This past May I had a wedding in South Dakota. It’s been years since I had last been there…..in fact I not 100% sure I had ever been there. I feel like I have been. When I was 4ish, but my Mom says no. Who’s to say whom is right. Anyway…….
I got there 4 days early. Flew into Sioux Falls on the eastern side of the state and drove all the way back across the state in my little p.o.s rental car. Note to self-small cars with narrow wheel bases are not fun to drive in truck country-it will beat the crap out of you. On the way to Rapid City I came upon 2 storm chasers-is that a good thing or a bad thing. Yes there was lots of wind and excitement, but really when your out in the wide open prairie does it really matter? -there’s nothing to hold onto or hide under. Well, that was quite the kick off. Didn’t know what to expect. Turns out not much but hot air moving really fast. Spent the night not far from Mount Rushmore. Ironically I really wasn’t interested in seeing Mt. Rushmore, but since I was there I felt obligated. So I went. AND really liked it. Possible because I got there before 8am and before all the buses crammed full of tourist did, but what ever.
Then I hit Crazy Horse. Nice but totally felt like a tourist trap. Possible more so than Mt. Rushmore because it was a work-in-progress that they charged more for it. But the extra $4 was well spent on the bus ride to the base.
A closer-up from the base of the Monument
Crazy Bull by Crazy Horse. What are the odds. Some yokel had a taxidermy-ed bull in the back of his pick up.
Then I went on a tour though Jewel Cave. Those of you who know me know I’m a rock nerd. I was in heaven. So fascinating. No-there were no bats.
classic tour shot just to show scale.
close up of some of the Calcium Carbonate that lined the walls. Yup-this is what makes your soda’s fizz.
A piece of “Bacon”. It’s a cave formation of mineral deposits that is 23 feet long and only 1/2 inch think. Amazing.
Custer State Park is pretty amazing too. Well that was before all the fires, but regardless it’s a lovely part of the country and it made my soul sing. I mean really sing, it was my happy place. That night I stayed in Wall. Yes I’ve been to Wall Drug.
The whole reason I did all this is because I wanted to see the Bad Lands. So bright and early the next morning I hit the road again. With out a proper cup of coffee I might add. Something that should never be repeated. These are some of my favorites from that day.
South East side of the park.
prongers, prongers, and more prongers-they were everywhere.
Wild Turnkeys foraging in the grasses.
Well, hello there big fella.
Oh, look-he has a friend.
What you can’t see is me doing my very excited happy dance. I mean, come on, how often does this happen to the average Joe.
Lonely and wet. Poor guy.
On one had the rain totally sucked, but on the other hand there was only about 5 of us in the whole park. It was awesome.
Loved it. Farm Art at it’s best- I would so love to see this back home on our farm.
Classic mid west Americana.
One Comment
Wow — I think the rain whiile you were at the park made for some beautiful colors! Thanks for posting these — I’ve been dying to see them.