Day 5 – South Dakota to Minnesota

We weaved our way away from Mt. Rushmore through the pine forests, across pig tail bridges and switch backs.  We even had a final glimpse of the monument, framed by the one-lane tunnels.

(Can you see Mt. Rushmore?)

As we entered the Great Plains, we got a glimpse of the badlands.  The brown, rocky surface protruded contrasted with the green, smooth flatlands.
Shortly after our departure, we stopped at the infamous Wall Drug Store in Wall, SD.  It is home of the Jackalope and all things touristy.  In the days when pioneers traversed across the plains with their handcarts and covered wagons, it was a respite for clean, fresh spring water.  “Legend” goes that you can still draw water from those same fresh springs.  But you have to know who to ask (or you will be directed to the fountain machine)…


Further across the rolling plains, near the east side of the state we stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.  This is a unique building that has is decorated on the outside every year with huge murals made of corn cobs.  This tradition has been going on for more than 100 years, since the beginning of the 1900s. 


As we continued across the rest of the state we could see rainstorms way off in the distance with the occasional flash of lightning.

We stopped for the night in Blue Earth, MN.

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