I drove through where there were recent tornados and high winds several weeks ago. Street light poles were twisted like wire hangers and large trees were splintered like broken toothpicks.
I went up through Nashville, to St. Louis where I saw the famous St. Louis arch. I then drove to Kansas City, Kansas and stopped at Garmin where they showed me some features on my GPS to help me use it more efficiently.
When I left there I was headed to Rapid City, South Dakota. Driving south of Omaha I encountered many detours, due to washed out roads and bridges from flooding which was caused by all the water that was let out from North Dakota flowing south. I saw flooding of lakes and rivers overflowing their banks in Illinois, and really saw the water problem in Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska. Driving it was surreal to see water along the side of the road where power poles were standing in what looks like a lake but is really the right of way/swale. One exit was closed and the stop signs at the intersection were in water several feet deep.
Flooded farmland Missouri
It looked like I was driving past miles of lakes, but in reality, it was all farmland. Houses, barns, and silos looked like islands. Bridges were washed out and one of the detours took me through a back scenic byway through Iowa for almost 2 hours. This album of photos shows the destruction and flooding I saw as I drove.
Farm surrounded by water
Flooded intersection
After arriving in Omaha finally, after more detours due to washouts, I decided to change routes and not go to Rapid City, SD, but to go west on I-80 and then north to Mt. Rushmore. This turned out okay and I am on a scenic byway in Nebraska though the Sandhills and now at a McDonalds in Broken Bow, Nebraska updating this page.
I am going to eat lunch soon, not at McDonald’s, but the Tumbleweed Cafe up the street. I met a nice lady named Linda at McDonald’s that told me about a great state park called Chadron where I plan on camping either tonight or tomorrow.
Then on to Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower, and other sites.
I’ll update more later on. More flood photos on the photo page.
In just three days you’ve already seen more of the US than I have in my entire life. 🙂
Thanks for posting the images, it’s like we’re right there with you. The flood pictures are simply startling … they are so beautiful yet so sad.
Stay safe and keep the updates coming please!
Suggestions for SD: Crazy Horse Monument, Crystal Cavern, Rapid City and Sturgis pawn shops, Needles Highway, parks thru the black hills on the way to Deadwood, Deadwood Main street stroll, Brides Water Fall on the way to Spearfish, Stop at park on edge of town, Buffulo Farm, stop in Sundance on the way to Devils Tower, WY. Hope you are having the time of your life! Looking forward to the pics!