South Dakota, cattle ranching, Indian Reservations, tumbleweed; big sky dome with 360-degree views uninterrupted. Strange land contours, fragile top soil that erodes very easily, every small town has a large grain elevator, mostly wheat. SD and Montana are not gluten free states. We took the diversion loop through the Badland National Park, still a stunning sight, cloudy so the layers of minerals do not show through quite as brilliant, but they are there; as the land erodes fossils are uncovered; we see a small Buffalo herd free ranging with antelope herding around them. Didn’t see any calves, maybe hidden in the grass. Stopped at Prairie Dog Town (a kind of ground squirrel). Took pictures in front of giant prairie dog statue, have Grandma’s Simons and Jarvis with Brenna and baby Seth picture in same location 1984. The dogs were healthy but had to watch not to fall in their holes/tunnels. They grabbed shell peanuts out of our hands; the babies are so cute and fuzzy and squeaky. They have tiny bark, slap their tales and jump in the air to communicate alerts. Stopped at famous Wall Drug with a quick walk through, no masks as you can guess and very crowded. We followed the roadside Wall Drug advertising signs for 300 miles, old style small wooden signs. The rest of the day is hard to describe. Gale force winds that demanded hands tight to the wheel and periods of downpour that were violent and blinding. Passing vehicles blew spray that blinded and the road did not drain, adjusting for hydroplaning. They had drought in the SD and Montana, Mt had no snow this winter so they are glad for it. We say, better to have hours of gentle soaking rain and not floods. Good stuff: cooler weather and no hail or tornadoes. After 606 miles (Badlands etc. added 2 hours) we arrive at Fairfield Inn in Billings, MT. We walk over to Outback Steak House because we don’t have to get back in the car. Montana is prairie and plains in the eastern part where we are; wheat and cattle. The mountains are in the west of this huge state. We have our extra paper work to cross the Border filed and sent online for a timed entry tomorrow. We will begin to see the big mountains as we move north and west into Canada. Very tired and grateful for safe travel thanks to Chuck’s driving skills. Time for bed. Nighty, night.
Total Miles Travel so far 1726
