Pelicans?? Really! Blowing Sideways Stew/Repair

4/23/13

We woke up to 21 degrees and lots of ice. We spent the night in Worthington, MN at a truck stop with lots of other trucks. We were having engine troubles just before we got to the truck stop. Fran knew it was clogged fuel filters as we had that problem with the other RV. He was prepared and equipped and had everything he needed to take care of the issue. Also, there just happened to be a diesel repair shop handy. They confirmed what he thought. In the blowing cold snow Fran fixed the problem. God is so good. He brought us safely here and where we were meant to be. While we were stopped the snow began in earnest so we stopped for the night with about 40 other trucks. Brrr. The weather is supposed be changing and they’re saying this is the last of the snow. Sure hope so. It’s sunny today which is wonderful.

 

As we began our morning we discovered our slide-outs were frozen open. The brakes were also frozen solid. The LP gas line for the refrigerator was frozen as well. With the snow blowing sideways and the frigid temps it’s no wonder. Fran got started trying to put things in order. He managed to get the slides in and with the engine purring went to work on the refrigerator and frozen brakes. The refrigerator thawed out eventually – we just had to wait for the ice to melt. After several attempts and much banging on the brakes Fran once again made the trek over to Ron’s Repair. Ron, the owner from Ron’s Diesel Repair shop came over and tap the brake drum in just the right place – once - and we were finally able to start rolling. As we were chatting about our destination he told us about his trip to Alaska last year with his son. They flew into Fairbanks and took the train to the Kenai Peninsula for fishing. He said you can see the fish everywhere and it’s really hard not to catch something J. They did salmon and halibut fishing very successfully. The resort/lodge he stayed at keeps in touch with him and have indicated that this year is to be an excellent year for salmon fishing with twice the numbers expected. Woohoo we cannot wait.

In our travels today we spotted what we thought was a swan in one of the many ponds along the highway. After careful examination I shouted – it’s not a swan but a pelican. A White Pelican. Shortly thereafter we saw a whole flock. Really! South Dakota has American White Pelicans Pelecanus erythrorhynchos . I went online and discovered that White Pelicans reside in South Dakota. Unlike the brown Pelicans that we’re so used to seeing in Florida this species doesn’t dive for fish. It scoops them up in their pouches. They eat fish, salamanders and crustaceans. What a surprise. We love Pelicans. They’re such an odd looking bird with huge wingspans (96-110” according to search site I visited and a body length of 62”) and a body that looks like it shouldn’t be able fly. Check out this web link: http://sdakotabirds.com/species/american_white_pelican_info.htm.

Continuing west on I-90 toward Rapid City, SD we stopped in Mitchell, SD to see the Corn Palace. Eight Years before the turn of the 20th century -1892- when Mitchell, South Dakota was a small, 12-year-old city of 3,000 inhabitants - the WORLD’S ONLY CORN PALACE was established on the city’s Main Street. During its over 100 years of existence, it has become known worldwide and now attracts more than a half a million visitors annually. The palace was conceived as a gathering place where city residents and their rural neighbors could enjoy a fall festival with extraordinary stage entertainment – a celebration to climax a crop-growing season and harvest. This tradition continues today with the annual Corn Palace Festival, August 26th – August 30th, 2009.

We were given a brief tour by Doris Schneider and took our time looking around. The center is used for many community activities including the high school and college basketball games. The facade is changed yearly with the Corn Palace Committee selecting the theme. The murals are made up of corn husks and corn cobs. How industrious and exorbing.

The snow was blowing sideways (as seen in the pics and as Fran began his arduous task of repairs I prepared a hardy stew to revive his spirit. Here goes:

1 lb good stew beef or chuck roast cubed

1 lb potatoes, your favorite peeled or not and cubed

1 yellow onion chopped, 3 cloves garlic chopped, 3 stalks celery chopped, 1 cup carrots chopped with salt  (sautated  in olive oil until fragrant)

2 cups green beans, 1/2 cup corn, peas or other favorite veggies (I love mushrooms so I always include about a cup of them quartered) Fran can pick the mushrooms out of the stew. Contrary to his preference he still loves the flavor they add. :-)

1/2 cup port or favorite red wine

1 box Beef stock or homemade stock (approximately 6 cups total liquid - wine/stock combined)

Saute onions, garlic, celery, carrots, etc in about 2 tablespoons of olive oil until fragrant and glossy. Remove from pan and saute beef until brown on all sides. Add potatoes, stir in 1/4 cup flour until well blended. Add wine and broth and return veggies to pan. Add parsley, rosemary, salt, pepper, paprika, and hot pepper flakes to taste. Cook until tender and sauce is thick and fragrant. Serve with crusty bread and gee (butter heated and clarified to remove butter fats.)

 

 

 

Not too far along we encountered “Porter’s Sculptures” claiming to have the biggest sculpted bull head. Check out the picture – I think they may have accomplished their mission.

Our evening destination is Rapid City, SD. As I’ve indicated before we’ll be spending a couple of days here. We’re looking forward to checking out several opportunities such as: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Black Hills National Park, the Badlands and more. We’re also going to Sturgis, Deadwood and Spearfish. I taught a few years back in Spearfish. Fun stuff.  We’ve been seeing lots of signs for a place called Wall Drug Store located in Wall, SD just outside of the Badlands and Rapid City. Looks like a place we need to visit.

It’s worth a thought, maybe more: Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.