Day 8 Thursday Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Austin, Minnesota

229 miles

Foggy start and 66*

There was a herd of buffalo in a field close to our campground. Our first stop today was in Garretson to find the park with Devils Gulch in it. The park is known for the time Jesse James and his gang robbed a bank in Minnesota.  His escape route took him to a spot where he and his horse had to jump a ravine in order to avoid being caught.  We spent an hour talking with the docent and walking the trails.

The next stop was in Blue Earth, Minnesota to see the 55' tall Jolly Green Giant.  The docent there gave us a can of  sweet corn for a souvenir. The town is named Blue Earth because the clay around town is blue which has become a favorite with local potters.

We got a campsite and still had time to visit the Spam Museum before they closed.  Michelle spent about 20 minutes with us pointing out a few interesting facts about Spam. We had no idea except our Dad's both had to rely on Spam for meals in the field during WWII.  The museum was recently renovated so everything was spic and span.

We missed a turn on the way and had to to a u-turn to find this park.

Wire bridge across the gorge.  I was leary
about walking across.

We climbed to the upper ledges to
have a look down. There was
no fence or notice of danger.

Down at the water level, we could
see tall ledges along the river bank
and the work of water erosion.

Looking up at the wire bridge
from the river below.

The only section of fencing protecting people from falling.

We try to do about 200 miles a day.

Built in 1979, the giant cost
$5000 to construct.

The red building is a small gift shop.

The new and improved Spam Museum!

Paul Bunyan and Babe

Spam everywhere!  

Who would have  thought!

I hadn't heard of these girls before.

Choices of flavors

It's not lips and butts!  It's from the good cuts.

Musical instruments  made from Spam cans.  They were actually played in concert.

The meat is packaged and then cooked in the can.

What's your favorite?  I bought bacon flavored to put on a skewer with pineapple chunks roasted on the grill.
I haven't had Spam since I was a child.

Dinty Moore is a subsidiary of Hormel. Do you know what ox joints taste like?