South Dakota Mix

When we got up this morning...we had 700 miles to
go to get to Keystone, South Dakota. We already had reservations at an
Econo-Lodge near Mt. Rushmore. Problem was...we had to cross almost all of Iowa,
and almost all of South Dakota. Acres and acres of corn fields and
billboards.
 
The Wall drug billboards started hundreds of miles
away from our destination. They got their start many years ago by offering weary
travellers free ice water. They still give the ice water away. They also offer 5
cent coffee, and buffalo burgers. It is a huge tourist trap. Everybody knows it,
but everybody still has to stop. There are a number of photo ops, plus a lot of
really nice shops within the complex. We quit counting their billboards at
300.
 
I wanted to get my 83 year-old dad on the giant
jack-a-lope. He got a 20 yard headstart...jumped high to grab the horns...did a
half back flip through the ears...and landed right in the saddle. Amazing
athletic skills. (He actually walked up 3-4 stairs on the other side of the
animal, and swung his leg over the saddle) He rode that jack-a -lope like a
bucking bronco.
 
In the left top corner are 8 stuffed jack-a-lope
heads. They are incredible animals, and are real hard to hunt. Very shifty and
crafty. The price of these stuffed mounts? $89.95, and I would say worth every
penny. I just wish I had the room to mount such a beautiful creature in my
den.
 
We only had an hour to look through Wall Drug. We
closed them down at 8 p.m.
 
Before we got there...we had to stop at the worlds
only Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. They don't advertise nearly as much as Wall
Drug, but they have their share of billboards, too. The big building is covered
with murals made of corn. The happy and sad face in the corner is made out of
different colored ears of Indian corn cobs. 2 of the 8 giant murals were in the
first stage of development. The picture is drawn, and the colors are coded in.
It almost looks like the color-by-number paint sets that kids do. Instead...it's
paint-by-corn-cob. Again...a tourist trap...but it makes for a good potty
stop.
 
Pulled into Keystone at a little after 10 p.m. We
are about 2-3 miles away from Mt. Rushmore. In the a.m......GIANT PRESIDENTIAL
FACES!!!