I woke this morning in the parking lot of the Mitchell, South Dakota Walmart. Being on the far side of Central time zone the sun was rising at 7:30 as a bright cerise orb silhouetting a grain elevator. With my new bike on the roof of the van and me snuggled in the back on my LL Bean futon mattress, the night passed comfortably. I wasn't especially looking forward to the drive today...South Dakota...ugh. But that opinion didn't last long. The early morning drive across the Great Plains of South Dakota was magical. The vastness of prairie is awe inspiring. The grasses are changing with the coolness of the fall temperatures...reds, oranges, yellows and greens mix in the carpets of grass covered gently undulating hills. These hills were interspersed with fields of wilting sunflowers and the rust colored sorghum. Many of the fields were decorated with Wall Drug signs...the national treasure, the icon, 5¢ hot coffee, free ice water... These signs appear along I-90 about 300 miles before you reach the Wall exit.
Wall is adjacent to the Badlands National Park. If you see the Badlands before going to Wall Drug, the letdown is intense. I would prefer a summer carnival to Wall Drug. In the Badlands where were several Prairie Dog colonies. At one spot I managed to connect with one couple who seemed to be curious about the whistling noise I was making.
It was a short drive from the Badlands to see the Black Hills looming to the southwest. The faces of the four presidents on Mt Rushmore are impressive.
But just up the road is the Crazy Horse Memorial which is over 20 times larger.
Started in 1948 by one man today with the help of GPS and various improved technological instruments the progress has improved. Even so, it would be another 25 years before it's completed. The head is over 90 feet tall compared the presidents, who are about 60 feet tall. The whole Crazy Horse project is overwhelming. So impressed, I took an individual tour to the top of the sculpture.
It is being cut into Thunder Mountain; so named because lightening frequently hits the mountain. As the carving began it was discovered that the mountain is laced with seams of iron, thus attracting the attention of electric charges in the sky. My Black Hills and Badlands experience along with the drive across the prairie changed forever my thoughts about South Dakota...I'm in love.
I woke this morning in the parking lot of the Mitchell, South Dakota Walmart. Being on the far side of Central time zone the sun was rising at 7:30 as a bright cerise orb silhouetting a grain elevator. With my new bike on the roof of the van and me snuggled in the back on my LL Bean futon mattress, the night passed comfortably. I wasn't especially looking forward to the drive today...South Dakota...ugh. But that opinion didn't last long. The early morning drive across the Great Plains of South Dakota was magical. The vastness of prairie is awe inspiring. The grasses are changing with the coolness of the fall temperatures...reds, oranges, yellows and greens mix in the carpets of grass covered gently undulating hills. These hills were interspersed with fields of wilting sunflowers and the rust colored sorghum. Many of the fields were decorated with Wall Drug signs...the national treasure, the icon, 5¢ hot coffee, free ice water... These signs appear along I-90 about 300 miles before you reach the Wall exit. 
Great post! Stay safe!
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