The plan was for today to be the longest drive, 1200km (800+miles) from Chicago to Rapid City South Dakota. After the generous breakfast (and doggie bag) from the Inn we joined the rush hour traffic at 7am. Even though we were going OUT of the city, it took an hour to go 15 miles. The good news, though, was a cloudburst of much needed rain, even though it was over in 10 minutes. The words "Ukraine" and "Detroit" appeared in the monsoon like signs from my past that all would be well.
Well? yes. Interesting? yes and no. Outrageous tolls in Illinois. Very familiar trees in Wisconsin. Hundreds of square miles of corn and soybeans in Minnesota. The historic Mississippi River and the army of wind turbines. And then the 410-mile sprint across South Dakota ----- rolling hills, suicidal road runners (the bird type), and literally hundreds of old billboards for
Frontier Town, Dances With Wolves Museum, the Iconic 1937 Wall Drug, and
Kids Will Love the Reptile House!
Outside it was over 100 degrees again. Weird clouds threatened downpours off and on all day. But by the end of the 14 hours on the road, it was a dry time out at the Time Inn.
Check out Custer state park. Great, interesting views of Mt. Rushmore (thru tunnels and arches, buffalo and more. Not to mention Sturgis and all the bikers that travel to SD from all over. Matthew had us go to the reptile house and it was actually pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteI really like the state.