Life on the road

Currently, I'm writing this in Worthington, Minnesota, a place of endless fields, farm and sky -and where the air is growing thicker as is the accent of the Americans here. Summer is in full swing: What a difference from what we left, just six days ago!

Then, we were in Vancouver's wintry mist, layered in jeans, long-sleeved shirts and our merino wool socks (just as any sensible pacific northwesterner). By the time we reached the Yakima Valley, I realized that summer had already arrived everywhere but Vancouver! In Washington's version of the Okanagan, it was 30C, and we were seriously overdressed! (see Coram's outfit in pictures below).

The next day, we set off for Missoula, Montana, winding through stunning mountains and watching out for moose, deer and other fleet-footed wildlife that might try to cross the highway.

Speaking of wildlife, the next day we were spared - by God's grace, I'm sure - from hitting a deer. Having seen it running toward us from the grassy median, Joash slowed down as it darted across our lane, but the car just ahead and beside us didn't see, and hit the deer on its hip, sending it flying with a crash into the ditch along with pieces of the car bumper. Luckily the passengers seemed okay, but I'm sure the deer wasn't. It was the first time I actually wished I had a gun! Poor deer.

Thursday, we reached Rapid City, South Dakota, where we spent a day with Joash's grandma Jan. She brought us to Mt. Rushmore, which I had wanted to see since watching North by Northwest, then to Storybook Island - a place Joash loved as a child. Coram and I met Joash's aunt Debbie later that evening, then made it home just before a torrential thunderstorm descended upon us with ping-pong ball sized hail stones. Amazing that our car survived, intact windshield and all, and without a dent!

We said goodbye this morning, driving through the famous Battlefield at Wounded Knee, the South Dakota Badlands, and miles and miles of beautiful, rolling plains straight out of Dances With Wolves. Sadly, there were no buffalo sightings for me, but I did have a buffalo burger at the famous Wall Drug and spotted plenty of antelope grazing the plains.

Only six days, and we've travelled so far and seen so much. Too bad we have such a long journey, or we could have spent more time exploring all these famous landmarks. But, onward we go. Tomorrow, we head toward the big cities of the midwest. After all this natural beauty, I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it!