Each day of our trip has resulted in new sites and new experiences.  It’s been hard to remember them all.  I’ve been chided by my fellow travelers for forgetting some along the way, so this post will attempt to back up and capture some of those unforgettable moments….

In our first day of exploring the Badlands we made three quite sobering stops.  Those of you who grew up during the 50’s and 60’s will, no doubt, recall our “Duck and Cover” drills. As kids we were taught to get up and hide under our desks at school anytime we heard the air raid siren.  It was supposed to save us in the event of fall out from a nuclear bomb. Growing up during the Cold War we took those drills seriously.  The only reason I am here to report this, is that we never had to test the theory that hiding under a desk will protect you from nuclear fallout.  Really?  Were we ever THAT innocent?

Our stops, in the wilderness of South Dakota, were at Minute Man Missile Silos. The places from which we could have pressed the button to end the world. Standing and looking down into the silo at this incredible deadliness, I could only remember a line from a Sting song:  “I only hope the Russians love their children too.” And , fortunately, we never had to find out.  Because I’m pretty sure no desk in the world would have protected us….