south dakota

For the first part of our stay in South Dakota, we did the typical tourist-y type things. The first night was spent at the Black Hills National Forest, followed by a day of full of attractions. First we went to the town of Deadwood - where gunslingers Wild Bill and Calamity Jane had a short stay during the Gold Rush in the late 1800’s. The town has capitalized on that to the nth degree, where every casino, bar and gift shop either has “Wild Bill” or “Gold” in the title. I’m sure the town is a little more lively in the summer, when they do re-enactments of Wild Bill’s murder. We went into one museum focusing on some of the Wild West history, and went on our way.

Next we made a stop at Wind Cave National Park, where we were able to join the last tour of the day. The cave’s only natural entrance has huge gusts of wind rushing in and out due to the changes in the pressure outside of the cave, and the day we were there it acted as a natural air conditioner. The cave tour was very interesting, and its known for its “boxwork” which looks like honeycomb lattice covering the walls of the cave.

After the cave we took a drive to the Crazy Horse Memorial, an unfinished sculpture of the Native American warrior Crazy Horse, known for his refusal to sign treaties or live on government ordained reservations. This grand work of art was started decades ago, and still has a long way to go until it is finished, but it was fascinating to see, even from a distance (we didn’t want to pay the steep entrance costs!). Upon completion, it will be the world’s largest sculpture (all four heads of Mount Rushmore could fit in Crazy Horse’s face). Speaking of those famous heads, our last stop of the day was Mount Rushmore National Memorial. I had visited this memorial for the first time when I was seven years old, and it was raining - causing the faces to look as though they were crying. As we walked towards the memorial, it immediately started raining - just like stepping back in time! Although it was neat to see the sculpture, I think Guy and I had more fun taking “creative” photos; one to make him look as though he were another president, and one of me puckering up to George.

The next day brought back more memories for me as we headed towards Wall Drug. This place is so hilariously kitschy, and definitely unforgettable. Though it had been 24 years since I was last there, the same oversized jackalope (as well as several statues) was there for posing and photographing. For those who haven’t been there, this is the essence of Wall Drug - to pose by these hilarious props and take pictures. There are also gift shops, lots of historical photographs, as well as the free ice water (that’s what got this place on the map during a time that ice was a luxury), and the unbelievable deal of 5 cent coffee! The same trip that brought me to Mount Rushmore when I was seven also included a stop at Wall Drug, as well as the Badlands. And when I think about the times the van seems a little small for two, I imagine the four members of my family crowded in a vehicle of the same size and wonder how in the world my parents tolerated it!

The Badlands were even more beautiful than I remembered. While they resemble other colorful rock formations we’ve seen at other national parks, I love the softness and give these rocks have when you walk on them - almost like a cushioning effect. We took a scenic drive through the park and hiked on a small trail through the rocks themselves. Our final stop for the day was at the Minuteman Missile silo launch site. For several decades, the Great Plains stored thousands of gigantic missiles headed at the U.S.S.R., in order to detract them from shooting their missiles at us. It was a bit eerie when Guy and I went to the launch site where no one was around for miles, knowing that had we been at this exact site years ago, we would have been in BIG trouble (as the sign warned “deadly force” could be used against us).

At this point of the trip, we were supposed to be heading to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, where we were planning on volunteering with an organization called “The Natural Law Institute.” When Guy checked his email for the address and directions, he got a message from the leader saying his mother died, and he would need us to wait several days before we could come over. We were sorry to hear of his loss, and decided we would wait in South Dakota a few days rather than skip over this part of our trip. Unfortunately, we were in the dowdy town of Pierre for a few nights, which doesn’t have much to offer, but went to the city of Mobridge to camp by the Missouri River for a few days (which was much more pleasant).

The second half of our South Dakota visit will be up next…soon.