Many Faces of South Dakota

OMG, we are already into the third day. Much of the early part of the trip has been driving to get somewhere else. Driving is the best way to see the USA, as cliched as it sounds. One sees how everyday people, live outside the meccas of the large east and west coast cities. What most of the world may judge the USA on is a small slice of what it is made up of.

Driving across South Dakota, it became very obvious the dramatic differences from east to west. Who would have known there would be fields of sunflowers streaking brilliant yellow across our changing sight lines, sandwiched between kitsch and canyons?

We woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across our heads. Found our way downstairs, to drink a cup. Looking up, noticed we were late.... we listen to a lot of music and quite the variety, too.

The Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD is not actually made entirely out of corn. What a disappointment, but then, it would be hard to keep the critters from compromising the structure otherwise. It is however, decorated entirely out of corn, with yearly overhaul and fresh corn facelift. We were left with many more questions: What happens to all that corn??? Who came up with this idea for the first time and why? How are the designs plotted out, digitally or by hand? Is there a special Corn Palace corn field? Guess we should have listened to the presentation.... The murals inside a visual history of South Dakota, interesting.

The Badlands were amazing. It's easy to see how it got it's name, beautiful, but inhospitable. It's otherworldly looking. We hiked the Notch Trail in 90s, mid-day in high sun. Fortunately, it was also windy and we didn't realize how much exposure we got till in the car and looking at each other. Sunscreen is a wonderful thing, can't imagine what we would have looked like otherwise. In the middle of Notch Trail is a ladder strung together with metal cable, so moved as you climbed. Pictures tell the story better:

Pitched tents at Horsethief Campgrounds in Hill City, SD. Instead of rushing out to see the sights, decided to settle in, start a fire and cook dinner.