Badlands, South Dakota

Mammoth Site at Hot Springs, South Dakota

Before heading for the Badlands we made a stop in Hot Springs to see the Mammoth Site where the largest collection of Mammoth has been found.  A building has been erected around the site, which is still being excavated, for protection of the on-going dig. Bones are still being found the deeper they go. We were told that it could take up to 14 years to dig the 100 feet to the depth of their last core sample that still showed fossils. 14 years sounds pretty accurate considering they are using whisk brooms and dental picks.

Badlands

Following our faithful, unerring, GPS, we drove through an area of the Badlands searching for the Park Visitor Center so we could secure a campsite. The visitor center was clearly marked on our detailed Rand McNally map. We drove miles and miles giggling, pointing, ewwwing and awwwing at the sights, which probably explains why we missed the Visitor Center. When it became clear that we were no longer in the park, we turned around to retrace our steps. Eventually we found a teeny tiny trailer, a tree, a fence post and a picnic table…. that was the Visitor Center. No wonder we missed it the first time.

We parked and walked up to the table sitting in front of the trailer where a sign, proclaiming "Indian Tacos" had lured Doug. After skillful negotiations, Doug paid list price and became lost in a paper plate, deep in taco. We sat and talked with the locals and the ranger, asking the appropriate questions and were guided to "the real" Visitor Center and campsites. We followed the directions and drove back out of the park in the opposite direction from whence we came and found Cedar Pass and the 'real' Visitor Center. That Center was huge; general store, restaurant, amphitheater, restrooms, gift shop, Ranger station, showers, etc. Somehow Rand McNally had overlooked this thriving metropolis in the center of South Dakota. I, Sharon, began to wonder if the other visitor center really existed, or was it in another dimension we stepped into to guide lost souls, was it in…….The Twilight Zone?

We found a spot to camp for a few nights with the sculpted Badlands peaks jutting like minarets into the sky all around us, in sharp contrast to the brilliant blue skies overhead.

Corn Palace

You readers that are seasoned travelers will know that prior to leaving South Dakota, we absolutely HAD to stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. (Plus, it was time for lunch.) What a cool thing is done every year on this building using 12 colors of corn, milo, rye and sour dock, called 'crop art'. Every year they strip the old design to create a whole new facade. The tradition started in 1892 so that South Dakota could demonstrate the fertility of the rich soil and the abundance that came from it. They begin and finish the creation each year as the plants are harvested. It costs $130,000 annually to decorate the palace. And that ain't just corn, son.

Next, we're heading to Keokuk, Iowa, to mine gems from the earth… Gather your shovels, ropes and lanterns...