South Dakota - Badlands and some Odd Places!

We stopped at Wall Drug in Wall, SD.  It is nothing like it was in 1970 - much more commercial and truly lots of "junk" or treasure depending on your point of view.  We then drove through Badlands National Park - that is a treausre.  Breathtaking views.  We spent the night in Kedoka - pop. 700 with one place to eat - we were definitely the outsiders - needed cowboy hats and boots!  (Side note : Found out that Kedoka is the birthplace of Nate Reiser!) Saturday morning we continued our trek and stopped at the Mitchell Corn Palace. It was crazy crowded because there was a Pedal Pull competition - something with kids and how much load they can pedal a small tractor with how much of a load (I didn't get it).  We have now been across NE, WY and SD and touched MO, MT and IA. 3385 miles and each one of them worth the travel!

Dad killing time in Wall Drug!

Right next to the car - we couldn't get out !

Note - Christea Reiser was born in Mitchell, SD! 

Mt. Rushmore

We were at Mt. Rushmore in 1970.  The mountain hasn't changed but everything aournd it has.  There is a new road in, 6 level parking area, new viewing area,  State flag area, and trail.  We had an amazing day and as you can tell from the pictures the weather was fantastic - look at the blue sky.  We did the Presidential Trail walk with a ranger who gave lots of history and told about why each President was selected.  So glad we made this unplanned stop!

From the Presidetail Trail

 

Buffalo Bill's Cody - Wyoming

We chose to leave YNP thorugh the east exit and head to Cody.  We spent some time in Cody - had lunch at a saloon, Old Trail Town and a trolley tour.  We had planned to spend the night there but decided to press on and add Mt. Rushmore and the Badlands to the trip - well worth it.

 

Mule Shoe Deer as we were heading out the morning.

Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel

Old Trail Town where cabins and artifacts have been moved

Classroom - Mom and Dad had desks like this in grade school.

Mother's Grandpa Overturf had a wagon like this that she used to ride in!

Downtown Cody

We had a harrowing ride through mountains to Sheridan, WY 

Buffalo Bill Dam

Day 3 - YNP

Each day we were up early so that we could pack the most into the day.  We ventured up in the park to Canyon Village and spent time at Nancy's favorite spot in the park - Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  Then we went on up to Tower Village and the Lamar Valley. 

We capped the day with a sunset tour in a 1938 Yellowstone open top bus!

Around each bend in the road there seems to be a geyser or "smokers"  as Dad began to call them!



Grand Canyon of Yellowstone



Artist's Point

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

The sound of the water rushing was amazing!

Be careful!

I was driving and had to stop and wait for the Bison to cross the road!

We quickly learned if you see one of these you better stop and go to the bathroom - it could be awhile to the next one!

Tower Falls

We were lucky and saw a Grizzly Bear - there are about 160 in park.

Bus for Sunset Tour

Day 2 - YNP

Susan, Dad, Mom and Doug

Day Two we started off with breakfast at Old Faithful Inn with Doug and Susan Patrick.  Both of their fathers worked with Dad in the early yeats of Camp Ne-O-Tez.  We then worked our way to the northern entrance of the park and Montana!  That evening we moved to the Yellowstone Lake Lodge Cabins. 

Grand Prismatic Spring - it wad about 30 degrees this morning so lots of steam and hard to see the colors.



Fire Hole Springs



Fountain Paint Pots - boiling mud!

My favorite were all the rivers and falls.

Roosevelt Arch at the North entrance.

We were so close we drove over to Gardnier, MT

Front of their cabin - little like being at Ne-O-Tez only you have your own room and bathroom!