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South Dakota vacation.....fantastic!!

6 years ago

Last Tuesday me and my daughters left for vacation, along with 11 other family members. Most of us drove 10+ hours and couple flew in. We visited Wall Drug, The Badlands, 1880 train from Hill City to Keystone, Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Wind Cave, Sylvan State Park. We drove the Wild Animal loop and intended to drive Needles highway, but ran out of time. We ate at several local restaurants in Hill City and Hot Springs. It was an awesome vacation and I would love to go back.

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Comments (11)

jim_1 (Zone 5B)
6 years ago
This is a unique part of the USA. It is good to be exposed to what there is there. I remember being there in the early 1960s. I am sure that a lot has changed, but much of the wilderness has stayed the same. Good job!!
chisue
6 years ago
Which of those three young gals is our Jewel? Hmmm?
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Annie Deighnaugh
6 years ago
Excellent! We're heading to ND and SD in August. Looking forward to it!
debo_2006
6 years ago
We did the same trip last year and had a blast. We stayed a few nights at various motels and even one in Hot Springs too (neat little town), and from there we drove South to Ardmore, SD to visit a Ghost Town which we enjoy doing when we can find them. The town is like everyone just up and left, which is essentially what happened. Tidbit: Last recorded population was in 1980 with 16 people. There are old buildings and 15-20 vacant homes still standing and some with yards filled with classic cars. We ran into a mailwoman who only delivers every few weeks and she said there are 2-3 residents still there. It would be eerie at night; it kind of was during the day.

Needles Highway was a great adventure with fabulous views. We did it twice from different directions. Did you hike the Notch Trail in the Badlands...the sunsets/rises are picture worthy.
Janie
6 years ago
I visited Mt. Rushmore last summer and could cross it off of my bucket list. I was especially moved by the Crazy Horse Memorial. Wish I could come back in the next century to see it finished.
bengardening
6 years ago
I am from SD. I have only lived here since 1996. I came from ND. I have never taken the tour of the badlands here, but someone from here said ours are better in ND. I go out to the Black Hills a lot and never get tired of them. Just last week when we went out there we stopped in Murdo and ate at the Star Restaurant for the first time. The food was very good. If you go through Pierre the lake by the capital building is very nice too. My sister-in-law just went to the musical in Medora ND and she said it was very good too.
littlebug zone 5 Missouri
6 years ago
Annie, are you going to the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally? If not, you might want to avoid the area the first half of August.
hooked123
6 years ago
Sounds like a great trip!
Annie Deighnaugh
6 years ago
Thanks littlebug, we are definitely avoiding sturgis!
OutsidePlaying
6 years ago
So glad you had a great time. We were there a few years ago, and we too were just amazed by the Crazy Horse museum and memorial, and found Custer State Park to be so beautiful. We plan to go back in the next couple of years.
cynic
6 years ago
Another example why I don't feel an obsession to leave the country to vacation. Western SD is a very nice area.

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