Sunday - we headed out from Sioux Falls this morning, and made our first stop at Walmart - there were a few essentials that we just couldn't do without - of utmost importance was the acquisition of a new "step" since our electric step has decided to malfunction, and is shorting out somewhere - without this step, it is a challenge to get in - getting out is okay. I'm sure in a couple of days, I will have mastered it, and won't need the new step anymore!
We left Walmart, and hit the road - first stop - Cabela's... I don't think any trip across South Dakota could be complete without a stop at Cabela's - a pretty impressive store. I found a new pair of sandals, and some sunglasses (I left home without them...), and picked up some sandals for Bill and Chris too - we also dined at the Cabela Cafe, and had yummy salads! Cabela's was in Mitchell, SD, and then we were off - due West.
Next stop for the day was the crossing of the Missouri River - another pretty impressive river; I can't get over the size of these rivers....
The scenery today had two themes - before the river, it was corn fields. After the river, it was rolling hills, and cows - more cows than imaginable - hills that we almost needed to push the RV up. The State of S.D sets the speed limit at 75, but I'm not sure that anyone can really make it up to 75, or higher for that matter - at least not for any length of time. And did I mention wind... the wind was blowing so hard, that I thought that the RV may blow right off the road.
Next stop - the scenic bypass through the Badlands - wow. What am impressive display of the forces of nature, and they don't seem to end - it goes on for miles and miles. It was about 105 degrees through the Badlands - even with the wind.
After the Badlands - we made the stop that I think everyone makes - at Wall's Drug Store - talk about an enormous tourist trap - straight out the Wild West - we made a short stop there, and then headed to Rapid City - to stay the the campground below:
We checked in around 8:30 - and I took the kids over to the pool to cool off - it was still about 85 degrees - so it was a welcomed break. We are all settled into the camper - Bill is enjoying a glass of wine and some 10 year-old cheese from Wisconsin - yuck!
Tomorrow, after the all you can eat pancake breakfast the the campground offers (for $1.00 per person, I might add), we will embark on a 10 hour tour of all the highlights surrounding Rapid City, including Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, etc. The "Grayline" bus will pick us up right here at the campground, and drop us off after. I have threatened to get off at the first casino, if there is one included in the tour - apparently, there are 80 casinos in Deadwood - maybe we'll get there tomorrow....
I am including a couple of pictures of some of our amazing sights! I'll write again tomorrow, after the day of touring.
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