Day 13, from by the Missouri to North Point State rec. Area, Pickstown, SD

Wednesday June 10, 2020, 28 miles (45 km) - Total so far: 744 miles (1,197 km)

Last night's wild camp was perfect. I was a little afraid only because the weather really deteriorated. I was better off where I was than back at the regular campsite as I was protected by the ramshackle shelter. I watched from my tent door the wind blow and the dark clouds. Today, later on, a woman told me just across the river in Nebraska they'd clocked 80-90 mph wind. I was lucky not to be pinned down there for days.

There are annoying wind and dangerous wind. Today's was closer on the dial to the latter. You see I could hardly go straight into it without being pushed back and when it came from the side it pushed me over. The occasional downhill was the worst: if I got going fast a gust might whoosh me right over, so I had to be on the brakes and ready to put a foot down. Temps never got above 73, so dehydration not an issue, though I was slowly drinking through my reserve.

I hadn't realized my route was through the Yankton Sioux Reservation. It took almost 2 hours to cover 12 miles. In Marty, a very little town, there was an abandoned Indian boarding school next to the church. The church had a tall steeple and was made from stone. Very substantial for a crossroad. I saw groups of people picking up and cleaning the grounds. The road was cluttered with tree debris. Further on I pulled off to eat a snack and a pickup came into the drive. He was with the tribal road department and explained that the storm had dumped hail. I said I saw a couple cars pass me with broken windshields. He said they were cleaning up the church. He told me about the boarding school. I told him I thought it was mean to take children away from their homes. He added, they took our language. I then asked him if the nuns were nice. He said they'd pull their ears if they were bad. I said, laughingly, some kids need it, and he laughed too. They now take care of the old nuns left on the place. He gave me water from the building and Intel about the road.

So the next 15 miles were hard because of the wind, but I goaded myself to keep going....It was only 15 more miles. I made it to Route 46, went uphill to the closed casinos. He'd told me that of the 500 people in the community about 20 had tested positive. Folks were still deciding if they were going back to work and how after the quarantine. Pickstown was downhill, where I found an open cafe serving breakfast. I splurged. There are only the most minimal food items in the area, and I really need to stock up. I might have to pay convenience store prices before I come across a Dollar General. There are no more Casey's.

Sitting here in the campground next to a "bay" in the river, a little cold from the relentless wind. Tomorrow's weather: better.

I realize there are days with NO pics. It is hard to take pictures just of grass--also on some days I had a hard time taking pics and holding onto the bike because of wind

notice the strong winds

the "bay"