Yesterday I took I-90 from Sioux Falls and then highway 240 on the Badlands loops and found myself on the other end in Wall. My good friend Mike suggested that one of the things I count on my drive is how many Wall Drug billboards I see on my way. Well, you read it. There are at least 53 billboards for Wall Drug on that stretch and I know there are several that I missed. …

This morning I woke up in my new tent for the first time on the edge of the Black Hills in South Dakota, just a few miles away from Mount Rushmore. I’m taking a couple nights to camp out and catch up with everything. This is the first time I’ve been alone in quite a while. I’ve had constant company for over a month. It feels good to have the day to myself, be on my own schedule, and to wake up next to the forest with beautiful pines. …

Today I’m pretty emotional. Not emotional in the crying or deep thought kinda thing. None of that. Maybe it’s not even emotional, just full of awe. Today I can’t stop thinking about how lucky I am to be doing this. I’ve got a long, long ways to go. But one of the big questions was always, “What’s it going to be like when I’m actually on the road?” Well now I know, and it’s great. …

White Bear Lake you have officially been invaded. Now back to the game. The White Bear Lake Bears won their homecoming game against Roseville 17-0. The game… it was alright. The crowd, fans, and turnout, I was blown away. I can see what I missed going to such a small school. It’s not that I didn’t love it, but wow I’m a little jealous of what I saw tonight. It just seems that the big high school experience would be amazing especially for something like homecoming. …

This afternoon I successfully invaded the White Bear Lake homecoming parade. While here in town Mark suggested to the principal that I hit up the parade. The principal was happy to have me. So there I was… I showed up this afternoon with Mark and Linda, some Century College Frisbees, and a couple big boxes of candy. The girls who put the parade together tracked me down. I can’t thank them enough, they were excited to have me and even made a couple signs that each said “Justin” in big letters. …

The busy week and the weeks before have all caught up to me. I woke up a little earlier today but still had my eight hours of sleep. But, I’m just tired today. The busy schedule has taken its toll. After a thirty-minute nap I’ll be ready to go again. I’ll need to be sure to hit the hay early both tonight and tomorrow night. I have morning radio shows the next two days. …

Another great day. It’s been busy and it’s hard to stay up just to write a little each night. After talking with the elementary kids this morning I had a little bit of down time to relax and catch up on the growing list of unread e-mails. Anyone want to be my personal manager? When Anna got back from school her and Mark helped me wash the Jeep Compass and restore it to its nice shine. …

This morning was round IV talking to elementary students. Today was the 4th grade class at Oneka Elementary School near White Bear Lake. What a great group of kids and an amazing school. The elementary school is bigger than our K-12 school at home in Baraga. All of the kids were full of smiles, enthusiasm, with lots of questions and were even well behaved. They continually ask anything that comes to mind without hesitation. …

I’m a Sailor. I guess I’m not really a sailor though. How much of a sailor can you really be on a pontoon boat anyways? I’m not a sailor by trade but a Sailor by heart and family. Anyways… the story is that tonight the family took me out on a pontoon ride around White Bear Lake. It was another perfect day as we enjoyed the sun and breeze in the middle of the lake. …

As I child I dreamed of being in the NHL. Well… it’s a little too late to make that happen. Ever since the hockey is still where my heart is. I’ve always been fascinated and in awe by the speed of the players, their skill, the rinks, equipment, locker rooms, etc. Mark has been great and made a few phone calls and today I was able to attend a private practice of the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. …