Day 4: Okoboji to Lusk, WY via Mt. Rushmore, Devil’s TowerToday started off wet yet again, it seemed like we were never going to get a break from the rain. However, after we said our goodbyes to the Meyer’s who shipped us off with some awesome hamburgers from their cattle, the sun finally decided to come out for our hot drive across the plains….and it was a long drive.
There isn’t a whole lot to see driving along I-90 in South Dakota except for lots of billboards, and there are only 3 types. Ones for the Corn Palace, Ones for Mt. Rushmore, and ones for this placed call Wall Drug that outnumbered the latter. We got sucked into all 3. Also, each one of these locations was strategically placed across the state so that you would have to drive through the whole state to experience them all, a great marketing plan. However, I feel bad for North Dakota since they have none of the above locations, and so I bet none of the visitors.
So as we cruised to Mitchell, SD, the home of the Corn Palace, and wound up in Tourist trap #1. First off, the Palace doesn’t have any grandeur of those you may think of when the word comes to mind, and second, it wasn’t made of corn. The Corn Palace is a convention center with various themed murals around it made from corncobs stapled to the plywood walls. Doesn’t sounds like any Palace I’d like to be king in. There was a silver lining though. They have a delectable treat that can only be purchased there (thanks Courtney G.) called caramel cob. It is what it sounds like and is delicious.
Stop #2 was the Badlands Natl. Park. This place was pretty amazing although before we could start driving through it Nikki had to finish her last few pages of Twilight. The Badlands are made up of about 30 miles of huge dirt and rock spires that run in this huge twisted maze….you definitely can see why they got their name. At the end of the Badlands the town of Wall awaits you before you hop back on I-90. It is full of all things a good South Dakota town should be like large dinosaurs, mini golf, go carts, make your own t-shirts, and live cowboy shows. Only in America can you mini golf in almost every town across the country.
We fueled up and then headed off to the grand finale of the state, Mt Rushmore, and it didn’t disappoint. Now I know why Gary and his Team America would call this place home base. It exudes nationalism and patriotism from all areas of the park including mini golf at the base of the mountain. Nikki forced me to indulge in some of these tourist activities and we went alpine sledding. It was awesome (see video) and well worth it, I think South Dakota should make a 4th type of billboard for this place. We ended up finishing way earlier than I thought, and so we decided to squeeze in one more site so we hoped back in the car and went to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. I’ll let the pictures do the talking for this place. Finally we ended up in Lusk, WY for the night and after Nikki once again lulled me into driving the whole day, I was ready shut my eyes for a bit. Tomorrow we are off to my sister and brother-in-laws in Frisco by way of Rocky Mountain Natl. Park, and Barnes and Noble so Nikki can pick up the second book of her new addiction (Seriously Brionna thanks again).
***also we lost some photos along the way so we don't have any photos to capture the Corn Palace in all it's glory
Day 4 Stats
754 Miles
10,234 corn cobs
98 seconds of downhill bliss
4 heads of stone
1 eagle pass
Hi guys--Nik, did your new windshield wipers work with all that rain? Did you take Napoleon on that alpine sledding adventure? or did you leave him in some corner all alone. Be careful with him when you drive through the "firing heat" in Arizona.Maybe you should crate him in your cooler.The weather here has been unseasonably pleasant so daddy took advantage of it and cut the big bushes in the backyard and washed the siding of the house while I cavorted with Ella and the kids at Dam Neck beach. We were invited to a Filipino birthday party at a beach cabana and we gorged ourselves with pancit, lumpia, BBQ pork on a stick and other delicacies that Cappy would have liked.Ella and the kids needed a break from all the stress they're experiencing with their dad's illness. When I got home I felt guilty leaving daddy so I invited him for a long walk in the neighborhood.I plan on checking "our" blackberry bushes next week-end and see if they're ripe yet.Berry-picking won't be the same though, without you helping me reach with your long arms and without Napoleon dragging me into some bushes.I really miss you guys. Like you put it, the long distance between us "sucks"!!Say hello to Ben and Emily.Love you!!----Mommy
ReplyDeleteawesome shot of nikki and the sunset!
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