WST (Western States Trek) Day 4: South Dakota: Badlands and Storms

We motored out of Luverne headed for Rapid City, South Dakota. We expected to breakfast at another Cracker Barrel, but when I called up the location finder, I got a huge shock! There is only ONE cracker Barrel in all of South Dakota and when I called up the finder, the restaurant was three miles behind us in Sioux City and neither of us wanted to turn around! What's up, Cracker Barrel?????? Down the road a ways we find Marlin's, a wonderful eatery with superb omelettes and decorated in early gas station...a Texaco Super Chief pump is within 5 feet of my elbow!


AS soon as we pulled onto the highway, the low tire pressure light came on, so off we go to the nearest gas station. the right rear is low (19) compared to other three (30). FB pumps in air; I speculate it's the same crummy drunk who made a car's horn and lights go off last night about 11:30! We take off again, no issues at all!

Driving west on I-90 we were struck by the paucity of gas stations as well as the barrenness of the rest stops - no facilities, just pull outs from the highway. We drive 11 miles along the highway which has been reduced to one road as the other 2 lanes are being constructed. I comment on the (to me) unusual fact that South Dakota seems to construct highways from both ends to meet in the middle, unlike Florida which starts at one run and builds to the other. SD's way seem much more efficient!

Also, these folks are serious about their grass/wheat/hay baling. they even bale the highway intersections. Speaking of which, we have been running across these signs for several states:

followed promptly by a road closing barrier. Internet investigation provides us with this information: "Mid-winter blizzards can make life a living hell for drivers out in the middle of nowhere. When the wind blows and piles up drifts on the highway it can ruin your day. The gates prevent idiots from venturing where conditions are too hazardous and gives first responders a break. Have one of those on I-29 close to the house here, few blocks away. They used them 5 times in January on I-90 if I remember. What a horrible month that was.." FB and I speculate on the drama that closing I-95 or I-26 would cause!

Suddenly on the east-bound side appears a sculpture that seems to have been misplaced from Easter Island!  It's a part of the Porter Sculpture Park in Montrose, SD. We wish we'd had the chance to investigate.

We noted that we'd seen a huge Hereford Bull statue in a yard yesterday, followed a hundred miles down the road by a USAF fighter jet parked on the lawn in front of a home. No standard gnomes here!

On the subject of dirt, FB told me about the hills yesterday that were created by wind blown dust and today I finally had the time to investigate. The Loess Hills go from western Iowa to Mound City, Missouri and eastern Nebraska and Kansas along the river. They were formed when the winds blew dust and dirt that collected and piled on layer after layer until a big dune was formed. They were anchored by grasses growing on them.

Driving through the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, we spot a buffalo roaming (no fooling!).  Anticipating our arrival in Wall, SD and a visit to its famous Drug Store (76,000 square feet of mercantile!), we take a detour when we spot a sign for the  Loop Road Badlands National Park and off we go. My Senior Pass gets us into the park and we drive the 31 miles of the loop, constantly repeating, "OMG!" "Amazing!" " Holy Crap!" "Mom would have LOVED this place!" I have no adjectives, and like the Grand Canyon, pictures can not really do justice to this place:

 

After we left, we encountered a brief (Thank Heavens!) Plains Storm...FB was very happy because, "You should have the whole experience.")

Wall Drug was an experience!! Below is an image of the map given to us when we entered.

I could not believe this place. The prices were very reasonable and the staff were marvelous. They hire students from aboard to work there for 3 months every summer. We were waited on by a girl from Jamaica and a young man from Slovakia! Truly an international conglomeration of gifts, restaurants, play spaces, rides, and a soda fountain and drug store!!!

We leave Wall Drug and arrive in Rapid City. It's about 3:30 and we figure to check in, nap and go pick up Nancy at the municipal airport. Uh, not what happened. Our rooms weren't ready so off we go to find a munchie and explore. We find the Firehouse Winery in downtown Rapid City which has a wonderful slogan!

We return to the Holiday Inn and are told the rooms still are ready, this happens the three times FB goes up to check. The desk clerk kept giving us free drink coupons to keep us happy.  At 7, after the free drinks and two rounds of wings, we texted Nancy to get a cab; neither of us was willing to drive!!! Hey, it's been a great day and we're having fun. As FB noted, we've established a working dynamic.

Her plane lands in 10 minutes, so perfect timing as I can post this blog entry!

BTW: John Corey is almost ready to face-to-face the evil Kahlil!!