I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do. – Leonardo Da Vinci

South Dakota, the Black Hills, Wyoming and a Sad Anniversary 

After spending my first night at a Cracker Barrel parking lot in Sioux City I had a nice breakfast and (wisely) decided to find me a heavier coat.  I underestimated the cold during the “fall” season up here.  I am glad I went with my gut feeling. 

On the way west I stumble onto the Louis and Clark expedition welcome center and had a date with Dignity! She is beautiful! 

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I made it to the Badlands National Park!  It was a bit cloudy and rainy but it the park was as beautiful as I ever picture it!! Someday I may come back and spend a couple of days exploring! The silence! The wind blowing through the canyons…

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Of course I had to stop at Wall Drugs... hey is a tourist trap but coffee was only 0.05 cents!! 

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From there I headed west to the Black Hills area. When I arrived to the welcome center, the rain turned to s.n.o.w. --- yikes! I am a “Flat Lander”!!! I have to say my RAV4 delivered! Driving was not too treacherous because the snow was not sticking to the roadways. The landscape turned to a “Christmas postcard” opportunity!

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Mount Rushmore’s “park” is free… but you have to pay to park… LOL so it costs $10.00 – no pass discount, BUT, you can re-use the parking ticket for a whole year!! So if you want a ticket, I saved mine J   The presidents are crying… I am sure they are watching CNN….

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Of course, no visit to this area can be completed without going over the Crazy Horse Memorial.  It is a response to the building of Mount Rushmore right at the place that was sacred to the local tribes.

From there I headed to the Jewel Cave National Monument – didn’t make it in time to take a long tour and by then I was a bit tired anyway – so I just wandered around the welcome center for a bit.

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On to Wyoming to see the Devil’s Tower.  I am amazed as to how much the landscape changes by just crossing a state line.  I drove into Wyoming and the lines “Tied to a fence, left to die” kept repeating in my mind.  I didn’t realized that 10/6 was the 20^th anniversary of Mathew Shepard killing :’(

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I went in search of “Paul” – but I have to report he was not there… AND I started craving mashed potatoes... alas! I made it to late into Buffalo WY so no mashed potatoes for me... 

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The storm got worst in the evening and on my way to Buffalo WY I had moments when I felt I was flying the Millennium Falcon jumping into hyperspace! it was weird! At some points it felt as if I was not moving at all - the only thing that helped were the reflective posts on the right side of the road.  I never felt in danger, it was just a different experience.  

So I stop at Buffalo WY and found a nice comfy hotel room.  Today I am heading to: Yellowstone!  I am planning on spending three of four days in the area so it may be three of four days before I post again :) because I am busy living :)