The Badlands, Minuteman Missile, and Corn Palace

Trip Start Jun 27, 2008
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Trip End Jul 06, 2008


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Flag of United States  , South Dakota,
Friday, July 4, 2008

The day dawned gray and rainy. We had breakfast at a little family restaurant right near the hotel.  We had the buffet since we were in a hurry.  The strawberries were really good, but the rest wasn't that great.  By the time we left the rain had stopped. 

Our first stop for the day was The Badlands National Park.  We just drove the badlands loop road. At our first stop, we found a couple of cheeseheads.  Yup, those Wisconsin folks were here with their cheese on their heads.  We watched the movie at the visitor center and Isaiah enjoyed it when I would cover my eyes when they showed the snakes.  While we saw beautiful vistas and wildflowers, we did not see any bison.  I was so disappointed.  Last time we saw a whole bunch of them.  Oh well.  The good news... no snakes either!

Right at the exit of The Badlands, was the newer Minuteman Missile National Monument Cheese Heads
Cheese Heads
 .  We stopped by the visitor center and viewed the movie talking about what life was like for those who manned the missile controls.  Then the park ranger did a question and answer session.  At one time South Dakota had 150 minuteman missiles.  Most of them have been destroyed with the end of the Cold War.  I realized that last time we were out here, those missiles were still in action since we were in the dusk of the Cold War.  Then it really hit when Isaiah asked what the Cold War was. 

We stopped in Murdo, home of Senator Thune, and had lunch at the GTO Cafe.  I had a great cheeseburger and Isaiah thought the fries were great.  We got to Mitchell and headed to the Corn Palace.  The Corn Palace as first built in 1892.  What is the Corn Palace you ask?  It is a building covered by murals made with corn.  Every year it is redecorated.  In addition, it serves as basketball court for several schools in the area.  Ok a little tacky, but Americana nonetheless.  We ate dinner at a little local Italian place called Italiana Donn.  The sauce was a little spicy, but good.

The evening was relaxing.  I think everyone in the hotel was doing laundry, though.  Isaiah and I hung out in the pool with Smiley.  I can't believe our time in SD is almost over.
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