Boy, There’s a Lot of South Dakota …

Friday, September 13, 2024

 

Up this morning about 5:30 am, but didn’t leave the hotel until about 8.  Our drive today took us across South Dakota to Sioux Falls, but we also had an hour’s time change – mid-state, which we thought was unusual, but the time zones have to start somewhere!

 

At any rate, we headed out through Sturgis (everybody’s favorite motorcycle spot…) and to the I-90 Freeway, and then on … and on … and on we went!  The interesting thing is that the far western side of South Dakota is really interesting … the beautiful Black Hills with streams and rivers cutting paths through rock; monuments like Devil’s Tower, as well as Mount Rushmore, and interesting sites like Mammoth Hot Springs, with the mammoth remains.  And then you exit Sturgis and go past Rapid City – and there is nothing … and I mean nothing … for mile upon mile upon mile.  We had figured we would stop at a McDonald’s or Hardee’s for breakfast, as we weren’t hungry when we left the hotel, but once we were past Box Elder (just to the east of Rapid City) there was NOTHING … It was incredible!  R kept asking why we hadn’t remembered from last year, and I honestly don’t have an answer for him!  South Dakota seems to be lightly peppered with small towns that the freeway designers seemed determined to avoid.  Very few of the exits had any services at all.

 

Pretty bleak and flat country!

Finally, the Missouri River!

The WIDE Missouri!

We pulled off at Wall, SD – home of the (in)famous Wall Drugs, which has turned into a 3-ring circus; we found it overwhelming but with nothing we were looking for.  We ended up stopping at Wall Grocery to pick up some snacks…and that was about it as far as food or certainly fast-food, until we got almost to Mitchell, SD, (home, I might point out, of the famous Corn Palace … Google it, if you’re unfamiliar!) where we stopped at an Arby’s to get some lunch.  Finally, something familiar!

 

I do have to say, that while this wasn’t our longest driving day, it was by far our most BORING driving day!!  I always try to find the good parts of wherever we’re staying or visiting, but honestly?  Today?  There weren’t many!!  Finally, we made our way into Sioux Falls and our Hampton Inn; room 327.  Nice place, and we’ll be heading out shortly to Noodles & Company, which we discovered last year!  Hopefully after that we’ll drive downtown to view the falls, after which the town is named.  If not, then we’ll hit them in the morning!

 

So, more after dinner!

m

xxx

 

Back again!  Noodles & Company was just where we left it last year – complete with yogurt shop right down the street!  Yay!  R had their Korean spicy noodles with beef, and I had their Japanese noodles with beef … he won; his were definitely better, although mine were good!  From there, we went to get me some yogurt – and it was wonderful!  A shop just like KonaBerri, which closed some years ago in Tucson.  But I was able to get sea-salt-caramel-pretzel, and birthday cake, and a few other non-healthy flavors, all that I loved, along with multi-colored sprinkles AND tiny M&M’s!  Wow!  Talk about the perfect dessert!!  

 

R's Korean spicy noodles

My Japanese not-so-spicy noodles

From there we planned to head to Falls Park, but first, we stopped to finally get the poor car washed – it was filthy!  But no more!!  Probably weighs at least five pounds lighter!  And, as we were immediately adjacent to what I believe may be the one and only Costco in South Dakota, we topped up the car with gas for tomorrow.

 

Then – off to Falls Park, a really lovely park that follows the Big Sioux River and the waterfalls through the city, on both sides of the river.  It was a perfect time of day (~6 – 6:30) and really perfect weather – about 83 degrees, and there were lots of families and couples out to enjoy the evening!

 

Big Sioux River Falls!

Love the water tumbling through the heart of the city!

The remains of the flour mill

The falls were really lovely, and we investigated what I initially thought must have been the remnants of an old fort – surprise!  Turns out, it was the remains of a HUGE (7-story!) flour mill, that had been built in the 1880’s to use the water from the falls!  Unfortunately, things didn’t work out all that well for the mill – not enough high-quality durum wheat to grind, and not a constant enough supply for water (which surprised me!) and eventually, the mill went bankrupt, and eventually burned down … and the photos were the remains of what was left!  How un-romantic!  At any rate, we enjoyed the walk around the park, as hopefully the photos will show!

 

Then, back to the hotel and in for the night!  Tomorrow, on to Minneapolis!

 

Much love,

m

xxx