him. I went to pick up some curly fries in Arby's here. The boy in the counter claimed I have an accent - I told him so did he, and that I was not from here (in SD). His supervisor saw Apollo with me and instead of telling me dogs are not allowed inside, he gave Apollo a piece of roast beef. Needless to say, he gobbled it up happily.

Day 4 photos

p.s. I've added each photos at the end of each days blog for the first three days as well...