Day 6: Dickinson, ND to Brainerd, MN. 6 hours, 430 miles

We left Dickinson, ND early so we could make it to Brainerd, MN before dark. Despite the train nearby, I slept fairly well. As usual, Kasey drove. We got gas which was fairly inexpensive comparatively speaking and hit the highway east. The sun was at the right angle that the visor above me was in constant motion as I attempted to keep my face in the shadows. 

The scenery is filled with rural images on nearly flat and nearly straight roads. Traffic is very light.  There is a lot of time to think while driving. I wondered why people in rural areas seem to be conservative. I surmised that maybe it is because they don't travel or have a lot of exposure to people of various backgrounds. There are a variety of reasons but lack of travelling is one of them. Travelling can change your perspective on a multitude of things. 

Our country is so diverse in the landscapes and it makes sense that it is also as varied in our perspectives. 

We travel several times a year and we try to visit with people along the way. Today, we made no stops until Brainerd, MN where Kasey's cousin Jesse lives. 

Tad got to play with his 2 dogs Bud and Rudy. 

They seemed to get along just fine. So much so they formed a conga line during their first few minutes of meeting each other. Amazing that they all like dancing.

Jesse has 4 kids, 2 are still at home, his girls. The youngest had volleyball practice so we didn't get to visit. We had dinner downtown at a Mexican restaurant and then Jesse stopped at home to check on his youngest before we headed out to have a beer at the local brew pub.

Jesse graduated from University of Oregon with a degree in architecture.  We had the opportunity to see his handy work when we went to the Jack Pine Brewery. The entire building was his design. He is so talented. During our conversations that were mostly about the family, we found out that he and I crossed paths in a few places in California when he was living in the Bay Area as a youngster and just out of college. We probably were both in Davis, CA during the same year. He was 7 and I was 18. It is always nice to see Jesse and he is always happy to see us and we have a great visit. 

Tomorrow he is taking his daughter to catch the bus for an out of town game and he has to get up early so we turn in for the night.