The thing about Lake Superior is that it is very big. Very very big. I mean, the north-shore countryside is gorgeous and all, but it does go on and on. And on. I hope that you have a good exit strategy planned.

Have a wonderful time.

EW, check out Worthing, if you’re passing through. The old posaune family homestead.

Naaaah. Once you’ve walked the acres of Wall Drug, you’ve seen it all. (I was clearing out the cellar a few years back and came across a stack of those felt pennants you could buy back in the 50s and early 60s; I guarantee a good fraction of them came from a single visit to Wall Drug.)

Of course, if you are lucky enough to see avocets standing at the edges of a pool on the prairie, that’s pretty memorable, too, but you probably have already seen that.

Have fun.

Custer State Park is just south of Rushmore. It’s a huge park and is absolutely beautiful, and buffalo and cattle roam close to road that winds thru the park (and occasionally walk or run in front of your vehicle). There are several lodges and cabin resorts scattered around the park, all with different amenities, and we stayed in a lovely cabin near a small lake. We spent hours watching the prairie dogs, which are pretty tame and very entertaining. This is all based on 12 years ago, but hopefully it’s much the same as then. I highly recommend it.

They have cool little thingys you can plug into your laptop, giving you a hot spot wherever you are. I’m just sayin’…

Have a great time.

And in case Obama’s having trouble with the big decision:
Obama/EmptyWheel 08

Some election law experts in OH devised this final exam in 2008 for a US presidential 2008 election contingent upon Denver poll worker conduct. There is an enclave of climate change denialists in Denver, they figure on selling realestate for a lofty price when coastlines begin to experience sealevel increase. Reportedly they are working with some arctic circle factions as the most likely residual colonies on the planet after some tipping point is exceeded.

don’t know if Wall Drug has wifi, but the public library in Spearfish does, as does my livingroom, do drop in
and yes, Spearfish has a small brewery too

There are some really nice waterfalls along the highway 61 drive. Just south of the canadian border there are the high falls. Just a 1/2 mile hike but really pretty this year because of all the rainfall. Quick hike if you have the time.

Also cascade falls are worth a mile hike just south of grand marais. You have to hike into the woods for about a mile but it’s an easy hike, but worth the gorgeous view. So, it’s a quickie if you have the time.

to @55@~OT, you can try the linked thread, it has >600 comments, one prolix from a member of the dwindling climate change denialist community which is attempting to bond with realestate people for profit purposes, sounds fringeFoil thinking, but the site is the latest accurate science on the topic, the comment an BartonInhofeDroll of sorts.

It’s a long time since I ‘found a mountain’ in EstesPark, CO. I would imagine Jeralyn will be in the 5280neighborhood this year for the convention. I still think the floor votes will be surprising, more open than media are reporting.

Hey Marcy, welcome to you and Mr. EW to my state. As for some what-to-see suggestions:

Grand Portage National Monument has lots of interesting stuff about the fur-trading voyageurs of the 17th and 18th centuries. It’s just a few miles across the border from Ontario on Hwy 61.

Grand Marais, about 40 miles down the road, is an old lumbering town now morphing into a funky artists enclave. It’s also the beginning of the Gunflint trail the other end of which is in the heart of t he eastern end of the Boundary waters Canoe Area. The BWCA is the largest designated wilderness in the lower 48.

Another 25 or so miles southwest is the Lutsen Resort, which has been there since the turn of the 20th century, before there was a highway 61, when guests came by water from Duluth. I worked there for a few months 45 years ago, and its place in my heart was widened a year ago this month when my son got married there. It has a good restaurant and rooms in a wide price range. It is almost exactly at mile #90 (from Duluth), and as you’re coming from Canada the turn off is immediately after you cross the Poplar River.

Next up is Temperance River State park, about 8 miles past the Lutsen Resort turnoff. It’s one of several state parks at the mouths of rivers that rise in the Boundary Waters and its deep gorge, in my opinion, makes it the most picturesque.

I second the notion that Split Rock Light House, mentioned above, is worth a stop.

Finally (at least with regard to the Minnesota North Shore segment of your trip), you come to Duluth, where I can’t ignore bmaz’s concern at #2 for finding opportunities for you to indulge your desire for the fruit of the malt. The place to stop, I have it on good authority, is Fitgers Brewhouse. I’ve never stopped there myself, since when I’m in that area I’m usually in a hurry to either get to the BWCA or home from it. But I’ve been told by those whose judgment I trust in such matters that they make a wicked good brew. Nearby there is also a Fitgers Inn, which is a B&B in the restored building of the old Fitgers Brewery. The latter went belly up decades ago and I’m told that the new Fitgers beers bear no resemblance to the old.

So much for the North Shore. Needless to say, if you stop in the Twin Cities area for any length of time there are several of us avid readers of this blog who would look forward to quaffing a brew or sipping something stronger, and sharing some conversation. Just let us know and when and where, of contact one of us for suggestions re the latter.

Finally, since you’re heading for western South Dakota, my guess is that you’re planning to take I-35 south from the Twin Cities to I-90 and thence west all the way to Rapid City and environs. About 50 miles along the way west you’ll come to my home town, Fairmont a small city of about 10,000. It’s quite picturesque as small upper Midwestern towns go, as it’s set on a chain of five lakes. There’s a fairly good place to eat there called the Sirloin House. It’s on the south side of town (the freeway passes on the north side), but it’s fairly straight forward to get to. Take the first of the two Fairmont exits, which is State highway 15, and go south past the shopping areas. When you’re getting close to the wind turbines on your right, start looking for Hall Street, where you’ll turn right. Take Hall Street as far as you can go, to Albion Avenue, and turn right. The Sirloin House will be on your left in about a quarter mile, overlooking Hall Lake. You can check their hours by phone at (507) 235-3856, and here’s a link to a map. I have no personal agenda in suggesting the Sirloin House. It’s just that I know from personal road travel experience how tempting it is to fall into the familiar franchise rut if you don’t have any suggestions from people with personal knowledge of an area.

Bon Voyage!

Fitger’s Brewhouse in Duluth is a must stop for my 3 grown faraway boys when they are home. They are beer picky but plenty of choices at the Brewhouse which has even started a local beer delivery. Their burgers are good with a wild rice burger on the menu.

If you can make it up to Boulder, I would be honored to buy you a cup of green tea at the Trident Bookstore and Cafe.