Day 13: Aberdeen, SD to Morris, MN

I'm nearly at my destination! Aberdeen is a junction for BNSF and the DM&E, and the Dakota, Missouri Valley & Western RR. I figured I'd have a good chance of seeing some interesting locos, so headed on down to the yards. What I found was pretty bleak, and pretty cold. But I did find 3 geeps saddled up and ready to go, coupled to a pair of snow fighting spreaders, no doubt preparing for the snow storm that had been nipping at my heels ever since I left Utah.

I was impressed, and wouldn't mind taking one home with me. Suspect the airlines might have something to say though! Wandered down the bleak street and spied some locos at the roundhouse, seems to be a wee bit of everything here. BNSF, old BN greens, a GP30, and a blue & white BNSF rush job.

The BNSF depot here is amazing, completely different architecture. It is a very distinctive style, in fact the architecture of the whole town reminded me of what I'd expect to see out in the eastern states.

The parking lot was interesting in its own way too.

First off, nearly everyone drives a pickup. Secondly, note the cords running into the vehicles. This is to heat the engine blocks for all the diesel vehicles, otherwise the diesel freezes or something. Notice how the plug in points are raised, and have flags; no doubt so that when there is a foot of snow you can still see where to park and what not to drive through. Snow and heavy winters are just a fact of life out here.

What I was more interested in though was the SD75M idling away behind me…

Aint she a beaut? And still in pretty clean warbonnet paint.

Having drooled enough I hit the road. The GPS basically said: turn left onto US12. Drive straight for 3 hours. (Especially so once I got to Minnesota). For example:

I'm not sure what I was taking a photo of, so can only assume it was a photo of a dead straight, totally barren road. Cruise control was made for this.

It's not all boring though: there are a lot of amazing buildings out here.

Yes that's right, drive for long enough out here and you'll start getting excited about farm houses and different looking silos!

While stopping to take some photos I heard the unmistakable sound of a horn, but after much hunting it seems I missed the train and it was going in the opposite direction. I did however find a lovely spot.

For some reason the fields here were flooded with water, which had frozen nicely on the top. I chucked a piece of ballast on it and it made the most amazing twang sound, with a very tight reverb. It sounded like wiggling a large sheet of stiff plastic… only it was the size of a small parking lot!

I drove on and ended up in Morris, Minnesota. Yup, Minnesota! That fabled place on the great plains, where Lake Wobegon is never far away. Morris itself is very pretty, a small town that is an interesting mix of progressive university, and lethargic farming town. Sure enough the grain elevator dominates downtown, and there is a single intersection that warrants traffic lights. Population is about 5000, which is a big step up on one town I passed which boasted a population of just 88! Yes just 88. That town was mostly grain elevator.

Anyway Morris had lots of pretty old weather board buildings in big tree lined streets and sits on a tiny hill. I checked into a motel and the proprietor was the splitting image of Randy from My Name Is Earl. Big guy, friendly but quiet, slightly puzzled expression, always wearing a tee shirt and breathes loudly. I was impressed! He fixed me a room which would've been the nicest motel room I've ever stayed in, if it weren't for the intoxicating smell of natural gas heating, with a slight overtone of musty-motel. The room itself was nice, with a big window facing the sun (i.e. to the south, confusing huh), and a nice arm chair to sit in and enjoy the sun. Shame about the smell though.

No sooner had I unpacked though than I had an appointment to make. I drove up the road to the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) Physical Education Center where there were literally hundreds, possibly thousands of people, making their way there. There were even shuttle busses running from the parking lot to the PE center.

Why?

Garrison Keilor was in town! Yes that's right, I was off to see A Prairie Home Companion live! I collected my ticket and joined the crowd, then found a seat on the bleachers. Garrison warmed up the crowd by singing a few songs which the entire hall joined in with, naturally I had no idea what they were signing, but the effect was amazing: very comforting and warm.

Then at 5pm sharp we heard the familiar American Public Radio jingle and Garrison was singing his signature opening tune, and we were off! There was lots of musical saw playing (seriously, purchased at the local hardware store what's more!), and man references to Morris itself which the audience loved. The local university choir performed many songs and they were extremely good, however the real highlight for me were the three fiddlers, who were simply amazing. Boy can they make those fiddles sing!

If you want to listen, the full two hour show is online at: http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/www_publicradio/tools/media_player/popup.php?name=phc/2011/02/19/phc_20110219_64 . It makes for good background listening while you do the dishes. Listening it's not hard to see why it's called a Prairie Home Companion; imagine watching this show in the middle of a blizzard in front of the fire with the lights dimmed. It would be very comforting indeed.

The show finished all too soon and afterwards it took a good 20 minutes to get out of the car park, but it was very orderly and not too bad. Only a 150 miles of driving today. I went to bed a little excited as firstly there was snow forecast (a blizzard actually), and secondly I would get to see Anna in less than 24 hours. Anna came to the University of Canterbury last year and was always at UCanDance, and is just a lovely person in general. More tomorrow!