South Dakota Slam!

By Glen Bruels
This is part of a series called National Park Slam 2015
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After zooming through Wyoming, our “caravan” drove up to South Dakota, where most of the national parks/monuments are conveniently located on the west side of the state. The past few days have been pretty intense, zooming around the countryside, plowing through a wide variety of weather (sun, rain, intense wind, and lots of fog). We bid farewell to our traveling companions today and will finish off South Dakota tomorrow, followed by a run up to North Dakota.

Showing off our assets in Deadwood!
Showing off our assets in Deadwood!
Wild Bill Hickok getting ready to meet his maker.
Wild Bill Hickok getting ready to meet his maker.
Deb consoling Wild Bill after being shot dead.
Deb consoling Wild Bill after being shot dead.
To get to the lodge we stayed in, we had to traverse a tunnel that we frankly weren't sure we were going to make in our truck and camper. We now roughly know our dimensions (less than six inches on all sides).
To get to the lodge we stayed in, we had to traverse a tunnel that we frankly weren’t sure we were going to make in our truck and camper. We now roughly know our dimensions (less than six inches on all sides).
We made it to Mt. Rushmore at night, got a quick view of the eclipse (before the clouds took over), and enjoyed the lighting ceremony.
We made it to Mt. Rushmore at night, got a quick view of the eclipse (before the clouds took over), and enjoyed the lighting ceremony.
All the state flags draped as we approached the amphitheater.
All the state flags draped as we approached the amphitheater.
We had an unexpected moment. The ranger performing the colors ceremony asked all current and former service members to come to the stage to participate.
We had an unexpected moment. The ranger performing the colors ceremony asked all current and former service members to come to the stage to participate.
We had veterans that ranged in age from the 30s to the 80s. Our formation lacked a bit of discipline, but the ranger asked each of us to identify our name, rank, and service component.
We had veterans that ranged in age from the 30s to the 80s. Our formation lacked a bit of discipline, but the ranger asked each of us to identify our name, rank, and service component.
It was very moving and I teared up a bit. It's pretty powerful to be surrounded with people who all played their part in keeping our country free.
It was very moving and I teared up a bit. It’s pretty powerful to be surrounded with people who all played their part in keeping our country free.
The next day, we were heading to the Badlands. On the way, we had to stop at Wall Drug -- the Midwest answer to South of the Border on the East Coast.
The next day, we were heading to the Badlands. On the way, we had to stop at Wall Drug — the Midwest answer to South of the Border on the East Coast.
I have to say that Wall Drug was much more interesting that what Pedro has to offer...
I have to say that Wall Drug was much more interesting that what Pedro has to offer…
... and significantly wins in the kitsch and weirdness department.
… and significantly wins in the kitsch and weirdness department.
I just couldn't help myself
I just couldn’t help myself
On to the Badlands. They completely blew me away. One minute you are going through prairie as far as you can see, and then this...
On to the Badlands. They completely blew me away. One minute you are going through prairie as far as you can see, and then this…
Our intrepid team. Interestingly, there was a warning sign about rattlesnakes. It turns out that there was one under the steps (the 3rd step to be exact). Rather than quickly leaving the area, a few of our lot actually pounded on the step with their feet to hear the rattle. Yeah, city folks are likely to do some interesting things!
Our intrepid team. Interestingly, there was a warning sign about rattlesnakes. It turns out that there was one under the steps (the 3rd step to be exact). Rather than quickly leaving the area, a few of our lot actually pounded on the step with their feet to hear the rattle. Yeah, city folks are likely to do some interesting things!
Lots of wildlife in the park, including these Bighorns.
Lots of wildlife in the park, including these Bighorns.
Lots of wildlife in the park, including these Bighorns.
Lots of wildlife in the park, including these Bighorns.
Awww...
Awww…
Bunny!
Bunny!
In the middle of the barren area, shocks of color would show up.
In the middle of the barren area, shocks of color would show up.
After the Badlands, we needed a place for a bit of lunch. How about the Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill in Interior, SD?
