Today was a day full of back road meanderings, and I landed at one of America's most iconic sites. Now, in case some of the readers don't know- I'm going this current All-American road trip using AAA roads maps alone. No GPS, not even my iPhone. I remember random scenes from movies growing up where the dad is driving, trying to fold a map all at once, and everybody is yelling. Minus the company- that is almost entirely true. I yell at myself. It's great.
I'm well into my trip at this point, and I've gotten into a bit of a groove when it comes to my map reading skills. I remember doing a similar trip with my brother a few years ago the same way. It takes a bit to get used to, but once you recognize the patterns, you realize just how freeing it is to not use a Navi of any sort. No more worrying about time of arrival- just look at the miles and think about your speed. No more worrying about which exit to get off in a city- just look at the main streets, follow signs for downtown, you'll be OK. The best part though, is a sense of discovery you get when arriving to various destinations. It's that sense of "I've found you!", instead of "yup, I'm here". Subtle perhaps, but makes a big difference when hauling long miles.
I spent the morning on the Oregon Trail at Scottsbluff, NE. There's a great little hiking trail you can take that brings you to actual remnants of the trail itself. Here at Scottsbluff, wagons had to single file through the ravine, making large ruts, some of which are still visible today! Pretty neat to think about the fact that I'm looking up at this bluff with a sense of American pride, and so did the emigrants from years ago. Cool.
Then I headed north into South Dakota. I went via Agate Fossil bed (I won't lie, kinda anticlimactic, though some good views of prairie along the way). Then it was grassland. As far as you can see. It was very impressive, and something I had never quite seen before (always a neat feeling). I'd seen grassland in Turkey before, but never to the extent that I saw yesterday.
I stopped at the site of the Wounded Knee Massacre- a reminder of the less-proud moments of our history.
Then it was on toward the Badlands. Let me tell you- if I was stranded out here, I would probably die by sunset. Expansive, dry, windy, hot, rocky. Yikes. Needless to say, it was a beautiful sight to see. I went through Badlands National Park (honestly- our Natn'l Park System is incredible), and even saw some wildlife! That moment when I'm just minding my business taking photos and a group of Bighorn sheep come UP THE CLIFF right in front of you. That was definitely special and exciting.
Finally, I made my way to Keystone and saw the Big One. By that I mean the Big 4. By that I mean I went to Mt. Rushmore. It's a beautiful site, and incredibly well maintained. The complex and trail are pristine. I will warn you though- the parking is privately owned so your Annual Pas is worthless! $11. Grr. But I'd still say it was worth it.
I headed into Wyoming before bedding don for the night outside of Hulett, Wyoming. I tried my hand at "astrophotography". The night sky was gorgeous and it took me a while before deciding I should probably get my camera out and try to capture it all. Enjoy the photos!
