A quick trip report from my journey to South Dakota last week. Just got home yesterday and it was a lot of fun. We had perfect weather with sunshine and blue skies every day which was my biggest concern.

Day One - Drove from Chicago to somewhere in the middle of South Dakota just 2.5 hours from the Badlands.

Day Two - Up early and in the Badlands to spend a full day there. All of the hiking trails in the Badlands are in the same area and that is where we went. First we did all of the short trails which were generally .5 to 1.5 miles long. Then at the hottest part of the day we did the long loop out into the park which was about 8-9 miles. It was warm and sunny and there was no shade. I walk 10 to 12 miles daily but it was nothing like this! There wasn't a lot of elevation change but it was 100% uneven ground which meant you used all sorts of balance and stabilization muscles you never otherwise use. My thighs and calves could really feel it by the end. This hike basically kicked my ass and I could feel it!



Day Three - Stayed the night in Wall SD and took the scenic Badlands drive. The Badlands are simply huge and go for about 50 miles. But they become redundant as they all look pretty much the same. They are absolutely beautiful though. When done with the drive we headed for Mount Rushmore. I hadn't seen any of this stuff since I was about 14 on a family vacation. Mt. Rushmore is a must see, especially before they change it. Two of the heads are former slave holders so it is only a matter of time before public outcry demands them removed!



After Mt. Rushmore we headed for Crazy Horse. They wanted $24 to get in and we could see it from the road and we could see it isn't close to being completed so we passed. We then headed for Wind Cave National Park. But the Cave was closed because the elevators were broken. We did take a nice 3 mile hike in the park though where our path was blocked by a Bison. Being midwestern pussies we decided to give the buffalo a wide berth After the hike we checked into our room in Custer SD. We found a couple of nice bars there.

Day Four - Went early to Jewel Cave and took the cave tour. It was a cave.



Wind Cave was still closed so we went to a hiking trail by Jewel but we ran into trouble. I hit a hidden rock pulling into the trail parking area which gave me a flat tire. Changed the tire lickety split but my alignment was all jacked up and I need a new spare. Got to a garage and they needed a part to fix the alignment so we were stuck in Custer until the next morning. We were gonna go to Custer State Park that afternoon. But in Custer itself there is an array of hiking trails that go up a decent hill and is very nice. So we had a good time hiking around Custer waiting for the part.

Day Five - Wanted to get an early start but needed to get the car fixed first and got to the garage. The part was there but it would take a while to fix. We walked around a bit and came upon a mini golf course and did that to kill time. The car was ready by noon and we headed west. We departed SD for Wyoming. Specifically Devils Tower.



This thing is a very impressive rock and we hiked around it for a while. But I was a little disappointed. I was expecting aliens? I guess that Steven Spielberg guy is full of ****! After a few hours at the tower we headed for Deadwood. I was hoping to get there earlier to maybe partake in a poker game but there just wasn't time with our car related delay. Deadwood was kind of a mess anyway. Every road in town and around town was under construction. Historic main street is just one big tourist trap. But we found a nice spot for dinner and a few beers before retiring for the evening. The next morning we started for home and made it as far as Lacrosse Wisconsin and then home before noon the next day.

It was a fun trip with some great hikes and sights to see. If you have never been to that area I would highly recommend.

Crazy Horse is worth it imo. Good museum, and impressive to see closer, as is so much bigger than Rushmore. That it is incomplete is part of the fun. I have been a few times now, and seeing the progress over the years is neat. As much as you decry liberals for pointing out that many of our founding fathers were slave rapers, Crazy Horse should appeal to conservatives, as they eschew government funding and are 100 percent free market.

Nice, Mr Baseball. Gives me the urge to hit the road again this summer.

I was there about 35 years ago. I would love to go again.

Glad you had an enjoyable trip. It is always hard to believe that there is something worthwhile to see in the Dakotas. But it is true. I went through that area for work many, many years ago and took time to see Rushmore and Crazy Horse. High-priced vandalism is always fun to gawk at. But New York City is more fun.

Zeno may have plunged too heavily on Golden State. I tried to warn him. Go Raptors!

cntower.ca

Good God what a disgusting tower/structure. Even worse than the Stratosphere in Vegas. I think it just proves my original point. Canada is a Joke. Especially the supposed French portion. We should make them the 51st State. They already are in a sense.

That's the best photo of Mt. Rushmore I've ever seen.

I watched Golden State Loose the last game - my brother was all glad because Golden State deserved to get shut down. "But the Raptors are from Canada", I yelled. "You can't be a Raptor Fan!" "Yeah", he said, "but all the Players are American", was his comeback. Whatever, so yeah, Canada is a Joke and that proves it.

Very cool trip report and photos, Mr Baseball.

Zeno would tell you the Eiffel Tower is an old rusted eyesore, so just go to Vegas to get a better version of it.

Dave is correct - A smaller version of the Eiffel but better.

I wanted to piss on the Eiffel tower but the line was too long to get in and there is a fence around it and hordes of French Army Patrols scattered about. So I just leered at it and crossed the bridge to other side of the Seine and bought a silly French Lunch at some small place that had a dog running about the premises. I assumed the dog would be cooked up for the special dinner that night. A pox on the French - What a silly, silly country. But the food is great and the wine spectacular. You just have to ignore most of the people.

great pics!

Third rate romance
Low rent rendezvous

if you like to hike, glacier national park is about the best. but like all trails in the west they are rocky and ruff so good boots are in order. the hikes here take your breath away. lots of short 5 mile ones each way. even some a four iron away from your car.

Poker games may pass you by like a stranger in the night.
Unknown names alas we try to play our cards just right.
I may ask Ray if such a game, has ever passed him by.
But I digress; try to impress, those ships that float the dark seas.
Be well dressed, and not too stressed, never taking any knees.
You'll need your rest, stick out your chest, for many double deeeees.
Will bounce for thee if you play like Ray in the Vegas summer sky.

America in women's World Cup final after beating the flat footed Limeys.

Yankees @ Mets series starts today! Hope there is a couple of good bench clearing brawls to add sparkle to the games. Maybe the only thing the Mets could win; the vile Yankees are on a roll, winning the last 9 of 10 games. Go Mets!

What merriment do y'all have planned for the 4th?

Lot's of drinking and eating and watching the local fireworks show. And a hometown 4th of July parade that is also a kick in the pants.

People are contacting me to see where the party's at. I'm sorry, you all are asking the wrong person.

RI has the oldest 4th of July parade in the country. I've never been. And I plan to keep that tradition alive. I've been invited places, but I plan on staying home to mope.

Mope away, John. You could read some Schopenhauer to liven up your day.

"My nights were sour/Spent with Schopenhauer."

Women’s soccer team is awesome