Mitchell to Midland, the Badlands, Wall, and Rapid City, SD


Mitchell Corn Palace Visit, Visiting Kris and Marks Sammons in Midland, and driving through the Badlands and Wall on the way to Rapid City.

Distance: ~ 325 miles


The morning didn't start off too well. I was determined to find the camera and grumpy about something. Tensions always happen on the road! Anyway, I made him go away until I didn't want to yell at him any more while I rifled through the camper trying to find the camera. After all, what is the point of going to see the corn palace if you can't document that you've been there? When I finally found the camera and got myself into a better mood, it was understandable that Arne wasn't quite ready to be happy with me. We had a pretty quick tour through the palace, and got some pretty corny shots of me and Nina. It is worth a visit, but it isn't all I was expecting.

The day got much better after that point. We got on the road, called Aunt Kris and found out that it was a good day to come by and visit them. We got lunch on the road (can't remember where) and then got to the Sammon's Ranch shortly thereafter. Nina had a great time running around their house and finding all of the stuffed toys. She eventually became interested in the trucks and tractors, but she really loved those stuffed animals. She also loved climbing and and over all of their furniture. It was a great break from the car. She also got a treat, riding in the pickup to go water the cows. I should re-phrase that, she got to steer the pickup on the way over. What a treat is that!?

We left with enough time to get to Rapid City for dinner, or to go through the Badlands and get in later. Since Arne had never been to South Dakota at all before, I pressed for the Badlands and told Grandma Bunny and Bev that we would call them when we got to Wall and see if we could still make it for dinner.
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The Badlands were lovely, but not as spectacular as I remember them. I think that the Painted Desert has probably filled in all my memories of places like this. I'll post a panorama here when I get a chance to get it cropped and shrunk down to size.

We ate greasy burgers and fries in Wall, Nina had a bit of a meltdown, and we ended up making it to Rapid in time to sleep, but not for much else.

Posted: Sun - July 29, 2007 at 11:13 AM          

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