L&K Take America

There is a lot to see between Sioux Falls and Rapid City, South Dakota and the people of South Dakota let you know it with about one million giant billboards. I will say that this is an effective means of keeping drivers entertained and also for drawing them into stopping at attractions they may not normally stop at. For example, on the 350 mile route I stopped at Al’s Oasis which included a giant tatonka:

 

and the 1880’s Town which included some of the set from Dancing with Wolves as well as donkeys, longhorn cattle and a camel, obviously.

I would probably not normally have sought these two locations out, nor would I have stopped at if they hadn’t inundated me clever billboards to appeal to everyone from those who may be hungry, to the early 90’s movie buff. Then again, after stopping, I’m not sure I would recommend them as must sees to anyone, but if you need a pit stop, not bad places to do it.

In addition to the attractions billboards, they also have some advertisements of questionable taste including “Gentleman’s club: Free Camping” seems like an odd (and potentially suggestive) combination of accommodations. There was also a billboard for a gas station that said “Next Rest Stop: Who knows when” and one that followed that said “Fill up now or gas can later”. That’s one tactic to get people to stop. Another one that I thought was kind of odd was a billboard for a church that said “Life is dirty, you don’t have to come clean.” I get what they were saying, but that’s one of those things that really can be read differently based on what you are emphasizing. It could be interpreted to mean that you can be cleansed of your sins or it could mean, “hey, we all do bad things, you don’t have to own up to it (i.e. come clean).” Anyway, thought it was an odd thing to put on a billboard.

After these two stops, I also took the Badlands loop. I had been told that the Badlands were overrated. I could not disagree more. They were absolutely AMAZING! I may even go as far as to suggest people make a special trip just for the Badlands. Seriously…unbelievable. It was like being on another planet, or being amongst life-sized sandcastles

The drive on the Badlands loop was stunning, but a little nerve wracking for me. I have a confession…I have a little mountain phobia. I took a trip to Colorado a couple of years back and we drove from Denver to Breckenridge. We had been told to take the Loveland Pass which goes over the mountains instead of through the tunnel through the mountains. I had no idea that I had this phobia until we were driving up this two lane road, on the edge of a mountain, without a guard rail for most of it, looking DOWN at birds and clouds over the edge, as 18 wheelers were barreling towards us in the opposite lane. I had a full blown anxiety attack without any warning. I have no idea where it came from, but now know, that’s not my style of travel. As a result, I have been dreading mountain driving since. It is one thing that makes me the most nervous about the mountain states. Just the thought of it actually makes my hands sweat and my breath become short. It’s the anxiety you can feel in your feet like little needles sprawling out. Kind of like the feeling when you start to slip down a sandy hill and your nerves kick in. In preparation, I talk to anyone who will listen and give advice about the least scary path across any mountain pass.

Well, the Badlands loop had a few places where I got that feeling, but I just drove slowly (my apologies to the people who were behind me), tried to focus on breathing evenly and made it through. Phew! The sites were definitely worth the anxiety.

After the Badlands, I stopped at Walls Drug which I had been seeing signs for since Sioux Falls (300 miles back). My only regret is that I didn’t buy this guy:

I had met a couple when I was at dinner in Sioux Falls who had suggested I stop in Deadwood, but I did not. I wish I had instead of the 1880’s Town. Oh well. Next time. They also suggested that I go to Mount Rushmore about an hour before dark, see it in the day and then wait for it to be lit up so I could also see it at night. I thought this was a great idea!

Once I arrived in Rapid City, I set up camp and set out for Mount Rushmore to follow the suggestion. The drive up to Mount Rushmore was much more mountainous than I had imagined, but the roads were very wide and had great guard rails, which make me feel better. I got there, only to find out that I couldn’t bring Luna into the park itself. Uggh…I hate leaving her in the car. Luckily, it was about dusk and it was quite cool. I left the windows cracked and sprinted up to the exhibit. The whole park was beautiful and well maintained. It was very Washington, D.C. like. I had imagined it would be more rustic. Not sure why. It was 8:15 and I could still see the monument well. I took some pictures, walked around a bit and I opened the program to find out it was the last night of the later lighting ceremony for the Summer. The lighting wouldn’t happen until 9:30. The following night it would start to happen at 8:30. Womp womp… I decided it just was too long for me to wait with Luna in the car. I know I know…I’m ridiculous. I’m sure it’s beautiful all lit up, but there were some really annoying kids there too without proper supervision, I hadn’t eaten dinner, and I couldn’t handle it after a long day of driving. So off I went back to the car.

The next day I wanted to see Custer State Park so we set out early and went to the park. It was absolutely beautiful! I was very fortunate and saw a heard of buffalo which came right up next to the car. I also saw several wild burros (donkeys), and prairie dogs (didn’t get any pictures of those). The landscape is stunning and well worth a visit. They had these “safari” jeeps that would take you down into the fields and show you additional wildlife. I think that would have been pretty cool, especially as a kid.

After Custer State Park, we went back, hooked up and headed for Buffalo, Wyoming. Buffalo is essentially the half-way point between Rapid City and Yellowstone. I wanted to cut the driving down a bit.

There were many other things that I would have loved to have seen in South Dakota, but I was a little touristed out, so it was time to hit the road. I will definitely be back though.

Off we go!

Lesson of the day: South Dakota is AMAZING! You could make an entire multi-week vacation here. Don’t let the others hide it from you any longer.

Oh and always buy a Jackalope when you have the opportunity.