Long, strange journey. Part 1

The journey further into South Dakota and Wyoming has been interesting, to say the least. The past two days have been fantastic, peculiar, strenuous and rewarding. Following the homey feel of the Derby Cafe in Chamberlain and the constantly running (read: noisy) toilet at the hotel, there was only improvement.

First (very brief) detour: Outside Oacoma, SD off I-90. Signs for "1880 Town Ranch" drew me to this. A bad omen, this Shell station "integrated" into the "authentic"experience of the "town". Shell, disgusting perpetrator of all things abusive to land and people, was not about to keep my attention, nor my time. On the porch steps, plastic conductor man. On the grounds, a golden cow with this sign to ward off climbers. Inside? Nothing to write home about, except the $8 admission fee for viewing the remains of an old homestead, which only warranted a groan and a swift departure down the road...













#2. But THEN, success! The Ranch Store, outside the Badlands, advertised the world's largest prarie dog sculpture. This began one of many, many stops where I never thought I'd enjoy. It might be the hours of inhaling recycled car A/C air, but these little prairie dogs were great. I think I'll get one for myself sometime.
How often do you see this in your life? ^
Or this, for that matter?

But wait, don't let me forget about this little guy, the reason the other two pictures are even necessary...














Okay, that's out of my system. Now, on to the majestic majesty of the land itself, the stuff the makes the west the best (I told you, it's the car fumes).

#3. Badlands. The big, bad Big Badlands. Absolutely wonderful. Hot, dry, but awesome. I have always enjoyed the way national parks and monuments are presented. They aren't flashy, (too) touristy, or cheesy. They let the land speak for itself, with interpretation as necessary. The Badlands are vast, and a gorgeous drive. I stopped at each overlook and mingled slightly with others. The colors and design of the formations are like nothing Photoshop can ever replicate. This makes geology an enviable profession:
Along the way, I met a couple visiting from Wisconsin. At one of the first park stops they were taking turns with pictures of each other. I asked if they wouldn't mind continuing the trend for me. At the next major stop along the way, I ran into them once again. They mentioned that after I left the last stop, they'd thought it a good idea to ask me to take one of them both, so I returned the favor. I didn't get a chance to see them again along the route. Nothing like big rocks to dwarf a person. How humbling.
...and one more... The etymologist in me rejoiced at the displays describing the badlands. I learned "Badlands" capital B, refers to the "Big Badlands" area, while "badlands" refers to the entire park as a whole.

#4: Outside the badlands... was the mecca of random, the (in)famous Wall Drug. After the grandeur of the badlands, I was tired, hot and working my way toward cranky town. Oh, Wall Drug, you're quite the phenomenon. It was fun, just not quite what the doctor ordered.





Not for lack of trying, Wall Drug was a barrage of stuff, stuff and more stuff. I will say that all the billboards advertised precisely. And, heck, they had free water. So not all was lost.












Oh...and a roaring dino (every 12 min. it roared and flashed and moved).

Also, on their wall o' press, I came upon a 1981 Time magazine cover. John Irving (might I recommend The World According to Garp if you're looking for a good read?) was on the cover. Inside, Wall Drug was featured in an article of roadside attractions. One of the pullquotes from the article indicated that "the government spends about $450 million each year on highway billboard/sign cleanup." Wow.


#5. Mount Rushmore. Also known as the location now close to my heart for being the parking garage location where I stupidly left my car door ajar (but all doors locked!) for the length of my stay, only to return to the car finding it untouched. Phew. I have been spending too much time with my car, it seems. Subliminal begging for someone to drive away with it, I guess.

Another fantastic national park where presentation of material was well done. Inside, history facts galore. Color me impressed with the story of Borglum and the constructive use of explosives.

The day was concluded with arrival into Custer, SD. Dinner was at a place called PizzaWorks, where I started Walden. In the first chapter, "Economy", Thoreau talked about the human condition, specifically rural commitment to laborious work. He mentioned "quiet desperation" of a large part of the population, as humans are obliged into certain ways of living and working, and how sometime, it just is how it is. In many ways, that is how this trip is shaping up to be; very real, maybe surreal, but on the way to being just the way it is.