Photo Blog with Waterfalls, Hiking, Outdoors, and other Adventures
North of Deadwood in the town of Belle Fourche, SD there is a monument for the geographical center of the US (factoring in AK and HI). Also they have preserved the first house ever built in that town and it turns out he was from Wisconsin. The tour guides were volunteers and provided me with … Read more
At the suggestion of a park ranger at Mount Rushmore, I backtracked from Deadwood and drove the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. These photos are only a sample of what I took – rest are on my bigger camera and can’t pull them until I have laptop access. None of them can truly give a good … Read more
Visited the Mount Moriah Cemetary where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried. I’m not a graveyard geek but this would be an excellent final resting place. View overlooking Deadwood. Some photos of the Starlight casino displays as well. Kevin Costner owns the joint if you can’t tell. And a few of Main Street and … Read more
I scouted several locations for camping but ran out of daylight and made the decision to get a hotel room. Not much cell signal out in the Black Hills so had to drive to the town of Lead. While eating dinner at the Pizza Lab I checked the map further and made my way north … 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
I was brainwashed by all the signs along I-90 for 200 miles compelling me to stop at another tourist trap known as Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota. It’s something of a “must-see” destination and came to fame for offering visitors free ice water (which back in the old days was a big deal). … 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
I’m not a huge fan of “tourist traps” as I’d rather be out in nature. Couldn’t help but stop at a place called the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota because how often do you hear something called a corn palace? It’s the only one in the world apparently so they have that going for … Read more
Couchsurfed last night in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Arrived very late but met a super nice dude named Camden who let me crash. Brought him a six pack of Wisconsin beer, chill night. On his suggestion I grabbed this massive breakfast burrito from a local greasy spoon before getting back on the road again – … Read more