After a great breakfast buffet at the hotel (actually, we think we might have been mooching off the wedding party!) We headed east on I-90 for a bit, turning south on US85. Miles and miles of virtually nothing in these eastern parts of the Dakotas. Lots of National Grasslands, cattle ranches, some dry land farming.
We didn't do any exploring until we got to Sturgis, famous for the annual "Bike Week" which draws 100,000 motorcycles every summer! Bikes is the theme around town everywhere!
As we approached the Black Hills, the country side turned very pretty, with rolling hills and lots of green. Rapid City looks like a thriving place. All along I-90 there's new commercial/retail stuff being built everywhere. Lots of new subdivisions on the east side of town. Not sure why the growth. Ellsworth Air force Base? Tourism? Extraction industries?
An unexpected "treat" as we went east from Rapid City toward Badlands was to find the famous Wall Drug! We had no idea! We didn't spend much time shopping but we did enjoy a piece of pie and 5 cent coffee! This is a must stop if you're heading this way!
Badlands National Park is about an hour east of Rapid City, just a few miles off I-90. The park features a 26 mile drive through beautiful sandstone features. A few short walks, but mostly just views from the overlooks.
Returning to Rapid City we found our hotel - a Cambria Suites. Never heard of it, but its part of the Choice Hotels group. They say the newish chain started in the East and is working its way West. Very nice, affordable upscale. Great cheeseburgers for dinner in their dining room.
Tomorrow we'll visit Mt. Rushmore, and maybe a stop at Crazy Horse.
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| Coal train rumbles through Medora |
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| Gas at home was around $3.25 |
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| Downtown Sturgis |
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