After the Badlands, we needed a place for a bit of lunch. How about the Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill in Interior, SD?
Interior must be an up and coming place. Notice the two Jags outside this mobile home!
Interior must be an up and coming place. Notice the two Jags outside this mobile home!
Enjoying a beer as we contemplated the menu filled with fried everything. The gizzards were a bit chewy!
Enjoying a beer as we contemplated the menu filled with fried everything. The gizzards were a bit chewy!
The owner, server, chef, and bartender. He was a hoot!
The owner, server, chef, and bartender. He was a hoot!
After a day on the road, we decided to stop off and see the Crazy Horse Monument. It was so foggy, we never did see the statue, but we really enjoyed learning the story of the sculptor, Korczak, and the family who keeps his dream alive.
After a day on the road, we decided to stop off and see the Crazy Horse Monument. It was so foggy, we never did see the statue, but we really enjoyed learning the story of the sculptor, Korczak, and the family who keeps his dream alive.
This was the original compressor he used for carving. It routinely broke down, requiring him to go up and down hundreds of stairs per day just to keep it running.
This was the original compressor he used for carving. It routinely broke down, requiring him to go up and down hundreds of stairs per day just to keep it running.
A foggy day in Custer State Park. We really saw a lot of wildlife, including large herds of buffalo..
A foggy day in Custer State Park. We really saw a lot of wildlife, including large herds of buffalo..
... and a number of pronghorns.
… and a number of pronghorns.
Fog, fog, and more fog.
Fog, fog, and more fog.
This afternoon we went to Wind Cave National Park. It is the sixth largest cave system in the world with about 146 miles of passageways -- all contained within a surface area of 1.2 sq. mi. Amazing! The original opening is located down and to the left of the ranger. Interestingly, you can accurately tell the weather based on whether the wind is going in or out of the opening and what the velocity of that wind is. It has been very accurate over the years!
This afternoon we went to Wind Cave National Park. It is the sixth largest cave system in the world with about 146 miles of passageways — all contained within a surface area of 1.2 sq. mi. Amazing! The original opening is located down and to the left of the ranger. Interestingly, you can accurately tell the weather based on whether the wind is going in or out of the opening and what the velocity of that wind is. It has been very accurate over the years!
This is probably the most complex cave system in the world, with some very unique formations called boxwork -- box patterns made up of formations as fragile as potato chips.
This is probably the most complex cave system in the world, with some very unique formations called boxwork — box patterns made up of formations as fragile as potato chips.
Our last stop for today was the Mammoth Site, a privately (non-profit) owned excavation site in Hot Springs, SD. This site was discovered in 1974, when a mound that had always been part of the community was being razed to make way for a housing development. After a few bulldozer passes, interesting things started to show up.
Our last stop for today was the Mammoth Site, a privately (non-profit) owned excavation site in Hot Springs, SD. This site was discovered in 1974, when a mound that had always been part of the community was being razed to make way for a housing development. After a few bulldozer passes, interesting things started to show up.
It turns out that this was a big sinkhole that creatures (both currently extinct or extant) fell into and drowned. Ultimately, it filled in and the density of animal fossils in the dig is astounding. Here is the body (sans head) of a mammoth that has been uncovered. Amazing!
It turns out that this was a big sinkhole that creatures (both currently extinct or extant) fell into and drowned. Ultimately, it filled in and the density of animal fossils in the dig is astounding. Here is the body (sans head) of a mammoth that has been uncovered. Amazing!

 

This entry was posted in National Park/Monument, South Dakota, Travel, United States
Glen Bruels

I am a traveler and sometimes clay sculptor, following a long career working in consulting. My work allowed me to travel the world extensively and I was hooked. Today, I travel with my wife/best friend to explore new places, meet new people, and learn new things.

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