We got an early start this morning. We had pulled into the Walmart parking area in Sparta, Wisconsin about 10:30 P.M., and went to sleep shortly afterwards, so we were up early this morning. Bob went into the store to get groceries this morning while I showered (Yes! Our RV has a bathroom in it!) I put a pork roast in the crock pot to cook while we drove, so we've been smelling delicious food all day long.
We crossed the Mississippi between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and were surpised both by how wide it was there (since the headwaters are not too far away in Northern, Minnesota), and by how much it looked like the Thousand Islands in NY because there were so many islands in the river at that point. Near the river were lots of pretty hills, but we soon reached the plateau, and then the road became straight as a ribbon going across the lower part of Minnesota and South Dakota.
You can literally see farms and farmland for miles in all directions. The wind is so strong that it is difficult to keep the RV in the lane. We saw heavy road signs twisted from the wind, as well as old collapsed barns the wind had whipped into a pile of broken lumber. The farmhouses and most of the barns are surrounded by trees on the north and west sides to act as a wind break. There are many "wind farms" along the way. I'm reminded of the phrase "amber waves of grain" as the wind is blowing the grain into huge waves today.
When we crossed into South Dakota, there wasn't much difference in terrain. We could still look for miles in any direction across the flat prairie. We stopped in Mitchell, SD to see the famous Corn Palace. The original Corn Palace was built in 1892. They are now on the 3rd building. The outside of the entire building is covered with murals made from ears of corn. Every year the old corn is cut down and replaced with new, in a totally new design. It takes over a half-million ears of corn cut in half lengthwise to create the murals along with 3,000 bushels of various grains which are tied in bundles and attached. The 2010 murals were all related to transportation, and included a picture of a person on a Segway. They are actually removing the corn now to get ready for the 2011 mural. Look at the slideshow on the right side to see some of the pictures.
After we crossed the Missouri River, the terrain changed to rolling hills for awhile before going back to flat prairie land where youcould see forever. You can see much farther even than in Minnesota because there are no trees to block your view. Now I'm reminded of the phrase "for spacious skies." It is truly an amazing sight.
Farming seems to be the main occupation, and we saw lots of hay bales and cattle, but no farms. One farmer told me it takes 20 - 30 acres to provide enough to feed one cow!