July 14 – 15 SD, Badlands & Custer State Park

Day 14 – 14 States, 4 national parks and Custer State Park (and Wall Drug of course described below!) 

Beautiful agricultural area, lots of open country.  On the road, we literally see dozens of billboards for Wall Drug in Wall, SD.  Apparently this little fledgling drug store in 1931 was almost out of business until they came up with a gimmick to offer free ice water to all travelers moving through.  From then until now they have built an unbelievable business (almost like a small village) of shops, restaurants, souvenir places, etc. that draws 20,000 visitors per DAY!  We knew for sure it was a tourist trap, but with so many billboards along the way, we thought we should probably check it out even if only for a free glass of ice water or a 5 cent coffee! 

Along the way, lots of cattle and hay and soybeans in SD – their primary crops. 

Interestingly, all the tour guides describe Wall Drug as one of the top TWO attractions in South Dakota!  That, and a place called Mitchell, which houses the world’s only Corn Palace!  This Corn Palace, covered throughout the sides of this huge building (for athletic events, concerts and the like) are covered with corn products.  Back in the day, they wanted to set SD out as proliferating in agriculture (which may or may not be true).  Really?  In  the midst of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands NP, Black Hills, Custer State Park … and these are the 2?  Kind of amazing!  Oh well, we bit on the billboards capturing the culture of America, and drove through town to catch a pic of this corn palace and visited Wall Drug to buy a cheap t-shirt that will be a conversation piece!  It is impressive to see what these small towns will do in an effort to just survive.

Roads are now at 80 mph and we are approaching 65 max with our van and trailer!    Approaching Badlands National Park and so excited to see this part of our country!  Lucy, our van, is awesome and pulling better than we ever expected thankfully. 

Oil changed in Sioux Falls – tires checked – all is good! 

Badlands National Park!  OMG, what a treat!  With the spring rains and  hot summer days, this geologic wonderland is stunning!  The contrast of colors of the yellow wildflowers set against the eroding rock lands around is breathtaking. We drove through the 39 mile loop of scenic wonder of this amazing park, and at each turn we were stunned at the beauty and magnificence of the eroding geology and the remoteness of this area that is so different than everything around it.  Words can’t express it …  you have to see it!  We can’t imagine how the original settlers  must have struggled through this rough and mountainous terrain.  A hardy and determined lot for sure.  The landscapes are extreme.

• 

July 14-15– Custer State Park, SD

This park is one of the most special and spectacular we have ever experienced.  This is our 2^nd visit here, and we would die to be able to come here each and every summer!  Nothing like it ever!  One of the largest State Parks in the country and so beautiful, diverse, and with so much wildlife.  Took a drive to Wind Cave National Park, and within minutes, were surrounded by hundreds of bison in the road, delaying us by an hour or so, but no complaints!   Babies nursing on their moms in the middle of road on the double yellow line!  

Custer State Park was the summer White House of Calvin Coolidge in the 1920’s. He was the first President to venture this far west of Washington D.C. to set up a remote Executive location, and he extended his visit there for 3 months enjoying the fishing and nature that allured him and his family. He loved to trout fish and no better location for that, even when he donned his best suit and tie, coupled with thigh high waders for fishing at the same time. The Lodge where he lived is now a B & B and a great restaurant.

On another evening drive, we saw and took great pics of prairie dogs, burros, deer.  This part of the world should be on everyone’s list. We saw pronghorn sheep but missed the pic opp.    Get out there people – this is a place not to miss!  

We have been to Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse already so didn’t stop there, but did take  a day trip to historic Deadwood, which was really cool, and a drive through Sturgis, the historical location of the annual motorcycle rally – not that great a town though – just a lot of bars and open parking lots that house the thousands of bikes that come through there for festivals.  We want to learn more about Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane in Deadwood, so some Google research to do about Deadwood.  Go there –it’s cool!

As much as we loved camping in Custer State Park, camping without water hookup is not something that we want to do again! Took us back to our younger days of camping.