AAN day 27 - Mitchell, SD --> Sioux Falls, SD

Across America North - day 27 - Mitchell, SD --> Sioux Falls, SD

74 miles. With the ride to Chamberlain still a lingering memory, I note that today was an easy day. Tomorrow is a rest day and the day after tomorrow will have us in Minnesota.

With so much reliable wind in South Dakota, I wondered why we didn't see more than a few token wind turbines. Maybe the transmission lines don't exist. If not, why not build them? North Dakota has made a deal with the oil companies but that may be a deal with the devil. The many farmers in South Dakota might parcel off a few acres and lease them to wind farmers. I hear that the rent can be a pretty good income.

With Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and South Dakota behind us, about 65,000 feet of the total 107,000 feet of climbing are behind us, too. That's only 60% but much of that was in a rather austere environment. Sometimes it was a hundred miles between towns and often it was about 50 miles. A few trees to shield us from the wind would be good.

There is generally a sense of relief that we'll be leaving South Dakota. It's been a difficult week of headwinds and crosswinds and hills. Here's hopin' for a kinder, gentler Minnesota.