South Dakota, are you ready?

This morning was the point of no return. I've never been this far in a car! Does it count in a big yellow truck?

We spent last night in Wisconsin with Grandma and Grandpa. It's nice stopping in a house with a bed and not driving all day and having to power nap in PA. 42 miles to La Crosse. After the first day of driving to South Bend, and camping, we had an easy day. I am typing this on the road on my cell phone, which is less than ideal but gets the job done.

This morning we stopped at a Pick-n-Save for breakfast, and tried picking up some beer for camping later, but we weren't able to because it's not allowed before 8. How civilized.

Matthew successfully met the grandparents, though had a hard time sleeping after hearing that my grandma's father died in the house. We learned a few things, like where Frisco is and that Matthew has a funny sneeze.

Today we will pass through Minnesota and South Dakota. Uncle Mike and Aunt Kim gave us some advice on stops: Corn Palace, Wall Drug, some old abandoned road... I know it will be a long day but Matthew thinks we could stop at the Mall of America! Sounds like a plan to me. It must be nice to be a day's drive from the Badlands. Grandma told us about when she went out there as a girl, after the war. She was watching her cousins while her aunt and uncle enjoyed their vacation. She showed us some pictures of her side of the family, and she's just a toddler in the picture with the aunt she traveled with. I love hearing stories and seeing pictures from my family. There are a few around the house, but I could stare at them for ages... Something about the facial expressions, the clothes, the past.

I also found out that my glass stealing habit may be inherited, so that is a relief. Sorry, bars I visit, but if it fits and I like it, my beer glass is coming with me.

It's almost time to fill up (I did it the other day; Matthew still doesn't believe that I never learned...something about growing up in Joisey...). The corn fields stretch over rolling hills on either side of us, the distance is hazy but there are some bigger hills, and the music is good. We put our laptops are in the back and we are making mix CD s as we go. The Ipod hookup is broken, so we are making do with the burning as we go method.

So far, so good. California seems so long away!