Photo Blog with Waterfalls, Hiking, Outdoors, and other Adventures
After scouting all the campsites and running out of daylight, I made an executive decision and gave up my camping dreams for the night. On the advice of some super helpful locals at a place called Pizza Lab in Lead, SD, I made my way to Deadwood (yes like the movies, Kevin Costner and all … Read more
I had enjoyed my survey of The Badlands but it was time to keep pressing westward. Since it was now Monday I figured some of the more heavily-visited tourist spots should be more easily accessible. I made my way into Keystone, South Dakota and stopped at a classic U.S. road-trip destination: Mount Rushmore National Memorial. … Read more
Once again against my better judgement I went off course and stopped at a tourist trap. This time it was Wall Drug. They had signs littering I-90 for 200 miles before you even get there. This place was made for old people who collect crappy knick-knacks. On the plus side I saw a giant jackelope … Read more
Woke up freezing in my tent. Either the wind chills got very low or my 20 degree bag isn’t quite up to par, but will make due for now. Wind died early morning and gave way to a lone coyote howling in the distance. Camp stove and pot work well and the freezer bag cooking … Read more
Made it to the Badlands in South Dakota. Once I crossed the Missouri River it was a white-knuckle drive due to 40mph sustained winds today with stronger gusts. Watched the terrain go from flat, boring corn fields to rolling grass hills with sunflower fields and hundreds of free-grazing cattle. Then the rock formations appeared and … Read more
Against my better judgement I decided to stop at a tourist trap called the Corn Palace. It’s the world’s only one so they have that going for them. Cool points for the huge eternal Willie Nelson and Elvis corn murals but not much else. Kinda corny. Only about 55F outside and feels like fall so … Read more
Pulling off the highway to give my eyes a rest from the blinding low sun was the right call. Stopped at the Des Moines River rest stop in Jackson, Minnesota just in time to watch an incredibly vivid sunset. Next stop is Sioux Falls where I found a place to stay via Couchsurfing. Author’s note: … Read more
Skies were gray all day ever since I left home, however as I started crossing through southern Minnesota near the city of Fairmont a clear line of storms appeared and were moving towards me. Here’s a screenshot of the radar. All things considered, I’m in a good location as compared to being further north or … Read more
Started my road trip late this morning. Gray skies and intermittent rain. Stopped in Madison and visited my sister Emma. Obligatory photo of the Capitol building. Long day of driving ahead with Sioux Falls as today’s end point. Author’s note: I am revisiting old posts from my 2016 road trip because I posted all of … Read more
Thanks to a mandatory 30-day furlough from work, I have been afforded a great opportunity to take a western US road trip vacation. The idea originated after learning my Dad was awarded an elk hunting tag for New Mexico Unit 34 and the season fell during the same month period. Since I have 3 weeks of free … Read more