Westward Ho!! in 2013 style

On December 17, 2013 at about 7:30 pm we started out on our quest to see the west. We left amid a wind and rain storm, but we really had no idea about what "Cold" meant in western terms. Traveling across the flat lands of mid west, we came to the conclusion that we have it pretty good in the Old Dominion.

We stopped at a rest stop in Minnesota. This area is fairly close to where the Mayo clinic is. We had been on the road for almost 15 hours and it was nice to take a break in this small play ground. I should point out though, that the subfreezing temperatures made the play date rather short. The temperatures were below zero, I believe around -5*.

I have to say that all the kids did great on the trip. But Brianne really did great. For her to be so little, she kept her self entertained most of the time. She was a real trooper.

This windy land is a really great place for a windmill farm....guess someone else thought of that too.

We had two  portable DVD players that became worth their weight in gold. Travelling across the prairie can be pretty boring. It makes me wonder what the children in the covered wagons did for a laugh.

These picture's blue appearance is due I think to the fact that Vicki took them through the wind shield.

V-  These signs remind me fondly of my dear Grandpa Grant.  He use to drive for Cenex.  I sure miss that guy!
Loved the sayings of the signs.....Next Rest Stop, Anyone Guess.    and    Gas now.  Or gas can later.

Roadside signs were the only thing that kept the drive through South Dakota amusing or interesting...there were soooo many of them!

Our first leg of the trip was about 22 hours in the car.  We found a place to stay in Chamberlain, South Dakota.  finding a hotel  with a swimming pool was our biggest desire...and we did.  It was a great way to relax and gear up for the next few days of traveling.