Overheard at breakfast this morning, 6 seniors talking about growing up around here in the Depression: "So my dad would catch those snappy turtles, and keep 'em in the basement in a big sack till he had around a dozen. One day my mom heard all her preserve jars breaking - and she went down there and the turtles are crawling all around. We had to get the [farm] boys to come catch 'em all. Then my dad was in trouble! But they were tasty for dinner!" Someone else chimed in with "My dad used to catch those big old bullfrogs and keep 'em in a big old rainbarrel till it was about half full. Tasted just like chicken!" Squirrel came into it somewhere too ...
Barrelling across the prairie for mile upon mile, not a cloud in the sky. Past the Corn Palace at Mitchell, the cornfields gradually give way to grassland, cattle, and rougher shapes, with many sinkholes where the abundant wildlife come to drink. Just above Chamberlain is a scenic overlook and visitor centre with interesting information about the Missouri river crossing and an amazing view of the river and its new bridge. On the western side, the landscape is immediately wilder, harsher and steeper.
The
most amazing part of today was The Badlands - the craziest rock formations I have ever seen, banded pink, white, gold, green, grey; formed by gradual erosion over many many centuries. The road insinuates itself between the peaks, pillars and shelves, with many wonderful panoramas looking up, down and across southern South Dakota. Took a little diversion to the tiny town of Interior, pop. 67 - it must be like living on the moon!
After completing the 35-mile scenic drive through the national park, I came upon the little town of Wall, which has more hotels than you can shake a stick at; its reputation precedes it for miles along the I-90, with signs to "Wall Drug", the oddest drug store I ever saw! Full of knick-knacks, 2 actual pharmacies, clothes, boots, bags, a cafe, and a T-Rex that roars every 20 minutes!
Finally made it to the Rapid City Motel 6, which is adjacent to Arnold's Classic Diner, which really lives up to its name, with jukebox selection right at your table - only a quarter! Food's good too.
Funny sign of the day: "24-hour toe service" [This was not referring to podiatry, but an auto body shop ...]
Barrelling across the prairie for mile upon mile, not a cloud in the sky. Past the Corn Palace at Mitchell, the cornfields gradually give way to grassland, cattle, and rougher shapes, with many sinkholes where the abundant wildlife come to drink. Just above Chamberlain is a scenic overlook and visitor centre with interesting information about the Missouri river crossing and an amazing view of the river and its new bridge. On the western side, the landscape is immediately wilder, harsher and steeper.
The
most amazing part of today was The Badlands - the craziest rock formations I have ever seen, banded pink, white, gold, green, grey; formed by gradual erosion over many many centuries. The road insinuates itself between the peaks, pillars and shelves, with many wonderful panoramas looking up, down and across southern South Dakota. Took a little diversion to the tiny town of Interior, pop. 67 - it must be like living on the moon!After completing the 35-mile scenic drive through the national park, I came upon the little town of Wall, which has more hotels than you can shake a stick at; its reputation precedes it for miles along the I-90, with signs to "Wall Drug", the oddest drug store I ever saw! Full of knick-knacks, 2 actual pharmacies, clothes, boots, bags, a cafe, and a T-Rex that roars every 20 minutes!
Finally made it to the Rapid City Motel 6, which is adjacent to Arnold's Classic Diner, which really lives up to its name, with jukebox selection right at your table - only a quarter! Food's good too.
Funny sign of the day: "24-hour toe service" [This was not referring to podiatry, but an auto body shop ...]
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