Dan's Diary: June 17-21

CBS News producer Daniel Baruch is behind the wheel of one of two Early Show Winnebagos traveling the country in June and July as part of the "Great American Vacation" giveaway road trip. Read his Web exclusive road diary.

I bid adieu to Quincy, Ill., with dreams of shopping mall nirvana in Minneapolis. But Rockford, Ill., was to be my next stop.

Why Rockford? Well, aside from it being the county seat in Winnebago County, Ill., I had been invited by our friends at CBS affiliate WIFR-23 who had come down to Quincy for the "Great American Vacation" giveaway. After taking one look in the cupboards of Winny, they concluded I wasn't eating well enough. My shelves read like a college student's grocery list: instant mac & cheese, instant noodle soup, sports drinks, instant mac & cheese, etc. It was obvious I hadn't been taking advantage of the full compliment of cooking appliances onboard the Winnebago. How fortunate then that I was invited to the Taste of Rockford food festival?

View my photos

I can't say much about this exotic cow-country oasis for fear that I might compromise the exclusivity and secrecy of this prized locale, but allow me to paint a picture. A rose-hued sunset washed over an endless horizon of rolling moss-green fields as I sat beside a shimmering pond filled with gargantuan white catfish and gregarious hand-fed ducks. The jukebox wafted oldies through the soft summer ether as I sipped spirits beneath the canopy of a fugitive Tiki hut. Somehow the South Pacific or the Caribbean had lost a watering hole of their own to Rockford. The bartender — Sylvia, I believe — was a sharp, sultry and sophisticated Midwesterner with a green thumb and a heart of gold. Cheese and crackers never tasted so good.

Before heading for Minneapolis, I was asked by Aaron Wilson, my tour guide, to return a small favor. It was hoped that I could be interviewed live on the noon news. I agreed and proceeded to show off my terrible haircut for all of Rockford to see; the interview went swimmingly. I thanked my hospitable host for the weekend in "Rock-Vegas" (the locals convinced me) and I split for the next vacation giveaway in Minnesota.

I arrived at the Bloomington, Minn., Holiday Inn Select late Monday, June 20, 2006, with just enough time to sneak a peak at the Mall of America (MOA) a few blocks away. I deemed it too mammoth to even bother with an hour-long visit, so I retired to my room at the hotel. These accommodations were the most sensational yet. The bright prospect of seeing more of our country was almost dimmed by the outstanding comfort of this Holiday Inn. I got plenty of rest for the big giveaway on Wednesday and finally had a chance to soak up the gigantic mall. For starters, MOA is not just big — it's epic. Being a New Yorker tends to make me a little jaded when it comes to spectacle, but this place floored me. If there were a pounding heart in the bosom of American capitalism (should I say consumerism?) it would be MOA. For those of you who may not know, MOA, along with its amusement park area, is the largest mall in America at more than 4 million square feet. It's appropriate then that The Early Show chose to give away another phenomenal "Great American Vacation" to another deserving soul in this equally phenomenal setting.

All work and no play was the rule of every day for local farmer Rick Reger until his wife, Lisa, nominated him for a "Great American Vacation."

Rick works two jobs and often puts in 20 hours a day. I've had part-time jobs where I worked fewer than 20 hours in an entire week. His commitment to his farm and his family was enough to earn Rick and his family a vacation to Arizona's Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. I can't emphasize how unreal this resort is. I imagine sometime in January or February when the snow is piling up and Rick's frostbitten fingers get tired of the Minnesota winter, he and his family will pack their bags and savor every moment of their Arizona dream vacation.

Vacation recipient Rick Reger

talks with The Early Show's Dave Price about his surprise getaway.

Around in one form or another for about 80 years, Howard's Point Marina has become a well-known fixture on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The friendly staff was more than happy to satisfy Dave's boating bug. I honestly don't think the sky has ever been any bluer or the sun any brighter than that afternoon on the lake. It was such a gorgeous day I was about ready to trade in the beloved Winnebago for a dingy when I realized Winny was probably the more appropriate mode of transportation for my future crossing of the Great Plains states.

With dry shoes and well-sunned faces, we moseyed on up to St. Cloud, Minn., for a taste of America's pastime. The St. Cloud River Bats are a summer collegiate league baseball team who play at the minor league-caliber ballpark, Dick Putz Field ... no additional comments necessary. For anyone who loves baseball, this team provides all the talent and gumption you'd hope to see in the game. Hard-nosed players though they may be, the River Bats were cracking up with Dave in no time at all. On a personal note, Dave somehow didn't look like he was in the starting lineup. No matter; everyone had a good laugh and I managed to find a parking spot on the warning track.

I'm heading to Fargo, N.D., hot on the trail of my comrade Jack. I hope to see the city before I shove off for Billings, Mont. — where The Early Show will be giving away the next "Great American Vacation" on Wednesday, June 28. I hear there's quite a bit more to Fargo than one might expect, aye. Regardless, I'm just glad The Early Show chose to do the "Great American Vacation" during the summer. Billings is quite a hike from Minneapolis.

America, would you like to keep me company?