The prairie north of Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan is so flat and expansive it seems you can see the curvature of the earth.

Towns are few and far between and we were pleased to find a room at the Lundsden Hotel and Steak Pit, where you walk behind the bar and through the door, up the stairs to your room!  It's funky and fun, and the only place to stay for miles, so we're happy to be here.

Tomorrow we head for Saskatchewan after a wonderful visit with my Aunt Metta in New Rockford, North Dakota.  It's so nice to get to hang out in the place my mother grew up and to hear stories about those times so long ago on the old family farm.  North Dakota is a surprisingly beautiful place.  We had lunch at the Road Kill Cafe and Taxidermy Shop, where the animals and the customers both get stuffed. And where else could you see Dakota Thunder, the world's largest buffalo, in Jamestown.  Jim was prepared for any unexpected waterfall from above!

Then & Now Tour 2011

In 1970 we took a road trip.  In the summer of 2011, 41 years later, we're retracing our route to see if anything has changed.  In 1970 the plan was to attend the Olson family reunion in northern Minnesota, then head north to Canada and hop on the Queen's Highway and head west toward the Rockies.

Then -- we had been married a year, packed our VW bug with a tent, two sleeping bags and a map and took off in search of an adventure.  We had limited funds but plenty of time.

Now -- we're in our Jeep Grand Cherokee, packed with lots of gear, an aerobed, printed mapquests and a GPS.  We still don't have unlimited funds, but this time we don't have to camp or sleep in the car if it's cold and rainy!

We'll keep you posted where we are on our journey as we revisit places we saw then and as we add new destinations.  Tonight we're in Menominie, Wisconsin. Tomorrow we're heading for New Rockford, North Dakota.