Roadtrip Part 3: Flyover Country

 Having left Denver I made my way up middle America, "Flyover" country, the farmland of America to some of the most underrated National Parks in the country. 

Part 3 day 1 Drive Day- Denver, CO to Hot Springs, SD

Due to missing an exit in a part of the world where they are 15+ miles apart, I ended up on an hour+ detour that involved 30 miles of gravel roads- but I saw a few really beautiful long horns, so that was a plus. 

Made it to Hot Springs, SD just before a massive storm rolled through, so outdoor hot spring enjoyment was out for the night- which while sad it was also super hot, so I may not have enjoyed it very much. 

Part 3 Day 2 - National Parks Number 34 and 35

I woke up the next day and made my way down the road a few miles to Wind Cave National Park.  I have taken quite a liking to cave adventures over the last few years.  Wind Cave marked my 5th cave type tour in 3 years. Wind Cave is very different as it's a subtractive cave structure (Carbonic Acid ate away the limestone leaving the box like calcite crystals, where as most other caves are additive- meaning that mineral deposits in water drops are added to each other over time forming stalactites and stalagmites. 

I did the "Fairground" tour which is a little over a mile and involves about 400 steps. By it was lovely to be in a cave that is a constant 53 degrees F. on a day that it was over 90.  

After Wind Cave I did a quick loop  of Custer State Park and enjoyed the Bison- lots and lots of Bison.  

From there I drove a little over 2 hours to Interior, SD where the population matched the temperature 94!  I got my tent set up, took in a quick and short walk and view inside Badlands NP before getting dinner at 1 of the 3 options in town. I had a Bison Burger, Chips and a Cider and my total WITH TIP was $16. Which is reasonable, but as someone who's coming in from Seattle- that feels like a treat. At my camp ground I got a $3 ice cream sandwich for dessert as it's was still over 85 at 7pm. 

Part 3 Day 3- Badlands and Pierre

I woke up this morning with the light at 4:30 but put on a blindfold and went back to bed til 7:30 when it was too hot to stay asleep. Got into the Park around 8:30 at which point it was already over 80 with a heat index for the day of 102. I got in a few short hikes and explores at some of the look outs and viewpoint stops before I really started to crave a milk shake. Closet spot to get one- Wall Drug- 20 miles away.  

On the way to Wall I stopped at the Minutemen National Historic Site. As someone who grew up  in this part of the country I was aware of the thousands of silos filled with nuclear weaponry that dot the landscape out here, but I still learned new things and had more in depth information than middle school history had given me.  

After that I drove to Wall for a much needed milkshake (wild blackberry) and the restoration of some childhood memories.  I had a buffalo burger here too and I'll be honest the one at Wagon Wheel in Interior was half the cost and tasted better. But I filled up on fries and free Water and headed back to the park.  I took a different set of roads this time. Got out did more sight seeing, but even after all the water and electrolytes and milk shake I still felt like I was crawling out of my skin or going to pass out, so I went back to camp, packed myself up, booked a cheap hotel in Pierre ( Capital of South Dakota) and headed out. 

Because I was exhausted from the heat I had to stop and take a nap so the 2 hour drive took 3 hours, but I checked into my hotel- took a shower (this hotel type is why I bring shower shoes) and sat in beautiful air-con considering dinner/drink options for the evening. 

I settled upon Strubel Brewing: I could not have made a better choice. 1) Excellent craft beer. 2) German food 3) Wonderful company.  

Traveling alone can be hard when going out to eat. Making conversation is especially hard for me as an Autistic person, but here I fell into a rhythm like I was a local. They made me feel welcomed almost as soon as I sat down. They also make really spectacular beer and serve other South Dakota specialities.  It's a shame they can only afford to be only 2x a week (Friday and Saturday) because I could see myself here as a local often.  So if you know anyone who spends time in Pieer please make sure they  are stopping here.  

Part 3 Day 4- Pierre to Souix Falls. Drove by the capital- thought about doing a tour, but hadn't slept great so I went and found a very tasty local donut shop for a little treat to self before heading out of town. The only flaw in my plan was not getting a second Boston cream donut for the next day.  

While a known disappointment when it comes to road side attractions- I did stop at The World's ONLY Corn Palace.  It's a building decorated annually in poor mans crop art.  It doesn't hold a candle to the state far in MN, but I cannot help myself and stop every time I drive through.  Like everything else this year it is America 250 themed.  

While I stayed in a small farm in Chancellor, I went into Souix Falls to see the falls first. I did slip and fall and bruised my arm and my ego but got some nice pictures.  After the falls I found a local Mead and Burger joint on the river which was the perfect call.  The fat and carbs of a double cheeseburger and fries was a good balance to the 18% abv flight I enjoyed.  Certainly not the mead I normally get.  But certainly Big Lost is worth the stop. 

I probably would have been better served by staying out later as there wasn't much good with my Airbnb other than that it was cheap.  I'm fine with hostels so long as basic principles of space sharing are followed- they were not in this one, but the farm animals did make me smile and it was a $35 bed for the night- I just wouldn't go back and wont recommend. 

Part 3 Day 5- When I finally get to Minnesota. Woke up to Roosters and Peacocks and Ducks and pretty much anything with feathers. Was glad to be able to leave town and get on the road.  Sadly still having trouble staying awake while driving so it took an extra hour as I needed to refill on caffeine. I made it to my mom's place safely and am glad to be in a comfy bed, with air con for the next several days.