Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things that you did do.  So throw off the bow lines. Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore.  Dream. Discover. – Mark Twain

Yesterday was a day of discovery.  While this trip was carefully planned, much of it is turning out to be pure serendipity. Starting with yesterday morning as we made our way up the western border of Iowa.  An unplanned stop brought us to the Sgt. Floyd Memorial.  If you are like us, you’re shaking your head and saying “Who was that?”.  In short, he was the only man on the Lewis & Clark Expedition to die. From all accounts he was a good man and a good soldier.  But children’s history books don’t even mention him.

Our second serendipity was a rest stop where a sign in the ladies room boasted of a South Dakota produced set of 4 CD’s about the state.  For the bargain basement price of $12. Given the coast of vacation, it seemed a worthwhile investment.  And it was.  As we traveled the state we’ve been able to learn about history, natural history and Indian tales. A well spent $12.

And as we drove I was amazed by the vastness of our country.  The earth and sky meeting on the horizon with nothing in between. Now I know why they call this Big Sky Country…

Our first planned stop of the day was Mitchell, SD, at the Corn Palace.  A huge and amazing homage to agriculture.  Each year the building is covered in new designs made from corn.  It’s kind of like a paint-by-numbers and visitors are encouraged to help with the “painting”.  Imagine a building covered in tens of thousands of ears of corn.  This year’s designs were based on small town America – the football teams, the cheerleaders. And an amazing design on the front of the building – a nativity.  Only in a place like South Dakota.

Before we left Mitchell we made a quick stop at a pre-historic Indian Village. The stop was quick as there was very little to see.  An empty field with plaques.  Interesting, but not much to see.

And then we hit the  road again. For the Badlands. We spent more time there than planned but it was unavoidable. The views were absolutely breath taking and the vastness of the park was unbelievable. John commented that they are poorly named as Badlands and should be called Awesome Lands.  The beauty and desolation are phenomenal.  Miles and miles of barren peaks and crags. In the park we saw long horned sheep, a Swift Fox and thousands of Prairie Dogs.

A quick trip to Wall Drug Store of Wall, SD fame and we were back in the car, racing for Mt Rushmore.

At 9 pm every summer night Mt. Rushmore holds a monument lighting ceremony.  We skipped dinner and got there just in time.  And it was well worth the price of a missed meal. Anyone who can look at the monument and not be moved doesn’t have a heart.  As the park staff recognized the veterans and active duty military in the audience (including my son!) I couldn’t help but cry. The singing of the National Anthem by thousands of visitors as they turned on the lights was truly a once in a lifetime experience.  And I could stand to skip a meal or two…

sands of ears of cornd