Beth

Day 17: Bismarck, ND to Medora, ND

It’s been hard to motivate myself to write these past few days. I’m just in a different zone now, letting myself go with my own flow, knowing that the trip is about to take a dramatically different turn. I’m watching more TV, going to bed early, not …

Day 16: Bismarck, ND

Monday, September 14 There were two items on my Bismarck agenda: visit the Capitol and get a massage at the Salt Cave Wellness Relaxation Center. I did not do either of these things. I didn’t leave the hotel at all on Monday. The tasks that …

Day 15: Fargo, ND to Bismarck, ND

Sunday, September 13 On Saturday night I texted the hosts that I’d probably leave around 10 a.m. the next day and said I hoped I’d get to see them before I left. At the time I meant it. But on Sunday morning I was dressed and …

Day 14: Fargo, ND

Saturday, September 12 Adam wasn’t feeling well, and I’d had another early wake-up. On any other Saturday we would have texted each other to cancel. But here we were in Fargo, so we headed out to have some experiences. After a quick breakfast of mediocre bagels we …

Day 12: Minneapolis, MN, still

Thursday, September 10 At breakfast another guest at the B&B asked what my plans were for the day. She was going to borrow a bike from the garage and ride around the lakes. I told her I was going to catch up on work, and she …

Day 11: Minneapolis, MN

Wednesday, September 9 In the invitation email I sent to my friends I jokingly reassured them that they wouldn’t have to share a bed with me. But I messed up in booking the B&B for Minneapolis and forgot that Becca would be with me for one of …

Day 10: Madison, WI to Minneapolis, MN

Tuesday, September 8 We had two objectives on Tuesday: authentic cheese curds and the Mall of America. Maybe you think it’s dumb to want to visit a mall, or maybe you think it’s great and would ask your husband to send you there for your fiftieth birthday …

Day 9: Milwaukee, WI to Madison, WI

Monday, September 7 My hotel in Milwaukee had a Starbucks, so for breakfast I got the lowest-calorie thing on the menu, an egg white feta wrap. I played a calorie guessing game while I stood in line and learned that I am terrible at it. …

Day 8: Chicago, IL to Milwaukee, WI

Sunday, September 6 We officially began the day with breakfast at the Original Pancake House. It’s a chain, so I’m not sure it was the original Original, but people like it enough to stand in a line that flows outside. We got in quickly after the …