Since I had a short day and lots of extra time yesterday (and today), I was able to write up responses to a bunch of comments and emails. So here they are, in one big pile!

“Joel asked: Where were those heads of Reagan and Bush?” That was on the way to Mount Rushmore. I didn’t get closer to investigate, but I’m guessing it was some sort of proposal for Mount Rushmore Part II? Or the anti-Mount Rushmore? To be fair, hiding behind Reagan was also a bust of Kennedy, but when I approached it I saw it just like the photo (and adding Kennedy almost makes it weirder, if that’s possible!)

Jean asked “What are the bugs like in SD? Were they bad in Iowa? I would think with all the rain you had at the beginning they must have been awful. Hope you have lots of bug spray with you.” I think there might have been two nights (probably in Iowa) where I noticed mosquitos, and only one where I actually used insect repellant. Beyond that, there have been so few bugs that I haven’t even been concerned with keeping my tent door closed (which is normally a priority in mosquito country). In Wyoming there are areas with tons of grasshoppers sproinging all over the place, and atop the Bighorns I saw these enormous freaky black Alien-like things (getting eaten by grasshoppers), but nothing that actively bothers me. Oh yeah, there are also these weird flying things that make this really loud clacking noise as they’re randomly darting around. That was mostly a Wyoming thing, but there are still a few in Idaho.

Dana said “don’t play w/the racoons at the campsites. They are mean – seriously.” Surprisingly, I haven’t seen or heard any campground raccoons in the whole trip. Plenty of dead ones on the side of the road, so I know they live out here (although lately I think I’ve been seeing more dead porcupines than dead raccoons). Maybe the campgrounds I’ve been staying at are just too well-maintained to attract raccoons. I guess if you’re building your trash receptacles to keep bears out of them, that also keeps raccoons out by default.

Dana said “I suggest the Star Crunch and the Peanut Butter Twix-like one. They are my faves”. On your recommendation, I tried the Star Crunch way back in SD (I think their website even says it’s their most popular or something). Sorry to say, it didn’t work for me. It has some kind of caramel-y goo inside that rubs me the wrong way. On the other hand, the Nutty Bar (which I assume is the Peanut Butter Twix-like one) is superb. I’m not really sure why I didn’t eat them before now. It might be because my best friend from grade school would have them at his house regularly, so it didn’t have the exotic, gourmet allure to me that all other Little Debbie products have. But boy, was I missing out!

Dana said “Ok, stupid question from the e-journal challenged, here: Once I post my entry by clicking