Day Three, Part Badlands

Miles Driven on Day 3: 420

Total Miles so far: 1240

States Passed Through: SD

Currently In: Kadoka, SD

After my little rainbowfest yesterday, I still had plenty of daylight hours. I wanted to go to Badlands National Park. So, I did.

I passed through the Buffalo Gap Grasslands, but alas, no buffalo in sight. That's ok, because...

I had arrived at Mars on Earth! From a distance you can see the looming cliffs, reddish sand and you may experience a slight wetness in your pants because you have urinated out of excitement. That is totally normal, so don't worry.

You may ask me, Lora, what do rainbows, sand dunes and rattlesnake warnings have in common?

Well, my dear friend, see the above photo. It isn't long after you enter the park gates that you get up close and personal with some dunes. This was the first pull over stop available, with sweeping views of canyons, rainbows, and the first of many "Beware *insert hilarious cartoon snake graphic that makes rattlesnakes look rather harmless* Rattlesnakes!" signs.

Another picture from the first stop. I do have the color pop filter on for the camera here, but this one is so much more close to the IRL colors that I had to keep it.

 This kind of looks like some sort of ancient ruins in the Sinai Peninsula. You know the one. Anyway, I pulled over and hiked around awhile.

Holy bones, look at the color gradient. This is ombre, mother effers.

I cast a less than formidable shadow amongst the labyrinth of rock formations

I was looking for rattle snakes. Sadly, all I found was this Hipster inspired, Instagram-worthy camera shot. Brought to you by Canon Toy Camera Setting. And dirty, dusty clothing.

 I really like this one. I pulled over on the side of the road (apparently, 5 PM in the middle of summer is oddly enough NOT a busy time for this place) and was able to snap the picture right at the dip in the pavement, which makes it look like the world is bending to my whim. Or that I've photoshopped it.

In the middle of the road.

Some cool striations in between layers of sandstone

Random plateau.

The sun was starting to set, giving the entire sky a nice pastel glow

Uhhhm, what the hell is that? 

Jesus! There are more. They look like aliens came and abducted some cute deer and then forced their face skulls into a triangle shaped cake pan and then set them back down on the grassy plains to disturb unsuspecting tourists just looking for some regular old fucking deer! Well, it turns out, the are Pronghorns, totally legitimate Earthly species, frequently found in these parts.

603 in the... parking lot!

It's getting hazy

Like those magic sand art things we used to make in the 90's, no?

With the sun almost set, I decided it would be a good idea to go to my last next tourist destination, Wall Drug. For those who don't know what this masterpiece of cheesy, road side oddity attraction is, well, basically, it is like a mini town, with different stores that sell everything from outdoors equipment to jewelry. On one side there are a bunch of individual stores, on the other, the large, Wall Drug Mall, which houses all sorts of random stores, including a pharmacy, a wall of mounted jackalopes, and a back yard with free water and, well, you'll see.

The Ice Water Store, where you can get free ice water.

Wall of bizarre paintings, including this oil painting, "Brokeback Pasture".

By feed, the mean this: 

Awkward looking tail there, bud.

Mechanical piano playing gorilla serenades you as you sit upon the majestic giant jackalope.

Here is the free ice water station! Clean and cold!

So, that ended my first full day in South Dakota. I really loved my time here and I hope someday to travel baxk this way. Now, on to a national monument!

Day Three, Part One

Miles Driven on Day 3: 360
Total Miles so far: 1180
States Passed Through: SD
Currently In: Kadoka, SD


Phew! A long few days of near continuous driving. Today was jam packed with stuff, so I'm going to split it into two parts. These post will be picture heavy!

So, I don't know if I already said it, but the weather for this trip could not have been nicer. A bit hot, but once I hit the plains of South Dakota on Day 3, the 97 degrees was bone dry and was well tempered with a nice strong wind. Day 3 was less about mileage and more about exploring. Starting with a nice grocery stop at a Coop market in Sioux Falls, I drove the beautiful plains of South Dakota.

And before Kadoka, took a pit stop to explore around in Mitchell, SD. Who could miss this?

Corn Palace! Huuuuwhat?!

Yes, a turret of corn husks.

Rushmore Corn Mural, Anyone?

Wow. Corn science!

Adorable cement steer statue. I just want to hug it!

What... what is this? Is this a mobile home? It appears to have an air conditioner...

FYI, that's not snow. That's bug litter on my windshield.

Holy Crap, I wish I would have had some extra time to check this shit out. I love that movie!

A nice selection of WalDrug billboards. There must have been at least 50, starting in Wisconsin, over 5 hours of driving away from WalDrug.

