South Dakota

Jane Reporting for 23rd September

State Quarters
Starting with another state quarter, just to change things around a little:

State Quarter: Oregon

Today
Gary's instructions in the itinerary for today (23rd September) were to have a good book ready for the long, straight drive across South Dakota from Rapid City to Sioux Falls, all on the I-90.

We got away as planned at 8am and headed out on the road across the state, stopping at the famous 'Wall Drug' complex.  Starting out as a drug store that decided to offer free iced water it has grown into a rabbit warren of departments (almost shops in their own right) displays and attractions.  And it still offers free iced water and 5 cent coffee.

Socks at Wall Drug

There was a cafe, a donut shop (making them as we watched), an ice cream parlour as well as all the shopping areas.  You could buy postcards and stamps for them (which is not usually the case).  And hats:

Hats at Wall Drug

As well as the books in this photo of Gary's there was a huge selection of Laura Ingalls Wilder children's books (Little House on the Prairie, etc) and the biggest selection of woman pioneer books I have seen to date - and I do look into all the gift/book shops I can.

Books at Wall Drug

This is an awesome photo of Gary's as it was a 'drive by':

Dinosaur being walked beside the I-90

After crossing the Missouri River (now a very much bigger river than when we saw it in Great Falls) we stopped at a rest area and view point.  I trotted off down a path to take a photo back over the river only to discover this sign:

Not sandal country, then?

But I tiptoed along the very middle of the concrete path - jumping nearly as high as the cricket/grasshopper insects each time I disturbed them from sunning themselves on the warm concrete - and managed to get this photo which shows how wide the river has become:

Missouri River

For the most part the journey across South Dakota was through crop-land, though there were some stock areas.  It was pretty dry looking but there there was water there was a sudden bust of green.

South Dakota scenery

What Gary sees:

The I-90

My 'photo of the day':

More scenery with added silos

To the Readers

As we're terribly curious people, we'd appreciate it if those who are following our trip on the blog drop us a quick email  on thirzajane+blog@gmail.com :o)