I Think we are about through Tornado Alley

April 16th (Monday)
Much better today so on the road fairly early - headed for Pierre, Nebraska

Have some head wind, but not too bad. Making good time on the northward run, crossing those now famous Nebraska Sand Hills, made famous by all the news about the Canadian Pipeline proposal to cross them. Then we stopped at a large slough that is the water level of the Ogallala Water Acquifer to take some pictures of some Pelicans flying over head. While I was out, noticed that my power cable to Toad was pulled away from ELTORO and dragging on the pavement, and had worn about half the fixture away. I tried to "Jimmy Rig" it but with out much success. Plugged back in still had right signal light and right break light, but nothing on left side. Decided to just travel on till I could buy a new one. Only 30 miles or so to Valentine, Nebraska, and once there found a new one at the Napa Auto Store. I asked and he told me of a RV Park just 5 miles north of town, so we decided we would stop for the rest of the day and get our repairs completed there. Found the park easily along the highway and checked in at a self check in. Only two other units there, a motorhome and fifth wheel, but seemed no people around. A nice park with all the amenities except cable TV, but clean and neat. I made a full meal deal for breakfast as it was still only 11:30 AM. We enjoyed bacon, eggs, potatoes and fried tomatoes, juice and coffee. Then with my able assistant repaired the power cable. Need to make sure all the wires are attached in the proper spots, and my assistant made sure of that. No second guessing!! Hooked it up again and Holy Shit, everything worked as it is supposed to!! Rest of day --- more relaxing.

A nice little "Fish Pond"

A curious "Killdeer"

The "Power of the Wind"

They looked meaner than they really were

Another nice sunset

April 17th (Tuesday)
Onward north today - weather good - no issues - left the highway 83 and went west 20 miles at Selby to find a RV Park on the Missouri River at Mobridge, South Dakota. A little basic but still OK for 1 night.

Highway Bridge over Audubon Lake

Riding the Rails

April 18th (Wednesday)
Another day, another couple hundred miles closer to home. Weather good, roads just OK, 60 or so miles of no shoulder, but from Bismarck on to Minot was all 4 lane and good. Had reserved in Minot at the Roughrider RV park. They are in the process of rebuilding this year as a result of last years flooding. Everything is still in quite a mess, but they found a dry site for me for 2 nights. Last year on May 12th, I believe they said they were told to evacuate as a wall of water from Canada was headed their way, and with in 4 hours it did arrive and flooded the park to about 4 feet deep. They were not allowed to return till in July, and little rebuilding could be accomplished for the rest of the year. They only opened this year on April 10th, and they are now hard at work to get things in order. A new office has been built and construction is everywhere in the park, Sewer, water, electricity, etc. It is going to be some time before things are back to normal!

2009 Satelite imagery



2011Satelite imagery





Souris River

 The Souris River flows out of Canada near Estevan, Saskatchewan, and as you can see is very slow moving with oxbow after oxbow, so when heavy rains hit the area the water does not drain very fast and just floods the whole river valley. Eventually the river returns to Canada in Manitoba and then back into the States to joins the Red River south of Winnpeg and adds the the flooding issues there. As one man we met commented, "When the Big Guy up there designed the earth he basically did a good job, but he sure made a mistake here by draining the water northward rather than to the South."
April 19th (Thursday)
Overcast and cool this morning ---- and a few of those white feathers falling. What are those things things anyway????

Completed Cross Border sales for last 4 months
Calculate we owe about $65 GST - we are happy and willing to pay that amount - Denice's and my individual calculations were only about $6 apart. We completed those numbers by noon, so will rest the rest of the day --
April 20th (Friday)
Woke up this morning to light rain, but after checking the weather decided it did not look too bad so hit the road by 8:00AM. 95 miles to the border at Portal, south of Estevan. Arrived there at 9:30, prepared to be asked to come inside and declare our purchases. Drove up to the entry window, and answered the usual questions:

"Where are you from"?
"High River, Alberta"
"Do you have your passports"?
"Yes, here they are"
"How long have you been out of the country?"
"105 Days"?
"How much were your purchases worth?"
"$2845.41"
"How much liquor do you have"?
"1 1/5 liters of rum and 2 cans of beer"
"Any fire arms"?
"No"
"Any cigaretts or tobacco products"?
"No"
"Do you have over $10,000 with you"?
"No"
The agent returns our passports and says, "Thank you and have a great trip home"
------- Absolutely Amazing ---------
On the road again within 3 minutes of arriving - had planned on being detained for an hour or so, and was not sure how our wood turning blanks from Texas might be viewed, although I had gone through their website and printed out the reasons that I felt justified approval of them into Canada. Guess its a non issue now. Two hours later we were in Moose Jaw and settled into the Prairie Oasis RV Park for the remainder of the day.
April 21st (Saturday)
Only drove as far as Medicine Hat today and stopped for an overnighter at Ross Creek RV Campground
April 22nd (Sunday)
Medicine Hat to home - Uneventful - Now the fun stuff of unpacking