Time to Drive

Another Spring Break means another trip to Pine Ridge. This time with 4 students with a goal to provide health promotion at the high school in Kyle. The reservation experienced a significant blizzard last week and then a sudden warm up which caused major flooding. I have monitored the news, weather, and social media prior to our departure to try to make sure that we would be able to get there and then get around to where we need to in Kyle. A few days before travel, things looked dire with some areas having water over the road, people stuck in their homes due to mud and flooding, and then a significant water main break near the motel. I called the motel to see if their water was on and was relieved when I heard that it was.

Renting the vehicle for travel on Friday involved a large pick up truck with 4-wheel drive to ensure that we would be able to get around the rez. I was initially offered a mini-van—a big no to that! We definitely would have gotten stuck, so really not an option. With all of our donations, the bed of the F150 was completely full. We left at 0430 on Saturday morning for the 18-hour drive. The drive went smoothly until we had to take a lengthy detour off I29 in Iowa that involved about 80+ miles on a two-lane road through farm country. Our goal was to get to the motel before 9pm so that we could eat dinner in the restaurant. We were on track for an 8:30pm arrival when within 1 mile of the motel, we came to where they were working on the water main break. A line of cars were stopped waiting to be let through on the road. After speaking to a police officer, we learned that they would let cars through but it would probably be a 30-minute wait. Our only other option was to turn around and drive through Allen to get to the motel which would have taken 90 minutes. After calling the motel again and finding out that the restaurant closed at 7pm for winter hours, we drove as quickly as possible to a convenience store in Kyle to purchase something/anything for dinner. Five party pizzas, a loaf of bread, some water, and a chocolate cake later, we got back in line by the water main break. We waited an hour and just at the point that I was ready to turn around to drive through Allen, they let the waiting cars through. Even for all of our discomfort in the car and then waiting so close to our destination, I am thinking of those stuck in their houses due to the mud and flooding here.

We quickly unloaded the truck and the overwhelming need to lay down was stronger than my need for pizza. One protein bar later, I turned in for the night—tired but happy and ready for a week of health promotion.  Photos to come!