At war’s end in mid 1945, after over three years in the Air Corps, my father Ernest Anders Erickson headed home to Bismarck, North Dakota to the enormous relief of his family and friends.

Especially grateful was his mother Clara, who had never been comfortable with my father’s decision to fly bombers, for that matter even becoming a flyer. He spent time with the family, getting acquainted with his five year-old sister Dian, who was just a baby when he left for the Air Corps in 1942.

The following year after the last frigid days of Winter and Spring was descending on the Great Plains, Ernest and a close friend, Roscoe Corell hit the road. Roscoe had served in the Army during the war and the trip for the both of them was a pleasant diversion and a long awaited adventure.

They had converted a 1939 Series 80 Touring two door Sedan Oldsmobile into the perfect traveling vehicle and dubbed it, 'The Dakota Sleeper.' Roscoe and Ernest embarked across the states at almost the exact same time as "Jack Kerouac and Neil Cassidy's On The Road” treks.

Traveling around the country, the two had time to reflect on their days in the service, have some fun, camp out and wind down from the war.

Ernest Anders and Roscoe pose in front of the 'Dakota Sleeper' outside the family house at 801 Jefferson Avenue in Bismarck.