8/29 - 9/5

Headed off to Knee Brass Kee to vist a buddy I used to work with  - 'Wooly' - AKA Mike Woolhiser.  He mvoed to Sargent NE 12 years ago and we have a heck of time getting him to join us for our annual PIP events (Poker In the Pines).  So I figured I'd drop in unannounced.  Left SD and headed south in to NE.  Talk about WIDE open prairies!  NOTHING for miles and miles except corn and more corn.  I was beginning to wonder if I'd find a gas station.  I did, they were about 100 miles apart tho!  Got to Mike's house and Michaela answered.  Took here a few secs and then... Wow, what are you doing here?  We then went across the street to thier farm and found Mike mowing.  Took him a minute too!  Gee you are lot greyer than the last time I saw ya!  Gee thanks Mike!  So now that mowing was interrupted he decided to call it day and we proceed to catch up on 12 years of family, Intel,  etc etc.  Mike has an assortement  of mini animals.. a bull, horse, donkey, mule, fillie,.  Spent the next day getting educated in the finer points of farming, the local area, their cafe - The Ritz.  It was great to catch up!

From Mike's it was off to Lebanon KS, the geographic center of the US.  Not much there, a small monument and a very tiny town.

A U-Turn and I am off towards Thunder Bay, Ontario.  about 600 or miles away.  Mostly interstate this time.  Made it to Souix Falls , SD and got a motel for the the nite

On the road again in the moring.  Got to the border check about 1900.  There were 4 red foxes playing around entertaining the folks in line.  I also immediately lost another hour so now on EST.  Once thru the border it was another hour to Thunder Bay and getting dark.  I headed off to Kakabeca Falls a bit outside of town..  Road construction resulted in gravel roads (YUCK ) and dark, hard to see etc etc.  I got thru it all but opted for a hotel as it was now almost 2200 and I was tired and hungry and did not wan to mess with tent etc at that hour!

Headed to the falls in the morning.  They are nice but not huge by any means.  They are the 2nd highest falls in Ontario per the sign.  My guess - 200 ft or so.  Wandered thru the park bit viewing the falls at different areas and then headed for town again to start the tour of the north shore of Lake Superior