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A couple of links to some articles I came across gave me pause for concern and I felt the need to pass this info along. Click on the links for a read & you’ll see what I am talking about.

I find it rather troubling that the things in these two articles are happening. I don’t like the fact that they are pinging my devices at Target (guess it brings a whole new meaning to their name…) and other stores to get my shopping habits and even my device information to ID me every time I walk in the door.

This stuff hapening should alarm EVERYONE. For some stupid reason people don’t hesitate posting every intimate detail of their life online, they let FB, IG, and every app track every aspect of their life, and many people think being tracked like this is okay, but they get pissed off when cities want to put cameras up to help police do their job more efficiently and stop crime. “That is invasion of privacy” they whine…on FB, IG, etc.

Interestingly, I had a strange encounter with this issue. I went into Walmart to get something a few days ago. When I got to the aisle where I wanted to pick up more protein shakes, a light on one of the other brands started flashing like it wanted me to divert me to a different brand. I decided to turn off my phone and my watch. Guess what? The light quit flashing.

Maybe it was a coincidence…but maybe it wasn’t. I never noticed this happening before that I can recall, but I wasn’t looking for it either. All I know is I am going to be much more aware of this stuff.

I really hope after reading these articles you are very alarmed with what companies are doing and decide to do something about it to at least protect yourselves. It is not enough to switch to Airplane Mode or turn off Wifi on your device; it must be turned off or left in your vehicle. I will start turning off my devices before I go near the front door or turning them off until I am done. But that is not enough – we need to speak up and complain to the businesses we give our money to.

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This past week I did a whirlwind drive to SD. Meghan came and got her dogs and the rest of her things so I drove up part of the way so I could get out of the house and get some much-needed highway miles. Now that I only have my dogs to watch I am freed up to get away more when I am not doing work around the house.

Along interstates 29 and 90 in South Dakota are seven of these teepee sculptures in the rest areas. This one is sat the rest area in Chamberlain, along with the Dignity sculpture I posted about a few months back.

These sculptures are on the National Register of Historic Places. They re actually quite large – 56 feet tall, 35 feet across at the base. They are an iconic symbol of South Dakota’s heritage.

Dinosaur fossils are also present in South Dakota; I actually found a mammoth tooth once along a lake shoreline. As you can see by the skeleton above, this one was obviously a pet.

This was one of the more unique things to see along the drive. There is also the Porter Sculpture Park near Montrose, SD. I stopped last year but it was closed so I do need to make a stop again when I can.

Fuel prices were low – $2.55 – $2.99 a gallon. That was a welcome surprise, especially on a low budget for a trip of 750 miles each way. I did splurge for a hotel, but that was a $91 surprise. I had to take what I could as I was pretty tired and did not want to drive any farther to find a cheaper place. But, it was all good.

It was really nice to get away even just for a quick two-day drive of 1500 miles! I thought about finding a hike but I didn’t want to spring for eating out, another hotel OR sleep in my truck.

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So now, I am back working on things around the house again. I am sorting through the last of my parent’s’ things and that can get to be tough. It really makes you realize that the things that WE hold dear may not be so much for those who follow.

But those things you just have to take one last look as you put them in a donation box, only for them to become another thing from someone else’s life on a thrift store shelf. It is kind of sad when you think about it, but it is just how life works.

On a happier note, the trees are starting to turn a little, but with the drought conditions the colors have not been very bright so far. I will be getting out to find some good hiking and photo opportunities soon and will get some new pictures posted so stay tuned!

Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by and read my blog. See you next time.

Shawn