…continued from “A Night in the Black Hills.”
When I woke up, I was a little wet from rain/condensation in the tent, but it could have been much worse,
all things considered. I took some sunrise pictures over Horsethief Lake, packed up camp, and headed
toward Rapid City.
I ate a cheap breakfast then stopped at the Main Street Square /
Downtown area of Rapid City. It as a little early for some businesses, but I’d
heard of a shop called Prairie’s Edge Trading Co. This was a “look, don’t
touch” place for me. There were no signs saying not to pick anything up, but I
didn’t want to chance it. Everything was expensive but, as far as I could tell,
authentic. They work with local Native American artists to sell artwork:
everything from beaded pieces to pottery to carved wooden flutes. There were
three floors that included just about everything you could want: fine art,
supplies (beads, leathers, etc.), a Victorian bead collection with every shape
and color of the rainbow, and much more. I recommend stopping here whether you
plan on buying or not. It is worth a look. I wondered into a few other random
stores, then looked for a place called Art Alley that I’d heard of on Trip
Advisor. When I found it, I immediately felt at home. I love and appreciate art
of all kinds, but this was graffiti. Definitely my kind of scene.
Every square inch of this alley
is covered in graffiti that ranges from basic words to detailed portraits. It
made for some great pictures, edited and unedited. The next shop I
wondered into, the Jaded Gypsy, had art as well. The owner rents out display
space to local artists of all kinds, resulting in an eclectic mix of just about
everything from jewelry to graphic design. She saw my camera around my neck and
mentioned renting out space. I may have to look into it. I have a lot of
Indiana pictures, something she didn’t have any of.
I was anxious to move on to my next destination: Badlands National
Park. It is yet another place I’ve always heard of and wanted to go. It was a
dream come true to see it first-hand. It was a bit of a drive from Rapid City
(1 hour or so out into the plains). I went in the entrance near Wall, SD. If I
were to do it again, I would go through the opposite way, coming out near Wall
just because I feel like I started with the “Grand Finale.” The whole place was
amazing, but I just feel like I went backwards. Seeing as how I finished near
the gift shop, I think my guess is on the money with that. Going in, I was met
with signs warning me not to mess with the prairie dogs because they have plague
(Black Plague). So that was encouraging. I was also $10 or $15 to get in. Next
national park I go to, I’m buying a season pass for $80. I don’t think I should
have to since I pay taxes, but that’s a whole other matter. I’m buying the dang
season pass. So I shelled out the entry money and left with my map. Like I
said, I started with the “Grand Finale,” so to speak. It was a view of the
entire Badlands for as far as I could see. I took several National
Geographic-worth (if I do say so myself) panoramas from the top. I also watched some
college-aged guy almost fall to his death trying to climb out on one of the
formations. I think he shows up in the corner of one of my pictures, just after he fell and almost
slid off.
The drive took an hour or two and had multiple viewing platforms to
enjoy the scenery. It was the perfect day for it. I’ll let the pictures speak
for themselves on how beautiful it was. I’ll just let you know that this, like
the Grand Canyon, is a massive structure formed over thousands of years by
erosion. You can see all the different
geologic layers in the pictures (red and tan layers that show in the rock). The
prairie dogs had plague, so I didn’t go cuddle up to them or roll around in
their “towns” (prairie dog cities), but last time I heard, plague couldn’t be
transmitted by taking pictures, so I did plenty of that. The prairie dogs made
it easy on me by building their towns right up to the road. Some were only five
feet off the pavement. So I never even had to go off the comfort of the
pavement to get some good pictures. I’ve also been informed since then that
rattlesnakes like to hide next to the prairie dog towns. Easy meals. So I’m
glad I stayed on the pavement.
I stopped almost every chance I got and took several great panoramas and
pictures. It was desolate, barren, and intimidating. I definitely wouldn’t want
to have to try to survive there. It is well-deserving of its name.
On the way to the Badlands, I’d seen more signs than I could count
advertising Wall Drug. I saw just as many on my way back, so I decided to stop
there. I bought some fudge, a crappy root beer float, and a nifty little fake but colorful rock.
This was one stop that I made out of sheer curiosity. I guess you can say that
advertising definitely worked in this case, but it’s not something I would
recommend. It is overly touristy. The fudge was okay, but nothing to go out of
the way for. It was neat inside because of the set up. You walk into a covered alley that has various
stores specializing in different things branching off the alley.
Overall, I’d say my money and time would have been better spent elsewhere.
In the beginning, the plan was to see Rapid City, Badlands National
Park, and Deadwood (yes, actual Deadwood from TV and history). I was going to
camp out near Deadwood, then go to Devil’s Tower the next day before heading
back to Torrington. Well, I made it to Deadwood, but only stopped long enough
to get cash back at a store in preparation for camping. It was already getting
late, and it was cold and rainy. I 100% DID NOT feel like setting up camp and
sleeping out in the cold and rain. So I plotted a route through the Black Hills
back to Torrington. I’ll save Deadwood and Devil’s Tower for another day. I was
happy with my return route, though. It took me through Lead and Four Corners
and the Black Hills. I saw
a herd of elk and stopped for a quick picture. The wonderful thing about
it being so unpopulated out here is that you can pretty much just stop wherever
you want on the road for a photo op. Of course, I always make sure it’s a safe
spot. I’m not going to stop on a curve on a mountain, but I’ll stop on a
straight stretch for sure.
So I made it home late and stayed in my nice, warm bed. Then spent
Friday doing things that needed done and trying to plan for visitors!
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