For Jenny Kanzler

I found these little jewels (view attached pics) in Wall, South Dakota and though is has been a few days since I was there, I have saved these pics because I believe they require special attention. I'm not sure much needs to be said. They were a part of a window display and due to the glare I was unable to capture the full scene which carried a narrative, a really f-ed up narrative. There were two  "Fox-headed" children (paws included) on the divan (pictured) who do not display the characteristic fox coloring: a cheery orange with sophisticated black tips but were bleached due to countless years of Mid-Western sun exposure. They were merely the innocent witnesses to the crime in the next window: their deer-father (hooves included) being "stuck-up" by and angry cowboy (not pictured) with a rubber mask head.

So this is the appropriate time, I think, to blog this and dedicate it to Jenny Kanzler. She is who I immediately thought off when viewing this part precious, part gruesome scene. Those of you who are familiar with her paintings will understand (http://jennykanzler.com/). So for Jenny, Abe and brand new baby Irving: I dedicate these Deer-children to you. May your future be free of villainous cowboys. Love all three of you.

Do you remember the scene in National Lampoons  when the family is stuck in traffic on a mountain pass? That’s where we are right now. Everyone has shut off their car and is beginning to mill around discussing the hold up and asking RV’s if they can use their bathrooms. As  luck would have it, the mountains are also blocking any signals to our phones and internet. Little societies are beginning to develop, cliques. The dogs and kids are emerging from cars. I can already see the development of the “Town Crier” who is keeping updated on all of the goings-on down at the accident site, we have a small, clucking group of gossips who spread the word. The up side is the cool, beautiful weather which surrounds us. It wouldn’t be entirely unpleasant to spread out a blanket on the center line and have a nice picnic huddled between mountains on all sides.

Oop--someone  brought out their guitar and a small group of older long-haired men are gathering. Some dude in entirely too much leather on an overly-equipt Harley has begun to pass through the crowds.

The dogs and I just got out of the car and a pack of little blond children emerged from an RV. Like a posse slowly approaching with pleading eyes, 5 little cherubs no more than 9 mo. apart "Do you want to pet the doggies?", their golden heads silently nodded. . . They quietly cooed at the pups and I ask "Are you guys brothers and sisters?" (not that I needed to ask but only to confirm the necessity to travel in a motor home). "Uh-huh", they all answered timidly.

 About this time, far down the highway, I see movement, the turning on of cars, the pressing of brakes. The tall and slender blond mother emerges from the RV, no more than 5 years my senior, "Come on kids, quick . . . the cars are moving its time to go!" Everyone scurried back into their private vehicles, rolled up their windows, turned on their music, avoided eye contact and continued on their way.

Buffalo Chimichanga

After three states of corn as far as the eye can see South Dakota is a refreshing change. Don’t get me wrong, the corn was sort of amazing but one state would’ve sufficed.  South Dakota, so far,  is composed of endless rolling hills. Some of these are completely covered in Sunflowers. The highways are straight lines connecting the occasional gas station, the standard speed limit is 75mph (65 in construction zones). The temperature has been ranging between 75 degrees during the day down to 60 at night  and the sky is flawless.

Last night we stayed in a little town which borders the Badlands called Wall. We rolled in about  9:30 and began our search for food in this town which was no bigger than 5mi squared. We stumbled into a cute little log cabin called “Red River” , cluelessly we stood waiting to be directed to a table. I, at this point, noticed a rather large woman sitting alone, a bleach blond, bouffant -like puff atop her head. She had on light cotton patterned cropped pants, turquoise in color with a design I would liken to bubbles. What she wore up top is what drew me to her in the first place. It was a hot pink tie-dyed over-sized tee, the sleeves and bottom  shredded and then tied into little knots secured with a small beads. The a,rm openings were quite low hit somewhere mid-side-belly. So the question arises-”Does she or does she not have on a bra” because all I could see was flesh tone. At that a slightly surly waitress tosses us two menus and tells us to sit wherever. Tonight’s specials: Buffalo chimichanga and Cod sandwich (note: this is South Dakota) and has not touch a body of salt water for at least multiple millions of years ago.

There is an extensive beer list, who knew Bud and Miller had such a vast array of varietals. So I took a chance, I asked our waitress, age 15 what sort of beer the Grain Land beer was. I immediately saw a veil of puzzlement pass over her eyes and before she could speak, I interjected “Light or Dark”. Alas, the veil did not lift, “I don’t know, the cooler’s right over there . . .(long pause) I’ll go see”. 30 seconds pass, “It’s light, I mean, it looks light”. “I’ll try it.”

Corinne orders the Buffalo Chimichanga and I the Red River Burrito. I thought I would have a burger but they charged an extra dollar for lettuce and tomato. When it arrived, we saw that they were served with a side of hash rounds which were reminiscent of tater tots therefore good for nostalgia’s sake but still incongruent.  The chimichanga, typically deep fried seemed merely dipped in cooking oil. I, on the other hand, faired a little better with my burrito. It passed as food and filled my belly without incident.

Hot Pots of Gelatinous Mess

For any of you who might know me or have dined with me might not be surprised that my thoughts and therefore, my blogs with generally  concern food.  Today, we will start with the free breakfast at Comfort Inn, Waterloo, Iowa. First of all, I’m not complaining  but along with your typical Continental Breakfast of cold, hard bagels (plain only), white bread individually wrapped in Saran Wrap, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran and Coffee marked “Gourmet” but the color of you average cup of hot tea, you know, so thin that when you pour the milk in, you can see it rush to the bottom of the cup and disperse. I personally prefer coffee that, upon the addition of cream, you wait about 3 seconds and a tiny blip of  slightly lighter coffee will peek up through the surface after having hit the bottom of the cup and joyously surging back up to the top to let you know it had done its job. Anyhow, in addition to all of this they had a crock pot, lined with Saran Wrap and full of slightly gelatinous Sausage milk gravy. There was a quivering pool on the counter in front of the pot where the spoon had been resting.  Here’s the thing though-- it was delicious!

Today we have set our sights on Rapid City, SD. I am excited to see some mountains and hopefully some Bison! The Midwest looks a lot like Lancaster which is beautiful in its own right but becomes a little monotonous.

French Fried Potatoes

There were many requests from many of you my friends, to write a blog during the Great Adventure of mine. Unfortunately in line with the trip so far, I’ve been running a little behind.  Today is day 3 or rather day 2 ½. Currently we are driving through Iowa. So far I’ve seen nothing striking. There wasa burst of excitement among the travelers in the car because we spotted the factory from which my aunt used to order parts for her old Karmen Ghia. It was really nothing compared to the electricity in the car when a few states ago, Indiana, I think, we passed the RV Hall of Fame. Really.
A few hours ago we stopped at a Country-Style restaurant in White Pigeon, Michigan where they served “French Fries”, Steak Fries” and “American Fries”.  I didn’t ask the difference because I I was afraid of the conversation it might strike up. I was relieved to hear that they had discontinued the variety of fries and paired down to a single fry choice: fries. They were described as “not as big as steak fries but still seasoned and have crinkles like a French fry”.  I may make fun but I was thankful that the decision had already been made for me.

Other interesting characteristics of this little restaurant was its 7 page menu including their new pizza menu, spinach pie served with canned peaches, an Olive Burger (just what you would imagine), & The Sour du jour: Cream of Bacon.


Oh, we are passing through Ronald Regan’s hometown RIGHT NOW.