Today didn't really turn out as planned, but that's okay. I woke up early this morning, around 7:30, and decided that since it was going to be in the low 70s in the eastern part of South Dakota and in the low 80s in the western part of South Dakota, I could make it to the western part of the state in time to sit poolside in warmer weather. That didn't so much happen.
First I stopped in Mitchell, SD to visit the Corn Palace. It's a giant building covered in corn, devoted to corn, with corn art, etc. It's also attached to City Hall. Check out the photo I took of the Mayor's parking spot:
In case you can't read the sign, it says, Mayor of Mitchell Parking Only. I think it's fun that he (or she!) drives a Harley.
And here are some photos of the Corn Palace:
Welcome sign
Gymnasium/Multi-purpose room thing
Up close look at the corn art (well, as close as I could get)
About 2 hours west of Sioux Falls, I was driving behind a huge truck (I was about 6 car lengths away) and a rock flew from the back of the truck and hit my windshield. I've learned, the hard way, that if anything happens to your car that is another person's fault, you need to deal with it immediately, if not sooner. I couldn't tell if the rock had chipped my windshield, but it certainly sounded like it did and looked like it did. I didn't want to pull over and check because then the truck would get away without me getting his information. It took me forever to find some sort of identifying information on the truck. It was a smaller truck (4-6 axels) with two trailers behind it, so I couldn't read the license plate. Finally I pulled up next to it and found the trucking company name and some sort of identifying number, so I wrote it on my hand and continued to follow the driver. I was on Route 90, where everyone drives at least 85 mph, and there was no shoulder at this point. Anyway, the truck finally exited and I followed him. We were eventually on a highway with traffic lights and a shoulder, so I was able to get his attention and have him pull over. In the end, my windshield wasn't cracked, it was a soft rock which left a residue on my windshield that looked like a chip, but wasn't. Thank goodness. The driver was really nice, and we went on our separate ways.
I was really excited about going to Wall Drug, so I decided to go there before going to the Badlands. It was totally overrated. My friend Sarah (Siegel) said it best: "Really, after all those signs, unless it had been the second coming of Jesus, I would've been disappointed."
Here's a photo of me riding the giant Jackalope:
One thing I will say about Wall Drug is that they have a TON of tacky souvenirs. In college, my friends and I had a tacky souvenir contest every spring break, and in the spirit of St. Mary's fun, I took photos of some of the tackiest souvenirs at Wall Drug, and I was thinking that my friends and family could vote on which is the tackiest. You should be able to post comments on my blog now (it wasn't working before), so you can cast your vote that way. There are no secret ballots here. There are also no dimpled or hanging chads here. Now for the entries:
#1: A foot-shaped soap dish:
#2: A painted tree slice hanging sign that says, "Bet you a Buck My Dad's the Best!"
#3: A photo frame adorned with pistols and a belt
#4: A giant, metallic, bejeweled belt buckle that says "Git-R-Done"
#5: A cardboard magnetic bookmark
#6: A tree slice coaster
#7: A pained box with fairies and laughing dolphins
#8: A wooden box with a shiny photo of the Badlands on the lid
#9: Change purse that says "Keep Your Paws Off My Money!" and shows the pawprints of various animals
#10: Eagle clock
#11: Antelope antler back-scratcher
#12: A rock slice adorned with decorative rocks and pewter pieces that make it look like there's a lochness monster swimming through it
#13: A weird, ugly buffalo figurine with a mane made out of real fur and a saddle that says South Dakota (front and side views)
#14: A jackalope shot glass holder and accompanying shot glass
#15: A 3D wolf photo frame
#16: An embossed denim satchel
#17: Real insect paperweights
#18: Cactus and coyote candle holder
#19: Carved wood horse head and western gear with a rock slice randomly placed in the middle (this one cost $40!!!)
#20: A hilarious poster in which one little kid in overalls asks a second little kid in overalls, "You been farming long?" (much more reasonably priced at $5)
After Wall Drug, I decided to skip the Badlands and just to drive another hour west to Rapid City. By the time I checked in to my hotel, it was almost 6:00, so no lying out by the pool for me today. Instead, tired and hangry (that's another Sarah Siegel-ism meaning that you're so hungry that you're becoming angry), I went to Ruby Tuesday's for their lovely salad bar, and now I'm updating my blog. Check out the waterpark in the hotel where I'm staying now: http://www.watikiwaterpark.com/
I made plans to stay here tomorrow night too because I just need to stay in one place for at least 24 hours and there's lots to do in Rapid City. I've decided that there's no point in forecasting what I'm going to do the next day because it rarely matches what I actually do, so I'll just check back in tomorrow night with another update.
I hope everyone is doing well. Don't forget to vote for the tackiest souvenir!
ttyl
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