OT - Wife wants to go on a road trip, so I am going on a road trip.....

northGAcock · August 2017

Sea2Ski said:

So the nice 50-something year old lady who gave us the rental car last night has never been outside the state of Iowa!

Lets get this party started.....

You guys be safe out there.....

jeffwit · August 2017

Hope you opted for unlimited mileage.

Sea2Ski · September 2017

First day summary:
The joys of renting a car. My wife was driving along and we were looking at the cornfields, and man, does Iowa have cornfields! Then "Ding" dash lights up and a huge oil icon appears in yellow, then turns red 30 seconds later. Luckily, we were at an exit and we get off. Right at the bottom of the ramp was a small strip mall, so we pull in. I check the oil - maybe a 1/8" is on the dipstick. I double check the measurement - same thing. We look around and we see a build your own pizza place and have lunch as we call the rental agency to work things out.

Long story short, they want me to do nothing and drive 81 miles to the nearest branch to swap cars. Ummm no!!!!! Convince them that it is logical for me to go to the local dealership to check it out - 10 mins and < $20 later we pull out in good shape. No other codes and they check out all other fluids and quickly check out the car. Good to go! Whew.... I will be reimbursed... And props to them - they were super nice!

We carry on and log 450 miles today. 3 states off the list total: Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

We got to New Ulm, but 20 mins past the last tour at Schell's brewery which is the second oldest family owned brewery in the country. Still looked around in the shop:

And walked through their garden:

We then went and ate ate at the Viegel's Kaisershoff. Great German food:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/pp/ddbekc3wrx0l.jpg

I also had a few pints of beer:

The bartender was super cool. He told us the history of the town, some local trivia, and he had me try all the Schell's on tap, and only charged us $4.95 for all the beer in total. So while the day was not totally smooth, I ended it with a full belly of good food and beer which ended it on a sunny note.

JohnInCarolina · September 2017

Sea2Ski said:

So the nice 50-something year old lady who gave us the rental car last night has never been outside the state of Iowa!

Lets get this party started.....

Lot of folks in the Midwest like that man. Damnedest thing.

Focker · September 2017

Sea2Ski said:

First day summary:
The joys of renting a car. My wife was driving along and we were looking at the cornfields, and man, does Iowa have cornfields! Then "Ding" dash lights up and a huge oil icon appears in yellow, then turns red 30 seconds later. Luckily, we were at an exit and we get off. Right at the bottom of the ramp was a small strip mall, so we pull in. I check the oil - maybe a 1/8" is on the dipstick. I double check the measurement - same thing. We look around and we see a build your own pizza place and have lunch as we call the rental agency to work things out.

Long story short, they want me to do nothing and drive 81 miles to the nearest branch to swap cars. Ummm no!!!!! Convince them that it is logical for me to go to the local dealership to check it out - 10 mins and < $20 later we pull out in good shape. No other codes and they check out all other fluids and quickly check out the car. Good to go! Whew.... I will be reimbursed... And props to them - they were super nice!

We carry on and log 450 miles today. 3 states off the list total: Iowa, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

We got to New Ulm, but 20 mins past the last tour at Schell's brewery which is the second oldest family owned brewery in the country. Still looked around in the shop:

And walked through their garden:

We then went and ate ate at the Viegel's Kaisershoff. Great German food:

I also had a few pints of beer:

The bartender was super cool. He told us the history of the town, some local trivia, and he had me try all the Schell's on tap, and only charged us $4.95 for all the beer in total. So while the day was not totally smooth, I ended it with a full belly of good food and beer which ended it on a sunny note.

Wow, New Ulm is within' range. Love me some German grub, it all looks wonderful.
Potosi, WI is my next stop.

Was going to recommend the downtown Des Moines Fong's. Their Crab Rangoon Pizza is worth a stop. AB is a big fan of the CRP too. The old Chinese restaurant turned pizza joint is fun. Fong's is always on the DSM checklist when visiting.

Have a blast on your road trip, and safe travels.

Sea2Ski · September 2017

Have done a lot of driving.... as of fri night:

Saturday we drove to and through the Badlands here are random pictures taken with the iPhone it is a super cool place

Then we headed to Crazy Horse and then Mount Rushmore.

The flag lowering ring ceremony was really nice.
Lots of miles logged yesterday - glad I remembered to take a shot this morning

Headed to Devils Tower, the haze is thick from wildfires. Headed into Wyoming:

Done there... off to Yellowstone, but only after another bit of driving:

Sea2Ski · September 2017

We saw a few animals the last 2 days. In addition to the below, we heard wolfs howeling and were seen through a spotting scope, but were too far for the camera. I was disappointed that the light was too dark to get a good sharp picture of the elk. The few I did get were far and it was just past daybreak with no tripod. The bear shot was from across a valley... unfortunately it was the only sighting we had.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/ac/4dydlicpaxl3.jpg

And the miles keep going on...

We are now in Idaho Falls

Tomorrow we go to Boise.

northGAcock · September 2017

Beautiful Pictures. Have been enjoying tracking with your pictures and navigation. You guys bring it home safe when its time.

Sea2Ski · September 2017

Made it to Idaho early, so we just relaxed before dinner, after all it is vacation. We went out to dinner at "Jakers". I was a bit apprehensive as they are a mini chain restaurant - they have 8 or so locations. The reason we chose them was because we found out they feature SRF beef. Being in Idaho, when is there a better place or time to try it? I ordered the ribeye, medium rare, and was very, very impressed.

They also had "scones" as they called them, but they were not what you think. They were like a fried donut that was a little more "bready" that you put butter on. Absolutely fantastic.

Today we made our way to Oregon.

And with this our trip comes to an end.
Stats:
0 tickets
6 state parks
9 states
2821.5 miles

We will spend the evening drinking a bottle of wine we thought was appropriate since we have been driving in smoke filled air for the last week and it seems like the state we are in seems to be on fire:

Can't wait to get home and order and cook us some SRF beef.

Sea2Ski · September 2017

Hey @Jeremiah This is the first time I am having this wine and it is not bad. Certainly not the best, but inexpensive and easy to drink.
Just in case you wanted to know......

JohnInCarolina · September 2017

@Sea2Ski - awesome! I have been to that Jakers, and ordered the same thing. Was pleasantly surprised as well. Great pics as always too!

Jeremiah · September 2017

Sea2Ski said:

Hey @Jeremiah This is the first time I am having this wine and it is not bad. Certainly not the best, but inexpensive and easy to drink.
Just in case you wanted to know......

Thanks bud. I'll look for it....as the others said, love the pics. Keep em coming.

OT - Wife wants to go on a road trip, so I am going on a road trip.....

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