We are back
in the States. And, as we pull away from the northern border, we are welcomed
back into the land of gas below $4. In Canada, gas was always at least $4, but
some places it got as high as $6.xxx. It is nice to be spending less on gas.
Once again,
we have entered the land of “free” data. I can finally access the internet
without being charged an arm and a leg over my normal rate for data. Hooray!
This makes dealing with campsites so much easier. Today, using my roadmap and
3G networks, I was able to determine where we might camp for the night, the
costs, and the amenities. Much less stress! No more driving to a place to see
the prices and then trying to decide if we might find another more reasonable.
Another nice
amenity that is back in this land is rest areas with flushing toilets. Canada
and Alaska normally had bare minimum: compost toilets, TP, maybe a lock, no
lights.
We are also
in the land of dead skunks. I don’t know whether it is the harvest or mating
season or just being overrun by skunks, but there have been an impressive
amount of skunk roadkill along the Dakota highways.
Staying in a
campground at the Newton Hills State Park of South Dakota for $20/night, we
actually had access to flush toilets and showers!
Although I had a vault toilet at my disposal when we arrived at the camp, I
made the extra eighth of a mile walk to the flush toilets/showers, which they
called the “Comfort Station.” Just because I could. Made the $20 so much more
worth it. Then after dinner, I took a shower, in a building, where I didn’t
have to conserve water. After it warmed up (took forever, so much so, I almost
gave up on it), I stood under the warm streams until my fingers pruned. It was
glorious, and my feet are clean and moisturized again. It has been over a month
and a half since I have been able to do something like this. I think I will
take another shower in the morning before we leave, just because I can.
Probably a good thing I got this opportunity before I stay at anybody’s house.
That way, I don’t use up all their hot water. :D
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