A Day in South Dakota

Our first day in South Dakota was a busy one. We started with a stop at a Minuteman Missile site. Captured a few photos, then moved on to the infamous Wall Drug. I found the perfect birthday card for Kathleen and got it mailed right across the street. Ironically, Adrian called us later in the evening. They were at DQ and thought of us!

The next stop was the Badlands National Park. I promise, no more Badlands after today. We finished the day at Custer State Park.

On the Road to South Dakota

Despite what you see in the pictures below, the trip to South Dakota wasn't a long day driving the state highways from North Dakota.

North Unit of TRNP

The north unit is about an hour drive from Medora and we are happy we decided to go. The drive led us past oil fields and then... OMGoodness! It was a WOW moment, breathtaking beauty sprawled before us.

The scenic drive in the park is shorter than the south unit loop, but the stunning sights surpassed anything we imagined. There are trails, wildlife, flowers and serene surroundings. Now for a few pictures.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

We spent a day in TRNP South Unit taking a plethora of photos and video while driving the scenic loop. Spending the entire day there was not difficult as there were trails to walk, and wildlife to watch. We watched hundreds of busy little creatures at several prairie dog towns along the loop.

Medora

On the recommendations of friends and others we booked a stay in Medora. We learned that Marquis De Mores founded the city in 1883 and named it after his wife. The population of Medora at the 2010 census was 112 residing in a town that is less than a half square mile in size. No fast food or Super Walmart there, but plenty of quaint shops and eateries.

While there we had dinner at the Pitchfork Fondue, where the steak is skewered on a pitchfork and cooked in the open flame for 4 minutes. Following dinner we walked over to the amphitheater, where we saw the Medora Musical. While we waited for showtime, we were entertained by a couple of elk grazing nearby.

Leaving the Farmland

Today was a bit sad...we left the farmland of Oakes to find Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Along the way we watched the farmland disappear as rolling hills began to emerge. By the end of the day's journey the surrounding scenery made a definite change. The Badlands erupted into view and we have stopped at Medora, ND for a few days. Medora is a small tourist spot with wooden sidewalks leading to western style shops, saloons and eateries.

Eastern ND

We spent today on the road sightseeing the area outside of Oakes including Jamestown where we had breakfast at a Perkins Restaurant, the best pancakes! Then it was on to see the white buffalo at the National Buffalo Museum;

the recreated prairie town at Frontier Village;

and the world's largest buffalo monument, Dakota Thunder.

There was the decommissioned Minuteman Missle and old paddle-wheel boat on display.

The longest raised railroad bridge for its height constructed in 1907 and is still in use today.

We found this stream at Little Yellowstone.

The Viking stands atop the pyramid hill to honor the people here who descended from Vikings.

This has been a fun weekend with great friends! Thank you for spending it with us.