Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 11: August 22nd, 2007 Mitchell — Rapid City

Today it is pretty misty, but also pleasant cool with 64 degrees. Breakfast is today at Marlin’s Roadhouse. Then I start my search for a mechanic. Based on the phone book I decided to go to Big E. But they are more than booked. Then he started to call some of his colleagues. But they are also completely booked. As last chance he suggests to go to Larry’s I–90 Services. They are also booked, but after an hour he has hooked up the scanner to see what is going on. Everything is alright on the scanner. A further investigation cannot be done before the afternoon.

Larry’s I–90 Services, Mitchell, SD

On my urging, he accepted to change spark plugs, wires and distributor head just by chance. Around 3pm he is finally able to start working on my truck. Slowly I am really running out of time. Today I have no chance to reach Sheridan. Lucky me, I have always added some buffer time in my travel planning…

I–90, SD

Around a quarter past four I am eventually able to leave. First I drive back to I–90.

I–90, Missouri River, SD

I–90, SD

I–90, SD

I–90, Mountain Time Zone, SD

I–90, SD

I–90, SD

The weather is quite okay today and I make good miles. At Chamberlain I cross the Missouri River.

Finally I reach Rapid City. Around half past seven I check in at the local Motel 6. Today, I don’t want to drive further. There is also an Outback Steakhouse, which I already see on the other side of the Interstate — perfect!

When I enter my room I realize that the air condition runs full power — and there is no heating! First I check my video taping. At a quarter past eight a heavy thunderstorm rolls through and it starts raining from the bucket. Lucky me, I decided not drive further. Suddenly I have the idea that I might be able to heat up the room with the warm water from the shower. So I turn up the shower to full and leave the bathroom door open!

Okay, the humidity starts to rise. But after a bit more than a quarter of an hour, the room temperature in my room slowly gets acceptable. At a quarter to nine it is still raining heavily. But slowly I must leave for dinner at the Outback Steakhouse. There things are really going quick, because they are not busy anymore. Already at a quarter to ten I am able to pay and drive back to my motel. There I check my map to see how far I might be able to drive tomorrow. I think, Bozeman in Montana looks like a reasonable distance…