Bowling 2011 Roadtrip – Day 6: South Dakota, You Are Welcome

In typical Bowling-fashion, we bypassed the Rapid City metropolis with its two modern hotels for Hot Springs, town of 891 people on the far end of Mt Rushmore. We also decided a Teepee would be an adventure within an adventure. Allen Guest Ranch was happy to oblige.
It is safe to say that Allen’s website was a bit misleading. Clocked at 0.43 miles from the cinder-block bathhouse (measured via the car odometer by my wife), the teepees where not exactly what one would call ‘clean’, ‘not-musty’ or ‘infestation-free’. I spent the first 20 minutes grabbing and tossing grand-daddy long-legs from the inner walls; an activity repeated every two hours throughout the night.
And since we decided to camp in a tube with a hole in the roof and another on its side, it rained 1.5” as soon as we unpacked and began to set up. I suppose if we had washed our car, a monsoon would have happened upon us. For a high desert town that receives 14” of rain per year, I do believe we deserve your thanks.

Bowling 2011 Roadtrip - Day 5: Being an Artist Comes at a Price

Salem, South Dakota

There are certain advantages to one's choice of residence. A New Yorker gains first access to the world: Broadway, music, fashion… but must live in close proximity with the masses of humanity. A Cajun’s taste buds live in the luxury of Po Boys, etouffee, boudin, Tabasco… but must live with other Cajuns and an unreal quantity of bugs. And if you choose the Great Plain States, you embrace Americana, with open skies, the world’s food supply at your feet, and distance everywhere you turn.
This distance has its own price, impressing itself on each resident, molding them in both subtle and distinct ways. For the artist Porter, political science major turned sheep farmer turned metal sculpture artist living in a trailer amidst his work (searching for something), 28 years of the Great Plains has made its mark on both him and the landscape.
(insert link to picassa album of photos)

Bowling 2011 Roadtrip, Day 4: KC

Props to Kansas City for recovering from the St. Louis fiasco. Whereas St. Louis reminded me of ATL in 1988, KC was a modern Columbus, GA, clean, vibrant, interesting. I wish the Royals had been on a homestand.

And while I do not care to make a habit of it, KC pulled off gourmet BBQ. As a proper Southerner, I don't see the point in getting all uppity about comfort food. But when in Rome...