Wilson Price Hunt Trail (‘Astorians’) 1811 — 1812

Day 10: August 22nd, 2006 Omaha — Pierre

Denny’s is close to my motel. And around the corner to the main street is the Master Tune Up garage. Because I am getting really worried about my rear differential, I decide to let them at least fill up the oil. At a quarter to nine I am there and they tell me, that the mechanic will arrive later today.

So I have first my breakfast at Denny’s. The coffee service is a bit slow, but beside that everything is okay. After my breakfast I drive back to the garage. But the mechanic is still not here. He will be back around 11am. But I should try it further down the road. There are a bunch of garages.

Sinclair Autocare, Omaha, NE

Darrel, Sinclair Autocare, Omaha, NE

Darrel, Sinclair Autocare, Omaha, NE

First I try it at a NAPA store. But they have time not before the afternoon. They recommend to try it at the Sinclair gas station a little bit further down the road. Darrel immediately takes care of my problem and fills up the differential. Then he asks, if I want to change the shaft seal — that will take approximately 2 hours, if we immediately order the shaft seal. Then it will arrive with the next shipment. I happily accept this offer and make a little movie about his work.

Around a quarter past eleven he is finished and I am ready to leave.

I–80, State Line NE and IA

On I–80 I cross the Missouri River and the state line to Iowa. Then I take I–29 North.

I–29, State Line IA and SD

At Sioux City I cross the state line to South Dakota and follow the Missouri River banks.

Finally I leave the Interstates and reach Yankton on Highway 50.

Highway 46, SD

On the bigger Highways 52, 50 and 46 I follow the Missouri River further to the west.

At Wagner I gas up around half past three. Then I continue on Highway 46.

Highway 46, Missouri River, SD

First I reach Pickstown.

Highway 46, Ft. Randall Dam, SD

Then I cross the Ft. Randall Dam on Highway 18.

On Highway 18/47 I reach Gregory.

Highway 47, SD

Highway 47, SD

Highway 47, SD

Then I continue on Highway 47.

Highway 47, Lake Sharpe, SD

Highway 47, Lake Sharpe Dam, SD

At Ft. Thompson I drive over the Lake Sharpe Dam.

Highway 34, Lake Sharpe, SD

Highway 34, Lake Sharpe, SD

The weather is great and temperatures are sometimes up to 105 degrees. Also my transmission reaches the critical temperature of 210 degrees.

Around 7pm I arrive at the Super 8 in Pierre. For dinner I drive again over to Mad Mary’s and enjoy my steak with good Country Music. Around half past eight I pay (whereas I realize later on the bill that my server charged an additional 50 Cents!) and drive back to my motel. There I check the video taping of today. Then I fall really tired in my bed.