Summer Vacation Redux #16: Wall Drugs

Finished my visit to the Badlands National Park in mid-afternoon, it was time to return to the interstate and head west to Wyoming.  However, the juncture happened to be at Wall, South Dakota.  One thing that everyone who drives interstate 90 in South Dakota knows is that Wall is home to one of the greatest tourist traps in the United States: Wall Drugs.  I can only think of one that might rival it--"South of the Border" on route 301 in Hamer, South Carolina.  My friend needed a necessary-break, and so it was simply a no-brainer that we experience Wall Drug for ourselves.

The complex is both wide and deep and features a mall like range of shops through kitsch infested narrow passageways.  You just know that if something ever caught fire--well, it would not be pretty...  There are multiple jewelry stores, a bookstore, at least two pharmacy (that made no sense!), ice cream shops, candy stores, art galleries, gun store, restaurants...  The entire labyrinth of commerce is disturbing and compelling on so many levels.  I'm glad we didn't choose to spend very long there.

 Would like to sit and take a picture with Annie Oakley?

 I prefer my Bison alive!

 There is an actual, original, functioning pharmacy here, too.

It's all about the non-sequitur!

For all your jack-elope needs, as if!

Summer Vacation Redux #15: Badlands National Park, part 4 of 4

Shortly after the reaching the top of the plateau again on the northwestern end of Badlands National Park, you are given a choice.  You can follow the main paved road straight north to the interstate and the town of Wall, South Dakota.  OR, you can veer off onto a washboard rough dirt road and head for a simple fence-line with a metal cattle-grid across the road.  My instincts told me to make left!  I did so without consulting my traveling companion and he looked at me like I was nuts.  I just said, "trust me on this one." 

And the payoff was the chance to encounter another herd of American Bison!  I just can't tell you how wonderful these opportunities were for me.  I hope you enjoy the photo record of them, too.  Without further ado, welcome to part of 4 of 4 of my Badlands National Park adventure, and yes, I'm including the maps again.

Just to show how close we were.  None of these magnificent creatures behaved cantankerously.  And we certainly returned the favor!

Summer Vacation Redux #15: Badlands National Park, part 3 of 4

The central portion of the drive (and 3rd of 4 sections of Badlands National Park posts) will continue to provide amazing vistas of a range of geological features in colors that are sublime.  There is also an area to get out and explore information about the fossil history of the park.  At one overlook I got my first distant views of a Bighorn Sheep, but it took me looking at the image from the camera up close to realize it was wearing a radio collar!  Again, I'm re-sharing the two maps for the integrity of this post.

The drive through the park moves in turns from the plateau over the badlands to the plain stretching out below and back again. 

This is the pull off area for the extended accessible hiking trail and Fossil exhibits. The trail is set up as a level boardwalk to accommodate otherly-mobile individuals such as those with wheelchairs or walkers. It's a really exceptional accommodation that I was very impressed by.

And there is my faithful little Red Nissan Versa with the Alabama liscense plate! What a great rental. I first rented one when in Seattle in March of 2016, and I'm so enamored with it, I'm seriously thinking about buying one as a second car to commute in once my truck is paid off. End of Nissan commercial! 

There she is! 

Surveying her domain. 

End of photo op.....

Here on the western end of the northern area of the park, add ochre to your color palate! 

Summer Vacation Redux #15: Badlands National Park, part 2 of 4

The Ben Reifel Visitor Center is found at the southern entrance of Badlands National Park and contains a gift shop, restrooms, and a comprehensive little museum/educational center with exhibits that share the history of the Badlands formation and former prehistoric inhabitants.  This will be the second of my four set of images from Badlands National Park.

I believe the significance of this model is that this odd pre-historic mammal represents the most commonly excavated fossils from this era in the park.

The addition of the sun and clouds makes light yet another aspect of the beauty and drama of the Badlands.