Day 2

I left Doug's around 7 (slightly hung over) and headed south for Minnesota. I decided to go through Mondovi and see the Buffalo River. The ride on 93 to 10 and 37 from Mondovi to the Mississippi was beautiful but my enthusiasm was dampened by the fact that my check engine light came on again. This happened a week ago and I got it “fixed”. With some help from Deb (thank god for technology – I called Deb on my cell phone to her cell phone in Door County and she used her lap top to get me help) I was able to get the phone number and directions to the Smart Car dealer in the Twin Cities. I called and they were wonderful – “whenever you get here we’ll help you out”.

I was in and out in 50 minutes (which included getting all my stuff out of the back so he could get at the engine). It was the same problem but he replaced the part that the Milwaukee dealer had just cleaned out.

I can’t say enough how pleased I have been with the Smart Car service (both in Milwaukee and Twin Cities).

I crossed into Minnesota on 25 outside of Nelson and drove up to Red Wing and then zigzagged over to the dealer. I did need to drive on a freeway (35W) for about 10 miles each way but that was ok I guess.

From the Twin Cities I headed SW through New Ulm and am staying in Lake Shetek State Park about 40 miles from SD.

The ticket price was a shocker - $5 for the sticker (daily) and $24 for the lot for a night. These were my choices:

$24 for electricity

$20 w/o electricity

$12 for a lot with pit toilets and you aren’t supposed to use the showers

Well I wanted to blog (can’t upload it here) and I needed electricity for my computer. This morning in my grogginess I decided that a shower wasn’t necessary – by the time I got here at 5pm I couldn’t stand myself – so the $24 site it was.

Went down the road for a burger and beer and as they open at 6 am I will probably go have yokes in the morning.

I’m drinking Lakemaid beer – it is made in New Ulm and it is good – I should have gone to the brewery to see if they sell Lakemaid t-shirts:)