Day 15: June 20, 2021 From Cars to Birds Comment via blog

Prev Next

Heading north through Montevideo, I was surprised to see that the street I had driven just yesterday was blocked off. But this wasn't for construction or damage; it was for a car show. The show was still being set up and it was not yet crowded. I circled around to the other end, found a convenient parking spot, and walked the show.

This isn't part of the car show, but walking the show gave me a chance to take a look at something that had caught my eye last night. Apparently the statue of Jose Artigas is a gift from a sister city in Uruguay. That relationship might help explain why the local festival is called Fiesta Days.

Heavy rain had fallen overnight. It had washed away quite a bit of the dirt on the car but that looks-clean-from-a-distance deception did not last long. I left pavement about two miles out of town.

This is Milan, MN. I have found no reason why a Minnesota town with an Italian name has a Viking statue and a Liberty Bell replica. Perhaps the explanation is hidden in the mural.

The 1960 Edsel in the first group caught my eye then I noticed the '56 Ford at the front of the line. I'm not sure what is in between. The other two pictures are of the same cars. After snapping them from the rear, I had to go just a tad off route to get the full frontal.

Paul Bunyan's Anchor is on display at the Big Stone County Historical Museum in Ortonville, MN. The museum was closed but I could see things like the 1909 "Muskegon Boat" and Yellowstone Trail sign. South Dakota is just across the bridge.

A beautifully restored windmill sits at the east edge of Milbank, SD. It's story may be readable here. In the town itself, Grant County has a good looking courthouse. Some unpaved but nicely maintained former Yellowstone Trail picks up on the west side. Even though the amount of traffic crossing this bridge has decreased considerably over the years and even though weight limits are now posted, the original safety features remain in place.

The Ridges have a photo of this rock near Marvin, SD, that shows remnants of a painted Yellowstone Trail inscription. There may or may not have been any thing remaining when it was repainting to make it easier to see. I had difficulty finding it so recorded coordinates for the spot from where I took the picture. It is many yards away from the rock. N45° 15.725' W96° 55.152'

The Ridges noted that the water around Waubay, SD, have been rising. Driving through on the old alignment is an odd experience. With windows open, the lapping of water against the road can be heard. This is a great area for bird watching and a wide variety can be seen. The wind was quite strong and the two gulls in the last picture stayed even with my car for a minute or so as I stopped to take pictures. I don't know if they were really trying to get somewhere or just enjoying some wind surfing. It's so hard to tell when a bird is smiling.

I don't know anything about this house but it strikes me that it could be being moved to avoid rising water levels. Behind it, other buildings can be seen rather close to the water. At this point, the wind was blowing from my right and ahead of me small waves can be seen dashing themselves against the side of the road.

This is my home for the night in Webster, SD. Eating, drinking, and sleeping without leaving the building. And I could have done more. I believe this is the first place I've stayed where I was given a fish cleaning station code in addition to a wifi code.

[Prev] [Site Home] [Trip Home] [Contact] [Next]

democrat