All I can say is WHOA! Devil’s Tower was SWEET! It's massive! Though it looked even larger in Close Encounters. I love that movie!
So even though the rain was pouring down, we took some pictures. I recommend that if you go, get the permit to climb past the boulders at the base or even sign up for the climbing tour of the tower itself. We had no time to walk around the trails nor did we have the rain gear but I’m sure it is amazing! I would definitely visit this site again.
We quickly headed to Mt. Rushmore and from a distance you spot the Presidents. It's very surreal. I've seen this site on TV and in textbooks for so long that once we arrived it felt a little Disney like. We didn’t spend too much time here, just enough to take a look around, eat some lunch, and hit the museum which detailed the creation and building of the monument. It was a pretty interesting tour and we were glad we stopped but it wasn’t a place we would have spent hours exploring. I think everyone should at least check it out if ever in that area but go to Devil’s Tower first!!
The rest of the day was spent driving across 2 states and finally arriving in Sioux City, IA. Wall Drug in Wall, SD was a tacky and odd stop. You couldn't help but go there, every 15 feet down the highway would be a sign with Wall Drug on it. Signs which read: Wall Drug ROCKS - Wall Drug: Free coffee for honeymooners - Wall Drug: New TRex in the Backyard - Wall Drug: Leather goods - Wall Drug: Country Western Home Furnishings - Wall Drug: A Legend since 1931 - Wall Drug: Free coffee and donut for Vietnam Vets - Wall Drug: VegiBurger and on and on...
Next we drove through a major thunderstorm and had to pull over 3 times as the road completely disappeared in front of our eyes. Finally, we headed back onto the road as night fell and the entertainment began. It was the grandest, non-stop lightening storm either of us had ever seen. Just miles and miles of lightening bolts as the sky lit up continually. It was a fireworks show gone wrong. Magnificent. Just another reminder of how nature can make even the most boringly flat and desolate areas beautiful. Sorry, no pics for that event. We could have pulled over and left the comfort of the vehicle but this travel log isn't so important that I'm willing to be a target. And we all know that I'm due for a smiting. He's just waiting for the opportunity.
With that said...enjoy the pics. We are off to visit our friend Katy in Terre Haute, IN tomorrow. Indiana State Univ would be there and from what we hear...a sweet little Sushi spot.