Chapter V, In Which Donald and Lauren Visit the Corn Palace

It was pretty stunning how immediately hilly it was after crossing from southern Minnesota into South Dakota. Not that it wasn't still pretty level, but within just 5 or 10 miles of the lost-at-sea flatness fell away.

We made our first roadside style stop at the Porter Sculpture Park, home of the world's biggest BULL HEAD. The sculptor was there — actually, he was the only person there (there was mention of a dog but none in sight) — and he seemed a little (how to put this?) off. It was just a sort of funny quirkiness at first but at times (for instance, as soon as we've stepped out of the car: "Do you know that song from the Wizard of Oz?" "Huh?" "The theme song from the Wizard of Oz." "We're Off to See the Wizard?" "Yeah, that one. There's a storm coming." Or: "You have to go inside the Bull Head.") he gave you a FEELING.

In Mitchell (still in SD), we stopped at the Corn Palace, which is just what it sounds like. Oh, and it's also where they have the high school basketball games.

We ate at a diner a few blocks from our hotel in Chamberlain, where the waitress gave us the most shocked look and laughed — laughed! — when taking our orders: "No meat?!"

300 miles of this.

And then, suddenly, this.

Get out of the road!

These vultures represent politicians. Guy had a political science degree. No joke.

Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.

Yes, go in there and climb the narrow staircase. I promise not to close the GIANT METAL GATE behind you.

Not in the shot, but there were several of these guys wielding giant weapons. Lots of unsettling gory and violent imagery here, actually.

But then pieces like this made it all worth it.

Local high school girl into cell phone: "Yeah, I'm at the CP."

I do have to confess that I was very much in love with the Main Street, Anytown, USA feeling in these little towns. Of course, everything but the Corn Palace was closed.

A (tiny) rest stop church.