Day 3 Road Trip 2011

Every morning the alarm went off at 5:45am, no matter which time zone we were in.  So a short ride (10 miles) to the South Dakota State Line

 

And then up into the Badlands of South Dakota..  I didn't expect much, but knew there were Bison and Pierre Dogs and wanted to see both.  However,  the roads were awesome, nice pavement and twists thru what many say is like being on a different planet, or maybe the moon.  It was really cool being here but like many things,  this started to eat at time.  I guess planning can only go so far and doesn't account for time lost.  However, as long as we are at Devils Tower by end of the day, we are still on schedule.  We almost missed the pierre dogs but heard some folks talking at one of the vistas and said they were just a few miles back, so we loaded up and headed to see these neat critters.  They are curious and put on a show, but a strict no feeding policy is in place, but I'm not sure how well it's followed as these critters just sit up and beg like my dogs at home :-)

Next Stop: Wall Drug.  There is something about this place that you just have to go check out for yourself if your in the neighborhood.  This place dates way back and somehow became famous for it's free Ice water which we promptly filled our hydration packs full of this free beverage.

Next was Iron Mountain Road,  a tight twisty road with several one lane tunnels all of which give you a view of Mt Rushmore.   Last year I set out to see Mt Rushmore but turned south once I was in Nebraska due to Storms and Tornado activity ahead, but not this time, what a beautiful day.

That is Mt. Rushmore in the background

See it ?

See Rushmore?

This is as close as we got

Around the Bend for the Profile shot

Deadwood, SD

Wild Bill Killed at the #10 Saloon but down the street before it was burnt down

Hells Angels Clubhouse Sturgis, SD

End of day 3

End of Day 3 we stayed just a few miles south of Devils Tower Monument So it would be 1st on the list for day 4