Two hours after we hit the road, we stopped to see a roadside attraction which looked like fun and not many people there today. Watching the ships go up and down through the locks on the river was really neat, especially that it used almost no power. We grabbed a snack, and proceeded through the day that way, stopping to see the Spam museum, the statue of the Jolly Green Giant and Sprout, and the only Native American Pipe Stone mine in the nation.

We arrived at our first overnight tired and worn-out, but that lovely hot tub gave us the chance to snuggle in the swirling waters with sweet smelling salts, some candles we had picked up, and a bottle of sparkling White Grape Juice. I was taking no chances.

Rusty examined all my bite marks and kissed some of the pain away, while I checked her hand and told her she didn't need the dressing any more, just a daily dose of the ointment.

Next morning after a hearty breakfast, we hit the road again and stopped to see the World's Only Corn Palace, such as it was. We laughed at the junk for sale at most of the shops, but I got her a Black Hills Gold bracelet with a few small emeralds to kind of go with her other jewelry. She picked out a ring for me, which looked like two hearts made up of the 'grapes and vines' patterns typical to all that brand of jewelry. She made a big thing out of putting it on me, and checked me about once an hour to make sure it was on straight and I didn't lose it.

A few more stops (Elvis' motorcycle! A "Tucker"!) and we were at our next stop. We collapsed in the place I had chosen down town in a high tower, overlooking the site of the 'worst urban flooding of the 1970's' which had killed hundreds, coming in the night.

Every night was special, sharing the intimacy and snuggling which was so vital to Krista's recovery. And to my peace of mind.