We left Pierre, SD, headed for Badlands National Park. We decided to keep count of the Wall Drug signs along the way. Final count: 23. FREE ice water? By golly, we better stop!
About halfway into the drive, we noticed the rather juicy bugs that kept slamming into our windshield. In the evening, it's quite normal...but during the day? Then we realized what we were hitting....
There are hundreds of beehives situated just off the exits of Interstate 90. I had a moment of mourning. All that honey... Then I wondered just how many of those little guys perish on windshields? And why do they place the beehives so close to the interstate? Google didn't have any answers for me.
As a photographer, I'm always hoping for those breathtaking scenes when the light will touch a subject just so. I've seen so many pictures from the Badlands, all with rock bathed in golden light. I suppose I had a fantasized image heading in. Though the overcast day did not cooperate with my camera as we drove through the park, I could appreciate the beauty as well as the geological forces that created this place. The layers of color certainly leave one in contemplation about our earth. The Badlands probably won't be a park that I return to time and time again....though the quest for better lighting will draw me back at least once, this I know. Of all the National Parks we've visited, this is the first one that has really put the geological structure of our planet in perspective. All the others have mountains, tree-covered passes, and bodies of water to somewhat disorient the idea. At the multiple stops we made, the panoramic view left me in awe. We made sure to look from one horizon of flat grassland to the other, taking in the interruption of glacier-carved earth in between. I'm so grateful I've finally seen the park with my own eyes and can digest the layout of the land.
Our experience at Mt. Rushmore was not quite as awe-inspiring. In fact, just the opposite. As we approached the park, we couldn't help but notice the "Disneyland/Vegas" commercialism that enveloped the area. You could visit Christmasland, see live bears, and play putt-putt all within a 2 mile stretch. The isolation from humanity's modern progression and appreciation for mother nature were completely lost...two reasons Phill and I seek the refuge of national parks in the first place. Upon arrival, we payed an $11 fee just to park. Though it's a national monument, the parking garage has been contracted out to a private company, thus giving them the ability to charge. This left a bad taste in our mouths. Don't get me wrong. I can appreciate the art and skill that went into creating the mountain. In fact, on the ride in, we listened to the history of Gutzon Borglum and how the project evolved. It's pretty amazing. But's it not exactly our type of scene. As we drove away from the billboards and flashing lights, I was grateful that Yellowstone is on the agenda for tomorrow.
We had one more stop to make by day's end. Up through the Black Hills, Deadwood, and Spearfish to Nate and Katie Herman's place outside of Nisland. Katie is an old friend of the twins' from high school. She moved out to South Dakota a few years ago, married a cowboy and they now ranch an 80-acre piece of heaven. After a few dirt roads to get there, I decided she's got a pretty good life out here. It's hard to imagine she went from Stafford, VA to God's Country, SD. When we arrived, Nate was just finishing construction on their chicken coop and proceeded to introduce the hens to their new home. We visited awhile, then left in time to see yet another spectacular sunset.
If you're ever in Belle Fourche, make sure to have dinner at the Branding Iron.
Best. Steak tips. Ever. And that's coming from someone who rarely eats red meat.
My heart's a-flutter because tomorrow brings Yellowstone. I can hardly wait!
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