Just two days home from a fabulous road trip through South Dakota, I want to go back. Or at least go on another road trip somewhere. Initially, "South Dakota" elicits "what is in SOUTH DAKOTA?", "why THERE?" But let me tell ya, it has some of the most breathtaking landscape and scenery I have ever seen.
So below is basically just my itinerary. Nothing funny, fancy, or thought provoking. Just a recap of my Fun Trip mostly for my own memory....
Day 1 (Monday): On the road by 7:15 on our way to pick up our rental car (a Blue Chevy Cruz) in a torrential downpour. By 7:30, we were "married". That's right. "Married". After learning that it would cost an additional $10 a day to add another driver for the rental car, some random guy informed us that it does not cost extra for spouses to be added on as extra drivers. So, in that instant, we were spouses. We just saved ourselves about $100!
We were so overpacked that we had to cram all of our gear into the car. Literally. It was one of those "Quick! Shut the trunk" things where if you were to open the trunk from here on out, you had to use extreme caution for falling duffel bags. For real. Our back seat was plum full too. The down pour of rain and our impatience to get rolling may have impacted our organization skills. But we were off! My mission was to see buffalo and prairie dogs!
Ten hours later, we made it to South Dakota and toured the World's Only Corn Palace. We were curious as to what a Corn Palace was, and here it is a Palace made of Corn. Go figure. Its more like an entertainment auditorium for concerts and whatnot. The outside is made out of corn and the design is changed every year. When we saw a hungry pigeon gnawing on the outside of the building, we knew it was real corn.
After 13 hours of car concerting, we finally made it to Wall. Signs for Wall Drug litter the entire freeway as soon as you cross the Minnesota/South Dakota border. By this time, it was around 10:00 PM, so we just got our hotel and turned in for the night.
Day 2 (Tuesday): More rain and wind. Turns out Wall is a tiny tourist town with kitchy shops for rinky dink souvenirs and fun photo opportunities.
Our breath was first stripped away when we saw the rolling prairie hills. Grey sky, green grass dotted with tons of black cows.
South Dakota is Super windy. My vanity had to take a back seat and I rocked hats and bandannas. Not my best look, but it made for a much more pleasant and relaxing trip to not have to worry about my hair.
Then on to Sitting Bull cave. This is home of the world's largest specimen of Dog Tooth Spar.
We had to climb down 180 stairs to get into the depths of the cave. That meant we had to then climb 180 stairs OUT of the cave too.
Did you know that if you fart in a cave, the stench lingers for a long time and follows you? Thanks to me, we learned that lesson!
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| Some of the dog tooth spar. |
Back in the car to head to the Black Hills. On our way there, we stopped at Bear Country where we drove around a free roaming zoo of sorts. All kind of animals roamed in sectioned off areas. The highlight was the hundreds of bears that came right up to the car.
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| This guy made us chuckle. He was just sitting there looking at the scenery. We called him the "meditating bear" |
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And some of the most stunning terrain on the Needles Highway. Rock formations and spooky, windy roads proved to be truly Awesome. One could think they were on a different planet by the unearthly feel that the Needles emit.
That night we stayed in Hill city to return to the Black Hills the next day to explore and hike.
Day 3 (Wednesday): Weather is finally cooperating. In the mid 50's, some sun, Breezy. We venture to hike Harney's Peak, which is the highest point between the Rockies and the Andes. This was the Mother of all hikes. Six miles round trip, 3 of which is uphill, climbing this ancient "mountain".
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| We hiked to that "castle" in the background. In actuality, it used to be a fire tower |
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| At the top of Harney's Peak. |
The return trip was much easier, but we were both ready to relax in the car and drive the Custer Wildlife Loop. My mission of seeing "Buffalo" (more properly called "Bison") and Prairie Dogs came true! Bison everywhere!
Where there is Bison, there are Prairie dogs as well. So cute!
In addition, we saw Pronghorn deer
And the "begging burros"
My biggest regret is not hanging out with these burros longer. I fed this guy carrots. Next time, I will park, chill, and talk to my buddies longer.
After talking to all the critters, we headed back to Wall so that we could spend the following day in the Badlands.
Day 4 (Thursday): Windy (Badlands was under a "wind advisory"), but sunny and warmer. On our way to the Badlands, we found this little spot where we could hang out with the Prairie Dogs! Dream come true! We got to feed them and hang out with the little critters.
We spent the rest of the day here, in the sacred, spiritual lands. The Badlands!
Initially, we were going to camp here, but because of the weather (there was also some threats of a thunder storm) and our eagerness to start our long trek back home, we decided against camping. Next time, we said. So, East we went towards home and ended up staying in Pierre, the capital.
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| Did not see a rattlesnake, though I was calling for them. I only wanted to see one from a distance. A long distance. |
So, I came to see "Buffalo" and Prairie Dogs, and got to see so much more. More than I ever thought was possible in South Dakota.
On my journey, I couldn't help but think of the Native Indians who were forced to give up their sacred land and now live in some of the worst poverty in America. But that is a blog for another day, another time.
For now, I will relish in the beautiful landscape that is America and give thanks for the beautiful perfection that surrounds us each and every day.
Memorable Quotes:
Me: Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Her: Water is life. Hydrate or die.
both of us: Winning! In reference to farting and who had the stinkiest ones. Cows won, but I came in second.
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