OK, so shoot me. I
lied and I’m back again today, but that’s only because it was a really
interesting day. It started out as just
a boring, “eat up the miles day”. I
started at 7 because I had an9 hour ride on Interstate 90 through flat
farmland. Not my idea of a good
time. But then, all that changed. Before I got to Spearfish, SD, I hit the exit
for The Badlands and figured I’d do that today rather than wait until tomorrow. After all, what’s another 50 or 100 miles
when you’ve already done 500+? Good move
on my part.
This place is stunningly desolate and stunningly
beautiful. A picture is worth a thousand
words, so here’s a few thousand words:
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If you ever get out this way and don’t spend a couple of
hours here, shame on you. For those of
you who like to camp, this would be a beautiful spot to do it.
After the drive through the park, the road hooks up with
I-90 at a little town called Wall, SD.
In that town, there is a place called “Wall Pharmacy” and it is
supposedly famous, having been featured on “good Morning America” and a few
other TV shows. For those of you who
have travelled to Florida via I-95 and stopped at “South of the Border”, you’ll
know exactly what “Wall Pharmacy” is all about.
The roadside signs start in Minnesota and there must be at least 100+ of
them. This place isn’t a tourist trap …
it’s a tourist black hole that sucks the money right pout of unsuspecting
visitors pockets. I thought it was kind
of neat.
There's much more to it than this - it's a whole town.
Also, I took a quick ride through Sturgis and it is
absolutely amazing to me where they put a five hundred thousand bikers (that’s
not a typo) for the annual rally. As wild a time as that probably is,
I’ll pass.
As of day 4, I’ve got over 1,500 miles behind me. The highways in South Dakota have a speed
limit of 75 mph, which we all know really means 85, so I made great time. Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting Deadwood, Mt.
Rushmore and taking a long ride through the Black Hills. Tonight, maybe a casino (Patti, eat your
heart out).
Dad, so glad you are having fun! The Badlands look amazing. Thinking about you and following your updates daily.
ReplyDeleteJess
I know you are having the time of your life, pics are awesome, but the reading is even better. Happy Belated Fathers Day, I'm sure your kids were thinking and missing you! Talk to you soon and keep safe.
ReplyDeleteJohn