Day three saw us take an early start looking for a quick breakfast. Which turned into a not so quick start. The lady in the GPS box decided to take us on a scenic drive through Sioux Falls to the "nearest" McDonald's. However, not to let this get us down, we got our food, some gas, and off into the prairies of South Dakota we headed.
When we talked to people about our upcoming trip and the route we were taking, everyone said that we just have to stop by Mitchell, SD and see the Corn Palace. Now, I didn't have high expectations, but it's location on the map told me that it might be good place for a potty break. Now the Corn Palace is an auditorium, gymnasium, event-type place that has the entire outside and some of the inside decorated by corn or corn plant products. Think Rose Parade with corn instead. It is very interesting. They redecorate it each year in a different theme. This was supposed to be a quick visit, but we made the mistake of going inside the palace. And there was shopping. It doesn't matter that the shopping was corn related...it was shopping. Needless to say, we stayed there longer than what had originally been planned. But, alas, we did escape Mitchell, SD and the hypnotic grip of the Corn Palace. If you are ever driving down the road in South Dakota and the interstate signs beckon you to Mitchell, my advice is...don't. Keep on driving.
As I was driving along, I was struck by how the terrain changes suddenly. The prairies kind of sneak up on you. They are beautiful as they roll along. Then suddenly these strange rock formations show up and you realize you are in the Badlands with no warning. Once we, got back on the road, the decision was made to go straight to the Badlands National Park instead of Wall Drug Store. The drug store is another of those tourist traps that everyone says you must go and see. We ate a quick lunch at the DQ in Wall and then headed to the Badlands.
All I can say is, WOW! The Badlands are amazing, beautiful, and mysterious. There is no way a picture on here can do them justice. I had always wanted to see them, and I am so glad that day finally came. The colors on the rock formations changes as the sun moves across the sky so every time you look back, it is completely different. We had a great time climbing and walking around. Of course, there was the warning sign at the first stop we made, that warned people to beware of rattlesnakes. This, of course, completely freaked Ian out. The whole rest of the day, every strange sound might be a snake. But it did keep him on the trails and firmly in the center. Ian is my, "by the book" kid. Abby knows no fear. We spent the majority of the afternoon and early evening in the Badlands, and I for one could have spent more time there...curse you Corn Palace!
Afterwards, we went back to Wall, SD to visit the must see Wall Drug Store. My advice, again, is to skip it if ever in the area. A goofy tourist trap!
After dinner we headed to Custer, SD and Custer State Park located in the Black Hills National Forest. We were staying in the Sylvan Lake Lodge cabins. Sylvan Lake is the location of a scene from National Treasure 2. The scene where they are looking for a cave located somewhere behind Mt. Rushmore. This is the lake. We of course got there very late and it was already very dark. Just a few feet into the dark park on winding roads, we meet a herd of elk. Very cool. Later we had the opportunity to drive beside a lonesome buffalo who was meandering along the side of the road. Just past the buffalo, we had the opportunity to go through a sobriety check point. Now this was just plain silly. That road was so windy and curvy, anyone intoxicated would have wrecked long before they got to the check point...inside a state park. We then turned onto what was called the "Needles Highway". Good name! This was the narrowest, curviest road I had ever been on. Trying to maneuver it at around midnight was a lot of fun. And then there was the three one car narrow tunnels that you got to drive through. These, of course, are what gave the road it's name. It is literally like driving through the eye of a needle. But thankfully, we finally made it to our hotel.
Day three was long, but very rewarding. We were now in Western South Dakota in the Black Hills, or as LeAnn likes to call it, the left side of South Dakota. Tomorrow we go to see a crazy dead indian, some dead mammoths, and four dead presidents!
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