Below is our photo essay on our 10 day, 2,500 mile trip from Wichita out to the Black Hills region of South Dakota, with some interesting side ventures along the way. Virginia gets the credit for the overall idea, with Ken doing the detailed planning. Perhaps this was not a “normal” vacation but some measures, but we had an absolute blast and would highly recommend the area to anyone so inclined. If you want to see the map a bit better, just click on it. (That also applies to most of the pictures below too.)Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Our Route
Below is our photo essay on our 10 day, 2,500 mile trip from Wichita out to the Black Hills region of South Dakota, with some interesting side ventures along the way. Virginia gets the credit for the overall idea, with Ken doing the detailed planning. Perhaps this was not a “normal” vacation but some measures, but we had an absolute blast and would highly recommend the area to anyone so inclined. If you want to see the map a bit better, just click on it. (That also applies to most of the pictures below too.)
Gavin’s Point Dam near Yankton SD
Day One was almost a straight through drive due north out of Wichita. The first and only “touristy” stop on our 487 mile 10 hour drive was Gavin’s Point Dam / Lewis + Clark Lake near Yankton SD. This was a true “egg” in that we didn’t even know about it until we were studying the map en-route.Lewis + Clark Visitor Center at Gavin’s Point Dam near Yankton SD
The Corp of Engineers Visitor Center looked gorgeous from the outside (our tax dollars at work!), but since it was still technically pre-season and after 4:30PM it wasn’t open.Lewis + Clark Lake near Yankton SD
The Lewis + Clark Lake is formed by the Gavin’s Point Dam on the Missouri River.Marina on Lewis + Clark Lake near Yankton SD
There is a tremendous recreational area surrounding the lake and apparently most of the seasonal residents are from the Minneapolis / St. Paul area.Lewis + Clark Lake near Yankton SD
Yes, it really was that blue. I’d like to go back someday and explore it more.Best Deal of Trip, Mitchell SD
Overall we paid an average of $2.79 for the 117 gallons of gas we used, so this station in Mitchell SD was QUITE a deal.
Corn Palace, Mitchell SD
Mitchell was not directly on our route to the Black Hills, but we drove the two sides of the triangle rather than the hypotenuse so we could visit the Corn Palace. Virginia heard about it from some of the locals here in Kansas.Corn Palace, Mitchell SD
The world’s only Corn Palace is built out of reinforced concrete, not corn, but every spring, its exterior is completely covered with thousands of bushels of native South Dakota corn, grain and grasses that are arranged into large murals.
Flowers Lake Mitchell SD
After the Corn Palace, we drove out to a pre-Madan Indian site near town. It was very interesting, but since it was an archeological dig site, not overly photogenic. It was on a pretty lake however, and had pretty flowers.Missouri River, Chamberlin SD
As we headed due west on I-90, we crossed the Missouri River again near Chamberlin SD. The expanse and clarity of the river is amazing. Someday I’d like to re-trace the Lewis and Clarke route, though of course the river has changed a lot in the intervening 200 years due to both natural and man-made reasons.Missouri River, Chamberlin SD
The rest stop on the south side of the river had a neat Lewis and Clarke interpretative center – as well as a commanding view of the river.
Virginia at Rest Stop, Chamberlin SD
Ever the photographer, I climbed down a bit for a better shot. Virginia did not follow, for fear of bears? Snakes? Falling?
LOOK Virginia at Badlands National Park
If you look closely, you can see Virginia near the center of this shot. (Maybe clicking on it will help.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)