Everybody was up early for Noah’s Australian Birthday.
An early breakfast of pancakes, bacon, eggs and sausages at the KOA, a quick couple of arcade games and then back on the road trip by 7.30 am.
Another beautiful scenic drive. We passed farms, horses, alpacas, cattle and gorgeous farmhouses.
And again, through the beautiful rolling hills.
The road at the beginning of today’s journey was flat, straight and quiet. A nice change.
Our first stop was the historic western ghost town of Scenic, not a soul in sight. And, where at the Longhorn Saloon, Indians were allowed…
Then past the small town of Interior, population 94. Today there may be a little more with the arrival of the bikers.
Next, the spectacular Badlands National Park. Its dramatic landscapes span layered rock formations, steep canyons and towering spires.
More bikers touring the area, they might not like to wear helmets but they sure like to use their high beams.
There was not a lot of wildlife out in the meadows today, however, we did see a cute Prairie dog (herbivorous burrowing rodents native to the grasslands) run across the road. Luckily he was not roadkill.
After a lovely cruise around the national park, it was time to move on, we have a long drive ahead. As it is Noah’s birthday tomorrow we have decided to try and get the long drive done today and stay in a reasonably sized town. He wants a Walmart to get his cake and King Burger (what he likes to call Burger King) for his birthday lunch. Oh, and he does not want to be driving on his birthday, fair call…
A small break at a truck stop in Belvidere for lunch.
No time to stop at the Dances with Wolves film display or South Dakotas original 1880’s Town. I got the picture from the Interstate.
A little fact: most of the Dances with Wolves movie was filmed on location in South Dakota, mainly on private ranches near Pierre and Rapid City, with a few scenes filmed in Wyoming. Specific locations included the Badlands National Park, the Black Hills, the Sage Creek Wilderness Area, and the Belle Fourche River area. Thanks, Google.
More farmlands filled with wheat, cattle and lots of corn. Small towns and cute farmhouses.
And, more rolling hills…
We crossed the Missouri River, the longest river in North America and then the rain set in. This is probably not so good for the bikers but great to clean our dirty dusty motorhome.
After more than 8 hours in the driver’s seat, an unexpected time change, a final stop at Walmart for Noah’s cake and other birthday goodies, Pete finally got to stop driving on our arrival at Sioux Falls and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort.
As the weather was still wet and grim we decided to have an easy dinner in the RV, receive calls from home and get ready for the big day tomorrow.
Here’s hoping the weather is a little nicer. If we get stuck in the motorhome together for another day there may be a mutiny.
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