murdo, south dakota

well, it's about bedtime here in murdo. never been here? me neither. in fact, today is the first day i've ever spent in south dakota. this little adventure past the corn palace and just east of the badlands checks the 49th of the 50 united states off my list to visit. north dakota is the only state i haven't been to now--i wonder if i'll ever get there, or if it will remain the place that all random things of unknown origin MUST be from (as my friend megan libbey says of things that come out of nowhere: "well, now, THAT came from North Dakota!").

murdo was not a destination point; rather, it was that oasis of light in the deep dark prairie lands that appeared just as driving one more mile became the most intolerable thought. we headed down the neoned main street past the old west saloon, several mom & pop motels, towards the familiar Best Western that beckons all weary travelers into a sense of familiarity.

It was booked.

We looked around the parking lot at all the young guys with paper bags sitting on the backs of pick ups and felt okay about it. "The woman at the counter said that the Landmark would probably be our best bet," turtle said, so we made our way to the other side of the highway and found the garishly lit up barn like Landmark Inn, decked in American flags and signs announcing its unique rooms and in house movies. Turtle said, as we pulled in to the driveway, "this sorta feels like a scene from Rocky Horror...". the wind immediately howled its agreement.

we got out of the sprinter and walked into the "office" which was a staged area inside of someone's home. A man in olive trousers and a black sleeveless t-shirt came down the foyer stairs to greet us. he asked us what kind of room we wanted (non-smoking, two beds), and then he led us to a wall of pictures to help us make our choice.

we could have the two-bedroom, one (jacuzzi) bath with the balcony, or we could have the burgundy colored L-shaped room with two queens and a refrigerator, or maybe we'd like the asian-inspired room? (of course, all these rooms were available for less than our travelodge room with short sheets and midget sized bath towels the night before). he took cash happily and wished us well after 15 minutes of stories about murdo, its visitors and its weather. we climbed the stairs to our room and turtle said, "what do you think?". i opened the door and replied, "this room is cared for," and she said, "no, about the guy...do you think he's gay?"

hmmm...across the highway from town, rocky horror, interior decorating with motif, living with his mom...

i think i'll see what shows up at the breakfast buffet tomorrow.