Well, I finally left for Arizona. Here I am taking advantage of the wi-fi connection in this hotel room in Rapid City, SD. By the way, this is a SWEET hotel. It's 76 years old, nine floors, and is called Alex Johnson Hotel. Seriously, folks, forego the usual Best Western or other chain and check this place out! It's super cool! The lobby alone is worth the trip, heehee!

Since the weather was total crap had I wanted to go south, then west, I decided to finally visit the Black Hills and the Badlands. Wow. Beautiful. Stunning. The whole drive was phenomenal. The weather went from 50s/60s and cloudy to freezing cold with sprinkles and snow on the ground from earlier before I got there, and then finally into the Badlands, it was windy and cold at first, then as I moved west the clouds opened up to a beautiful quiet sunset. My car and about three others were the only ones on the entire scenic drive through the Badlands. So many lookout points throughout the drive and it all reminded me of that later scene in the movie Garden State when...well, I won't ruin it for you if you haven't seen the movie yet....

Anyhoo, I'll be uploading the photos as soon as possible. Until then, I'll be checking in periodically to give you the report. T minus 4 days till conference!

Oh, yes, food. I just got done eating a trout dinner at a diner in Wall, SD. Boy, I was really bummed with my trip to Wall because Wall Drug was closed. All these darn billboards only to not be able to experience THE Wall Drug and the 5 cent coffee (could this be for real?). Oh well.

Earlier I had a garden omelette at a Country Kitchen. It is so weird being out in the middle of nowhere. It's such a different world from the city. But it's a welcome change. Now if only I could get myself off the damn internet and take a real vacation.....

On a not-so-hot note. I think I'm getting carpal tunnel or tendonitis in the joints between my middle and index finger on my left hand. Ouch. When I get home, I think this means it's time to quit typing with my laptop and instead whip out the ergonomic keyboard from my old PC. Obviously I'm doing something wrong here. Any suggestions?