Badlands & Corn Palace

We traveled across South Dakota today.

Our first stop was Sturgis where they are getting ready for the big motorcycle rally in early August. Already starting to set up tents and vendors are moving in. It is a really beautiful area.

What trip to South Dakota is complete without a visit to Wall Drug? It was much bigger and nicer than what I remember from our first visit -- and even more commercial!

I was dreading the trip across the Badlands and was surprised to find that it was much more pleasant than in 1974. At that time it was not a National Park. Now there are nice roads, scenic pull-outs and visitor centers with restrooms! It truly is unique and beautiful.

We headed east to Mitchell and stopped to see the Corn Palace. How amazing that they decorate the building every year with native grains & grasses.

Staying at Sioux City tonight.

Devil's Tower

Today we drove to Lead to see the Homestake Mine.

We headed to Wyoming to see Devil's Tower. It was a beautiful day - in the mid 70's. We did see some climbers.

Bison & Presidents

Can you choose the real Bison?

We saw these on the way to Mount Rushmore. We had been to Rushmore in 1974. It was the first vacation we took together. I think it was even more impressive this trip. And lots of changes!

It was a beautiful drive from Hot Springs to Deadwood.

We didn't see any of the forest fires but saw smoke in the distance. Most of the hotel rooms in Hot Springs were full of firefighters and displaced residents.