Friday was a very long traveling day. We set out from south of Souix City, Iowa to travel north to South Dakota and across the state to Mt. Rushmore KOA. The winds across South Dakota praire was gale-like. When Skip asked a store clerk if it was always this windy, she replied that it was; only changed directions. We never would have set out in our boat on such a day. It wasn't bad with a tail wind, but once we headed west, the cross wind made keeping the RV on the road an exercise in constant steering. The ride was further complicated by intervals of road construction where the traffic was one lane, each way. No worries, they reduced the speed limit to 65!
The wind created a dance of prairie grasses that was beautiful to watch; rolling waves of grain. The prairie gave way to rolling hills after crossing the Missouri River which bisects the state. We got peeks of the Badlands, but exploring that would have to wait for another day. We have many miles to cover including a stop at the Rapid City Airport to pick up a rental car before we can rest.
The scenery was different in South Dakota which made the ride more interesting. There were also hundreds of signs advertising Wall Drug. Since we had to stop for gas anyway, it made sense to drive the four extra blocks to visit the famous landmark and stop for a free glass of ice water. I was moved by the story of the founding family, a young struggling couple trying to make a living during very bad times. The wife, an English teacher, got the idea to give away free ice water to hot and weary travellers. The business took off and years later it is a city block of touristy shops, silly photo ops, and the best ice cream!
Getting a rental car meant that I would do some driving. Not that Skip didn't offer to let me drive the RV, but my answer was always in Nebraska, where it is flat and there is no traffic. We'll see...
I did drive from the airport to the campground which was on the road past Mt. Rushmore. As the sun was setting and the colors of the sky were pinks and purples I rounded a bend and saw it. The stone sculptures were lavender grey and were breathtaking. At first I wasn't sure that I was looking at the real thing. I was awed by what I previously thought was a defaced mountain. In the setting sun I saw it as a work of art.
When we returned the next day, the full sun showed the harsher profiles we are familiar with through photos. I am not sorry we went back, but wish the picture in my head was the one recorded by my camera. It was truly beautiful.
We were disappointed to learn that the fireworks display would not take place due to dead and dying trees which would be a tinderbox. There is a light show at night, but we had no desire to return to that. We still hope to catch the sunrise there on Tuesday morning before we leave the Black Hills.
The wind created a dance of prairie grasses that was beautiful to watch; rolling waves of grain. The prairie gave way to rolling hills after crossing the Missouri River which bisects the state. We got peeks of the Badlands, but exploring that would have to wait for another day. We have many miles to cover including a stop at the Rapid City Airport to pick up a rental car before we can rest.
The scenery was different in South Dakota which made the ride more interesting. There were also hundreds of signs advertising Wall Drug. Since we had to stop for gas anyway, it made sense to drive the four extra blocks to visit the famous landmark and stop for a free glass of ice water. I was moved by the story of the founding family, a young struggling couple trying to make a living during very bad times. The wife, an English teacher, got the idea to give away free ice water to hot and weary travellers. The business took off and years later it is a city block of touristy shops, silly photo ops, and the best ice cream!
Getting a rental car meant that I would do some driving. Not that Skip didn't offer to let me drive the RV, but my answer was always in Nebraska, where it is flat and there is no traffic. We'll see...
I did drive from the airport to the campground which was on the road past Mt. Rushmore. As the sun was setting and the colors of the sky were pinks and purples I rounded a bend and saw it. The stone sculptures were lavender grey and were breathtaking. At first I wasn't sure that I was looking at the real thing. I was awed by what I previously thought was a defaced mountain. In the setting sun I saw it as a work of art.
When we returned the next day, the full sun showed the harsher profiles we are familiar with through photos. I am not sorry we went back, but wish the picture in my head was the one recorded by my camera. It was truly beautiful.
We were disappointed to learn that the fireworks display would not take place due to dead and dying trees which would be a tinderbox. There is a light show at night, but we had no desire to return to that. We still hope to catch the sunrise there on Tuesday morning before we leave the Black Hills.
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