Getting to the badlands

 

amazing

We divided our travel in South Dakota into 4 campsites across the state. The first was an overnight stay near the Missouri River. It had it's good points including a large field we allowed Ripley to run around. The next morning we left for the Badlands. We arrived early enough to take the scenic road through the area. They are beautiful. We had Ripley with us so we couldn't go for any hikes. We were all fascinated with the prairie dogs. The little rodents would pop out of their hole and scurry to another hole. Guy and I got a kick out of watching Ripley. His ears were perked up, his tail wagging a few barks when he heard the prairie dogs.

Corn Palace Mitchel, SD



Pictures done with corn

Ripley is hoping

Missouri River in SD

The weather did not cooperate with us for hiking so we went to Wall. This is a town in SD and also the name of a drug store. Back in the 40's this store stayed in business by giving out free ice water and with road signs. I saw the first one over 300 miles away. We bought a few items, had lunch and headed back to our campsite.  We took the scenic route, boy were we glad we did. We saw the sheep and their babies playing on the hill top.
After Badlands National Park, we headed for Mt Rushmore.  The weather varied from sunny, rainy, lightning storms and even hail.  We spent time in Mt Rushmore, Custer State park, We saw Crazy Horse's monument ( got a rock from the construction as a souvenir), Needles Highway, and more.  That area has so much to do.  Ripley was allowed in Custer State Park.  Yeah for state parks, boo for National Parks.

Our final stop in South Dakota was in Deadwood.  We drove through Spearfish Canyon (think Oh my Darling Clementine). We saw Sturgis, not many motorcycles this time of year. This area had a lot of flying bugs which were harmless but annoying. After a short stay here we headed for Montana.

On our way

Sylvan Lake, it took us 3 tries to make it around

On are way

 

 

Just a couple things to note:  try as I might I cannot get these pictures in chronological order so you have to take them as they come.  The captions are not coming out and I want to publish now so you have to take it as it is.   Karen

It is baby season out here and there is some cute wildlife.  I am trying to get pictures of them.  I hope to do a separate section on wildflowers and wildlife.