Day Three: Sioux Falls to Rapid City, SD

We detoured to the waterfalls in Sioux Falls before grabbing coffee and starting our drive for the day.

It was a short day of driving- only 5.5 hours- so we knew we could meander and see some sights.  And that's exactly what we did!

one of the first signs for Wall Drug: still a couple hundred miles away

sign in a random teeny-tiny podunk town that we stopped in for fuel

Thankfully, boring South Dakota plains give way to a little oasis like this.

Can anyone spot the buffalo here?  Hint: it's not real, sadly.

We took the scenic byway through the Badlands.  Oh my- you must see these if you haven't yet.  They were absolutely magnificent!  Photos don't do any justice, but here are a few:

All the majesty and seclusion made me want to take up camping… you know, until I saw the Beware Rattlesnakes sign.  Count me out.

This went on for 40 miles.  Eventually the shades of taupe give way to oranges and corals, like this:

It was the highlight of our trip, really.

Then we took the jog back up to Wall, SD.  For those who don't know, Wall Drugstore is there.  Obviously, we took some time to explore as well as let our little free-range bird run around.

He loved the fountains!  Is that not the best photo ever?  I'm not sure who is more excited, Owen or Kraig!

Kraig and Owen dancing.

More dancing!

Paying for his awful 5 cent coffee.  Bleck.

Giddy up!

~1500 down, 1200 to go!