“The car was full of unhappy people heading west. It was the Great American Family Road Trip, all right. Whaaa-hoo!” – Kim Harrison

Road Trip Part 2: having met the K’s at the airport we firstly had to upgrade our rented Rav 4 to a Dodge to fit in the luggage and Lynne.  A leisurely 4 hr drive due west saw us arrive at Ortonville on the Sth Dakota border. Our house, shared amongst 9 of us, is situated nicely on the banks of Big Stone Lake in the County seat of – Big Stone lake. We have been provided with a 6 bedroom, 2 storey, clapboard house, shingled roof, surrounded by huge trees and private jetty to the 26 mile long lake. Imagine, if you will, the stereotypical home in an American gothic horror/slasher film – that’s us living the dream! All here to celebrate Trents wedding to Hannah, a Minnesotan gal.

A few of Trents mates from home have also turned up, turning the house into a maelstrom of activity. Within minutes of yesterdays arrival we were whisked away to the other side of the lake to attend a welcome dinner put on by the brides grandparents. Fresh fish anyone? The cordiality of this family was tremendous and much appreciated by we Aussies in such a remote place. Lots of mirth and laughter and talk of huntin and shootin and fishin. The lake apparently freezes in winter to a depth of 4 feet, at which time the locals move their little sheds onto the ice to bore a hole and go afishin’.  The temp can drop to minus 40 fahrenheit! Anyhoo, the footy came out, and the boys tried to teach the locals the vagaries of our national sport. ‘Twas a fun night.

(posted a cuppla days late due to lack of local technological infrastructure)