If this trip has achieved only one thing (actually it’s a lot more than one!) it is a reaffirmation of my love for this country and what it has to offer visitors, particularly those mad ones like us who want to drive on average, 250 miles per day and discover new things, usually around every corner!
This isn’t the first and hopefully won’t be the last where we simply book a flight safe in the knowledge that a hire car will be waiting for us (usually Avis) as well as a hotel for our first night on American soil. Beyond that, nothing else is booked and we do this because it gives us total flexibility. I’m sure that would be a scary prospect for a lot of people, never mind a couple in their 70s, but we continue to thrive on the unplanned and America just happens to be the perfect destination as has been proved to date on our “50 in 50” adventure!
Our travels through untouched states actually led us to Sioux Falls in South Dakota which wasn’t one of the nine to be conquered but did turn out to be something of a revelation in respect of the falls from which the city was named. These are virtually in the city centre, unusual in itself, but what is particularly stunning is the beautiful pink marble granite over which the water passes. It’s both beautiful to look at and to touch and is in evidence all over the city. I wanted to bring a piece home but my 23kg luggage allowance simply wasn’t sufficient. Pinching a piece is also a capital offence so the idea was quickly dropped!
And so it was onwards to Fargo, North Dakota and me crossing the line first to tick off my 50th US State. Prior to crossing the state line we learned of the “Best for Last Club”, a genuine organisation with members worldwide and run by the tourist authority in North Dakota. As soon as I learned about this, the excitement level simply went off the scale and as we crossed the border I had the biggest grin you could imagine and made straight to the designated office to receive my membership certificate and my free tee shirt.
The staff were genuinely delighted but I have to admit a tinge of sadness as Linda wasn’t able to join this exclusive club as her final state was to be Wisconsin in a couple of days time. That said, she was so pleased for me to receive this accolade that has been 34 years in the making.
I’m still smiling as I write this current dispatch and can’t wait for Linda to cross the line.
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