Natural and Man Made Wonders

Trip Start Jun 12, 2009
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Trip End Jul 05, 2009


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Flag of United States  , South Dakota,
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

I didn't make it very far west today but saw many wonders, both natural and Man Made.  Since I started off in Wall SD I had to go to Wall Drug and see a true man made wonder (I wonder whose idea this was).  They had only been advertising it since I got into the state about 400 miles ago.  I found this to be quite a tacky and funny place.  The actually "Drug" part of the store is quite small.  Basically a giant store to sell souvenirs but it was still worth going.

Then went back to the Badlands to see these natural wonders again.  Had more time in the morning and got to do a bit of hiking around.  The area does look quite different in the daytime sun then at sunset.

Then headed to Minuteman Missile National Historic Site to see another man made wonder T-Rex pen at Wall Drug
T-Rex pen at Wall Drug
 .  This is an decommissioned Minuteman II missile site just off I90.  Quite a small little site but pretty interesting.  the Missile in the silo is a trainer missile, but it is quite amazing just how close to the interstate these silos can be.

Then headed over to the Wind Cave National Park for a natural wonder.  This is quite different then any cave I have ever been in.  No stalactites or stalagmites.  Lots of box features (95% of these types of features are believed to be in this cave.)  This was like walking through cracks in the earth.  Seemed like each direction was just a crack going off somewhere.  Just felt different than other caves.

Finally ended up at Mount Rushmore for another man made wonder and the evening lighting ceremony.  This was pretty cool.  Ran a feature about the 4 presidents on the mountain along with a bit of history on the mountain.  During the Ceremony they had all the current and former service people come up on stage and announce their name and branch of service while placing there hand on the flag.  This was quite tastefully done I thought.
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