Illinois-Iowa-South Dakota---September 6th to 9th

Sept 6th

We left Illinois,the Land of Lincoln,after 1.5 hours driving west on I-80. We crossed the great Mississippi into Davenport ,Iowa. Lots of rolling hills with cornfields,silos and grazing cattle.
The USA rest areas are large,clean and have Wi-Fi internet. Outside the city of DesMoines,Iowa is John Wayne's birth place Winterset and the Bridges of Madison County. We turned north on Route 29 outside Omaha,Nebraska and traveled north along the Missouri River. After 8 hours of driving we were happy to stop at Onawa/Blue Lake KOA. We camped right beside beautiful Blue Lake. It was hot and humid 30 Deg. C. About 7 pm we had a big rain storm with some lightning. (lasted about 1 hour).

Sept 7th

Overcast and a bit windy 19 Deg. C. We crossed the Missouri River at Sioux City into South Dakota travelling north on Rt.29. We saw paddle wheel river boats on the Missouri River. Blue skies over this prairie country. At Sioux Falls we turned west on I-90. The flat prairie fields were covered in canola,sun flower,etc. crops. Cowboy country with lots of cattle. We changed to Mountain Standard Time near the Badlands National Park(similar to Drumheller).As we approached the Black Hills of South Dakota we entered the town of Wall (literally through a granite wall). We drove through Rapid City with bronzed statues of past USA presidents at the street corners. The Black Hills are covered with Ponderosa Pines appearing black at a distance. After driving 9 hours we arrived tired at the luxurious Mount Rushmore/Hill City KOA(5400 ft elevation)with a lodge,cabins, restaurant,pub,pools,etc. We got a deluxe campsite with cable tv,paved pad,free internet and patio set. We had a nice meal at the campground Ponderosa Restaurant. 23 Deg. C. all day.

Sept 8th

We had good pancakes at the Ponderosa Resaurant before driving to the Crazy Horse Monument. The world's largest mountain carving is a work in progress started 50 years ago dedicated to the Native American People. Crazy Horse's face is 9 stories high and the horse's head will be 22 stories high. Impressive!!! We took the scenic drive through the Black Hills National Forest stopping at Mount Rushmore. We drove the 14 mile Needles Highway(needle like granite formations),the Wildlife Loop Road(meadows with herds of bison,wild turkeys,
deer,etc),Custer State Park and Iron Mountain Road with one vehicle tunnels and perilous pig-tail bridges-- 25 mph-- scary but absolutely beautiful. In the evening we took the KOA shuttle to Mount Rushmore (5mi away). We saw pronghorn sheep. We watched the awe-inspiring lighting of Mount Rushmore Memorial. Cool 16 Deg. C. today.

Sept 9th

We drove north 50 miles to Sturgis and toured the Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame.
Sturgis(pop 6,000)is the home to the largest motorcycle rally in August(over 500,000 bikers).
Very interesting. We went to Kevin Costner's Tatanka-Story of the Bison. Interpretive center , set for Dances with Wolves movie and life size display of bronze statues of 14 bison and 3Indian riders chasing the buffalo over a cliff. We strolled the Historic Main Street of Deadwood and took in the re-enactment of the Shooting of Wild Bill Hickok at the Old Style Saloon #10. It was like going back to the Old West.Lots of casinos and food buffets. We went to Mt. Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill and Calmity Jane are buried. It was raining off and on all day 6 Deg.C. As we got closer to our campground the rain turned into snow(early winter in South Dakota).Congratulations, Regan's and Farmer's on new baby boy,Morgan!!