And finally getting to Kadoka, checked in to this beauty:

The Dakota Inn in Kadoka. Family run, super friendly elderly gentleman was awesome to me. It was quiet and hilariously 70's, perfectly charming in all the right ways, just the way a Western motel should be. I loved this place.

The weather was a bit sketchy, looked as though a storm was coming. I saw some lightening, but luckily I didn't get rained on. I got some good shots of the clouds, and subsequent rainbows on my way to my next destination:

Seeing as it was so early when I got the the motel, I left the cats in the room to continue my adventures here at the Petrified Gardens. Lots of cool stuff, and science. Always science.

Thanks for the reminder!

Glowing science!

Rockwood science!

Colorful science! Good show!

Rainboo!

This is the register the guy was actually using to cash me out. Historical science!

Rainboo number 2

Probably as close as I will get to a buffalo on this trip.

Random paint splotch on this box under the Buffalo head.

Not paint, not paint!

The weather cleared up and skies turned blue, I knew it was time to continue on. On to the Badlands!

Day Two

Miles Driven on Day 2: 820
Total Miles Driven: 1591
States Passed Through: OH, IN, IL, WI, MN
Currently in: Sioux Falls, South Dakota


Hey all! Day two was so long! My poor cats were pretty unhappy by the time we finally got to our hotel just after midnight last night. I just woke up! Good news is that today is a laid back day, hopefully filled with some nice sight seeing and less driving. Yesterday's highlight was the Wisconsin/Minnesota border where the Mississippi is. So beautiful! Maybe my next assignment will allow me my forever desired trip down Great River Road.

So there hasn't been much as far as scenery until I hit the Mississippi. Got stuck in delicious traffic in Chicago:

Aside from Chicago, the rest of my travel was open country. Although it does appear that there are a wealth of different crops grown out here, including:

Corn in Ohio! And..

Corn in Wisconsin! And...

Corn in Minnesota! Accompanied by the Queen of Cash Crops, Soy bean!

Ok, so sarcasm aside, southern Minnesota is beautiful. Lots of rolling hills and farms, and then of course, at the border you are greeted by this beautiful sight:

The Mississippi River. I was lucky enough to catch a barge coasting down the middle of the river. Seriously, the area surrounding the river is gorgeous. No, really. it's like a gorge. Steep, lush green hills, deep valleys with tributaries... I would live here. I didn't get a chance to go up to Minneapolis or do a whole lot of site seeing, as today was mostly about driving. Sight seeing is scheduled for South Dakota and Wyoming!

Sunset in Minnesota on a wind mill farm

I only have about 4 hours of driving to get to my next hotel, so I am hoping to get to see a bit of the Badlands and maybe Wall Drug by the end of the day. But first, coffee and food and a leisurely drive around South Dakota's largest city!  I will keep you all posted. Facebook is not much of any option for me out this way as I don't have the phone connection to make it work, but expect another blog either tonight or tomorrow morning!!! Love you guys.

Day One

Total Miles Driven: 771
States Passed Through: MA, NY, PA
Currently in: Millbury, Ohio- Just south of Toledo

Alright Alright! First leg of the trip down! Having a hard time waking up this morning, so I figured I'd do a short blog post and summarize my trip thus far. This Super 8 Motel room is dark and comfy and a super good value for 60 bucks. Nothing really cool to see so far, though Lake Erie was pretty at sunset. Also, New York has a great set up of rest stops. Oh, the exciting life I lead. Thanks to all of you who called to keep me entertained!

After getting on the road a day late, I am pumped to be well on my way. I'm going to aim to hit South Dakota today, which is about 13 hours, since I'm pretty sure that's where the site seeing starts, and it would put me half way to Washington. I am less than 2 hours away from the time change, so it will help make up for my late start today. It seems like time zones are magical time machines that for some reason trick you into thinking you've got less far to go.


I'm going to pack up and get on my way. First order of business, find some coffee and breakfast! I'll keep you all posted on here and facebook with my progress and anything fun that comes up. Hoping to see some buffalo by Thursday!

Time Goes By...

And yet, I still have 3 saved, unfinished blog entries from June and my last few weeks in Virginia. Lazy, busy, failtown. I am nearing the end of my staycation in Manch-Vegas, as I leave for Seattle in just 3 days. My goals for the next 72 hours are not only ambitious but improbable, including the completion of multiple blogs in somewhat chronological order. So, if you are close follower and suddenly see that multiple uploads of blogs have gone up under an earlier publication date, you will know why. Keep tuning in, because if I don't get all the catch up done now, I will still be posting anew with my solo trip cross country next week!

7/25/12 UPDATE!
I finished my last blog post for Virginia! Check it out below!