![]() |
Dances with Wolves set, and an idiot in the mirror, waving :) |
![]() |
waking up in the badlands. not pictured: the f*cking wind. |
On this day I learned that when I have to pay for my shower
and it is timed and the wind is blowing in the shower curtain with it's cold
air, I can take a shower in 4 minutes. This, in yet another
green-turned-seasoned moment, meant that I had to stand in the luke warm water
for another 4 minutes while I waited for it to time out and turn off.

Unaware of what I was going to do next, and with no internet
connection, I spent a minute in Rapid City running errands while trying to
figure out my next move: Dollar General for supplies, washer fluid, rising the plethora
of dead bugs off of my car (seasoning myself some more, I realized the flies
were so awful in Fargo because they like the bug carcasses), and dropped by
K-Mart to look for a cheap pair of leisure tennis shoes of all things I
thought of in preparation, I missed every day shoes I can wear socks with). And I found some adorable ones (pictured below)! It's the little things.
I looked at a map I was given by the lady in the hotel in
Mobridge, South Dakota when I almost caved and got a room but they had no
vacancy. "Mt. Rushmore": I had been there before 20 years ago, but I
thought "oh hell, why not." That seems to be a general theme I have
here.

I wasted some time in Custer just down the road and admired
the greenery and landscape before I decided to head back for the laser show. To
my surprise, I was given free admission since most everything was closed down.
I think it was mostly about it being past season. But I had a little cup of
single serve wine I'd picked up in Custer as a treat.

I wish I was making better time, every day I feel like I'm chasing light. I always think 'this will be the night I get into camp before sunset,' but have yet to achieve that goal, despite my circadian clock moving up each day. In a way I feel rushed, but I also don't want to
rush myself and move past anything I may was to see or, even worse, rush to the point of not enjoying this. I keep reminding myself to be in the moment and not about what is ahead. Because of all of my extra asides and stop and ohhh shiny objects and Buffalo Museums! I set up in the dark every
night. I eat in my tent often and I can't remember the last time I had a hot meal
(minus that Wall Drug kid burger - not recommend, but Pro Tip: Order Kids
Meals, half the price and not much smaller), but I'm really enjoying
myself.
![]() |
PBJ for dinner in a -10 degree bag? This is my life now. And I'm okay with it. |
I responded awkwardly with, "No. I think I'm attractive, but all my photos are close to my face because that's all the longer my arm is" and despite being mildly conceded in response (or perhaps just confident), I realized there is nothing I'm trying to fix by this journey. I'm just here. Admittedly, this trip is everything and nothing I had imagined, but so
ful-fulling to feel so self-reliant and know that I can set up a tent in the
dark in 8 minutes and sleep soundly in a night that sings 35 degrees into my bones.
![]() |
SO. MUCH. WIND. |
![]() |
Self Portrait: Windblown |
![]() |
Interior's Gas Station was old school. |
![]() |
KMart, I will never make fun of you again. You've go some sweet sneaks for $17! |
No comments:
Post a Comment