Early morning clearance

We check out of the North Vue Motel in Avon at exactly 11:00. The owners, Dale and Shonni had been so congenial, and on a count of Buddy they even let us have the room for half price. I think that's the first time a motel's done that for us on this trip.

Anyway, with my clothes washed, and Bud bathed in an apple, deodorizing and antibacterial shampoo that a woman named Cindi had donated in Platte, we strike out for whatever place we're destined to end at. I have a feeling that we'll go 20 miles or so and pitch the tent in a field somewhere, but by 19:00 hours we've made it to Tabor. The weather's good and we still have some energy left, so even though it's breaking the rules, I put Bud in the cart and decide that we're gonna push on through 15 more miles to Yankton.

Arriving here at about half past midnight, I start looking for a toilet. Luckily, there's one bar that lets me use the restroom in spite of it being closing time. Whew! I was starting to get pretty desperate. Now we're both sitting in front of a Ford dealership so I can use their Wifi. 'Ah, nuts! It's not working now.' I don't feel much like setting up the tent, and there's no point in getting another motel so soon, so I think I'm going to go search for a sturdy bench or table somewhere to catch some zees before dawn.

4:00 am. I can't sleep. I'm thinking, 'This metal table would do nicely if it weren't so near a busy road. Might as well go find a Walmart.' Both pairs of shoes have had holes in the bottoms for a while now, and Buddy needs more dog food. So it's off to the north side of town.

5:15 am I didn't know Walmart has 24 hour stores. Look at all those sleepy heads stocking shelves. Hurray! Clearance time. Two pairs of trainers just my size for five bucks a piece. You can't even beat that in Indonesia. Follow it up with breakfast at McDonald's and I'm done.