Eastward to the Mad City

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June 10th 2007

Published: June 10th 2007

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Wiggy

Minnesota

View from my boat-home. Cool, eh!?

Hello all!
I sure have covered a lot of ground since I last did a blog entry - you don't really appreciate how huge this continent is until you try to drive across it. Let me start with where I left off last: Montana.

The last week and a half (or so) has been quite the blurr. I have put the pedal to the metal trying to get out of Montana and North Dakota since there isn't too much to see and no hostels to stay at. I am glad I went, though, because it really gave me a chance to see the wild west. People really do still live the cowboy lifestyle. It was great to see the endless, gently rolling hills of North Dakota: it looked like a furry version of a boat's wake just before it settles back into calm water. I didn't encounter a single unpleasant person in my entire time in those states, although I did see some ugly places, most notably Fargo North Dakota. When I got to my motel I asked the receptionist if there is a downtown. "Sure there is." she said, her pudgy face squeezing into a smile. To which

North Dakota

The Badlands

I replied "so there's a place that people walk around in?". Long pause, smile twisting into a wondering look. "Well, I have seen people walking. I mean, you caaaan". I left early the next morning, not even bothering with breakfast.

The badlands of North Dakota were pretty cool, though, and apparently the only tourist attraction in the state (which I found out at the brand new tourist office they have off the interstate... why it exists is a mystery). The only notable stuff, though, came when I got to Minnesota.

I started my stay in the state-of-10,000-lakes at Itasca national park, home of the mouth of the Mighty Mississippi. As soon as I pulled into my lakefront campsite I met a family packing up and heading home. I struck up a conversation with the father, Jake, who was really impressed by my plans for the summer. Within minutes he had given me his card and told me to call him when I got into Duluth, my next stop. More on that later.

The park was quite nice, although nothing too spectacular. I enjoyed being in my tent and reading a great book (Moby Dick) and spending the

North Dakota

Notice no helmets. VERY much the norm in these states... woah.

nights with some young Minnesotans that i met while watching a turtle meandering across the walking path. Three days later I was back on Le Doigt heading for Duluth, a very nice (but cold!) city on the western tip of lake superior. After settling into a Super 8 Motel I gave Jake a call: within minutes he offered to let me stay on his sailboat!!! COOL! The next day I was packed and ready to be moving under deck. I spent two nights more in Duluth, both spent aboard his boat and having beer at the various student pubs listening to some great live music (LOTS there), the highlight being the famous Charlie Parr.

Next, from Duluth, I headed out for Madison, WI, where I am now. This is by far my favorite US city (of this size) that I have ever been in. It is super liberal, clean, prosperous, and full of students. I am having a great time here and enjoying being back in a hostel, meeting lots of people (all Americans, mostly here doing research at the university of Wisconsin). The city had a jazz festival this weekend so I have been busy reading, lying on

North Dakota

From the newspaper, beside the crossword... I never did find the Koran trivia...

the grass, listening to some great music. It's a hard life, but someone's gotta live it.

I will spend a few more days here before heading off to Chicago, where I hope to be staying with George, a good friend of Daniel's. Le Doigt is starting to feel neglected, I can tell, but I'll pour some oil into 'er tomorrow and give her a good wash. She'll be back to her old self in no time.

Ciao for now, miss you all.

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