South Dakota - Part 1

Wow, what a butte!  Our first stop in South Dakota was Mitchell.  We had been driving all day and needed some good rest.  Come to find out Mitchell is home of the worlds only Corn Palace!  When we got up Adam said, “Do we really have to go to the Corn Palace?”  To which I responded, “Have you ever been to a Corn Palace?” “No…” “Get the camera; we’re going to the Corn Palace.”

Turns out the Corn Palace was kinda lame.  The outside was decorated all with different strains of corn cobs which was cool.  They change it every year.  But inside was boring.  It was just a big hall with pictures of previous years and a huge souvenir shop.  Whoever is in charge of events and marketing for the Corn Palace should be fired.  Just walking through the place for 10 minutes, I got several ideas on how to increase revenue and patronage. 

1.  Roasted Corn (Seriously, there was no corn!)

2.  Shucking Station

3.  Corn Cob Pipe Making

4.  Niblet Nook

5.  Create Your Own Corn Mural

Strangley enough though, no one at the Corn Palace asked me how to improve their business so we just left.

We headed west though South Dakota and I fell asleep.  When I woke up we were parked at 1880’s Town!  It’s a tourist trap that has original buildings, movie memorabilia, and saloon performances.  It was a great pit stop.

A real prop from "Dances with Wolves"

Your convicted, 1880's style!

You got an Ace up your sleeve?  No, it's on the table!

PRAIRIE DOGS!!!!!!!

On our way to the Badlands, this little gem made my entire day.  The chance to feed a prairie dog a peanut was too good to pass up.  There were dogs everywhere!  Fat ones, small ones, babies, and moms.  The best!

Pure bliss in the prairie

We had no idea what to expect from the Badlands.  WOW!  Incredible!  We all got out and Adam was the bravest going to the edge.  Simon did not like how windy it was.  It was really amazing to see all the different colors and layers of dusty rock and how time and the elements have shaped the landscape.  So many times we said, “You just can’t capture this.”   

What an incredible day!   

This is really high up with steep drop offs

"I'm outta here!"