Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 10: August 21st, 2007 Prairie Du Chien — Mitchell

Today I have taken a look in my engine compartment and behold: The sensor sits on top and I can easily change it myself. Even with my Wal–Mart tools I am able to remove the old temperature sensor and install the new one. Unfortunately I picked a white shirt today for this work. But it stays clean!

With this feeling of success armed I drive over to Coaches for breakfast. There a guy at the bar starts talking to me because of all the traveling I am doing. He also gives me some advice on the flooding in this area. But lucky me, I am not driving through any of these flooded areas.

Highway 18, State Line WI and IA

Today the rain slows down. There is only occasional slight rain. First I drive on Highway 18 through Prairie Du Chien. Then I cross the Mississippi River and the state line to Iowa.

Highway 18, IA

On Highway 18/52 I drive through Postville in Iowa.

And then through New Hampton.

Finally also through Charles City.

I–35, State Line IA and MN

In the meantime the sun is shining and it warms up to 75–80 degrees! Only the high gas consumption is lowering my mood. Seems like I have no other choices than to change plugs and wires together with the distributor. But for now I enter I–35 and cross the state line to Minnesota.

I–90, State Line MN and SD

From I–35 I turn onto I–90 and cross the state line to South Dakota.

Around 7pm I arrive at my motel in Mitchell. On the first run of my credit card, the employee forgets to put in my AAA discount. But then he runs the card a second time. I am really anxious to see, what will be on my bill. This time I even receive a room on first floor at the Motel 6. I walk to my room and check the first video tape. Then I leave for dinner.

The dinner recommendation for tonight is the Chef Louis. The parking lot is completely full, which is usually a good sign. Nevertheless, I receive a table even after only 10 minutes of waiting. The table is really nice. Only my server has a pretty much commanding voice.

The meals are pretty expensive, they start not below $18. But therefore the dinner is really good. Unfortunately I must wait for an eternity. But I use the opportunity to write my diaries in the meantime. The service is kind of okay. Only the refill takes a while.

Around a quarter past nine I pay and drive back to my motel. There I check the rest of my video taping. Above me someone is really stomping through the room. Around 11pm I go to bed. But the guy above me is still stomping through the room non–stop. Around midnight I loose my temper and I almost brake the wall while smashing against it. Then things are getting quiet and I am eventually able to sleep…