South Dakota and The Black Hills (the rest of the story)

Before leaving South Dakota we wanted to mention some of the other things we did.

Sturgis - Kind of a bust.  I guess the best thing going for it (if your into that thing) is the annual motorcycle rally.

Where's Tom?

Deadwood - A town that has retained it's heritage buildings from the 19th century.  Best known for its history of outlaws, gunslingers and gamblers.  It was a true wild west town where Wild Bill Hickok (one of Janet's distant relatives... no really!) was shot dead while playing poker.

Rapid City - Attractions included:

• Chapel in the Hills - a beautiful and peaceful little Norse chapel in the hills of Rapid City
• Dinosaur Park - Atop the highest point in Rapid City, provides 360 degree views of the city and a bunch of cheesy looking dinosaurs built in the 1930's; great for the kids (or adults who act like them)

Hill City - Wineries (not so great wines, I am really spoiled from the California wineries) and Teddy Bear Town, home of the Guinness record for largest collection of teddy bears.  The owner is more than happy to tell stories of where she acquired many of the bears in her collection.  People from all over the world send bears to be displayed.

Wind Cave National Park - Provides cave tours for all levels.  We went on the candlelight tour which was very interesting.  Each person is provided a candle in a reflective bucket similar to what early explorers used.  We are than lead through many parts of the cave that the other tours do not get to explore.  It is a bit more strenuous, with a bit more climbing involved, but well worth it.

South Dakota - Custer State Park and the Black Hills (our biggest surprise)

As much as we loved what we had seen so far of South Dakota, we were totally smitten with Custer State Park.  This is a must see as far as we are concerned.  Janet thinks that Custer SP rivals our National Parks.  From the scenery to the animal life, this park has so much to offer for any nature lover.  One very warm afternoon after spending the morning sight-seeing we decided to just sit in the trailer and enjoy some AC.  I was fiddling around when I happened to look out of our back window and saw the most amazing sight.  The largest herd of bison that we had ever seen was foraging just beyond the campground fence.  There were hundreds of the large beasts lumbering along and chewing the grass as they roamed.  It was easily one of the most awesome sights and sounds of our trip so far.  I don't believe we will ever get to be so close to a herd of bison in the wild ever again.

Bison Herd

When visiting, don't miss the Needles Highway.  Along the twisting winding road are granite spires that thrust upwards for hundreds of feet.  We also enjoyed the hike around Sylvan Lake where the same granite rock formations surround and sit in the lake, making for some amazing views.  Activities include swimming and canoeing and for the  more adventurous, rock climbing.

Needles Highway

Sylvan Lake

Rock Climbing at Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake (you can barely see the climber on the peak beyond)

While visiting the area we also did a day trip up to Mt Rushmore.  The drive up via the Iron Mountain Scenic Byway is definitely the way to go as long as you're traveling in daylight.  I wouldn't want to tackle this road at night as it winds and twists and pigtails through mountains and narrow tunnels.  The views along the way are spectacular.  I probably don't need to say much about this landmark of our nation, but wanted to mention the lighting ceremony in the evening.  This is a more interesting way to see the monument if you can be there after dusk.

Mount Rushmore at Sunset

Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony

Entrance at night

All in all, we really enjoyed the Black Hills area and Custer State Park in particular.  It was definitely the biggest surprise of our trip and we will be back for sure.

South Dakota - The Big Surprise (part 2)

The best thing about traveling is seeing what's around the corner for the first time.  Or in this case what is west of the Missouri River.  As soon as we crossed over the river the scenery in South Dakota changed and we were immediately enthralled by what we saw.  It was like crossing the river brought us back to the western US.  

Badlands National Park was our first stop.  By taking the name and preconceptions with us we were completely taken aback by just how alluring this area is.  We had visions of desolate landscape and arid nothingness in our heads while driving into the park, but were surprised by what we actually saw.  There is a rugged beauty to this land that one must see for oneself.  

Badlands Bison

Badlands National Park

Road to the Badlands

Badlands Flowers

South Dakota - The Big Surprise (part 1)

We initially went into South Dakota to investigate becoming residents of the state in order to save on vehicle registrations and taxes (we ended up not doing that for now).  What we found out is that South Dakota is a very beautiful state with much to offer for the person who enjoys traveling and sight-seeing.  Traveling along I-90 is like a throw back to another era.  There are roadside attractions galore from the kitschy to the sublime. 

Let's start with our initial impression of South Dakota, Sioux Falls.  SF was built around a waterfall on the Big Sioux River.  Early settlers quickly realized the potential the falls had for power generation and milling of grains grown in the area.  There is now a city park that surrounds these falls and the original power station and mill which now lay in ruins. 

View of  Falls Park from the observation tower

Sioux Falls

Traveling west along I-90 we stopped in Mitchell, SD to visit the overly advertised Corn Palace.  Due to all of the signs on the freeway for this attraction we decided we couldn't miss it.  Turns out we could have.  Every year the community gets together and decorates a building with corn cobs both inside and out.  The theme varies from year to year and they have been doing this for over a century.  After all of the hype we expected something more than what we realized.  It is a building with corn cob murals and if your into that sort of thing, I guess it would be cool.  We thought it was a bit of a letdown.

Our next stop was Wall, home of the world famous Wall Drug Store.  This store has become a major tourist attraction over the years.  It started out as an idea by the owner to get people off the highway and into his store.  He started by putting signs out in front of his store offering free ice water.  The signs did in fact work and the traffic to his store increased.  He then decided if a few signs helped this much a bunch of signs farther out would bring in even more folks.  Gradually the store grew into what it is today and offers everything a tourist would desire.  Oh yeah, there is still a drugstore and free water as well.

Jackalope

Tom vs Buffalo