Last Day in the South Dakota Badlands

   Welcome back to finish our last day and night in the Badlands of South Dakota. Darlene and I said goodbye to Deadwood and headed southeast on I 90 to Sturgis, South Dakota. It was only about 15 miles so we waited for coffee and got it there. We got lucky with a good coffee house there called Sturgis Coffee Company.

Every August this small town draws over a hundred thousand bikers for the annual rally. We looked around main street and stopped in a couple of the shops. The road out of town took us by the famous Buffalo Chip restaurant and bar. This place really pops during the week of the Sturgis Rally.

   We left Sturgis and got back on I 90 still headed southeast for 80 miles to Wall, South Dakota. The interesting thing about driving interstates in this state, speed limit is 80 in some areas. It is 65 on the two lane roads; one advantage to living in a less populated state. We arrived in Wall and had to stop at the famous Wall Drug Store. Drug store? This place was a whole shopping mall. There are multiple gift shops, a chapel, restaurants, decorated outdoor sitting area, and an old time soda fountain. Darlene and I got floats; an old fashioned root beer float for me and a strawberry float for Darlene.

   The next stop of the day was the 12 mile drive south to the entrance to Badlands National Park; beyond breathtaking and wild. You can only imagine the first explorers seeing this vast sight. You will still see many buffalo herds, prairie dog towns, and white tailed deer. You just don’t see the Sioux Nation that used to reside all over The Black Hills area.

We then left the National Park and drove the 50 miles, which was only an hour out of the way, to go back to Mount Rushmore. Remember it was drizzling and foggy when we first went. That is a good thing about this area of the state; everything is close.

   Wow, what a difference a clear day makes! The views from the moment you walk into the Mount Rushmore National Park are absolutely stunning. The towering tribute to those four presidents is amazing! The scene from the Avenue of Flags is a must picture for everyone that visits. Darlene and I were no different.

   We to left there and took the short drive into Rapid City for dinner and to check in before our flight home the next morning. Rapid City has a statue of every president we have had on various street corners to honor them.

We ate at a sports cafe and bar before checking into The Foothills Inn. The hotel is clean and the staff is very friendly. The draw back was they don’t have an elevator and we were on the second floor. We managed and it was ok for one night. We only made the trip upstairs once and then downstairs once to check out.

   That’s how we wrapped up this awesome vacation. I am so blessed and thankful to God for the health to travel and the eyesight to enjoy the beauty of His creations. Also for the love and companionship of my best friend to travel with. South Dakota is a great trip and I certainly recommend this trip to anyone. Interesting facts about this part of South Dakota; we were in the towns of Keystone, Custer, Hill City, Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish, Sturgis, and Wall. Totaled together these towns do not equal the population our hometown of Trussville, Alabama which has a population of just under 28,000. The people are so friendly and act like they appreciate tourists. We also found out, if you are in South Dakota regardless of the state you are from, you are allowed to conceal carry without a permit. That is backing the second amendment! I encourage everyone to make plans to visit The Black Hills of South Dakota.