Day 1: Rapid City, South Dakota 🇺🇸

I’m >>this<< close to finishing a personal bucket list item — visiting all 50 states. I’ve only got 3 left – North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. So, we’re off on a Great American Road Trip. We’re starting in Rapid City, SD. I’ve been to SD before, but Ken has not. Compromise.

Took a Texas sized pass on the Mount Rushmore tour. Visited there when I was a kid – it was portal to tourist hell then. Did a drive-by instead. Beautiful drive through the Black Hills Forest (but take a Dramamine if you’re prone to car sickness). Can confirm the Presidents have not aged a day since 1980.

Decided to spend most of our SD day in Badlands National Park. PSA: For anyone who doesn’t already know this, if you are a veteran, you can get a lifetime pass to all of our National Parks for FREE.

Hiked around the park this am. Perfect weather. I wasn’t too hot, and I wasn’t hungry, and the hike wasn’t beyond my ability (thanks, Ken). So everyone was happy. Saw this colony of cliff swallow nests – fascinating how they build the nests out of mud.

Did a lot of scenic driving and overlooking today. There were people in the park, for sure, but I didn’t have to throw elbows with anyone over a photo spot.

Had an up close and personal moment with this bison. We were exiting the park, and a herd of bison was crossing the road. MASSIVE animals. Disclaimer: I took this photo from about 10 feet away. From *inside* the car. At no time did I exit the vehicle. Because I’m not a dumbass.

Overall: Badlands NP is absolutely spectacular, and definitely worth a visit. The geology is mind-boggling. Really wishing I had paid more attention in my geology classes in college.

Critter count: 2 herds of bison , 2 chipmunks , 1 mole, and 604 prairie dogs.

Stopped at Wall Drug (the one crapatorium to rule them all) on our way out of the park. I had to pee. And I needed ice cream. My grandparents took my brother and I to Wall Drug when we were kids. Probably to pee and get ice cream. It’s the blueprint for all tacky tourist stops. But the restroom was clean, the water was free, and the ice cream was yummy. So I won’t throw (much) shade on the highly suspicious turquoise for sale there.

Sidebar: Shoutout to the lady with the 37 pieces of flair on her hat and the snazzy whiskey pants. PJ bottoms? Whatever. She is exactly “I don’t give a f*ck years old” and I’m here for it.

Cheers!

Travel date: September 6, 2024