Escape from Nebraska

After three days, we finally crossed the border today from Nebraska
to South Dakota. I believe, had we traveled by conestoga wagon, we
could have made it in two and a half days. We went from rolling
hills to prairies to the Badlands, and tonight we sleep in the
beautiful Black Hills. For Bonnie & Chuck...... we went to Wall
Drug, see picture. The Badlands were amazing...and bad (see picture).
The best part was the distant view as we crested a hill still 10
miles away. 180 degrees of stark white hills. We went to the night
show at Mount Rushmore as recommended by Bonnie and Mark. (No, Bonnie
is not our travel guide, just well versed in the area.) It was an
interesting and impressive experience, but Mike and I expected them
to be bigger. (Ungrateful spoiled Americans.) Tomorrow morning we
will see Crazy Horse and then head for Yellowstone. It will take two
days for that trip but I am curious to see Wyoming, having never been
there.

Some things of note:
The appalling poverty in the miles of Indian reservation we crossed
after entering South Dakota. I had heard of it but never seen it. We
should be ashamed.
The fields of sunflowers, as Lottie promised, which hung their heads
as they had gone by, but they held the promise of such beauty when in
full bloom. The fields spread as far as the eye could see.
For Lucy: We drove through the area today that was the home for the
Laura Ingalls Wilder books. Remember the book we read on the floor
of the bookstore the last time you visited. No wolves, but we saw so
many prairie dogs running all over the fields.
Finally, I dropped my bike today. How embarrassing, the engine
wasn't even running. It just fell over when I stopped in a bad
place. So, mostly I was just chagrined. However, a park ranger helped
me pick it up. SHE and I did just fine, thank you.

On to California. We miss you all, but this is an experience I never
imagined. Mike is good and patient to travel with, and we are trying
very hard not to make each other crazy.