Moonwalking to America's Monument

After a bit of early morning driving, the Badlands await...

A surreal sight, especially after the long days driving across the midwest...

<== Went for a 5 mile walk along some trails, it was basically like walking on the moon.

The moon... ==>

<== Climbing a peak

Thomas looking like a badass ==>

<== One more photo op for the road.

Lots of wildlife around, Buffalo, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and of course derpy prairie dogs. ==>

<== After the Badlands, along with people like this, we head to the most iconic American monument

Which they decided to defile with a bunch of touristy stuff around it... but here it is, Mt. Rushmore. ==>

<== But hey, we got the photo of the trip so far!

On the road to Yellowstone... a sign of things to come... ==>

<== Dinner in Sheridan, Wyoming. What we hold in our hands is everyone's first time trying the famed Rocky Mountain Oyster... tasted like anonymous fried animal product.

Capped the evening off at the Rainbow Bar. If you've never been to a random dive bar in the midwest or south, I can't really explain what it was like to you. But we all had Bud Light tallboys. That should at least say something... A great time was had by all. ==>

Spam and Minigolf. What a country.

Ok, finally some wifi. Going to try and update day by day here.

<== Morning after Mall of America, we go to... the Spam Museum! Notice us holding our cans of awesome Spam with Cheese, Spam with Bacon, and Black Pepper Spam. MMMMmm

Thomas enjoying his first deep fried Spam stick at the restaurant next door to the museum. They messed up our order and gave us 4 orders of deep friend Spam sticks. We ate them all. I did not feel good after. =( ==>

<== And Spam burgers after >_< Good god do we need more salad...

And back on the road again. Need to get across South Dakota to get to the badlands, and there's basically nothing inbetween. Vast farms and long roads. ==>

 <== Got to do some activities on the road, so every so often we do rest stop frisbee, football, and a random 100m dash (Joe won)

Had to stop by the Thunder Road Family Fun Park in Sioux Falls, SD, for a rowdy game of mini golf. ==>

<== Had dinner at the Rusty Spur, a weird restaurant in this tiny town in SD...

... Which had this guy singing Karaoke/DJ'ing in the background ==>

<== And finally, at the Ponderosa Motel and RV Park. Surprisingly comfortable for a place where I thought we'd get axe-murdered at. Drove out to the middle of a farm outside of town and did some drunken star watching. All in all a good day. Except for the Spam.

This is Amerrriicaa

<== Hungover canoeing down the Wisconsin river? You betcha!

Crusin' down the river ==>

<== So tired afterwards... Mrs. Norris and Jake are comforting us. But no rest for the weary, we gots to go.

But first, breakfastlunch, featuring butterburgers and fried cheese curds at the original Culver's. Gonna need more salad. ==>

<== On the road to the Twin Cities.

Suddenly, Mall of America!!! Whoooo! ==>

<== This place is nuts. It's cavernous, and the amusement park in the middle of it is a fo' realz amusement park, in addition to like 4 roller coasters, all the regular fair rides and games, they have a freaking log flume.

Mexican food at the MoA? Don't mind if we do. That's a view of the mall in the background. The inside of the mall. Delicious! Gonna need more salad. ==>

<== And finally Thomas arrives. Deluxe accommodations await him. He's getting into the swing of things with thos Wisconsin Amber's

ChicaGO!

<== Wrigley Field for a day game!!! Go there early and walked around. It's a beautiful ballpark, more comfortable than Fenway imo. Got 3 tickets for $40, obstructed view, and then just moved down to get great seats.

Got Ubaldo Jiménez's Autograph!!!! ==>

<== Chicago dogs and Old Styles at Wrigley on a sunny day, could it get any better?

Some action from the game ==>

<== Italian Beef (Joe got a Italian beef + sausage) at Al's Beef after the game.

Drove to Saux City, Wisconsin after leaving Chicago to hang out with Joe's dad ==>

<== Wisconsin beer and a huge marshmallow.

Might have stayed out drinking a little too long. I love you Mrs. Norris!!! ==>

<== Aaand we're done. (Ok only me and Tom were done)













ps. We bought a spring mix and made a salad because of how crappy we've been eating... can't believe how eating vegetables feels good after not eating them for a while =D

It's Miller Time

Morning in Milwaukee, first stop, Miller! ==>

<== Taking the tour. The tour is full of propaganda. I'm still not a big fan of Miller (and by extension, Peroni, Grolsch, Blue Moon, etc,.but I do admit High Life is alright)

But I will take 3 free beers =D  ==>

<== Historic PBR brewery right after? Don't mind if we do.

Hanging out in the Captain's chair, workin' hard. ==>

<== Enjoying the Schlitz life

Up next: Chicago ==>

<== Chicago deep dish pizza at Giordano's.

Chicago is a pretty awesome city to walk around, lots of great restaurants and beautiful buildings. Billy Goat Tavern was a little disappointing, but still interesting. Tomorrow, Wrigley! Let's hope it doesn't rain.